Early the next morning my alarm goes off, my eyes flutter open and I look at the ceiling for a minute before getting up and getting dressed. I have early rehearsal for my audition which will be tomorrow.

I decide to wear a sports bra and overalls with my black converse. After that I brush my hair deciding to leave it down and brush my teeth before grabbing my water bottle from the fridge.

I leave the room, walk down the hallway to the elevator and step inside once the doors open. I get down to the lobby and see Michael, Sergio, Chance, Drew and Brady heading towards the door.

"Hey guys, wait up." I say as they turn towards me. I smile catching up to them.

"Early rehearsal?" Brady asks.

"Did you guys hear something?" I say looking at Michael confused.

They laugh, except Brady he sighed.

We get into the van and I'm sat next to Sergio and Brady. My phone dings and I look at it. Sergio texted me.
Sergibro⚡️
He wants to know why you're ignoring him. He wouldn't stop asking me last night.

I begin typing.

Me
I'm only going to tell him that what he said hurt and brought me back to a time where I couldn't live with myself and that I fought myself for a very long time.

Sergibro⚡️
Okay, sounds good.

"Brady." I say as he looks up at me.

"Yeah?"

"About yesterday, when you asked that question I got uncomfortable because it brought me back to a time where I would fight and deny myself. And I freaked out and left because I didn't want to end up crying in front of everyone. I hope you understand, questions like that are not ones I want to answer."

There was a moment of silence and the guys starring at me before he speaks up.

"Yeah, I understand. I'm really sorry about it. I didn't think you would freak out and I wish I could go back and not ask that question."

I smile as the van pulls to a stop. "Wow it's been a minute since we've been here." Michael states as we get out of the van. We head into the building and I follow the guys to the rehearsal room.

We walk inside and I see Tim smiling at me. "Good morning Olivia, Chance, Brady, Sergio, Drew and Michael." He says looking at each of us. I smile back and mumble a good morning. "So Olivia, what song are you planning on auditioning with?"

I think for a moment. "Almost Love by Sabrina Carpenter."

"Alright well, you start practicing with the boys and I'll be back, gotta make sure everyone is awake by eight." Tim states standing. I nod as all the boys sit down. Chance sits in Tim's seat and searches for a Karaoke version of the song once he finds it he clicks it and it begins to play.

I begin to sing.

"Ah yeah, yeah, yeah
The moment when the light is red before the go
The moment when the curtain's down before the show
The moment when you're done, but maybe just one more
That's how I feel before I get you all alone
We could give it a minute
But what's the fun in a minute?
When we could push all the limits, ah yeah
Shirt hanging off my shoulders
Both hands wanna hold you
So baby, what's the hold up?
Yeah, yeah
Can you feel the tension rising?
Now you're, now you're getting it close
Now you're, now you're getting it close
Almost love, it's almost love
Speed this up 'cause I'm excited
No more, no more taking it slow
No more, no more taking it slow
Almost love, it's almost love
Almost love
Almost love, but it could be love
Almost love
Almost love, but it could be love
Almost lo-lo-love
Almost love, but it could be love
It could be love, it could be
I want you like a midnight hour wants a view
I want you like a loner wants an empty room
I want you like a kiss that's long and overdue
I need you more than I have ever needed you
And we could give it a minute
But what's the fun in a minute?
When we could push all the limits, ah yeah
Shirt hanging off my shoulders
Both hands wanna hold you
So baby, what's the hold up?
Yeah
Can you feel the tension rising?
Now you're, now you're getting it close
Now you're, now you're getting it close
Almost love, it's almost love
Speed this up 'cause I'm excited
No more, no more taking it slow
No more, no more taking it slow
Almost love, it's almost love
Almost love
It's almost love, but it could be love
Almost love
Almost love, but it could be love
Almost lo-lo-lo-lo-love
Almost love, but it could be love
It could be love
It could be, yeah
We could give it a minute
But what's the fun in a minute?
Can you feel the tension rising?
Now you're getting it so close
Now you're getting this so close
Almost love, almost love
Oh, 'cause I'm excited
No more, no more taking it slow
No more, no more taking it slow
It's almost love
Almost love, oh baby
It's almost love, but it could be love
'Cause it's almost love, but it could be love
Almost love and you know
Almost love
But it could be love
'Cause it's almost love, but it could be love
Yeah, it could be love, eh"

After I finish the guys, besides Michael, we're shocked.

We play it a few times so I can get the hang of not forgetting the words. During the fourth time playing it Tim comes into the room but stands in the doorway until I finish singing. I look over since the guys are looking in Tim's direction. He smiles "Olivia that was amazing."

"Thank you."

***

After hours of working on choreography and the vocals I'm ready to pass out. Sergio and Chance offered to help with choreography since Napoleon and Tabitha weren't at the studio yet. Kayleigh comes to the studio as I'm leaving.

"Hey." She says walking up and engulfing me in a hug.

"Hi."

"How was rehearsal?"

"Great but tiring. Michael said that with the auditions last year there was no choreography since they came to L.A a couple weeks before the show premiered and had to practice by themselves before they came here. But you'll be tired by the time your session is over, trust me." I laugh giving her another quick hug before we part ways.

I get in the van as the last person gets off and ride back to the hotel. I decide when I get there that I'll have a short nap and head to the pool.

***

I wake up from my nap and head over to the closet to grab a bathing suit, I packed four or five since I figured I might make it past auditions. I grab the first one I see and head to the bathroom to change. After that I braid my hair into pigtails, grab a towel and head down to the pool.

I look around and I'm the only one here. I get in the pool and swim around. There was this bed floaty thing so I decided to lay down on that for a little while. Biggest mistake I made.

At this point I've been in the pool for a few hours and it's about six in the evening. A lot of, or all of, the girls should be back from rehearsal by now along with the guys.

I was correct.

I feel the floaty tip over, me splashing into the water. I resurface to see Kayleigh and Sergio laughing. Oh they are so going to get it. I swim towards them and jump on Sergio's back, he yelps and struggles to push me off.

"Who's idea was it?" I ask Kayleigh. She doesn't answer.

I hop off Sergio's back and swim towards her. I grab her hand and pull her under the water. She looks scared but also really happy, and cute. I peck her lips before giving her a look that said "who's idea was it to tip the floaty?" She points to Sergio with her free hand. We both resurface as I let go of her hand.

"Sergio!" I yell.

"Oh no." He states jumping out of the pool.

"No! Come back! I won't do anything I promise."

We see Chance standing in the entrance of the pool.
"You three are five year olds, you know that right?"

We all laugh.

"Okay but guys we have to go. All the contestants are going out for supper. So go change and meet in the lobby in twenty minutes."

"Okay, dad." I hear Kayleigh mumble which causes me to giggle.

We head to the pool edge and climb out. We grab our towels and dry off before grabbing our stuff and heading upstairs to change. I decide to text Chance because he didn't say where we were going or what the dress code was.

Me
Yo where are we going and what's the dress code?

Seconds later he replies.

Chance🎲
Can't say, dress casual.

That was helpful.

I hope off my bed and walk over to the closet. I grab a pair of jeans and a yellow long sleeve shirt that says "the way we dress doesn't mean yes"

I change, leaving the braids in my hair before grabbing my money, phone and purse. I walk out of the room and head towards the elevators to see Kayleigh there waiting for me, along with Sergio. "Hey guys."

"Hey, so do either of you know where we're going? I tried asking Chance but he won't tell me."

"No clue. But I think it's only a fast food place, probably pizza?"

"I'm down if it's pizza." I say as we go inside the elevator.

We head down to the lobby. Chance sees us runs over grabs Sergio's hand, Sergio grabs mine, and I grab Kayleigh's. Chance starts running, we all do, to get outside to the vans. "Okay pile in which ever one you want. They're all headed to the same location. You can sit with your friends or sit with others and make new friends."

Kayleigh, Sergio, Crystal, Natalie, Brady, and myself get into a van. Sergio sits in the front next to the driver, Brady and Natalie sit in the two seats in the middle, Crystal, Kayleigh and I sit in the back. Crystal on the far left, Kayleigh in the middle and I'm on the far right.

On the way to the restaurant I look over at Kayleigh, she's so cute. When Chance let go of Sergio's hand and Sergio let go of my hand, Kayleigh and I hop in the first van we saw. Neither of us let go if the others hand.

Everyone was jamming out to In Real Life songs, they're amazing, on the way to where we were going. Once we arrive, everyone climbs out of the van. I quickly let go of Kayleigh's hand as she stands up. I look at where we are and we're at a pizza place. "Kayleigh you called it." I say looking at her with a smile. She smiles back and we head inside.

Chance walks up, "I called earlier for table for thirty people." He states to the host person.

"Name?" He asks.

"Perez."

"Yeah we have you on the list." The guy says grabbing menus. "Right this way." He states walking towards a table. We follow and each sit down. I sit across from Kayleigh. Sergio sits across from Crystal. Natalie is across from Brady. Chance is sat across from Michael. Drew is across from another girl. Chance is sat next to me and Michael is sat next to Kayleigh.

After looking at the menu we all decide on a big meat lovers pizza, garlic bread and we all have different drinks.

Chance and Michael are in deep conversation so I pull my phone out from my pocket and text Kayleigh.

Me
Hey, I was just wondering... what are we?

Kaysleigh🛷
Idk, we're friends but we have kissed a couple times and we held hands the whole way here...

Me
Can we go outside and talk?

Kaysleigh🛷
Yeah sure

"Hey guys, Kayleigh and I are gonna go get some air. Be back in a few." I say standing. Chance looks at me concerned but nods.

We walk outside. Once we get outside the door I turn towards her.

"I didn't want to say it inside but I do like you, a lot, will you go out with me?" I ask quickly.

"Yeah, I like you too. Of course I'll go out with you." I smile and we hug. Before walking back inside we intertwine our hands, a huge smile on both of our faces. We let go before anyone at the table sees and sit down.

Chance texts me.

Chance🎲
What was that about? Are you two dating?

I blush and look over at him, he's looking at me waiting for an answer.

I slowly nod. I text back.

Me
Yes but don't tell anyone, we just started dating.

Chance🎲
Okay, I'm happy for you.

Me
Thanks 😊

Authors note: hello! Sorry I haven't been posting in any of my books that I'm working on.
I was working on this for a few days so I hope you like it. The auditions are next chapter and I have more things coming for this book and my others. Okay bye!