A New Start

Chapter 8

I silently leapt for joy at this new discovery and grabbed my acoustic guitar. I waited in the wings for my turn, saying good luck to everyone.

“Next up is Bella Swan,” called the announcer.

I walked onstage with my microphone that was at my ear and turned around as I started to play the first chords.

State the obvious

I didn’t get my perfect fantasy

I realize you love your self more then you could ever love me

So go and tell your friends that I’m obsessive and crazy

That’s fine

You won’t mind if I say:

I turned around and looked straight at Cody. Edward looked relieved that it wasn’t him I was singing to. Cody looked hurt.

By the way…

I hate that stupid old pick up truck you never let me drive

You’re a redneck

Heart-break

Who’s really bad at lying?

So watch me strike a match to all my wasted time

As far as I’m concerned you just another picture to burn

There’s no time for tears

I’m sitting here planning my revenge

There’s nothing stopping me from going out with all of your best friends

And if you come around saying sorry to me

My daddy’s gonna show you how sorry you’ll be

‘Cause I hate that stupid old pick up truck you never let me drive

You’re a redneck

Heart-break

Who’s really bad at lying

So watch me strike a match to all my wasted time

As far as I’m concerned you just another picture to burn

And it you’re missing me you’d better keep it to your self

‘Cause coming back around here could be bad for your health…

‘Cause I hate that stupid old pick up truck you never let me drive

You’re a redneck

Heart-break

Who’s really bad at lying

So watch me strike a match to all my wasted time

As far as I’m concerned you just another picture to burn

In case you haven’t heard I really really hate that

‘Cause I hate that stupid old pick up truck you never let me drive

You’re a redneck

Heart-break

Who’s really bad at lying

So watch me strike a match to all my wasted time

As far as I’m concerned you just another picture to burn

Burn burn, burn, baby burn

You’re just another picture to burn

Baby burn

I bowed and then was joined by the other participants.

“The ten students who are moving on are:

Sydney Andrews

John and Emily Rolars

Serena Teners

Tina Western

Rachel Tomlinson

Sam Jones

Taylor Rhodes

Mary Stewart

Scot Phillips

And Bella Swan.”

The crowd went wild as I raced backstage to get ready for my next number.

“You were awesome Bella!” squealed Alice “Better then when Taylor sang Teardrops on My Guitar.” Wow! I must’ve rocked.

“You should’ve seen Cody’s face when he figured out that you were singing about him. That was hilarious!” She continued.

I laughed along with her as I pulled on a sleeveless, knee-length, navy blue dress with sparkles. I also wore a pair of navy blue stilettos. Alice redid my hair to a half up half down hairdo. Before I knew it I was backstage again waiting with my acoustic guitar. I walked right up to the microphone this time and took center stage.

Once upon a time

I believe it was a Tuesday

This one was for Edward so I looked at him. He understood.

When I caught your eye

We caught onto something

I hold onto the night

You looked me in the eye and told me you loved me

Were you just kidding?

‘Cause it seems to me this is breaking down

We almost never speak

I don’t feel welcome anymore

Baby what happened please tell me

‘Cause one second it was perfect now your halfway out the door

I started to make random hand motions that fit with the song.

And I stare at the phone he still hasn’t called

And then you feel so low you can’t feel nothing at all

And you flashback to when we said forever and always

Oh and it rains in you bedroom

Everything is wrong

It rains when you’re here and it rains when your gone

‘Cause I was there when you said forever and always

Was I out of line?

Did I say something was too honest?

Made you run and hide like a scared little boy

I looked into your eyes thought I knew you for a minute

Now I’m not so sure

So heres to everything coming down to nothing

Heres to silence that cuts me to the core

Where is this going

Thought I knew for a minute but I don’t anymore

And I stare at the phone he still hasn’t called

And then you feel so low you can’t feel nothing at all

And you flashback to when we said forever and always

Oh and it rains in you bedroom

Everything is wrong

It rains when you’re here and it rains when your gone

‘Cause I was there when you said forever and always

You didn’t mean it baby

I don’t think so

Ohhhh

Oh back up baby back up

Did you forget everything?

Back up baby back up

Did you forget everything?

Oh and it rains in you bedroom

Everything is wrong

It rains when you’re here and it rains when you’re gone

‘Cause I was there when you said forever and always

And I stare at the phone he still hasn’t called

And then you feel so low you can’t feel nothing at all

And you flashback to when we said forever and always

Oh and it rains in you bedroom

Everything is wrong

It rains when you’re here and it rains when you’re gone

‘Cause I was there when you said forever and always

You didn’t mean it

Baby

You said forever and always

Yeah

“The finalists are:

Rachel Tomlinson

Mary Stewart

Sam Jones

Scot Phillips

And Bella Swan.”

I looked at Edward and saw that he was happy for me and sad because he knew what had caused this song to be written. Alice on the other hand was freaking out.

Back at the dressing room I pulled a red, side-sleeved dress with a straight A-line skirt that went past my silver heels, like a princess dress. Alice touched up my make up and undid my curls so that they flew down my back. I grabbed the hand held microphone and waited backstage for the third time that day. When it was my turn I walked to center stage behind a black screen that would rise as I sang.

There’s somethin’ ‘bout the way the street looks when its just rained

There’s a glow off the pavement

You walk me to the car

The screen is at my hips.

And you know I want to ask you to dance right there

In the middle of the parking lot

Yeah

The screen lifts over my face and I walk forward into the lights. I find Edward’s face and stare at it as I sing.

Oh yeah

We’re drivin’ down the road

I wonder if you know

I’m tryin’ so hard not to get caught up in now

But your just so cool

Run your hands through your hair

Absentmindedly making me want you

So baby drive slow ‘til we run out of road in this one horse town

I wanna stay right here

In this passenger seat you put your eyes on me

In this moment

Now capture it, remember it

And I don’t know how it gets better than this

You take my hand and drag me headfirst

Fearless.

And I don’t know why

But with you I’d dance in a storm in my best dress

Fearless.

Ooh ohh

Well you stood there with me in the doorway

My hands shake

I’m not usually this way

But you pull me in and I’m a little more brave

It’s the first kiss

It’s flawless

Really something

It’s Fearless

Ooohhh yahh

‘Cause I don’t know how it gets better than this

You take my hand and drag me headfirst

Fearless.

And I don’t know why

But with you I’d dance in a storm in my best dress

Fearless.

And I don’t know how it gets better than this

You take my hand and drag me headfirst

Fearless.

And I don’t know why

But with you I’d dance in a storm in my best dress

Fearless.

Ohh ohh

Oh yeah

Again everybody joined me onstage after I had finished.

“In third place…Scot Phillips,” Said one of the judges.

“In second place…Mary Stewart,” said another judge.

“And the winner is…