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markowensmile · 6 months ago

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The Spotlight - Chapter 2 (A Gary Barlow FanFiction)

The O2 is a whirlwind of activity, a cacophony of voices, and nervous energy that seems to reverberate through every inch of the cavernous space. As I step through the doors, I'm immediately swept up in the tide of hopeful contestants, each carrying their own unique dreams and aspirations.

The air is thick with anticipation, a palpable tension that crackles like electricity, setting my nerves on edge. I weave my way through the crowd, taking in the diverse array of faces that surround me. Some are wide-eyed and anxious, their expressions a mirror of the butterflies fluttering in my own stomach. Others exude an air of confidence, their posture radiating a quiet assurance that borders on cocky.

As I join the seemingly endless queue, I can't help but feel a twinge of self-doubt creeping in. What am I doing here, surrounded by so much raw talent and ambition? The doubts that have plagued me for so long rear their ugly heads, whispering insidious thoughts of inadequacy and failure.

But just as quickly as those doubts surface, I push them aside, drawing strength from the memory of Emily's unwavering belief in me. This is my chance—my opportunity to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight that I've always craved. I won't let fear or self-doubt hold me back any longer.

As I inch forward in the line, I can't help but overhear snippets of conversation from the contestants around me. Some are discussing their song choices, debating the merits of various artists and genres. Others are exchanging stories of past auditions, regaling each other with tales of triumph and heartbreak.

It's in this swirl of nervous chatter that I catch the eye of a fellow contestant, a young man with a warm, disarming smile that instantly puts me at ease. There's confidence in him, a quiet assurance that seems to radiate from his very being.

"First time auditioning?" he asks, his voice carrying a hint of friendly curiosity.

I nod, offering him a tentative smile. "Is it that obvious?"

He chuckles, a rich, melodic sound that instantly puts me at ease. "Not at all. I just recognize that look in your eyes—a blend of excitement and sheer terror."

Despite my nerves, I can't help but laugh at his candid assessment. "You've got me pegged," I admit, feeling some of the tension in my shoulders begin to dissipate.

"I'm David," he says, extending his hand in a warm gesture of greeting.

"Riley," I reply, grasping his hand and marveling at the firm, reassuring grip.

"Well, Riley, it's a pleasure to meet you," David says, his eyes twinkling with genuine warmth. "And let me be the first to welcome you to the madhouse."

His easy charm and good-natured humor are like a balm for my frayed nerves, and I find myself relaxing into our conversation, the weight of my anxiety lifting ever so slightly.

"So, what brings you to the X-Factor auditions?" David asks, his tone one of genuine interest.

I pause for a moment, considering my answer. How do I encapsulate the complex tapestry of hopes, dreams, and personal struggles that have led me to this pivotal moment? In the end, I settle for a simple truth.

"I guess you could say I'm ready to take a leap of faith," I say, my voice laced with a newfound determination. "This is my chance to pursue my passion and leave the past behind."

David nods, his expression one of understanding and empathy. "I hear that," he says, his voice taking on a more introspective tone. "For me, this audition represents a fresh start, an opportunity to embrace my true calling and share my gift with the world."

As he speaks, I can't help but be drawn in by the sincerity of his words and the depth of emotion that lies just beneath the surface. There's a vulnerability there—a rawness that resonates deep within me.

"I don't know if you've heard, but Gary Barlow is back as a judge this season," David continues.

At the mention of the iconic singer-songwriter, a wave of anxiety washes over me. Gary Barlow, the man whose music has been the soundtrack to my life, is the very embodiment of the dreams and aspirations that have driven me to this moment. And here I am, about to audition for him with one of his own songs.

The realization hits me like a ton of bricks, and I can feel the nerves creeping back in, threatening to unravel the fragile sense of calm that David's easy banter had instilled in me.

"Oh, wow," I manage to say, my voice wavering ever so slightly. "That's... that's incredible."

David must sense the shift in my demeanor, for he leans in closer, his expression one of gentle concern. "Everything okay?"

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself against the onslaught of self-doubt that threatens to consume me. "It's just... well, I was planning on singing 'A Million Love Songs' for my audition," I confess, my cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and trepidation.

David's eyebrows raise in surprise, but there's no judgment in his gaze, only understanding. "That's a bold choice," he says, his tone one of admiration. "Singing one of Gary's iconic songs in front of the man himself? That takes guts."

I can't help but let out a nervous chuckle, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my shirt. "Yeah, well, hindsight is twenty-twenty, right?"

But David shakes his head, his expression one of unwavering confidence. "Don't sell yourself short, Riley," he says, his voice carrying a weight of conviction that catches me off guard.

His words, spoken with such earnest belief, strike a chord deep within me. For a fleeting moment, the doubts and insecurities that have plagued me for so long seem to melt away, replaced by a glimmer of hope and self-assurance.

As I stand there, surrounded by the pulsing energy of the audition venue, I can feel a newfound sense of determination taking root. This is my moment, my chance to step into the spotlight and showcase the talent that has been simmering beneath the surface for far too long.

With Emily's and now David's words of encouragement echoing in my mind, I straighten my shoulders and take a deep, steady breath. The nerves are still there, of course, a constant undercurrent of anxiety that threatens to overwhelm me. But beneath that fear lies a wellspring of passion and resilience, a fire that has been stoked by the unwavering support of those who believe in me.

As the line inches forward, bringing me ever closer to the audition room, I can feel the weight of the moment pressing down upon me. But rather than shrinking from the pressure, I embrace it, allowing it to fuel the flames of my determination.

This is my time, my opportunity to step out of the shadows and into the glaring spotlight of my dreams. And as I catch David's eye once more, his warm smile and unwavering belief in me serving as a beacon of encouragement, I know that I'm ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead.

The audition stage may be a crucible of judgment and scrutiny, but it's also a canvas upon which I can paint the masterpiece of my ambitions. And with each step forward, I can feel the weight of my past slipping away, replaced by a newfound sense of purpose and possibility.

The air backstage is thick with anticipation, a heady blend of nervous energy and palpable excitement that seems to permeate every corner of the dimly lit space. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest, the rhythmic thump-thump-thump echoing in my ears like a relentless metronome.

"David Hart!"

The booming voice of the stage manager cuts through the cacophony of whispered conversations and shuffling feet, commanding the attention of everyone in the room. I turn to see David straighten his shoulders, his expression one of steely determination.

He catches my eye, and in that fleeting moment, I can see the fire burning behind his gaze—a fierce resolve tempered by a quiet confidence that is both inspiring and humbling. With a reassuring nod in my direction, he strides towards the stage entrance, his every step exuding a sense of purpose and self-assurance.

As he disappears onto the stage, I can't help but feel a pang of envy mingled with admiration. There's a part of me that longs for that same unwavering belief in oneself, that unshakable conviction that allows one to stride boldly into the unknown without a shred of doubt or hesitation.

Yet, even as those thoughts swirl through my mind, I can feel a glimmer of hope taking root, a tiny ember of possibility that threatens to ignite into a blazing inferno of determination. David's earlier words of encouragement echo in my mind, a gentle reminder that I, too, possess the talent and the passion to make my dreams a reality.

The muffled strains of David's voice filter through to the back stage, carrying a weight of emotion that seems to resonate deep within my very soul. Each note, each carefully crafted phrase, is a testament to his artistry, a tapestry of vulnerability and raw talent that leaves me utterly spellbound.

As I listen, my own nerves seem to fade into the background, replaced by a sense of awe and anticipation. This is it, the moment we've all been waiting for, the opportunity to showcase our passion and dedication to the world.

With bated breath, I lean forward, straining to catch every nuance, every subtle inflection that gives life to David's performance. It's as if I can feel the very essence of his being pouring forth through his voice, a torrent of emotion that threatens to sweep me away in its wake.

And then, just as quickly as it began, the music faded, replaced by a deafening silence that hangs heavy in the air. I find myself holding my breath, waiting with equal parts fear and hope for the judges' good verdict.

David stands back onto the red "X" in the middle of the stage, his face aglow with a radiant smile that seems to light up the entire room. In that moment, I know—he's done it, he's captured the hearts and minds of the judges, and his dream is one step closer to becoming a reality.

"I'm through!" he exclaims, his voice ringing with unbridled joy and triumph. "They loved it!"

A chorus of cheers and congratulations erupts for David. The well-wishes and heartfelt embraces threaten to overwhelm me. But through it all, my gaze remains locked on David, my heart swelling with a sense of pride and admiration that transcends mere words.

In that moment, he is a beacon of hope, a living embodiment of the power of perseverance and unwavering belief in oneself. As I watch him bask in the glow of his hard-earned success, I can feel a fire igniting within me, a burning desire to follow in his footsteps and claim my own piece of the dream.

Before I can even register what's happening, David's arms are around me, enveloping me in a warm, supportive embrace that seems to chase away the last vestiges of doubt and uncertainty. His touch is electric, a tangible reminder of the bond we've forged in these fleeting moments—a connection that transcends the boundaries of mere acquaintanceship.

"You've got this, Riley," he whispers, his voice laced with conviction. "Just go out there and show them what you're made of."

As he pulls back, his eyes meet mine, and in that instant, I can see the depth of his belief in me—an unwavering faith that seems to cut through the layers of self-doubt and insecurity that have plagued me for so long.

"Thank you," I manage to say, my voice thick with emotion.

David simply nods, his smile radiant and infectious. "Make us proud!"

With those parting words echoing in my mind, I turn and make my way towards the stage entrance, each step filled with a newfound sense of purpose and determination. The nerves are still there, of course, a constant undercurrent of anxiety that threatens to overwhelm me at any moment.

But as I step through the curtains and into the glaring spotlight, I can feel a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins, a potent cocktail of excitement and resolve that seems to banish any lingering doubts or fears.

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annabawritersdream · 2 months ago

Note

For the fic tropes ask: fake dating/pretend relationship

Thank you for the ask! 🙂 I haven't written a fake dating/pretend relationship yet, but I could definitely write it and I have actually thought of two OCs that would be perfect to write into this scenario. Let me introduce you to them (I actually love these two).

Tulisa

She's originally from the Blackroot Vale. Her mother was a prominent highborn and one of the most beautiful ladies in the fief. She was originally supposed to marry its lord, but she was accused of practicing witchcraft and participating in rituals reminiscent of those of the old days of Númenor (when Sauron corrupted Ar-Phârazon and everybody started adoring Morgoth and sacrificing people). As a result, her betrothal was called off and the lord of the Blackroot Vale married someone from the Ringló Vale. (I headcanon that the two Vales have somewhat of a rivalry going on and the fact that her intended married someone from the opposing side caused a major scandal and was a major blow to both her reputation and her family's.) She of course never participated in any weird ritual; she was just more knowledgeable than others in medicine and had read books that were usually meant for those working in the Houses of Healing. She was basically interested in science and people made up horrible lies so that the marriage wouldn't take place.

As the news of her rejection on the lord’s part spread rapidly through Gondor—news of this kind travels fast and Gondorians would never miss an opportunity to gossip about others, demean them and be happy about someone's downfall—she was forced to settle for a minor noble who did not love her and whose family did not approve of her. She quickly got pregnant, but the birth was traumatic and she suffered injuries who left her unable to have any more children in the years that followed. Therefore, Tulisa is her only daughter and the apple of her eye. On the other hand, her father never really cared for her because “she's not a son” (usual Gondorian stuff). He completely neglects and essentially doesn't care whether she's alive or dead. She's completely useless to him and he makes it known at any chance he gets. It is Tulisa’s mother who takes care of her, which is highly unusual. Though her father isn't massively influential in the grand scheme of things, he IS a noble and nobles almost always have a whole array of servants doing things for them. That is most certainly not the case with Tulisa and her mother. The latter took an active role in her daughter’s education and taught her everything she knows. As such, Tulisa is an extremely well-mannered person, kind and very shy. She doesn't talk much, both because she is looked down upon wherever she goes (because of what happened to her both) and because she has a secret that no one knows about. She's aro/ace. I don't think it will be explicitly mentioned in the story but she definitely is. While all of her fellow ladies always had crushes on people, she never experienced them and, for a long time, she thought she had never fallen in love because she simply had not met the right person. That was before she ultimately realized she seemed unable to understand romance (she was puzzled by the concept) and downright disgusted by sexual things to the point of throwing up. She mentioned this to her mother—luckily her absentee, crappy father died early—and, after a lengthy discussion with her, her mother (I still have to think of a name for her, but she's too cool to remain unnamed and too cool not to have her own faceclaim) reaches out to her childhood friend Finduilas (Lady of Lamedon and Ithilien).

Finduilas, who is far more open-minded than most Gondorians, knows the truth about Tulisa and thinks nothing of it, and it is through her that the most suitable candidate for marriage is found, although it is basically just a lucky coincidence. Since marrying Faramir, Finduilas has grown quite close with Imrahil and his family. I headcanon Imrahil and Angbor are/were close friends and Imrahil is very happy at the idea that Faramir married a “proper woman” (he didn't dislike Éowyn altogether, but thought she was not fit for his nephew. His whole attitude was “look, nephew, I don't hate your wife but you could have done SO MUCH better.” Which is kind of ironic since he's the one who saves her at the Pelennor Fields. He admired her a whole lot…before she married into the family).

Anyway, Finduilas is particularly close to Imrahil’s boys and, since she trusts them, she tells them about Tulisa and they unanimously agree that they have the right person for her. And that's where Daron comes in.

Daron

He's originally from Dor-en-Ernil, which is under the jurisdiction of Dol Amroth, so basically…he's from Dol Amroth. He's close friends with Elphir, Erchirion and Amrothos, the four of them grew up together. He's son of one of the Swan Knights; a knight of whom Imrahil was so fond Aragorn created him a lord upon his request (he probably saved Imrahil and a bunch of other people in battle). Daron is well-liked by Imrahil and was raised alongside his children. The four of them were inseparable and went on many adventures together, all kinds of adventures. This is when Imrahil's boys started realizing he didn't like girls…that way. Naturally, they assumed he would like boys. Not really. At one of point ( I think after getting drunk because he would not have mustered enough courage to admit it while sober) he tells them that he thinks there might be something wrong with him. He says that he does like girls, he has crushes on them but cannot bring himself to actually have sex with them.

It's like the initial attraction he feels suddenly fizzles out once he's confronted with the idea of getting down to business (he's ace). Imrahil's boys initially worry about him (they think he has an illness/disease of some kind and then they even suggest he might be mentally unwell due to some kind of trauma he has not shared with them. Once they get over the news, they actually find the whole thing kind of funny and switch to friendly teasing, which Daron finds super annoying).

Daron and Tulisa first meet at Emyn Arnen since Tulisa is one of Enna’s students at her “finishing school” (yes, I know it's not a concept that exists in Middle-earth but it's basically a charity project she comes up with that aims to help both girls who cannot afford an education and established ladies who may want to further their social connections. As Tulisa is extremely shy, her mother and Finduilas hope that she may meet some friends and so they “enroll” her there a few years prior to her wedding (the wedding of course wasn't planned yet since it was a last minute thing). Enna is intrigued by her but respects her boundaries so their conversations are sporadic (when they talk though, they do talk about very interesting things and Enna appreciates her politeness and fine manners. She has her stamp of approval, basically.)

Enna of course asks her if she intends to marry and Tulisa very diplomatically answers that she hasn't thought about it and Enna immediately starts looking around for potential suitors. As she finds no one Tulisa is interested in, she asks her stepmom for help and, upon learning that Finduilas may have found the right person, she sets up a meeting after consulting with Elphir, Erchirion and Amrothos. Daron is floored by her (although he doesn't want her sexually, he thinks she's the most beautiful woman he's ever seen) and they're soon married after getting to know one another a bit and learning they have many things in common.

Their relationship is great. They're besties, they read together, discuss politics and current events together. Daron is sort of an astronomer and they stargaze together and take on their respective hobbies. If they have children, they'll probably adopt a little girl or boy and they'll live as a happy family splitting their time between Ithilien and Dol Amroth.

That's it about these two! You could say theirs is pretty much a pretend relationship in the beginning and technically it is no marriage since I headcanon that a couple must produce legitimate children for the wedding to be accepted and legalized, but they're much happier than all of the Gondorians put together!

I would definitely consider writing them into the story (I definitely will) and I hope readers love them as much as I do!

Faceclaims:

Saadet Aksoy as Tulisa (Sadika hatun from Magnificent Century)