Violet walked onto the vast empty stage, the deep hallow sound of her heels hitting the wooden floor resounded around the auditorium as she made her way to the centre of the stage. She looked out at the seemingly endless rows of velvet chairs then towards the garishly decorated boxes and circles above her. Above the empty room the huge crystal chandelier hung like a spider on a thin web, glittering and gently giggling as a small but sudden breeze moved around the room. Violet felt a smile spread across her face as she closed her dark green eyes, slowly raising her arms. As if closing her eyes made any difference to what she saw, she opened them again. Standing with her arms raised high she looked out onto the rows of chairs. Now she could see the phantom like faces of her imaginary audience, their expensive jewellery dulling shinning and their faces obscure as she looked towards them. In her mind she could hear the music rising like smoke from a cigarette, slowly and faintly. To any on lookers she must have looked mad, standing on an empty stage with her arms raised above her head but to herself she looked like superstar. She gave a deep curtsey to her applauding audience, bowing her head down towards the floor as she did so. Suddenly from behind her came the sound of clapping. Startled, Violet jumped back from the noise and position herself defensively. A small chuckle came from the heavy curtains before a curvy figure swaggered onto the stage in incredibly high heels. ‘Bloody hell Vi, it looked like you were doing the one woman production of Jesus Christ superstar!’ She laughed. Violet felt a sudden rush of warmth in her cheeks quickly realising she was blushing at her friends jest. ‘Getting one last look eh?’ she continued, Violet nodded slowly.

‘If we do make it, IF, I’m gonna miss this place.’ Violet said suddenly sombre. ‘Can you give me a moment Jocelyn?’ Jocelyn shrugged and started to walk off the stage, the sound of her high heels hit the stage floor too harsh and loudly for Violet’s liking, she flinched inwardly ever time she heard the noise. Violet turned back to look at the stalls. There were no silhouettes to greet her or smoke like music, just an empty auditorium. Part of her was saddened by her fantasy’s disappearance but at least now she could see what was really there. She couldn’t count how many shows she had done with Jocelyn and Rebecca, from shabby Jellicles in a mostly dance less production of Cats (during Rum Tum Tugger’s song Violet shamefully remembered her leotard ripped open when her tail was ripped off by a prop) to extras in a colourless Joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamcoat on this very stage. All the crappy productions and talentless children, all the bitch fests and prima donnas and ten years later here she was about to make her dream come true. She, Rebecca, Jocelyn, Selina and Fleur were about to enter Band Academy, a rip off of the X Factor that’s aim was to find the next big band.

Ever since Violet was little she wanted to be a singer, Granted her music tastes had changed from Aqua to Evanescence. She needed music more than anything else; it kept her from loneliness and anger, it made her feel free, blissfully isolating her from the world. Now was her chance to make that dream come true. With one last sweeping movement she looked around the auditorium, this might be the last time she stood on this little stage. With butterflies hatching in her stomach she darted off stage, eagerly waiting to see what the future held.

~--+--&--+--~

‘I hate the bloody waiting!’ Selina pouted, sitting in the plaster chair huffily tossing her honey hair angrily. Violet sighed in frustration while Fleur tried to calm Selina down. Trust Selina to make a fuss thought Violet as she looked around the busy waiting lobby. They were surrounded by other hopefuls, some were bound to be terrible but how good was everyone else? There may be serious competition and they would need to up their game and that would be impossible if Selina was dragging them down.

‘Why don’t we get a drink huh? It’ll kill time’ Fleur suggested quietly to a brooding Selina. Out of the two years Violet had known Fleur she’d never heard her raise her voice once, she was a quiet gentle girl and that reflected in her subtle but effective singing voice. Selina gave her a brief glance then nodded picking up her gold Gucci handbag and strutted off followed by a fumbling Fleur. Violet sighed inwardly; glad to be rid of the prima donna Selina. Like most of the girls in the group, Violet was annoyed by Selina’s demanding nature but no one disliked Selina as much as Jocelyn.

‘She didn’t even ask if anyone wanted anything! ‘Jocelyn exclaimed from the seat across from Violet. Violet knew that Jocelyn wasn’t bothered by this one act, she just enjoyed criticizing Selina. Selina in turn loved to insult Jocelyn and so the constant bickering continued while the other members of the band looked on. Violet shook her head but didn’t say anything; she was too excited and fearful of the audition. This could make them or break them. Violet knew giving up wasn’t an option, she wanted this more than anything and if this didn’t work she’d find a way to show her music to the world. Her dedication to her muse was more than could be said for some of the other band members whose dedication was questionable. Violet sunk down in her plastic chair, stretching her short legs in the process. She watched Jocelyn nibbling on her bottom lip, a nervous habit that Violet had seen many times before. Violet looked besides Jocelyn to Rebecca. Rebecca was a mixed race girl with soft tanned skin and silky brown hair hid carefully under her hood; she had a small oval face and cute features. She had met Violet and Jocelyn when they were seven at their local theatre drama class. The girls bounded well despite their different personalities and formed their band only a year ago, soon after meeting Fleur and Selina. Rebecca ignored Violet’s stare and remained fixated on her iPod. Violet smiled; at least Rebecca loved music as much as she did.

‘We’re back!’ Selina chimed with a bright smile spread across her evenly tanned face, while Fleur held her handbag obediently. Violet gave them a welcoming smile as they settled down in their seats. Another hour passed slowly, with nothing but the constant murmur of voices and sudden scales as people prepared for their auditions. Selina and Fleur chatted lightly about the latest style for their nails (or rather Selina’s nails), Rebecca zoned out with her ipod and Jocelyn read the latest celebrity gossip.

‘Hey Vi, You like My heart bleeds for Bettie Page no?’ Jocelyn said from behind the magazine. Violet’s gaze turned quickly towards Jocelyn, My heart bleeds for Bettie Page was her favourite metal band not to mention she had a crush on the lead singer Lee Damnation.

‘Of course I do! They’re my favourite band. Why?’ Violet asked excitedly, maybe they were going to have a tour or needed backing singers? She saw Selina sneer in distaste, she hated metal. Jocelyn reread the article quickly then summarised it.

‘They’re going to have a few gigs in a few weeks. Bit last minute though, since they’ve only just rereleased the dates today. Apparently the lead singer just spilt from his girlfriend and wanted to celebrate...’ Jocelyn said commenting on that while reading about the latest celeb break-up. Violet squealed for joy, causing alarm in a man with a clip board. He recovered with a sneer cleared his throat.

‘Number 367? Time to go to the waiting corridor it’s on the door on the far left. Good luck’ he said briskly as he darted about like a shark looking for the bands. A sudden icy silence fell over the group as they packed their belongs and headed for the corridor. In a very short space of time they were going to be judged and their careers determined.

~--+--&--+--~

The girls sat in silence as they tried their hardest to listen to the other groups and the judges. After one Audition ended, a group of overly made up girls came out crying as the camera crew chased them after a rejection. Fuck thought Violet as she watched the heartbroken girls sob. She felt a hand grip hers.

‘Don’t worry babe. They probably weren’t that good anyway’ Rebecca reassured her. Violet felt comforted by this but not optimistic. Could she really stop herself from crying if it all went wrong? She prayed she could. She just wanted to go and do the audition now, she was no longer nervous she just wanted to get it over with.

‘If how they look is anything to go on then they were terrible’ Selina giggled giving them a sideways glance. Violet felt shocked when Jocelyn scoffed at Selina’s comment but continued watched the heartbroken group. As they sat waiting impatiently, the handsome black presenter of the show, Neil Malburn, appeared with a camera crew. He whisked past the girls towards the sobbing girl band, leaving a long cable in front of them. They stood sniviling and sobbing in front of the camera, revealing nothing about the judge’s moods or criticisms. Neil flashed them a pearly white smile before turning to Violet.

‘So girls, how are you feeling? Nervous? ‘He asked shoving a microphone in Violet’s face. She stuttered and recoiled but Selina grabbed the Mircophone and leaned in for the camera. Violet caught Jocelyn glaring in distaste at Selina, twisting her powder pink hair irritably around her fingers; luckily the camera crew hadn’t seen. Violet couldn’t stand it if something and as petty as their childish behaviour cost her dreams.

‘Yeah we are’ she said flashing an uncertain and humble smile ‘But we hope it all goes well’ she reassured Neil with a charming smile. Neil smiled back and happily chatted with Selina about the show until the doors swung open.

‘It’s not fair! It’s not fair! It’s your fault you twat’ a twelve year old girl screamed as she marched out of the audition room, followed swiftly by three other girls. All of the girls steadily marched as the leader ranted about the song choice. Neil saw his chance and interviewed the girls, exploiting their failure. Rebecca, Fleur, Selina, Jocelyn and Violet looked at each other uneasily.

‘Christ, they were only kids. If Hannah Montana ish bands aren’t getting through is there any chance for us? ’ Rebecca said uneasily looking towards her band members. Fleur prodded Selina as silence settled in.

‘Maybe we should leave before we make fools of ourselves?’ Fleur whispered to her. Selina turned her head slightly in Fleur’s direction before shaking her head.

‘367? Your next’ another member of staff called out from inside the audition room.

‘Well good luck girls. I think you’re being called in’ the random boy besides them said cheerily. Violet’s heart stopped as they were called in before the judges but somehow her feet moved her in the right direction.

‘He so fancies me’ Selina said rolling her eyes to Violet but all she could hear in her ears was the pounding of her heart.

~--+--&--+--~

They stood in a small huddle in the empty room before a large panel. Each dressed in their own style before the three stone faced judges. Selina’s thin frame draped in designer while her make-up was flawless showing her wannabe W.A.G style perfectly as she smiled towards the judges. Rebecca stood awkwardly in a colourful hoodie and baggy jeans, hiding her beautiful hair. Jocelyn showed her inner burlesque gothic goddess in a curve enhancing rockbilly styled dress with her bubblegum pink hair flowing glamorously teased in curls. Fleur stood in a pale blue dress that played off her pale skin and pale blonde hair and Violet stood in a baggy My Chemical Romance, three quarter length black jeans, black and white striped tights and converse, her dirty blonde hair messy and wild. The girls looked hopefully at the three judges; they all looked great now it was up to their singing.

‘Hi girls, what’s the band’s name?’ Leon Jones asked from the panel. Leon Jones was a once successful boyband member, now in his late thirties he had his own chat show and clothing line. He sat smartly dress in a pale blue suit and white shirt, later Jocelyn would say he looked like he was selling toothpaste in that get up.

‘Birth of Venus’ Rebecca answered shyly while smiling brilliantly. Leon Jones nodded thoughtful. Thank Christ they hadn’t know the story of the birth of Venus, Violet thought trying to laugh.

‘What song are you going to sing for us?’ He asked, placing his hands on the panel, spreading his long fingers across the glass.

‘Hard day’s night by the Beatles’ Jocelyn said proudly stepping forwards to speak. Leon Jones smiled then gestured for them to start.

The girls started rocky but soon got their voices in some kind of unison. Their different voices gave the song a rocky edge rather than another popish rendition; their voices grew more and more confident and more powerful. They end the song by faded out. Violet searched the judges’ faces but saw nothing that yielded answers. They all stood hopefully looking at the judges.

‘Well girls,’ Leon started ‘It was good, it was different it’s a yes from me’ he said with a warm smile and a sparkle in his bright green eyes. The girls simultaneously giggled in excitement then remembered they weren’t out of the woods yet. Next was Alexa burgh, a TV presenter in her early twenties. She looked down her nose at them already. Bitch thought Violet with a steely stare.

‘I’m sorry girls but it thought it was a mess. It’s a no...Sorry’ she said without remorse. Violets held her breathe as they went onto the next judge, one more judge, one more yes or no. She gave Alexa a glare before turning to the last judge with a pleading look in her bright green eyes.

‘Well girls I thought it was awful.’ Vince Parker said coolly, Vince was the owner of his own successful record label. Tough as old boots, his acid tongue had made even grown men cry. Violet felt her heart pound painfully hard against her ribcage, he knew he was cruel but surely not this cruel to make them wait. She watched him looked at the girls one by one before sighing. Was that a good sign? She felt a cocktail of different and strong emotions at his mercy. ‘But you have something I like; it’s a yes from me. You’re through to the next round.’ He said with a smile spread across his face.

For a moment Violet couldn’t comprehended what had happened but then felt Rebecca and Selina’s arms around her. Jocelyn shook all of the judges’ hands then the girls ran, skipped and jumped out of the room almost taking out the camera crew in the process. They were through to boot camp, one step closer to their dream. They were through!

~--+--&--+--~

‘To Birth of Venus!’ Selina called out raising her class of champagne as the music pounded, bellow them people danced to the sound of the music.

‘Cheers!’ Everyone called out raising their own glasses of the sour liquid. Not only had they gotten through to boot camp but they now sat in the V.I.P section of Mirror’s, THE place to be seen just outside of London. Jocelyn, Selina, Rebecca, Fleur and Violet may have been under the age but at the moment they felt untouchable in their happiness. The girls had glammed up and headed to the club to met with Selina’s new boyfriend and Fleur’s brother; Kurtis. Violet expected him to be arrogant and an idiot but it couldn’t have been further from the truth. Not only was he really sweet, he was really quiet good looking. Lucky Selina Violet thought with an approving smile watching as he made his way to order more drinks.

‘He seems nice’ Rebecca yelled over the music to Selina, spilling half of her champagne onto the floor. Selina smiled coyly looking over at the bar before returning to her band mates to mouth the words; “and he’s got a nice ass” sending the tipsy girls into a giggling fit. Violet laugh subsided when she remembered her last boyfriend was well over a year ago. She really needed to pull and soon, before she’d take a much needed trip to Anne Summers and spend all her time in her room. Violet got up from the leather couch, tearing her skin away from the fabric as she did so.

‘I’m going out for a fag’ she announced making her way towards the exit before shimming and squeezing through the thick crowds to escape. The cold air hit her like a ton of bricks as she stood outside of the club, feeling the vibrations through her flat shoes. She pulled out a cigarette and slipped it into her mouth before carefully lighting it.

‘Thought I’d join you’ Rebecca said lighting up besides her. Violet smiled and began to exhale a writhing grey cloud into the winter sky. ‘What do you think of Kurtis then?’

‘He seems alright. Not really Selina’s type though is he?’ Violet said giving Rebecca a knowing look. They both knew that Selina’s dreams of stardom might that she often got soon-to-be celeb boyfriends. ‘Are you sure Fleur’s cool with it?’ Violet added. Rebecca scoffed a little at Selina’s long list of wannabe boyfriends before answering.

‘He’s a boxer. He trains at my gym and no. Apparently Fleur was upset that they got to together, she’s probably just worried about her brother. We all know that Selina will get bored of him or find someone better.’ Rebecca said inhaling slowly. Violet snubbed her cigarette out and looked at her watch. It was only midnight. But she was really tired and saddened by her lack of boyfriend so she finally decided to head home.

‘I’m gonna head home. Tell everyone I was just tired from today, ok?’ Violet said, clutching her head for dramatic effect. Rebecca nodded and gave her friend a hug before watching as she walked towards the bus station.

Violet sat at the back of the bus as it rolled through the empty and dark streets of her home town. She didn’t know why Kurtis and Selina had made her feel so awkward but she knew she had to leave before she got drunk enough to make a fool out of herself. Her iPod wasn’t helping her current mood playing songs like “All by myself” “Learn to be lonely” and “Not a dry eye in the house”. She knew she should be happy about today but that just brought her down. She needed a boyfriend. She was sick of feeling lonely and stressed out. As got off the bus, walked up her street and entered her house she made a promise to herself. She was going to find a boyfriend and soon no matter what. It was only then she remembered one flaw in her plan. She couldn’t pull to save her life. With a heavy heart she entered her house, dishearten by that one flaw but not defeated she would find a boyfriend before boot camp started.