𝄞 02 | Ordinary - Part 2

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The lights went down in the Arena. Paulie walks out on the stage. "This is The Tour.," plays over the music system. He smiles at the camera and his image is repeated up in the Skyboard. He repeats the contest rules. Two contests per team and the winner appearing as a headliner on the upcoming tour. That it's the chance of a lifetime and sells it like it's the all-time golden ticket. Then he leaves the stage.

Being on stage differs from sitting on the side. You're enveloped by darkness and the only light is coming from the stage. Zoey steps up to the mic.

"I'm Zoey Jude from Sacramento, California, 19 years old." Her fist tightens around a little piece of paper in her hand. The first notes from Ordinary People by John Legend begin.

I always thought that my best friend Zoey would make it. I mean, she's pure dark-styled 90s R&B dip into a dark liquid vat of punk. A Rock Star waiting to happen. No person in their right mind would pass up Zoey Jude. I didn't have a doubt about it. But my nerves still racked me. If this worked out, we would get more time together and Zoey wouldn't be moving to LA to follow her music dreams just yet. Maybe she'd get her music dreams a whole lot faster. Even if we don't end up on the same team. I know she'll make it. Please let her make it!

The audience leans into her music, and she dances across the song, restyling it in a new way. Zoey sings like a moon rising. Which is always better than a sunrise. Moonrise has a coolness that sunrise can't touch. A reprieve from the harsh arid light of the sun in California. When the moon comes up over the ocean, it's one of the most beautiful things you will ever see. And Zoey mesmerized the audience.

Before the last note had ended, all three judges' lights were on. The audience cheers for the performance. Paulie puts the mic in front of her. She has to pick between the three judges and I cross my fingers.

"Team Rock," she says with a smile. The crowd goes wild.

 The crowd goes wild

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