This Time Around
folder
Reality TV › American Idol/Pop Idol
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
55
Views:
12,302
Reviews:
6
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Reality TV › American Idol/Pop Idol
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
55
Views:
12,302
Reviews:
6
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
This is a work of fiction. I do not know the people I am writing about in this fanfiction. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter Seventeen
I can hear some sort of bizarre ringing in my sleep. At first I think it's part of my dream, but as I start to wake up, I realize it's my phone ringing. Not opening my eyes, I blindly reach out on my nightstand, searching for the phone.
Finding it, I picked it up, answering with a groggy, "Hello?"
When I hear a British voice on the other line, my eyes pop open, and suddenly I'm very awake.
"Paula? What are you doing? Do you know what time it is?"
Quickly, I look over at the clock beside me.
10:54.
"It's almost 11," I say warily, realization hitting me that there was something I had to do today.
"Wildcard rehearsals?" he says, jogging my memory. "They started at 10."
"Shit!" I exclaimed, jumping out of the bed, and pulling the base of the phone onto the hardwood floor.
'God, Simon," I said over the clamor of the phone hitting the ground, "I'm sorry, I completely overslept, I'll be there in 30."
"Okay, love," he says, and I can hear some laughing in the background.
Probably Randy and Ryan, I mused.
"Would you like me to pick you up?"
"Um, sure?" I responded, not sure why he felt the need to do so - I have my own car.
"Okay, darling, see you then."
Click.
I stare at the phone for a minute, dumbfounded.
It's almost like they're up to something.
Twenty-five minutes later, I had taken the quickest shower of my life, and was ready, downstairs waiting by my front door for Simon.
I should have just driven myself , I thought, as I checked my watch.
As if on cue, the doorbell rang, and I could see Simon through the frosted door pane. I took my time, not wanting to seem eager, and opened the door lazily.
"Are you ready? The kids are waiting."
I stood there for a minute, motionless, staring him down.
"What?" he asked, intimidated by my stare.
"Please Simon, for all the times you have been late to auditions or rehearsals, I don't need this from you," I said, sounding a little more defensive than I meant to.
"Someone is a little testy this morning," Simon said as he followed me to his car, his hand on the small of my back, which I was painfully aware of. "Maybe there's some pent up energy I can help you release?" he teased, flashing me a smile as he opened the car door for me.
"I don't need your help in that area Simon, thank you," I kidded, waiting for his response in our ongoing sexual banter.
This time he surprised me, however, remaining silent as he slid into the drivers seat and backed out of the driveway, without a word.
In fact, the whole ride to the studio was quiet, except for the sound of the radio, playing softly from the speakers.
I looked at him, trying to gauge his mood, but his blank expression gave me nothing.
Trying to quell the silence, I reached over to turn up the volume, and listened carefully to the song, not recognizing the artist.
"Who is this?" I asked casually, as I listened to the rough, edgy voice belting this particular ballad.
"Bad English," Simon responded.
"I've never heard of them," I said, leaning back into my seat as I listened to the lyrics.
"Ryan gave me the disc, this song is the only one I really like out of the whole lot."
"What's the name of the song?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation going.
"When I See You Smile," he responded.
The song ended just as we pulled into the parking lot, and he dropped me off at the door, speeding off to quickly find a parking spot.
Simon kept his distance for the majority of the rehearsals. In fact, Randy made it a point to separate us if at all possible, his arm draping casually over my shoulders as Simon's normally does.
Except, it just wasn't as comfortable with Randy as it was with Simon.
Surely I didn't offend him on the ride over? I questioned myself, as I watched Simon, his mood very sullen. I could tell he was bored, and hated the fact that he was required to be there for the rehearsals, as he normally never comes.
Matt Metzger was the next to rehearse, and when the music started, I immediately recognized it.
Sometimes I wonder if I'd ever make it through
Through this world without having you
I just wouldn't have a clue
Sometimes I wanna give up wanna give in
I wanna quit the fight
I grinned as I realized it was the same song that was playing in the car on the way over, and I giggled, leaning over Randy to hit Simon's thigh. He was smiling as well, and after that, it seemed whatever mood he was in had passed.
And then I see you baby
and everything's alright, everything's alright
When I see you smile I can face the world
Oh you know I can do anything
When I see you smile I see a ray of light
Oh I see it shining right through the rain
When I see you smile
Baby when I see you smile at me.
After Matt's performance, we all took a break, and I made my way to the water fountain. When I returned, Simon had scooted over next to Randy, and he softly patted the space beside him, indicating he wanted me to sit there. I took my place happily, and Simon's arm found its way around my shoulders, his hand casually running up and down the length of my arm as we evaluated those who had rehearsed so far.
"What about Katie?" Simon asked, his moving his arm now completely around my neck and allowing it to drape in between my breasts. He used the pen he was holding to motion towards where I had written her name, his palm lightly brushing the soft flesh of my boobs.
I flinched.
It was involuntary, but Simon noticed it.
And he grinned, then kissed the top of my head.
Playfully, I pushed him off of me, and stood up, moving to take my place back on the other side of Randy.
As I sat down, I leaned over, to catch Simon staring at me, playfully sticking his tongue out when he caught my eye.
I giggled and covered my face with my hand, willing myself not to look at him.
The rehearsals lasted much longer than expected, and our decisions on who to let perform and who to send home kept us there until long after dark.
I stood up and stretched, cracking my neck and wiggling my arms and legs, sore from all the sitting and concentrating we had done that day.
"Dawgs, we're down to two. Lets just make a decision," Randy said, exasperated. "I'd like to get home to my wife and kids sometime tonight."
"We're deciding between Marque and Matt?" Simon asked, as he picked at his fingernails, having obviously lost interest in this process a long time ago.
"Yes," I sighed, taking my seat again to look at the notes the three of us had taken on them. Simon stood up and walked over behind me, lightly rubbing my tense neck and shoulders.
I closed my eyes, enjoying the feeling of his strong hands on my bare skin, working the strained, tight muscles. He massaged farther down, in small, slow circles, and I found myself losing all focus on the task at hand.
Randy snapped his fingers in front of my face.
"Focus you two," he said, irritation evident in his voice.
"Sorry," I responded, my eyes snapping open, and Simon's hands fell from my back. A light headache formed above my eyes, and I rubbed my temples as I stared at the papers in front of me.
"It shouldn't be this hard guys," I said, looking over at Simon as he took a place beside me.
"Let's go with Matt," Simon suddenly concluded.
"Why Matt?" Randy asked, puzzled.
Simon had never liked Matt before.
"Well, I like his song choice. And whenever Paula hears it, it always makes her smile."
"I love it...when I see you smile," he whispered sarcastically, and I couldn't resist the huge s tha that crept across my face.
"That was cheesy," I responded, as I pinched his nipple lightly.
He laughed, and pushed my hand away, pulling it under the table and placing it on his thigh, covering it with his own hand.
"What can I say? You bring out the worst in me, Pawla," he said, turning his face to quickly kiss me on the lips.
I giggled in response, trying to pull my hand away. Instead he gripped it tighter, using his free hand to tickle my sides. Then we both exploded into laughter as I squirmed to get away, bumping Randy in the process.
"Sorry," I giggled as I snatched my hand away from Simon's grasp.
"Why don't one of you just admit it," Randy asked, watching us with amusement.
"Admit what?" I laughed, as Simon continued to tickle and prod me.
"That you two want each other."
"I don't want him!" I laughed, placing my hand on his shoulder and giving him a playful shove.
"Come on, Paula, admit it, you want me," he said, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms confidently as I looked at him with disgust.
"No I don't," I said, a little softer and less convincing that I would have liked.
"I'll prove it," he said.
And before I knew what was happening, Simon placed a hand on either side of my head and pulled me roughly to him, kissing me boldly and passionately. I let out an involuntary moan as his tongue lapped at mine, and somewhere in the background I could hear Randy's wild exclamations.
"Woah! Woah!" he laughed, and I could hear him retreating from us. "That's it, I'm making the executive decision, Matt will perform tomorrow night, and I'm going to leave you two alone now, goodnight!"
With that, the door slammed behind him, and it was just me and Simon. Alone at last.
Finding it, I picked it up, answering with a groggy, "Hello?"
When I hear a British voice on the other line, my eyes pop open, and suddenly I'm very awake.
"Paula? What are you doing? Do you know what time it is?"
Quickly, I look over at the clock beside me.
10:54.
"It's almost 11," I say warily, realization hitting me that there was something I had to do today.
"Wildcard rehearsals?" he says, jogging my memory. "They started at 10."
"Shit!" I exclaimed, jumping out of the bed, and pulling the base of the phone onto the hardwood floor.
'God, Simon," I said over the clamor of the phone hitting the ground, "I'm sorry, I completely overslept, I'll be there in 30."
"Okay, love," he says, and I can hear some laughing in the background.
Probably Randy and Ryan, I mused.
"Would you like me to pick you up?"
"Um, sure?" I responded, not sure why he felt the need to do so - I have my own car.
"Okay, darling, see you then."
Click.
I stare at the phone for a minute, dumbfounded.
It's almost like they're up to something.
Twenty-five minutes later, I had taken the quickest shower of my life, and was ready, downstairs waiting by my front door for Simon.
I should have just driven myself , I thought, as I checked my watch.
As if on cue, the doorbell rang, and I could see Simon through the frosted door pane. I took my time, not wanting to seem eager, and opened the door lazily.
"Are you ready? The kids are waiting."
I stood there for a minute, motionless, staring him down.
"What?" he asked, intimidated by my stare.
"Please Simon, for all the times you have been late to auditions or rehearsals, I don't need this from you," I said, sounding a little more defensive than I meant to.
"Someone is a little testy this morning," Simon said as he followed me to his car, his hand on the small of my back, which I was painfully aware of. "Maybe there's some pent up energy I can help you release?" he teased, flashing me a smile as he opened the car door for me.
"I don't need your help in that area Simon, thank you," I kidded, waiting for his response in our ongoing sexual banter.
This time he surprised me, however, remaining silent as he slid into the drivers seat and backed out of the driveway, without a word.
In fact, the whole ride to the studio was quiet, except for the sound of the radio, playing softly from the speakers.
I looked at him, trying to gauge his mood, but his blank expression gave me nothing.
Trying to quell the silence, I reached over to turn up the volume, and listened carefully to the song, not recognizing the artist.
"Who is this?" I asked casually, as I listened to the rough, edgy voice belting this particular ballad.
"Bad English," Simon responded.
"I've never heard of them," I said, leaning back into my seat as I listened to the lyrics.
"Ryan gave me the disc, this song is the only one I really like out of the whole lot."
"What's the name of the song?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation going.
"When I See You Smile," he responded.
The song ended just as we pulled into the parking lot, and he dropped me off at the door, speeding off to quickly find a parking spot.
Simon kept his distance for the majority of the rehearsals. In fact, Randy made it a point to separate us if at all possible, his arm draping casually over my shoulders as Simon's normally does.
Except, it just wasn't as comfortable with Randy as it was with Simon.
Surely I didn't offend him on the ride over? I questioned myself, as I watched Simon, his mood very sullen. I could tell he was bored, and hated the fact that he was required to be there for the rehearsals, as he normally never comes.
Matt Metzger was the next to rehearse, and when the music started, I immediately recognized it.
Sometimes I wonder if I'd ever make it through
Through this world without having you
I just wouldn't have a clue
Sometimes I wanna give up wanna give in
I wanna quit the fight
I grinned as I realized it was the same song that was playing in the car on the way over, and I giggled, leaning over Randy to hit Simon's thigh. He was smiling as well, and after that, it seemed whatever mood he was in had passed.
And then I see you baby
and everything's alright, everything's alright
When I see you smile I can face the world
Oh you know I can do anything
When I see you smile I see a ray of light
Oh I see it shining right through the rain
When I see you smile
Baby when I see you smile at me.
After Matt's performance, we all took a break, and I made my way to the water fountain. When I returned, Simon had scooted over next to Randy, and he softly patted the space beside him, indicating he wanted me to sit there. I took my place happily, and Simon's arm found its way around my shoulders, his hand casually running up and down the length of my arm as we evaluated those who had rehearsed so far.
"What about Katie?" Simon asked, his moving his arm now completely around my neck and allowing it to drape in between my breasts. He used the pen he was holding to motion towards where I had written her name, his palm lightly brushing the soft flesh of my boobs.
I flinched.
It was involuntary, but Simon noticed it.
And he grinned, then kissed the top of my head.
Playfully, I pushed him off of me, and stood up, moving to take my place back on the other side of Randy.
As I sat down, I leaned over, to catch Simon staring at me, playfully sticking his tongue out when he caught my eye.
I giggled and covered my face with my hand, willing myself not to look at him.
The rehearsals lasted much longer than expected, and our decisions on who to let perform and who to send home kept us there until long after dark.
I stood up and stretched, cracking my neck and wiggling my arms and legs, sore from all the sitting and concentrating we had done that day.
"Dawgs, we're down to two. Lets just make a decision," Randy said, exasperated. "I'd like to get home to my wife and kids sometime tonight."
"We're deciding between Marque and Matt?" Simon asked, as he picked at his fingernails, having obviously lost interest in this process a long time ago.
"Yes," I sighed, taking my seat again to look at the notes the three of us had taken on them. Simon stood up and walked over behind me, lightly rubbing my tense neck and shoulders.
I closed my eyes, enjoying the feeling of his strong hands on my bare skin, working the strained, tight muscles. He massaged farther down, in small, slow circles, and I found myself losing all focus on the task at hand.
Randy snapped his fingers in front of my face.
"Focus you two," he said, irritation evident in his voice.
"Sorry," I responded, my eyes snapping open, and Simon's hands fell from my back. A light headache formed above my eyes, and I rubbed my temples as I stared at the papers in front of me.
"It shouldn't be this hard guys," I said, looking over at Simon as he took a place beside me.
"Let's go with Matt," Simon suddenly concluded.
"Why Matt?" Randy asked, puzzled.
Simon had never liked Matt before.
"Well, I like his song choice. And whenever Paula hears it, it always makes her smile."
"I love it...when I see you smile," he whispered sarcastically, and I couldn't resist the huge s tha that crept across my face.
"That was cheesy," I responded, as I pinched his nipple lightly.
He laughed, and pushed my hand away, pulling it under the table and placing it on his thigh, covering it with his own hand.
"What can I say? You bring out the worst in me, Pawla," he said, turning his face to quickly kiss me on the lips.
I giggled in response, trying to pull my hand away. Instead he gripped it tighter, using his free hand to tickle my sides. Then we both exploded into laughter as I squirmed to get away, bumping Randy in the process.
"Sorry," I giggled as I snatched my hand away from Simon's grasp.
"Why don't one of you just admit it," Randy asked, watching us with amusement.
"Admit what?" I laughed, as Simon continued to tickle and prod me.
"That you two want each other."
"I don't want him!" I laughed, placing my hand on his shoulder and giving him a playful shove.
"Come on, Paula, admit it, you want me," he said, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms confidently as I looked at him with disgust.
"No I don't," I said, a little softer and less convincing that I would have liked.
"I'll prove it," he said.
And before I knew what was happening, Simon placed a hand on either side of my head and pulled me roughly to him, kissing me boldly and passionately. I let out an involuntary moan as his tongue lapped at mine, and somewhere in the background I could hear Randy's wild exclamations.
"Woah! Woah!" he laughed, and I could hear him retreating from us. "That's it, I'm making the executive decision, Matt will perform tomorrow night, and I'm going to leave you two alone now, goodnight!"
With that, the door slammed behind him, and it was just me and Simon. Alone at last.