Everybody

I think I underestimated the glitz and glamour of the gala. I mean, I had seen the likes of such before on TV, but being at one was something completely different. A red carpet was laid out, with photographers snapping photos of all the contestants as they walked into the hall.

I was nervous when we arrived; we were all in dresses, after all - what would the other contestants think? What would the press think? Well, it couldn’t be too bad if Stephanie wanted us to go like this.

“Jane Doe! Over here! They’re in dresses. Blake looks just like a princess.” All these things were being shouted as we exited the exclusive Solstice taxi. The flashes of the camera were blinding. I was beginning to get a bit disorientated.

It took me a moment to focus with so much going on, but once I did, I noticed two girls with a cardboard sign that read “Jane Doe” with a love heart. I had never seen these people before, so I had no idea why they would be our fans. Like, we were just some rockers from a rural Australian town.

I decided to wander over towards the girls, and they squealed as I approached them.

“Oh my God, Blake, I can’t believe it’s really you. Can we get a photo with you?” One of them spoke, somewhat flustered.

“Um, sure,” I responded. I didn’t know what else to say. They handed me their phone I angled it so we were all in the shot. I posed and took the photo. It wasn’t anything special. I’m sure they would be disappointed with it.

“Thank you so much. I’ll never forget this. I hope you win!” The girls screamed in joy.

Well, I don’t think I did anything special, but I’m glad they are happy, nonetheless. After that, I caught up with the others who were just about to head into the hall. It seemed that representatives from other countries had already rocked up.

I looked around and spotted Marco chatting with some Solstice bloggers. It seemed like he was too busy for me to sneak over and hide in his shadow. I had never received any media training. I mean, we sort of came out of nowhere. Quite literally, the middle of nowhere. So we were riding that fairytale narrative at the cost of any media training.

I looked around to find some people to socialise with. From my chronic Solstice following, I knew that fans generally liked it when participants got along. I just needed to find some people to chat with.

Unfortunately, I had been so busy with cost-cutting that I failed to listen to any of the other songs. I mean, I still hadn’t heard Marco's song. I made a mental note to do that once I returned to the hotel.

Well, if I can’t find other people, I will stick with the band members. I turned to notice they were all gone. Where the hell did they go off to? I caught sight of Noah being interviewed by a broadcaster, but I had no idea who they were.

Jet was having a conversation with an older gentleman. He looked like he had been wheeled out of a retirement home. Surely, he was some delegation head and not a contestant. Then again, the cameras were really focused on them and the Moldovan flag draped around the older gentleman. Perhaps he was one of the contestants. I would have to ask Jet about the person later.

Luca also seemed to have made friends with a few acts based on the cameras that were capturing them. I have no idea who they were, either.

Everyone else was making friends and networking. Did I really have to talk to anyone? I suppose if we were all going to share a stage, I had better at least make one friend—at least someone other than Marco.

“Struggling to socialise with others as well?” A distinct English accent commented. I turned, startled to see a man dressed in a black suit.

“Um, Yeah,” I responded.

“You’re the Australian representative, right?”

“That’s right, and I take it from your accent, you’re the UK Rep? I asked, though I was beginning to question myself.

“Also correct, I’m Josh Williams. It’s nice to meet you.” He was a tall man, but he also seemed to be quite young. He had an air about him that just seemed joyful. The fact that he was nothing to start a conversation with me meant he was a sweetheart, like a teddy bear.

“Are you excited for the competition?” he asked.

“Yes, but also nervous,” I replied.

“I’m completely the same. I don’t know how the others are holding up.”

We both laughed.

“Have you had a chance to talk to the others yet?” He asked.

“Not yet. I’m not particularly good in social settings.”

“Well, I’m sure a lot of people will be interested in talking to you tonight.”

“I hope so. I don’t want to be the one who has to strike up a conversation first.” I awkwardly laughed.

“Anyway, it’s been nice chatting with you, but I should probably go and speak to some of the other acts. If you have your phone on you, I can give you my number. I would be happy to chat anytime.”

I gave him my phone, and he added his number.

“It was nice chatting with you Blake.”

“Yeah, same,”

I made my first friend outside of Marco in Solstice. Though I wished he had stayed because now I had to socialise with other people. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. Could they all just come and talk to me?

“I love your dress.”

I turned around to see the Romanian representative. Although I hadn’t heard her song, I knew all about it. Luca was obsessed with her music. She was a female singer with a bubblegum pop song that was apparently an earworm.

The vocalist was super cute. She wore cat ears as part of her performance. Perhaps it was some sort of ‘freaky deaky’ superstition, or maybe it was just because she thought they looked cute. Either way, she proudly wore them here.

I didn’t catch her name, and now I feel too embarrassed to ask, so mentally, I’ll just refer to her as the Romanian bubblegum pop girl.

“What does your girlfriend think of you dressing up like that?” She asked.

“Boyfriend actually. But he’s cool with it.” I corrected.

“Oh, you’re gay. That’s cool. I’m a lesbian.”

“Lesbian… How about… Let’s be friends.” I said awkwardly, making finger guns.

She walked off without saying anything. I think she may hate me now.

─── ༻ ☼ ༺ ───

End of Chapter 11