I tapped my pencil incessantly against the sheet of paper in front of me while I chewed the inside of my cheek.

This was ridiculous. How could I have signed up for something as prestigious as this? I was an amateur walking into a den of hungry pros. I slammed my pencil down and pressed back into the couch.

I was exhausted. I was starving and yet, I couldn't eat.

"Just a few more days, you nervous?" Brayden asked from our kitchen.

I pulled my pencil from my lips. "Understatement of the century," I murmured as I stared at the sheet of music in front of me.

"You keep erasing like that and you won't have any paper left," he joked from behind me suddenly.

I ignored him and stared at the bridge I was working on. There was something missing, I couldn't put my finger on it though. My stress level had officially heightened to a whole new level and sleep was an afterthought.

"You're going to kill it Alice," he finally said as he took a seat next to me.

"Thanks bud," I replied, tapping my pencil against the coffee table.

He cleared his throat and took a sip of his coffee.

"Do you need any help?" he offered.

I shook my head. "No, actually I—"

A knock came from our door making me stop and look up. "Speak of the devil," I sighed in relief.

Jumping off of the couch, I stood in front of the door and smoothed down my hair.

"Who is that?" Brayden asked.

I unlocked the bolt and twisted our handle, opening it to the one and only rockstar himself.

"Adam," I beamed as he had his bags slung over his shoulder, his sunglasses propped around his neck and his hair perfectly styled.

Perfect as always.

"No name," he greeted, his deep voice making me feel better almost instantly.

I stepped back to allow him in where he immediately dropped his bags and grabbed me into a bear hug.

"Thank you so much for coming," I said into his shoulder as his arms tightened around me.

He pulled back with his genuine smile resting on his lips. "Are you kidding? I wouldn't miss this for anything."

"Holy hell, aren't you—"

I laughed and pulled away from Adam to face the shocked expression on Brayden's face.

"Brayden, meet Adam Hawkins, Adam this is Brayden," I introduced them.

Adam gave a quick flick of his fingers, but grinned. "Hey man."

Brayden stared at us, his mouth hanging open.

"Brooke is going to flip the fuck out, you know that?" he finally said.

Adam glanced at me. "Your roommate?"

I nodded.

"Should be a fun weekend," Adam clapped his hands together. "Now, first item of business," he smiled down at me. "Tequila."

My eyes widened. "No way," I shook my head. "Are you insane?"

I watched his eyes as they registered the kitchen area and he made a beeline for it. Following after him, I attempted to block his reach from our liquor cabinet.

"Listen rockstar, not all of us can—"

He pinned my hand behind my back, trapping me in between him and the kitchen counter. His piercing blue eyes held mine.

"Listen no name, I'm not getting you drunk, I'm making you relax," he explained.

I sighed. "I'm totally fine."

He leveled me with a look. "The last time I saw you like this was Christmas break with Jesse."

Cringing, I looked away. "I'd rather not think about it," I murmured.

His fingers reached out to my chin, tipping my face up to meet his eyes. "It's your time," he said softly. "And when you graduate, I'm dragging you on tour with me."

A small laugh escaped as he let his hand drop, with his other pulling down a bottle of patron. He shook it in between us and grinned.

A throat cleared from behind us making Adam step away from me.

"Sorry man," Adam laughed. "Want a shot? We've got about three days to get this girl performance ready."

Brayden stared at us for a moment before shaking his head. "Unfortunately, I can't, but Alice, I'll come back after soundcheck?"

I nodded with a slight smile and he grabbed his things and left.

When the door shut, Adam laughed and turned to me, the top off of the bottle.

"He likes you," he stared, pushing the bottle toward me.

I scoffed. "He does not, are you crazy?" I snatched the bottle from him and took a quick swig, wincing as the contents traveled down my throat.

Adam laughed as he headed for the couch in the living area, me close behind.

"Let's get to work, ay?" He ran a hand through his blonde hair before plopping down and patting the cushion next to him.

......

"Alright, go," Adam said, bobbing his head and drummed against the coffee table.

I began playing the guitar and sang the line we were working on perfecting.

He sang a verse, his finger pointing with each descending note.

I mimicked him, rapping my guitar to stay on tempo.

He threw his hands into the air. "Yes!" he beamed. "There it is, now the final chorus I want you to just fill the room, let it go, but keep your chin down. You're putting some strain on your voice by looking up."

I nodded. About two hours earlier it was awkward to take direction from him and to be quite honest, intimidating, but at a certain point, there was no shame.

I sang the verse, strumming the guitar with ease.

Adam smiled at me knowing what was coming next. He's been pushing my voice further than I've ever personally pushed it and it was the reason I soon realized I should welcome the tequila.

I sang the next three words, belting out notes I didn't know I could and held the final note, letting my vibrato take over.

"Oh oh oh oh," I came down and continued playing the guitar unable to tear my eyes from Adam's pride filled eyes.

"God, no name you are absolutely incredible," he said softly after I finished.

"Thank you," I murmured feeling the blush creep up my cheeks.

"You're going to make it to the second round, hell, you're going to win Alice," he said confidently.

I laughed and rest my guitar back on it's stand. "You're crazy."

He reached for my hand and held it, bringing my attention back to him.

"You are amazing, don't forget it," he demanded, his eyes mesmerizing.

"Look at you being all sweet," I teased.

He rolled his eyes, letting go and reaching beside him to bring the keyboard over us.

"Why aren't you playing this one first?" he asked as he stared at my second song, testing the chords out.

"Because it's better," I shrugged.

He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye. "The title is 'I don't think about you,'" he said slowly.

"Mhmm," I raised my eyebrows.

"Is this about someone in particular?" He finally asked.

I laughed. "Maybe someday I'll tell you."

"Like when you join me on tour," he smirked, making me laugh. He turned back to the song and began playing it.

"It's beautiful," he commented as his fingers played gracefully.

I scoot closer to him and rest my head on his shoulder as he played. He hummed along while I sang softly, but stopped suddenly.

He grabbed my pencil and marked something on the paper. "Personally, knowing what you're capable of, I would do this," he murmured, writing a new note in.

"That's high Adam, I could go sharp," I said cautiously.

He glanced back at me with a smirk. "Then don't go sharp."

After a few more hours fine tuning the songs, Adam practically pried my work out of my hands and put it away.

"Alright, time to relax, no more music," he grinned, stuffing the papers into his backpack.

"Do not lose those," I warned.

"Like you don't have them memorized," he rolled his eyes.

"Adam," I reiterated.

"Alice," he said with ease. "You're going to be great."

I sighed and laid back onto the couch.

"Is anyone coming to see you?"

"Oh God no," I threw an arm over my eyes. "The last thing I need is to fail in front of those I'm closest to."

"Still not talking to him?" he asked cautiously.

I stared at the floor.

"He's happy without me," I murmured.

"Dramatic," he laughed. "Regardless, you should tell your family at least."

I was silent.

"Unless Jesse is the reason you won't tell your family because you know it'll get back to him and you're afraid he won't even say goodluck," he said.

I glanced at him. He was smirking. He knew he hit the nail on the head because it's not as if I hide how I feel about Jesse or the struggle it has been to get over him.

"He wouldn't," I simply said.

Adam sighed. "Right, so," he leaned back. "When you win, tell me your plans for after college."

"It's a tough competition—"

"And you're a tough competitor," he interrupted.

I ignored him. "Anyway, graduation is still a month away, let me avoid adulthood for as long as possible."

"Can't run from it much longer," he sang.

I giggled. "Yeah, well, I can try."

"It's not all bad," he shrugged.

"Maybe for a rockstar," I countered.

We laughed.

"You're not far from it, No Name," he grinned.

"Your belief in me is uncanny," I grumbled.

"I believe in supporting future artists you are one," he said completely serious.

"You mean writer," I said.

"I mean artist," I said firmly.

I stared at him suspiciously and wondered why he was suddenly pushing me in that direction knowing I preferred to stay out of the spotlight.

He shrugged.

"Just something I'm seeing lately," he sighed and leaned back, matching my demeanor.

I narrowed my eyes at him, but decided to let it drop. He would always mess with me like that to get me flustered. I wouldn't fall for it, even though it was working to make me relax.

The competition that could lead to the biggest opportunity of my life was in three days.

I did it. I signed up. For a moment, I relished in that because just 8 months ago, I wouldn't step foot in the music industry.

Here I was.

I did it.

You've got the gift.