CHAPTER 4

It was Friday, the day for my two minute interview with Xavier. Sunday was the day of the eliminations, the day I was going home. I pulled Rose's piece advice over and over through my head but I just didn't get it. I just wanted to go home, back into the quietness of Maine.

I was lounging around as each girl went into the recording room. Rose and I as playing catch in our mouths with grapes which were lying on the coffee table. Girls around us were either hyperventilating about meeting their 'future husband' or dressing themselves up more with make up although the stylists had already gone around to each girl. My stylist, Jo, put my curly red-brown hair in a high ponytail with my hair hanging in loose curls. I had wisps of hair framing my face. Jo was really nice and understood that I didn't like wearing heaps of make up. So she put concealer on where I needed it and covered my lashes with mascara and outlined the bottom of my eyes with eye liner to make my blue almost purple eyes "pop," as she said. After covering my lips with a tinted Chapstick, she said I was done.

There were two FBI guys, who I found out were actually SS guys (secret service who protected not only Xavier but his billionaire father who owned the Gold Music producing company). Anyway, the SS guys stood guard when an assistant came out the door and called my number.

I stood up and followed the bleach blonde chick into the room. The room was set up pretty fancy. There was an oriental rug laid over the black flooring and I could see the cords crossing underneath. There were two arm chairs, one where Xavier was sitting and the other for me. There were a few other props around to make it a 'homey' environment but all in all it just looked fake.

When Elliot saw it was me he rolled his eyes and said sarcastically, "Oh great, the lovely ninety-eight is here."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes back but as he turned around I stuck my finger up at him. I heard a chuckle and saw Xavier looking at me with amusement.

Another assistant ushered me to sit and I saw that the camera behind me had some questions that Xavier could read.

They dimmed the lighting and everyone became silent. Elliot stood between Xavier and me and said,

"Ok, Mr. Matthews is going to ask you questions, you're going to answer politely and remember this is the decider for the top 50. I don't care if you want to be here or not you have to be polite. No back answering, no swearing and no eye rolling."

I rolled my eyes at him but nodded.

He scowled at me, "Watch it ninety-eight, I'm up to here with you." He held his hand up to his neck.

Elliot then moved behind the camera man and held his fingers out counting down.

"We're on in five, four, three, two..." He pointed to Xavier.

Xavier started talking, "What's your name?"

"Annabelle Kennedy but my friends call me Annie."

"So where are you from Annie?"

I clearly said my friends call me Annie! He is NOT my friend he shouldn't be calling me Annie! He saw the annoyance in my eyes and he hid a smirk while I answered the question as calmly as possible, "I'm from Maine."

He nodded seriously, "What do you like to do in your spare time?"

"I like to make music,"

He raised an eyebrow, "Do you play any instruments?"

I shrugged, "A few," he made a motion to tell him.

"I play the guitar, piano, banjo, violin, bass guitar, cello and a little bit of the drums."

He raised and eyebrow surprised, "I'm impressed, can you sing as well?"

I shrug again, "A little bit."

We chatted awkwardly about favourite artists before our time was up. I quietly slipped out of the room before Elliot could say anything. I saw Rose get ushered in as I ran to my caravan. There were about twenty five caravans set up in rows of five in the grassy back yard. We were fenced off with a red and white tape but over it I could see a massive swimming pool and a tennis court on the other side. I even saw a rock climbing wall and a small lake with a tiny wharf through a small forest of trees. They must have a good gardener because all rose bushes and flowers were neatly pruned and blooming brightly.

Instead of going to the caravan I slipped underneath the tape, similar to police tape, and ran through the trees before stopping at the clear lake. I walked along the wooden wharf and sat down. I took my converses off and put my feet in the water. I plugged my earphones in and listened to the beautiful band Tired Pony. The sun was starting to slowly fade as it lit up the surroundings. I was off in my own world when

I felt the wooden wharf vibrating from foot steps. I turn around and to my complete surprise see Xavier Matthews walking towards me.

I pull my earphones and look at him questioningly.

"What are you doing here?" I ask a bit rudely.

He gave me an annoyed look before saying, "I live here, remember."

I scoff, of course The Xavier Matthews live here in his massive mansion could probably home a decent amount of homeless people, but no it only homes him and his billionaire father. Who knows where his mum is anyway.

"What's with the attitude ninety-eight?" he asks annoyed when I don't answer back. I look at him and I see annoyance and his eyes but a little bit of hurt to.

"I mean, what did I ever do to hurt you, or make you hate me so much?" He looked straight into my eyes as he kept talking, "You don't even know me. So don't judge me."

With that being said he turned around and walked off, his shoulders tensed under his white shirt.

I got to get my shit together.

That night in the cafeteria I was unusually quiet and I think Rose noticed but she didn't say anything. I was overwhelmed with guilt as I thought about how bitchy I had been to Xavier. I mean, he was right. He didn't do anything at all. In fact, I was the one that started it. I didn't like being in the centre of attention, I had a phobia of people; specifically girls, and hated Elliot. I took my annoyance and anger, from being on the show, the annoying girls here, Elliot and everything onto him.

I had to apologize to him but I wasn't sure when. He was watched like a hawk, not just by the SS, but by the public and especially Elliot so there would be no 'foul play' despite his playboy appearance to the public.

The eliminations were in two days, on Sunday, so when I was eliminated I could apologise afterwards.

It was Sunday; elimination day and I was so nervous. Not because of the fear of going home but because I had to say sorry. I was never good with apologies and I knew it was going to be awkward and painful. Also, another thought kept me up last night.

Ever since I was five and my mum and I would sing in the kitchen until dad got home, I wanted to be a singer. I wanted to be signed to a record deal and have my name splashed across headlines and in tabloids. I wanted the songs I wrote to become number 1 in the billboard charts, the iTune charts, the ARIA charts and so on. I wanted people to know who I was around the world.

Now, people knew I was. I was on the pages of newspapers and blogging sites but for the wrong thing. I was just another participant on a reality TV show who was rude to The Xavier Matthews.

I probably angered many of his fans and supporters and trust me; he had more fans than Justin Bieber and One Direction put together. (I don't know how though with his overplayed, repetitive, auto-tuned music. It was probably his dad, the big boss and founder of GOLD MUSIC RECORDS.)

Now when I make it big, if I even make it big now, I would just be the girl who was rude to Xavier. His fans would hate me. It'd be just as bad or even worse than the Directioners who hate the Swifties and vice versa.

But then again, I argued with myself, the music I make isn't even pop but alternative. I would attract a totally different fan base.

I tried to ignore my conflicting thoughts as Jo, a stylist, dressed me in a simple floral dress with a sweetheart neckline which fell above my knees. I slipped on my white high top converse while she curled my hair and pinned it back. My make up was briefly done and I was shoved out of the makeup room to the giant lounge room where the eliminations would be held.

Rose patted a seat next to her and the camera crew was running around. I saw Xavier being ushered out and he stood next to Elliot, who also hosted the show. The Search for Cinderella show tune started and Elliot was opening up the show. I zoned out before Xavier started moving around with a tray of fifty white roses. Each girl he gave the rose to was eliminated, just like the bachelor. He started with the lowest number and made his way up the top he was moving towards me but stopped next to Elise who was on one side of me and handed her the rose. She let out a tiny whimper as sadness filled her eyes but the camera didn't catch it. He skipped over me and Rose before handing the last rose to Sarah, girl #100.

WHAT!?

Why wasn't I eliminated? Rose gave me an amused look as Xavier went back to Elliot and they finished off filming. The last shot was of all the eliminated girls leaving through the front doors after giving Xavier one last hug. Sarah actually got a bit desperate as she hugged him and planted her glossy pink lips on his. He tried pushing her off but her arms were locked around his neck which resulted in two buff SS guys to carry her off.

She left screaming, "Xavier, I love you baby!!"

Elliot gave a chuckle to the camera and wrapped up the show.

Girls lingered around but as soon as Xavier left the room the living room emptied leaving Rose, me and the camera crew. Elliot had left also and the camera crew was packing up. I went over and helped Jono, the main camera guy who was ready to go home to his kid and wife, and helped him take the tape off all the cords on the ground. Rose helped to also flirting with a young camera guy who I think his name was Charlie.

I didn't notice Xavier coming back into the room until he said to Jono, "Thanks mate for tonight." He gave a manly handshake to Jono and then looked around the room. He was surprised when he saw me and Rose.

"What are you doing here still?" he asked puzzled.

Before I could answer Jono put his arm around me before saying, "these two, are my favourites. They're helping all of us pack up."

Xavier looked at me surprised and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes as it was expected. Instead I forced a smile at him.

Xavier looked confused as he quietly helped the crew pack up as well and we were done ten minutes early before usual.

Xavier said bye to the crew and Rose, the sleep addict, had crept back to the caravan leaving me and him alone.

He looked at me and said a brief goodnight and was about to walk off when I said, "Xavier, wait."

He turned around and looked at me questioningly with his beautiful green eyes.

"I have to talk to you."