Amp It Up (X Factor, Niall Horan, One Direction Love Story)

Ryan was confused.

First of all, about the stupid changes. He hadn't expected his Uncle to take the idea that far, as to changing up the entire show. They'd even taken one of American Idol's show time spots.

Put mainly what to do about Natalie.

And Kelly.

He leaned against the headboard of the bed and let out a breath slowly.

Natalie had tried calling him earlier that day. He'd ignored it, knowing it would have been night time in America, the time when she always made the worst decisions and also when he usually had to get her out of a sticky situation.

Natalie.

With her long blond hair, dark brown eyes, and model looks. Natalie, the girl that could make him laugh in a heartbeat over some not even remotely funny joke. Natalie, the girl he'd proposed to, and envisioned as his wife.

He hadn't told the truth to Kelly about why she'd broken it off. Whoever said people were truthful when they were drunk were lying, because he could lie as well drunk as he could sober.

Except for Natalie. She was a truthful drunk, always spewing out whatever was on her mind to him right before she would puke her guts out in the bushes.

He remembered dropping her hair like she'd burned him after she'd told him.

She'd cheated. The night before their wedding, at her bachleratte party.

She'd made him promise, no strip clubs, no girls, no drugs. He'd stayed true to his word, and he and his buddies had gone paint balling, then found a field and had a bonfire and a cookout.

He hadn't thought to ask what Natalie and her friends were doing.

She'd told him later that night, when she'd tumbled back into their flat where he was waiting up for her, tipsy and falling over in her too tall heels, dress awry.

He'd grabbed his bags and walked out, leaving a note for her to find in the morning. He'd hopped the next plane to his mothers house, and a few months later his mom had gotten him an audition on the X Factor, thanks to Uncle Simon.

Passing had been a dream. A beautiful dream.

Meeting Kelly had been better. She'd helped him more than she realized. She took his mind off of Natalie. He didn't like her in a romantic way, he felt like she was his little sister or best friend. Sure, she was cute, but in a softer way. Not drop dead beautiful like Natalie.

At the moment, she was in her room asleep after her first live show. This year, they'd done it differently.

After five people had sung, they'd done eliminations. She'd been the only one of five to make it through in the first half.

The group song for the girls had been fantastic, and they'd each gotten to meet Kelly Clarkson.

He boys had been filmed watching it, all thirty of them in a private room.

Thirty boys, thirty girls.

Twenty two girls now.

Wednesday, eight more people would go. Friday, eight more. Fourteen left.

Next week, the same would happen for the boys.

On the bed beside him, his phone lit up. Natalie's face filled the screen. Ryan looked at it for a moment, then clicked Decline.

Maybe this was the start to healing.

Ryan switched the phone off, punched his pillow a few times, rolled over and fell asleep.

A Ed Sheeran song ran through his mind.

This, is, the start to something beautiful.

~ ~ ~

He should have known that something was wrong the moment he went on stage.

The looks, the whispers, and the crowd around someone backstage. He thought he heard a shout at his back, but the announcer, Mario Lopez this week, had called his name.

It was Bruno Mars week.

Ryan sat at the piano, smiling at the cheering of the crowds, the chant of his name. All for him.

His nerves vanished as he hit the first cords, and the cheering intensified as he did so.

"Same bed but it feels just a little bit bigger now. Our song on the radio but it don't sound the same.

“When our friends talk about it all that it does is just tear me down. Cause my heart breaks a little when I hear your name. And it all just sounds like Oh.”

Ryan closed his eyes as he sang, then remembered what his trainer had told him, and opened his eyes and smiled into the camera. On impulse, when he saw his head fill the big screen, he winked. Screams filled the stadium and he smiled as he sang.

“Although it hurts I'll be the first to say that I was wrong. Oh, I know I'm probably much too late. To try and apologize for my mistakes. But I just want you to know. I hope he buys you flowers, I hope he holds your hand” At those words, Ryan nearly teared up. He looked back into the cameras, determined to make himself look dreamy and relaxed.
“Give you all his hours when he has the chance. Take you to every party cause I remember how much you loved to dance. Do all the things I should have done when I was your man.” Ryan sang slowly. Then, amid the fading chords of the black grand piano, his voice sang once more.
“Do all the things I should have done when I was your man.”

Screams, cheers, and clapping filled the stadium as Ryan stood, smoothing his shirt. He raised a single hand to the cameras before they cut to commercial.

Ryan touched a few girls hands on the side of the stage, and waved as he walked off. He wasn't meant to talk to the announcer in this performance. Only the contestants that were being kicked off tonight were being talked too. This system was horribly flawed, and he knew that everyone would realize it soon enough, but he was just glad that he was safe. Contestants that were safe were told before hand.

When the voting began, Ryan couldn't bear to see so many guys booted off. He'd talked to one of the TV producers and managed to get them to keep the cameras off of him for the most part offstage.

Ryan went into a private room near to where the contestants that hadn't performed yet were anxiously waiting. It was more of a rec room, with a white couch, mini fridge, and a telly that was tuned in to the show.

Ryan grabbed a beer from the fridge and collapsed on the couch and amped the volume. He was taking a swig of the chilled drink when he suddenly spat it out, staring at the figures on the screen.

Darren made it through.

He'd sang, or rather made a rap version of Grenade, and the prick had made it through.

Suddenly disgusted with the beer in his hand, Ryan binned it and washed his face and hands in the bathroom. Leaning on his arms against the sink, he stared at his reflection in the mirror.

First Natalie, now this.

He'd honestly assumed that Darren wouldn't have made it through. The guy wasn't that talented. He must have been an alternative to another contestant making it through. Goodness, the guy slurred his words when he rapped anyway.

Ryan suddenly felt like punching something, but restrained himself. After he'd dried his hands, he nearly collapsed back on the coach when a knock sounded on the door. The door opened, and Niall poked his head through the opening.

“Whats up mate?” Ryan asked. Because there had to be something up. Niall looked like he'd seen a ghost, with his blue eyes wide and staring and his normally rosy cheeks pale. Niall cleared his throat a couple of times.

“Someone's here to see you.” He croaked out. Ryan began to get a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. The door opened wider, and a familiar person stood there.

“RYAN!” Natalie squealed, running forward in her high heels. Somehow, Ryan wished she would fall, but she didn't. She always was good at running in heels. Actually, she was good at everything. Clothes, shoes, hair; everything about her was impeccable. Ryan stood stiffly with his teeth gritted as she hugged him. He wished that he didn't want to hug her, heck, he wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her, but he couldn't.

“What are you doing here, Nat?” Ryan ground out after he'd pried her arms off of him.

“I came to see you, of course! And I wanted you to meet my new boyfriend! I hope you like him!” Natalie gushed. That look in her eyes...

“Who.” Ryan deadpanned. Natalie's fake little smile faltered for a moment, but then it was back in place. Her eyes hardened.

“Him.” She said, gesturing toward the door. Sipping a bottle of vitamin water, Darren Camden smirked at him.

“Hey there buddy.” Was all he said before Ryan lunged.