HOW I BECAME A CELEBRITY

Ever since I knew I could sing, I've been so obsessed with singing and working on myself and my ability to sing, so I could feature in my school singing group, next winter and to make a mark, before leaving Reiners High school for good.

No one is aware yet about my singing ability, apart from my bestie Clara.

Clara is a bossom friend of mine, who came to our school, over a year ago.

She's not particularly a pretty girl, but she's very kind and sweet at heart. We have so much in common, like reading interesting novels, making handcrafts and cooking.

Clara is very intelligent and smart too.

We have known each other, for over a year now. We are so close, that our school mates call us sisters from different mothers.

Our secondary school mates are surprised and wonder how we are able to bond so well, because, I am black and Clara is white.

It is a rare thing, to see people of different races bond together, the way Clara and I do.

They often wonder how we are best of friends and fond of each other.

They have tried separating us by different means and in different ways.

Sometimes, they frame us up and lie against us, to put us in trouble, but to no avail.

HOW I DISCOVERED MY TALENT

My mom is a member of a church choir in a small church, in my town. I used to accompany her to church for rehearsals. I listen to different people singing, during their rehearsal, but never put interest in it, until recently.

One day, we got to church and nobody had come for rehearsal, except the instrunatalists who were rehearsing.

I decided to join them in having fun and singing with the keyboard player playing.

I took the microphone and began to sing a very simple song. The instrumentalists looked at each other in dismay and were making facial gesticulations.

At first, I thought I was messing up and fooling myself, until after a while, the keyboardist stopped and started clapping. He kept clapping until the others joined him.

Wow! wow!! wow!!! He said, pausing to look at my mom, he said, you didn't tell me your daughter could sing! I felt flattered.

My mom didn't think much of it as well. The bassist recorded what I sang and played it out for a listen. As I listened, I felt good and pleased by what I heard. It was like someone else singing and not me.

THE INVITATION

Wow! Said the keyboardist. You will make a good artiste. I'd like to invite you for a live music competition taking place in Keisha next month. He handed me a flyer containing all the details about the show.

When we got home that day, I wanted to sing at every little bit of leisure time and opportunity I had. It was all a new and beautiful experience for me altogether.

Not sooner than 40 minutes, I got a call from the keyboardist, who is obviously excited about his new discovery. He said he was calling to make sure I was at the singing competition.

Okay, I told him I'll be there.

BREAKING THE NEWS TO CLARA

There is a Talent show that's about to take place in our little town, organized by a radio station here in Keisha and I'm making preparations to be a part of it and you Clara are going with me.

Clara was surprised that I chose to go for the audition, cause she knows I'm a very shy person, when it comes to publicity.

For the first time, Girl, you have made a big decision that would affect us both in life.

She got so excited and teased me about being shy and self conscious. She told me that I would make her proud, if I scaled through the competition and went to the big city, where the grand finale would be holding.

This is the opportunity I've been waiting for, to show everyone my singing ability.

The first audition is this Saturday by 2pm.

THE TALENT SHOW

The stage is set and all the lightings are in place. the judges are all seated and waiting for the first contestant to walk right in.

I am number 15 out of 80 contestants. My heart beat is increasing and racing fast. I wonder how it would turn out today. Would I be able to impress the judges? Would I be given a ticket to compete in the grand finale? Would I be chosen among the best?

The first contestant was called in and with the way she smiled as she came out, told me she was picked to go to the next round, in the city. The 10th person has gone in and is out now with a kind of sadness on her face. It's obvious she isn't going to the next round.

My heart is racing faster and I'm so nervous. Would I scale through to the next round or would I be sent home?

The thought of being on a live television makes me happy but I'm all shaky and scared at the same time.

The rare opportunity I've been looking for is here now, but, I'm not sure of myself. Oh God help me! I cannot afford to blow this chance. What would it be? Would I be selected?

'Next person'! As soon as I heard that word, my heart skipped, and as I rushed to the door leading to the audition room, my legs began to wobble. The judges were three and were looking radiant, elegant, intimidating but friendly.

'Hello young lady'! The female judge spoke first. 'Hi', I answered.

What's your name?

My name is Stacy.

And where are you from?

I'm from Keisha in Bendergi.

Where is Bendergi?

In Lamba.

What are you doing for us today?

'Singing'.

Have you been singing?

'Not really', I got interested recently, when I discovered I could sing.

Wow! And what song are you doing for us today?

'The Greatest love of all', by Whitney Houston.

That song is a classic you know right!

Yeah! I replied.

Go on ahead and sing for us dear, said the chief judge.

I began to sing with a bit of fright and went on to finish the song. As soon as I finished singing, all the judges stood up to applaud my performance. I felt so good and on top of the world and couldn't help but smile.

Your personality is endearing and you are beautiful, said one of the judges.

Your voice is out of this world, said the second judge. Whitney Houston would be so proud of you wherever she is.

You are the best performer we've seen so far in this competition, said the chief judge. Wow!

'Thank you', I said.

Which artiste do you love listening to?

'I love listening to Whitney Houston', I replied.

Wow! No wonder! You are really good at what you do.

To all these compliments, I told them thank you and waited to hear... The chief judge said, YES! you are moving on to the next stage, in the big city.

I jumped up in excitement and did a rumba dance. Wow! Thank you! thank you, thank you!

I left the audition room feeling on top of the world.

I BECAME A CELEBRITY ALL AT ONCE.

As soon as I got out, Clara was waiting with excitement. She got a call from the school principal who sent me a congratulatory message through her. She had watched the show on TV.

The news had gone everywhere in the town and people were already talking about it. When they saw me, they waved at me and call my name so loudly.

AT HOME

My mom couldn't believe her eyes. She came out to hug me and planted a kiss on my forehead. She was so proud of my performance and called her best friend over for dinner, that night. She promised to give me all the support I would need get to the top, in my music career. I was so happy that I got my mom's support.

MY FAMILY

My dad left us to heaven three years ago, my mom has been the one catering for the family. It hasn't been easy. She had wanted me to be a career oriented person. Get a degree and get a good job to assist her in taking care of the family.

AT SCHOOL

I became so popular at school and gained the respect of the school officials. I became so famous at once. My fame went far and wide, all across my little town as the TV superstar. People wanted to gain admission into my school, because of me, the TV superstar.

My school became very popular. People wanted to know more about the TV superstar. They have heard that I attend the secondary school at Keisha and so they came looking for admission in my school - they came looking for the superstar singer, they saw on TV. Some even called me Whitney Houston.

It felt really good to be appreciated and loved, even by strangers. I was on my way to startdom. I couldn't walk freely around the school premises anymore, without someone somewhere calling out my name Stacy.

THE VISITOR

One day, Clara and I were in the house studying, when a Limousine parked outside our house and a gentle man was helped, to open the door and he headed towards our house.

He looked properly to be sure he's in the right place and then pressed on the door bell.

Hello, anybody home?

We wondered what he could be looking for.

He obviously does not live in this town, cause only few notable families have a car. No one has a big, expensive car as this.

He kept ringing the bell until my mom opened the door.

Hello, how may I help you?

I'm asking after a young girl of about this height. He raised his hand and made a sign of the height.

There are many girls of that height in Keisha.

Oh, I mean the TV superstar. Is this where she lives?

TV superstar? I'm sorry, you're in the wrong apartment.

I'm very sure it is here. I can't be mistaken.

Are you Mrs. Leigh?

Yes, I am.

Yes! It's your daughter, I've come to see.

My daughter Stacy?

Yes Ma'am.

I saw her on a live show last week and I've come to talk with her about an offer.

What kind of offer, if I may ask?

A record deal that is worth millions of dollars Ma'am.

My name is James Royfold. The son of the popular Jakes Royfold of the Royfold Foundation based in Rocktown city.

Wow! Come right in son.

Stacy! I heard my mom call out to me.

Meanwhile, Clara and I have been hiding behind the curtains and listening to all that the stranger has been telling my mom.

Wow! Clara was more excited than I was.

We're going to the city Stacy! We're going to the city! We're going to be rich! We're going to be famous!

Stacy! I heard my mom call again. Yes mom!

TO BE CONTINUED...!