-Author's POV-

It's late. Madison lies awake, her hand unknowingly rubs the rumbling of her stomach. She winces and readjusts her position, hoping it would bring some sort of comfort. It's no use, she's hungry and the growing pain was intolerable.

Glancing at the alarm clock, she reads 12:54am; she silently hoped no one was awake at this time. Without another thought, she climbs out of bed and grasps her phone on the way out. Maybe a phone call to her parents and a sandwich would ease her mood back up.

The house is quiet, the odd light on as she makes her way down the grand staircase. It's so quiet she can practically hear the sound of her heartbeat, she never did like the dark, it always made her feel uneasy and timid. But, she doesn't dare to turn on any lights, instead she uses the flashlight app on her phone for source of light. Rummaging through the fridge with her lower lip tightly clasped between her teeth, making as minimal noise as possible.

Turkey sandwich? They f!cking get burgers and steak.. And I get a f!cking turkey sandwich!? She mentally shouts to herself. She just about manages to make a sandwich, the items carelessly left behind. Her body slithers out of the glassed doors, and the nightly summer breeze hits her instantly. Relaxing every part of her.

"Turkey sandwich" She scoffs with her mouthful. Carefully, she settles down to the ground and puts her feet into the pool. Swirling them in the water, creating disordered ripples.

She sighs and pulls out her phone, her call log empty from any missed calls or messages. But, nonetheless, she gives her parents a call. The phone rings, and rings, and rings, as she goes to end the call; her mother's voice sounds through.

"Hello?" Comes the cheery tone.

"Are you drunk?" Madison rolls her eyes, and takes another bite off her messy sandwich.

"Hello sweetie! Your dad and I are out with a couple friends-"

"You didn't even answer any of my texts, you could have told me you were busy-"

"Slipped my mind, honey! Honey! Madison is on the line!" Clara giggles and continues to chat on the other end, ignoring her daughters phone call.

"Hello?!" Madison grows annoyed

"And he took the contract and ripped it right up, tearing it to pieces without a care in the world" The sound of laughter deafens her. She ends the phone call with tears prickling her green orbs. Soon enough, she begins to cry in the night. Her sandwich dropped to her side, and knees rising out of the water, giving her some sort of comfort. She wraps her arms tightly around her knees and cries loudly.

-

Kimberley suddenly wakes up, Cheryl's limbs thrown across the blonde's body, making it difficult to move or breathe.

"Move" She moans, pushing Cheryl off her.

"Mm Kimba" The Geordie murmurs in her sleep, and turns away from her wife. Kimberley lies awake, the muffling sounds catch her attention. The terrace doors kept open that night, allowing the winds to ease through their grand bedroom. She sits up and stretches her sore limbs.

The sound grows louder, and she's on her feet darting towards the opened doors instantaneously. She pears out cautiously, almost afraid someone or something would jump out at her, once she knows it's safe, she bravely walks across the large balcony and looks out to the garden.

There sits Madison in floods of tears. Kimberley frowns and watches for a few minutes before giving in, and heading down to the garden.

Madison's tears seem never-ending, no matter how many times she's tried to stop them, new hot tears would form and stream down her flushed cheeks.

A touch to the shoulder startles her; she bolts up right, her tears still freely flowing. Green orbs meet blue-greys and she's immediately wiping the sadness away, maybe she'd thought Kimberley wouldn't notice them.

"What's the matter?"

"N-Nothing." The teen hiccups and looks away from concerned eyes. Kimberley takes a different route.

"Was the sandwich that awful?" She points out the thrown sandwich, turkey and lettuce fallen out of the bread and lying unpleasantly onto the cemented ground.

"A-Awful" Madison tries to hide her growing smile. Kimberley dares and takes a seat beside the distraught girl.

"I've had my fair share of bad sandwiches," The blonde continues her playfulness, "Just ask my wife, she's made them all for me." She gets a giggle from Madison. Seeing this as a green light, she continues her sarcastic humor.

"Now don't get me wrong," Kimberley gives her a nudge, shouldering her good-humoredly. "She makes damn good cups of teas." The teen gives her a teary smile, and wipes the remainder of the fallen gloom.

"Do you want to talk about it?" The older woman asks, her hand reaches out and strokes Madison's thigh with affection. She gives it a friendly squeeze and retreats it back to her own lap.

"It's nothing" The teen sniffs, stubborn and unable to voice her sorrows.

"I left you a plate in the oven you know" Madison can practically feel her heart explode into a million butterflies. She's never met anyone be so sweet to her, and she can't help but question it.

"Why?"

"Well, I'm not so sure a half bitten sausage got you full-"

"No," Madison tries again "I mean, why are you being so nice?"

Kimberley smiles.

"Been asking myself that question since I met you" A comfortable silence falls into the night, they sigh simultaneously.

"Did you leave me a burger?" Madison breaks the silence, earning a laugh off Kimberley.

"Course," The blonde dares to ask again, "Are you sure you don't want to talk about it? Nobody cries over a sandwich like that."

"It's nothing really.. Just.. Family stuff." Madison hiccups, an adorable sniffle followed.

"Family stuff?" Kimberley shuffles closer, she'd hoped it would bring comfort to the teen. "What kind of family stuff?" She holds her breath, almost ready for Madison to blow off on her.

There's a pause, before the teen surprisingly opens up.

"Mum and dad are always busy" She shrugs "I thought they would be interested to talk to me just now.. Seeing as tomorrows the big day" Madison laughs feebly, her eyes swimming with fresh tears.

Kimberley takes a moment, her mind working in a million different directions.

"What's troubling you about tomorrow?" She surprises Madison once again; here she was thinking she'd hear a pity explanation as to why the teen's parents weren't giving her much attention.

"I know I'm good," She begins. "But, everyone else is good.. There's so much talent here, and in this competition.. I also know Cheryl can't stand me-"

"That's not true" Kimberley cuts in.

"She does.. It's alright, I know she's your wife and whatever, you're supposed to defend her" Madison shrugs, unsure where she was going with her thoughts being voiced aloud.

"Cheryl is nice once you get to know her" This gets the teen laughing.

"That's something you say about a bad smell," She giggles "It's like saying it smells now, but you'll get used to it after sometime." Kimberley joins the laughter.

"Yeah I guess that does make sense-"

"So are you famous too?" Madison changes route, putting the focus on the blonde and away from her.

"No, I was never famous."

"What is it you do?" The teen asks with full interest. The earlier cries are long and forgotten in this very moment.

"I own a bakery-"

"How did you meet Cheryl?" Kimberley laughs.

"Wow, you're full of questions tonight." The blonde laughs again.

"Sorry, I don't mean to be nosey-"

"No, you're fine.. Cheryl used to be a regular customer at my bakery-"

"Are you any good?"

"Are you going to let me answer one question at a time?"

"Sorry" Madison apologizes again. Kimberley gives her a smile, and answers the teen's curious questions.

"Chez was a regular in my bakery, she'd always come in for a red velvet cupcake and a coffee-"

"Red velvet is my favourite" Kimberley smiles.

"Yeah, it's Cheryl's favourite too"

"Do you bake at home?" Madison shakes her head, laughing at her immaturity. "Not like get high or anything.. Like baked goods?"

"I do both" The teen's eyes go wide.

"You get high?!"

"Well, I was a teenager once no?" Madison is lost for words; suddenly she's seeing Kimberley in a new light. Here she was thinking the blonde was pure as white, and seemed to have never touched a drug in her life.

"Does Cheryl know?" The teen lowers her voice, whispering the words to a smirking Kimberley.

"My wife knows everything, heck, she's done it too-"

"That's so f!cking cool.." The older woman can't help but chuckle at Madison's amazement. She shakes her head and talks nonsense, anything that comes to mind is being sounded into the night.

"Have you ever done anything of that sort?"

"No, oh god no" Madison shakes her head with a frown, "Mum says you should only ever touch drugs needed for your health."

"She's right, I don't smoke anymore, I've only done it a few times in my teenage years" Kimberley suddenly feels like she's being told off by her Mum, Madison has shown maturity in her eyes. It was another tick to the list of things she adored about the arrogant teen.

Their gaze falls to the pool; they've found themselves swaying their legs insync, clashing the ripples of water together in a beautiful motion. They sit in a comfortable silence, which doesn't last long as Madison speaks up.

"Do you think I'm obnoxious?" She whispers, her eyes still focused on the moving waters.

"No," Kimberley pouts, "Think you're quite funny actually" Madison smiles, she bites her lower lip in hopes to hide the growing grin.

"Funny?"

"Mhm"

"Mum says I need to watch what I say" It was a pattern Kimberley noticed, the teen's concern with her Mum's opinion was always being told aloud. She tries not to show the frown plastered on her expression, quickly, she averts her face away from Madison's view.

"You're young, don't worry about what you say-"

"Yeah, but Mum says-"

"Your Mum's not here," Kimberley chuckles dryly, meeting the teens green eyes once again. "Enjoy your time, and allow your thoughts be heard"

"Guess you're right" The teen releases an unexpected yawn.

"Do you want to get some sleep? Are you still hungry?"

"Nah," Madison shakes her head "I'm not hungry anymore" She carefully stands to her feet, Kimberley mirroring her actions.

"I think I'll go up to bed now." Before the older woman has a chance to say another word, Madison rushes back into the house. The teen curses herself for many reasons, but most of all, she curses herself for letting Kimberley in, and allowing the blonde to have an idea of how f!cked up her life really was. The picture perfect life she upheld has now been revealed to the eyes of Kimberley Jane Tweedy-Walsh.

Kimberley sighs, confusion washes over her. Here she was thinking she'd made some sort of progress with the trouble child. Deciding there was nothing she could do, she heads back inside, returning to her wife.

"Kimba?" Cheryl whispers, awakening to the sound of the bedroom door creaking.

"Where'd you go?" She asks, Kimberley doesn't answer the beauty sleeping in her bed until she was comfortable in the heavenly mattress beside her.

"I was out in the garden"

"Why?" Cheryl yawns, she slides closer to her wife, and throws her limbs back to their original position, right over Kimberley. The blonde smiles and wraps her arms around Cheryl's shoulders, pulling her in.

"Madison was crying" It's a faint whisper, and the brunette was uncertain if she was dreaming, or if she'd heard her wife's voice utter those words.

"What?" Cheryl murmurs sleepily. The indifference to the teen was evident.

"I heard Madison crying out back-"

"She's probably just wanting some more attention, ignore her baby." This upsets Kimberley, and it upsets her further with the way she was feeling towards Madison, almost as if she was her daughter. Like Madison was apart of her. This wasn't Cheryl. This wasn't her Cheryl, where was her caring and loving Cheryl?

"I don't want you to send her home tomorrow." Kimberley demands, it's not a question; it's a command.

"Too bad, she's going home" Cheryl murmurs, her eyes fluttering shut with exhaustion. She hums with comfort as her body relaxes into her wife's.

"If you love me you wont send her home" Brown orbs reopen to the tone Kimberley sounds. The Geordie sits up, her eyebrows drawing in together with confusion.

"Why do you want her to stay so bad?" The blonde shrugs and looks away from the intense orbs.

"Just don't send her home, I think she's a special one-"

"You don't even know her for Christ sake-"

"I think I do-" Cheryl cuts her off once again.

"Thinking and knowing are two different things. She's going home, and that's that. I can't be dealing with her attitude throughout this competition, the others are much more tolerable than her." Kimberley sighs and pulls away from Cheryl's touch. She's grown a liking to the teen, and hearing her wife talk about her in this manner upset her.

Cheryl waits for a reply, but gets nothing but silence.

"Do you get us?" The brunette asks, hoping she didn't upset her wife. Kimberley remains quiet.

"She's going home." The Geordie stubbornly repeats, and turns away from the upset blonde. Both women fall asleep that night, distant and frustrated with one another.

-

Madison wakes up that next morning, her mind is muddled as to where she was, but her confusion soon turns into concern. Today's undertakings will decide her future in this frenzied industry.

She sighs.

Her song choice plays repeatedly in the back of her mind as she busies herself that morning; she overlooks everyone's good mornings and warm greetings, because deep down, she knows they're not kind or genuine.

So there she sits, the breakfast table filled with laughing and careless contestants sipping and eating their breakfasts with smiles. Her eyes never leave the iPhone grasped tightly in the palm of her hand.

She sighs again; her parents have yet to call or text her. They're busy, it's fine.

"Okay girls, listen up." Charlotte gets the contestants attention. Clapping her hands once more to get their full-undivided concentration. For the first time since sitting on that breakfast table, Madison sets down her phone and tries to focus on every word being sounded into the now silent room.

"I will read out the order you'll be taking for auditions this afternoon," She begins. "The guest judge will be arriving around one, giving yous all some time to rehearse your songs. Order is as follows:" Madison in takes a deep breath, readying herself for the order. She hoped her name wouldn't be sounded last.

"Ella," A groan sounds "Kaylee, Jessica, Chelsea, Lauren, and finally Madison. Please go in the order I have just called out-"

"Why am I always last for everything?" The teen speaks up, her frown out on full show.

"That's the order the producers have chosen" Charlotte explains to the unimpressed teen.

"You're lucky!" Lauren praises her "I'm shitting myself and I'm up before you"

"Whatever" She mumbles under her breath, averting her green eyes to the cellphone resting atop of the breakfast table. The chatter returns with the exit of Charlotte. She tries her best not to let this unpleasant mood cast it's way back into her system, so she smiles, forcing herself to be happy. It wouldn't be the first time this smile crept its way across her face.

"What song have you chosen?" Ella asks her; she sets her phone down with an aggravated sigh. Ella was getting on her last nerves, and she made sure to let the teen know.

"Sorry, I was just wondering.." The blonde trails off.

"It's just a song I heard once on the radio, what song are you singing?" Madison asks, pretending to be interested in a conversation she couldn't be arsed to listen or converse to.

"Halo" Madison mentally rolls her eyes at the cliché choice of song.

"That's a good choice" She meekly smiles and puts her focus back on her phone. Ella takes the hint and gives up on conversing with Madison.

"Good morning you lot!" Cheryl makes her presence known, getting a cheery reply in return. The married couple's body language was awkward, but nobody notices the difference. Cheryl was upset with her wife, as was Kimberley. Their hands weren't locked in a beautiful seal; the distance was miles apart.

"I want to keep todays judge a surprise, I'm hoping it'll be something you'll all be looking forward to" Cheryl tries her best to sound as enthusiastic as possible. She didn't want any of the contestants to know she was upset, her brown eyes never meet Madison's green orbs, almost knowing the teen would see her mood. But of course, Madison is far too busy messing with her phone, because she too didn't want to meet the married couples eyes.

"Aw! Not even a hint?" Kaylee pouts comically, earning a chuckle off Cheryl. Kimberley subtlety walks away, and out of the kitchen. She was in no mood to force her happiness this morning, and seeing Madison uninterested only upset her further.

"Not even a hint," Cheryl laughs, "You'll have to wait. I'll see you girls in a little; I want to wish you all good luck. I know me winner is in here, but if you's don't make it past this stage today, don't give up on your dreams, don't let this be the end of your journey. Good luck!" She says once again, and walks out of the kitchen. Going in the opposite direction of her wife.

Madison shifts her eyes from the phone, catching a glimpse of Cheryl's back. The Geordie's tone was sad; she knew a happy tone when she heard it, and that was forced. Something isn't right. She thinks to herself.

"I'm not nervous" Jessica speaks confidently, "I know I have this in the bag-"

"You do realize two people will be going home today? Only four of us will carry on after this" Lauren sighs, her voice trembles with nerves.

"Yeah, and I also know I'll be one of the four. Cheryl loves me, and will put me through." Madison rolls her eyes at the arrogance.

"Might want to tone down the confidence, you'll just end up disappointed with a big head at the end" Madison shoots at the cocky teen.

Jessica scoffs, "What? Is this you telling me you'll be making it past this stage?" She laughs. "Cheryl can't stand you mate"

"Well, at least she doesn't forget my name when I'm in her presence." Madison tries to sound bold; the falter in her tone goes unnoticed.

"She knows my name well I'll have you know"

"Seems so," Madison stands to her feet and collects her things. "This competition doesn't determine your talent, it shows how much you want it, and by the looks of it, all you're after is Cheryl's remembrance of your name" With that statement said, she walks out of the tensed atmosphere. Cheryl listens in on the chatter, and half-smiles. There was something about Madison's cocky nature that drew the Geordie to her, although she wasn't enjoying the teen's presence, she did find a little of herself each time Madison spoke.

-

The contestants line up, the reveal of their guest judge would soon be revealed. Madison silently prays its not another female judging her; she needed a man to give his opinion. Women. She scoffs. They never did look out for each other; it's always a competition in the female world, why would I want another god damn female judging my ability to perform?

"I hope you lot love this judge as much as I do!" Cheryl squeals, the garden doors slide open, revealing Olly Murs, a roar of girly screams sound. Madison simply smiles, she doesn't rush over to him, she holds her ground.

"Aren't you going to go say your hello's?" Cheryl asks, she gets a shrug. Madison was never one to throw herself at anyone, and the affection she so desperately loved was being put to rest.

"Hello" Madison mocks the Geordie. Cheryl rolls her eyes behind her dark sunnys. Taking the piss. The Geordie mentally hisses.

"How are you girls doing?" Olly cheers, the contestants falling back and return to Madison's side.

"I'm so excited to hear you all today! Don't be nervous, I'm just a friend listening to you this afternoon! Let me hear what you've got!" He claps with excitement.

-

Madison paces back and forth in the front room, her hands motioning about as she mentally speaks to herself.

Don't be nervous. Don't be nervous. You're going home after today anyways. Couldn't I have just smiled and pretended to be friends with everyone for fcuk sake!?

"Madison?"

You just had to back talk her? She's your fcuking judge! She's getting you into this competition!

"Madison?"

Don't be upset; don't show you're upset. Smile and accept the rejection today.

"Maddy?" She's ripped away from her mental battle to the sound of Kimberley.

"Yeah?" The teen ignores the pet name, but she can't help but internally smile. Kimberley hesitantly approaches her, today would be the last she'd see the teen, and the thought saddened her.

"I wanted to wish you luck" The blonde smiles, her eyes sparkling with something Madison had never seen before, it was too intense to look into the blue-greys for long.

"Okay" The teen shuffles in her spot, she was unsure how to react to such kindness; it was all too foreign for her.

"Good luck," Kimberley boldly takes the teen into her arms, and grasps her in loving arms. Madison's hands flimsily rest either side of her, allowing Kimberley to hold her for as long as she wanted. The older woman wordlessly reaches down and takes Madison's hands, wrapping them around her slim waist, silently teaching her how to return a hug.

Madison's entire being melts into this cuddle. The sigh is sounded unintentionally.

"You will do amazing, whether it's in this competition or not." The teen nods to the words.

"Don't let today stand in the way of your dreams" She gets another nod.

"Okay?"

"Okay.." Madison whispers, she forces herself to pull away from the cuddle. She wasn't going to allow Kimberley in that easily.

"Are you going to wish everyone else good luck?" The green eyes look deep into the blue-greys. It's piercing and intense.

"No, well-"

"What do you want from me?" Kimberley frowns at the teens mood.

"Why are you always on my ass?"

"I'm-"

"I think it's best if you leave me alone-"

"Madison! You're up." Just in time, the teen pushes past a frowning Kimberley and rushes out to the back garden. Ready for this to be over with, ready for the let down, and most of all, she was ready to hear the sound of Cheryl pettily telling her this was the end of the road.