A Different Beat

Katie was gone.

Not that she was missed (because she wasn't), Zachary was the only one that missed her, and truth be told, he only missed her vagina (and to be fair, the house had plenty more- Norie was sure his heart would recover).

Norie couldn't help but thank every God in the heavens above that she had made it through.

Realistically speaking, she should have thanked Calum, he was the one that kept her after all, but truth be told she really couldn't stand him- he was clingy, and seemed to play favorites, which was the last thing Norie needed- so many people already thought she was only there because of her mother, but she wasn't (at least she hoped that wasn't why they had picked her) and worst of all, every time Norie even attempted to work on her relationship with Holden, Calum happened to pop up, ensuring that Holden would hang up in a jealous rage.

"Care to tell me why you leaked this on Twitter, ya' fuckin' twit?" Calum growled at Rick, who stood behind the cameras, smiling like a mad man at the crowd that had flocked in front of the restaurant like a bunch of birds after a stale loaf of bread.

They were supposed to be having their first team meeting after the elimination- Calum had chosen to take everyone out to lunch. He figured it would be casual and fun (and perhaps such a low-key environment would allow him to get closer to Norie), but the producers had ruined it by spilling their location on Twitter.

"Because Cal-" Rick sauntered, trying his damnedest not to laugh as Calum turned the brightest shade of red he'd ever seen, "it's good publicity, and look how happy they are-" he motioned to Casey, Neil, Sam, and Norie who stood engulfed in the crowd, all happily obliging to the autograph and picture requests the endless sea of people seemed to be hurdling at them. "they're signing autographs and socializing! The makings of a star!"

Calum just growled at the man.

Casey, much like Calum had predicted was a hit with the girls- they screamed every time he would even smile. Calum actually thought he went deaf when Casey flipped his chocolate hair, turning his snap-back backwards.

Sam had drawn a crowd of Ray-Ban wearing- bow-tie wielding hipsters, while Neil charmed each and every girl that dared to walk his way.

Then there was Norie, she was wraped tightly in a crowd of boys- ranging in age from what looked to be twelve, to thirty-five. Her smile was wide as she posed for each camera-phone picture he couldn't help but become more jealous with every hug she would dole out.

"Just wait and see what we have planned for later-" Rick derailed Calum's rapidly escalating train of thought.

"What?" Calum griped, his nose crinkling as her ran his fingers through his hair.

"It wouldn't hardly be a surprise if I told you, now, would it Cal?"

Calum had to choke back his every desire to cold-cock the man square in his stupid face. "Yeah, well you dick. I hate surprises, so fucking spill!"

Rick laughed before reaching over, his hand ruffling at (and completely destroying) and mess of perfection he had spent forty minutes in front of the mirror this morning trying to accomplish.

"Dick-" Calum mumbled under his breath, his lisp even more evident in his rage. His hands desperately reaching to restyle his hair the best he could (without a mirror and the nine different combs he would need).

Apparently, Rick and his other producer friends hadn't completely thought through their actions- after almost forty minutes of fans (and four potential superstars that no idea how to say "no") swarming, they needed to call security. Even a few unruly paparazzi had taken it upon themselves to show up.

But in all of the chaos and all of the frenzy, Norie managed to stay calm and collected. Even leaving the house, she looked perfect- from her skinny jeans to her heels, all the way to the black tank.

She looked like it was what she was meant to do.

"Stop staring, yea?" Rick groaned, nudging Calum in the side making his cheeks flush red with embarrassment.

Getting everyone into the restaurant was one elephant and one tiger shy of a tented circus- even as they were seated, fans pressed against the windows, some screaming and others pounding incessantly.

"So-" Calum spoke at the group as Neil handed a pile of menus back to the waitress, "we need to talk about the show." everyone glanced around before nodding, "Obviously, Katie is gone-"

Sam crossed her arms over her chest as she sunk down into her chair, "No love loss there-"

Casey shot her a tight glare, making her roll her eyes. "Don't tell me she got to you too?"

"Guys!" Calum demanded, "Just focus, okay? Katie is gone, and now it's time to buckle down. Now Casey-" Casey leaned in, his elbows planted on the table as he listened, "your vocals were shaky and your timing was off, I think you were trying to hard to impress the girls but you don't need to impress the girls, you need to worry about impressing us and had Katie not been so pitchy, it would have been you going home. And do me a favor and wear a goddamned shirt next week. Do you hear me?" Casey's blue eyes were wide with disbelief as his head shook frantically.

"Yes sir."

"Have you thought about your song for next week?" Casey just shook his head no.

"Alright then, Sam-" all the color drained from her face as she listened, "your breathing is off. It's almost like your gasping. I'm sending you to a vocal coach so you can work on that. Otherwise, we enjoyed your performance." her sigh of relief was evident, "Have you thought about your next song?"

"Holes by Passenger." Calum smiled,

"Perfect! You'll kill it," Sam finally smiled, "Neil- your pitch range needs some serious work. What you do have down sounds great, but you need to expand upon it." Neil nodded, "Any song thoughts?"

"Talk Dirty to me by Jason Derulo?" Calum let out a chuckle before nodding.

"Should be a real crowd pleaser-"

But suddenly all eyes fell to Norie.

Her honey colored eyes flickered up to Calum, her lips almost pouting, "Lay it on me."

"You were flawless." it rolled off his tongue like it was the most natural thing he could have ever said. and Norie (along with everyone else) went wide eyed and slack jawed, "You were articulate and confident, you looked beautiful and sounded wonderful. Your breathing was controlled- the only thing I can think to say is, try and make more eye contact with your audience."

Norie let out a deep breath, her eyes clouding with tears. "Really? Thank you!" Calum just smiled.

"Have you uh, have you thought about you song choice for next week?"

"Ellie Goulding, I Need Your Lo-" but she stopped mid-sentence. "Holden?"

Calum furrowed his brows, but it was then that he spotted Rick ushering some tattoo covered, flower-toting tool towards their table. Calum watched as Norie practically scaled Neil's lap to get out from behind the table.

And he watched as she jumped into his arms, pressing her lips to his in a kiss that he could only dream of. "So!?" Rick practically shouted, his smile wide (he was very obviously pleased with himself) "I promised a surprise, didn't I?"

Calum sunk down in his seat, trying his very best to hide his disappointment. "Yeah, real surprise, dick."

Once again, Calum would be left to dream about the Norie.
Maybe it was true what they said, maybe nice guys really did finish last.