Uncovering Kaitlyn (6 page)

“So Kaitlyn,
I thought I’d ease you in gently, so it’s just us this morning. I need to
explain a few things first. Mainly, I don’t usually work so closely with
individual artists. I usually just check in. I’m working with you because
you’re young and new and also probably the best artist we’ve ever had. You’re
going to go big, we’re talking international big. So I want you to be as
comfortable as possible. The next thing is I agree you should do the filming.
If I talk to the producer and see if we could have a few of your own songs put
in the background then it will work even better. It will help you get noticed
in America.”

“I’m not
sure.”

“Why? It’s
simply music. There will only be one or two scenes which will involve you
acting. And they’ll find another way if you’re that bothered. This is a good opportunity
for you.”

“Honestly?”

“Always. We
have a two way confidentiality agreement Kaitlyn. You can trust me with
anything.”

“My wardrobe
issue. I can’t bear not being in control of it.”

“Really?
That’s it? We can speak to them and try and sort it out if that’s what you
really want.”

“Thanks.”

I picked up
my guitar and started preparing. I was nervous so played a few originals to get
me warmed up. Then I started a song I titled ‘
flowers
’. It was one of
the first songs I wrote. I remember it being a warm March and flowers just
started to grow. It was a song about life and the tests in it, wrapped up in a
metaphor of roses and daffodils.

“It still
needs work. I think it needs more than the guitar. And I want to rewrite the
fourth and seventh verses.”

“Kaitlyn
that was really good. Wow. If you don’t mind I would like to keep a record of
when you wrote these.”

“This was
March when I was fourteen, I think. I didn’t bother dating them until I
realised how many I had, so it could be a year either way. It was definitely
March though.” I remembered every single emotion and thought I had when I wrote
this. I remember taking my guitar on a walk with me one Sunday morning and
playing it again and again until it started to get dark and Dad came looking
for me. He and Jake had been going crazy all day wondering where I was.

I sang my
next song ‘
Blood and Roses’
and tried not to cry halfway through. I made
it through the whole song and Wayne handed me a box of tissues at the end.

“Are you ok?
That’s quite a harsh song. It’s beautiful at the same time though. I have to
ask this. Was that about domestic violence?” Wayne looked all concerned.

“No. The
song is about the fact that you can’t protect those you love from everything
and sometimes just because a loved one is hurt it doesn’t mean that you’re to
blame. I wrote that in October when I was fifteen.”

I moved on
to my final song which was the cheeriest of them all. I wrote it last year in
the café. It’s about living the life you want for yourself. I hadn’t given it a
name yet though.

“That’s
good. So different to the others though. I like the way you have variety in
your style. So this song…” he trailed off.

“It doesn’t
have a name yet. I wrote it last year on a quiet shift at work. I brought in a
typed up version, the original is on a napkin.”

When work
was quiet, I often made up songs in my head, or sat down and played. But that
particular shift I couldn’t stop finishing the song in my head so not having
any paper I wrote it on a napkin. It’s cool in the movies, but reality wasn’t
quite as practical. It tore easily and the ink went straight through and onto
the table. I had to try and explain to my boss why there was an entire song
stained onto the table. Not only that, but I had to give an explanation as to
why I wrote about tedious work and crappy jobs and there being more to life.
I’m surprised I didn’t get fired. I scrubbed for ages and only half came off.
It’s still covered by an old tablecloth.

“So how
about we go through them again individually and see what needs work.”

I played
flowers
again and again and gradually together we improved it. Three hours later it
was almost finished and Wayne was talking about kicking it up with other
instruments which I was all for. I liked Wayne. He understood my music and
pushed me to explore it even more. I also liked how he accepted my quirks and
didn’t try to get me to talk if I was uncomfortable. I was going through it one
last time when Aaron walked in.

I looked up
and smiled as I finished the song. Aaron came over and gave me a hug.

“So is she
album worthy yet?”

I’m thinking
triple platinum, but we can never be sure. Have you heard the others yet?”

“Nope. She’s
too shy. She won’t play on request.”

“I am
standing right next to you.”

“I know you
are Kaitlyn, but you are shy. And you don’t play if anybody asks you too. What
about all the other songs you have?”

“How many
more are we talking about?” Wayne asked us.

“Nearly
three hundred. Out of that there is about one hundred workable and five awesome
already, even if I say so myself. There are also a lot which I can’t share, or
sing again, and some really terrible songs.”

“That is a
lot of music to have written in four years. I’m not surprised you won’t share
it. You must’ve lived and breathed it. I’d love to hear some more sometime though.
So I agree that these three and
Daddy, don’t cry
should be on the album.
We need six more, but there’s no rush. If you write anymore then we’d love to
hear it and get it approved for the album. Starting next week I want you in
everyday to work on these three. I’ll arrange for some musicians to come in and
help you as well as the team that’s already here. I’m not setting an exact
deadline but I want a song a week approved even if it’s complete. That way in
ten weeks you’ll have all the songs for the album and you can work on
perfecting them. If you fall behind by eight then we’ll reassess.”

He went
through how it all worked and made arrangements with Aaron. I packed up my
stuff and drank two bottles of water.

“You’re
wanted over the weekend. No rest for the wicked and all that. I looked at the
yes pile I left you the other day and want to check it over with you.” Aaron
handed me a sheet for of events he wanted me to do this weekend. I know it’s
busy but you don’t have to agree to all of it.”

“It seems ok.
At least tomorrow night is free. Can Jake come?”

“I already
handed Jake the list. He can’t do a handful but your dad will go to those
instead. Jake will be at all the TV appearances. They will both be coming
tonight.”

“What’s
tonight?”

“A charity
night at your school. They do it every year in memory of student.”

“But I’m not
a student anymore. I dropped out and if I remember correctly was given nothing
but agro by them.”

“It appears
that for you they made an exception. Your dad mentioned all this already. I
have an interview planned where you can say that you left school etcetera. Also
I figured you’d be uncomfortable at anything like this but at least at the
school you know what to expect and it will be somewhat familiar to you. If you
attend, we plan on telling the school that you won’t sing.”

***

Somehow I
ended up agreeing to go tonight and allowed myself to be dragged to a few shops
to buy some new clothes for tonight. I was still going casual but Aaron wanted
me to get some new clothes anyway. I went and had my hair and nails done at a
place that Aarons daughter had recommended. I tried to not have a heart attack
when it came to £500. That was over two wages when I worked at the café.

 The school
was just how I remembered it and I wasn’t shocked to see my old teachers
directing us in the car park. When Mr Robson tried to direct us to a prime
spot, which had clearly been reserved for me near the main building, my dad
deliberately parked on the field with everyone else. I tried to ignore the
stares that reached me as I walked into the hall. I smiled at the people who
pretended that they were my long lost friends and I didn’t complain when Jake
grabbed people who went to touch me. I ignored half the staff and walked over
to my old music teacher to say hello.

“Kaitlyn
Fox, I never thought I’d see the day when I would hear you on the radio.”

“Thanks. For
a while I didn’t either.”

“So how is
everything going? I think somebody who taught you music deserves to know the
gossip, even if it felt like you were teaching me sometimes.”

“I got
signed for an album. I started on it this week. And I’m wanted for some movie
in LA, though I haven’t agreed to that yet. We’ll see how it goes.”

I mingled
for a while, chatting to some people I used to know, but gave up knowing a few
years ago. Jake never left my side and both him and my dad volunteered several
times to beat the shit out of former enemies who wanted to be my friend now I
was famous. It was sweet of them. Jake glared at anyone gut who stepped near me
and dad coughed at any girl that could be considered plastic, which in my old
year group was a lot of them. If I had stayed on at school I would have just
finished my final A Level exams. I couldn’t believe half the people who managed
to stay on, when I knew they either didn’t try or didn’t show for the GCSE
exams.

“Hey,
Katie.” A familiar voice called out from behind. I turned around to see one of
my few childhood friends waving at me. Bethany was tiny. She must’ve only been
around five foot and a size eight. She was the only person I spoke to in
lessons and I hadn’t kept in touch since I left school. Seeing her now I felt
kind of bad.

“Hi.” She
came over to hug me and Jake stepped between us. “It’s ok Jake, she’s fine.”

“I can’t
believe you’re famous. It’s so cool. I told you, you were brilliant.”

“Thanks.
It’s unreal, you know? How have you been? I haven’t had chance to catch up in
ages.”

“I’m fine.
I’m going to the University of Leicester with a bit of luck in September. My
parents are going crazy with me being at home for the summer. I’ll work in
their shop for a bit but they won’t be busy until end of July. It’s nowhere
near as cool as your summer I bet. Do you know what you’re doing yet?”

“She should
be going to LA to be in a movie.” Jake answered for me.

“I haven’t
agreed yet.”

“Oh my God,
Kaitlyn you should totally do it. Think of all the hot actors you’ll meet. That
would be so awesome.”

“I’m not
sure yet. The label wants me to but I’m not cut out for that. It’s hardly me,
is it?”

“Have you
tried?” Jake pointed out. I nudged him in the ribs. He didn’t need to encourage
other people to make me do the movie.

“Ow. What
was that for?” I gave him the look.

“So you met
Jamie Stark the other night? What was he like?”

“He was
nice.”

“Nice? You
just described the hottest man alive as nice.”

“Well he
was. I didn’t get much chance to talk to him. I was there to work and he really
was nice."

Bethany
sighed and Jake laughed.

“He wasn’t
like I expected him to be. Like how he gave the girl his shirt and he was cool
when I spoke to him” Jake said to Bethany.

“Wait, you
were there? What a waste. Any girl would have killed to be in your shoes and
you just spoke to him!”

Jake and I
laughed at Bethany’s outrage. I felt bad that I’d ignored her this whole time.
I really did miss her.

“You should
come with me sometime. You can appreciate the talent while I’m in occupied
elsewhere.”

“Like the
bathroom.” Jake joked to us. I blushed tomato red and walked away in search of
a drink.

“Is she ok?”
Bethany asked Jake behind me.

“She’ll be
ok. I think she’s feeling sick” he snorted.

I ended up
talking to the parents of the girl who died and signing autographs to raise
money for the charity. I made small talk with a few people and pretended to be
interested in the school news, while I put lyrics together in my head. On the
drive home, I sang and tapped out a beat and by the time I was in bed I had
finished a song about lifetime friends that I was going to submit to the label
on Monday.

Jamie

I couldn’t
leave my house for anything and it had been driving me crazy. I didn’t mind
having to get Graham to do my errands and in fact I actually enjoyed seeing him
be my slave. I even found myself making up things I needed, just to see his
reaction. It was worth the pathetic rumours that were sure to follow when I
told him I was out of Vaseline and tissues and I really couldn’t wait. I
thought I’d save him a trip and get him to buy ‘American Pie’ at the same time
because I left my copy in England and I’d been meaning to watch it for ages. At
first he refused but when I started to walk down my drive to the onslaught of
paparazzi, he soon changed his mind. I know he’ll make a point of getting me to
audition for something embarrassing in the near future, like a Viagra advert
but at least my week was slightly more entertaining than watching grass grow.
What bothered me about not being able to leave was not being able to drive
around or visit anybody. There was still a lot I hadn’t had chance to see in
America and a fair bit of it was in the area so I could spend a day driving
there.