Jumping through flaming hoops is a scorcher
Story: the Tale of Tate Mills
Title: Sing it Out Loud part 32
Rating: PG-13
Challenge: Maple Walnut #26. over my head, Chokeberry #1. A stranger's just a friend you haven't met yet
Toppings/Extras:
Word count: 854
Summary: Tate has just started Sing It Out Loud the famous singing competition. He’s in the quarter finals. Tate is reconnected with Emery and meets a few new faces along the way. But as always, things don’t always go according to Tate’s plans.
Notes: This is part thirty-two of the Tale of Tate Mills. Thank you for reading. There is a still a long way to go, so please bear with me and keep reading. Tate’s life is only going to get more interesting.
We go back after a couple of weeks. Micah and I drive back to California. It takes us about three days, because we stop and look at sites along the way. We check in at the studio and learn that the top 20 semi-finalists are staying at the Contestant Mansion. This place has the highest measures of security. Even we’re probed checking in with Mansion management.
We have a consultant also known as a handler who gives us schedules of rehearsal times, and makeup and hair specialist times. The consultant handles everything. Her name is Taffy. Taffy lives at the mansion with us; she’s probably the busiest person on the show and quite possibly the lowest paid.
The best part is the mansion is completely private. Cameras are not allowed on premises. That’s a good thing. This is a singing competition; the audience doesn’t need to see every aspect of our lives. The rules are still intact only they’ve added a few ones to the old ones.
The “no dating among contestants” policy is still at the top of the list with “Violence is prohibited.” Among the new rules are:
No drugs or alcohol allowed on property
No sexual acts or inappropriate behavior will be tolerated
No animals or pets of any kind
Movies must be age appropriate for all contestants, and display family values and morals.
All clothing must be modest, belly shirts, workout clothes and swim suits are to be worn accordingly.
No visitors without permission from the producers, consultant, or higher ups.
Disorderly conduct will result in immediate disqualification
Respect your fellow contestants.
No leaving the mansion without telling someone in charge; this is for your safety and to avoid lawsuits.
No smoking in the mansion
It’s like high school all over again, only we’re on a show. Also, I left out the part about how all roommates have to be same sex. I’m perfectly okay with that. It would be awkward for me to have a female roommate who I’m not dating or married to.
Micah and I are in the same room. We’re bunking with three other guys since there are two rooms for men and two for women. The men are in the eastern wing of the second floor and the women are on the west.
They have their own bathrooms and we have ours.
Our roommates are Jace Wetzel, who just turned eighteen a month ago, and Rydel Mao who is some type of Asian, maybe Chinese. All I know is he has the coolest hair I’ve ever seen. It has red streaks and spikes up in abstract formations that would make Picasso jealous. Our last roommate is Rodéo, to my dismay.
The mansion has everything we need provided to us. The cabinets are stocked with food; there is a weight room for those who enjoy a nice workout. There is a swimming pool, though it’s still too chilly to swim and it has a hot tub. It has a library full of knowledge. My favorite room is the music room.
I carry my luggage upstairs to my room. Three of my four roommates are already here. Rodéo hasn’t checked in yet. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for this moment of peace.
“Sup,” Says Jace, we clap hands.
He and Micah hit it off during Hell Camp, and I like him as well. We didn’t hang out much but I respect him for his talents and hope to get him better while we are roommates.
Emery hasn’t checked in yet either. She had some things she had to clear up at home before she can arrive.
That’s fine she has until the end of the week to get here. I talked to her on the phone three days ago before
Micah and I left my house.
“So Rydel, are you Chinese?” Jace asks staring at him with great interest.
“Yes, but I was raised in the United States.” The funny thing about Rydel is that he has blue eyes. I’m not sure if they’re contacts or some freak genetic mutation. Either way, it looks pretty cool.
“That’s cool. Do you know martial arts?” Jace asks.
I’m not sure how Rydel feels, but this question would greatly annoy me if I were Asian. He must get asked that a lot. It is the stereotype of Asians, after all. Just like one great American stereotype is that we all tote guns wherever we go.
“Northern Shaolin kung fu,” says Rydel, giving a quick demonstration. I must remember not to pick a fight with this guy. However, if I ever get in a scuffle, I’ll be sure to call him for backup. He could be very useful in a fight.
“Like firebending?” asks Jace, excitedly.
“Yes, Jace, exactly like firebending,” says Rydel, annoyed.
Jace continues to stare at Rydel while he unpacks. Rydel chose the bed by the window since he was the first one here. It’s the only bed that isn’t bunked, which is why he chose it. I give Micah the top bunk of our set. He’s very appreciative.