Elsa's Pov

I have stage fright. Me, Elsa Tilden, have stage fright. How am I suppose to compete up to the finals when I can't even face an audience?

The mumbles from the audience made it hard for me to think my next steps. Run away and never come back? Hide in backstage until they call off my auditions?  Out of the corner of my eyes, I spotted an old guitar placed on the guitar stand next to me. That clicked an idea. This might be my only chance to prove the people that they are wrong. They're all wrong about me. I am not going to give up just like that.

"Mind if I borrow that?" To one of the student helpers backstage, I asked, not really expecting an answer as I grabbed it from its stand.

I had to give it a go. With all the courage I could muster, I walked back up on stage.

The audience immediately went silent again. The judges had the expression of pride when they saw my return, but surprised when they saw me with a guitar. I adjusted the microphone even though it was already at the correct angle for me. Everyone held their breathe, waiting for my moment to shine.

"Hello... again. My name is Elsa Tilden, and I will be singing today."

I glanced down to the guitar strapped around my neck and grasped the guitar neck tight. Having an instrument on me always gave me a sense of comfort. As far fetched as it might sound, the guitar acted as a temporary shield against the overwhelming sight. And if I close my eye, the audience wouldn't have been there at all. It was just me and the guitar.

And so I did. The first line of lyrics finally came to mind. I started singing my song.

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Song available in media
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Soon after, I heard applause from the audience. I couldn't believe it. The audience liked it. They liked my performance. The applause slowly faded away and I finally saw my friends in the audience once again. The biggest applause came from them.

"E! That was incredible!" Liv exclaimed when I finished my audition. The boys followed behind me. "Are you still mad at me?" Liv cooed. I was about to answer when someone called my name as we passed the entrance.

"Woah, Songbird," Peter teased. "I'm impressed. REALLY impressed." That caught my attention.

"Excuse me, but what did you say?" Both Liv and Mike were utterly surprised.

"Songbird. Your new nickname." He said it again.

This is when I realised that I really did love it here. The stress of the last few days had slowly eased out of me since the night before, and I was simply happy. I could be who I really am and no one would judge me for it. At least, I hope not my friends.

I wanted to show they definitely can't mess with the new girl in town. Without hesitation, I replied with a smile, "Well then, Huckleberry."

~~~

Peter's Pov
Huckleberry?

Huh. That's... a weird nickname. I made a face at Elsa. Man why does she look so cute when she smiles?

"Anyway, the judges said that all participants would be informed of the shortlisted ones next week." She continued. "And Liv, of course I'm not mad at you. You're the one who made this happen."

That night, I was lying on my bed, not knowing what to do.

"Peter, come play with me!" Petrina came rushing into my bedroom.

"I'm busy," I groaned while quickly pulling out my phone as an excuse.

"You always say that," I heard Petrina mumbling under her breath. She dragged her feet out of my bedroom with her head hung low.

Staring into my phone, I had a sudden urge of texting my friends. Mike's probably too busy inventing some new machine that he wouldn't even notice my texts. Liv's probably be asleep by now. So the little songbird it is.

Convo between Peter (P) and Elsa (E)

P: hey Songbird

She replied almost immediately.

E: What is your problem, Huckleberry?

P: you

E: You know I can just block u right?

P: u wouldn't dare

E: Try me

P: ok! ok! jie jie i'm sorry T-T

I grinned at my usage of the Chinese word for 'older sister'. I knew Elsa's fluent in a number of languages, which was pretty cool. Hopefully that would make her hate me less.

E: Apology accepted :")

 P: anyways do u wanna hang out tmr

E: With you?

P: i don't see a problem there. And besides it's a Saturday

E: I really don't get you, Huckleberry

P: i'll take that as a yes

E: Whatever

P: gr8. i assume u like froyo? Meet at Fro-Yo Seasons at 2.30pm?

E: How did you know I like frozen yoghurt?

P: wild guess

I let out a stupid smile at the last text. Can't wait for tomorrow.

A/N:
The song is called "Here I am" by Barbie the Princess and the Popstar. I don't own any of the song. I personally think this song was most appropriate and best describes Elsa so I had to have Elsa sing it.

P.S.: The nickname given to Peter was inspired from the TV show Girl Meets World. Thank you and hope you liked this chapter!

Word count: 868 words