as the judges prepared to deliver our scores. I wished Wyatt were up here with me, but it was just the six of us songwriters. Each of us linked hands as we awaited the verdict.
Honestly, I was just blown away to be standing here next to these talented individuals. I’d listened to all of their songs and had been truly inspired. And as if that weren’t enough, I was standing in front of two of my personal legends—Broadway hopeful, Marissa Munns, and Country queen, Tessa Hart.
Lola was going to die when she found out Marissa was one of the judges. She was Lola’s idol. Marissa had gone to Northwood and won a diva scholarship when she was a senior. She was in college now and had already starred in a bunch of off-Broadway shows. The girl was going places.
I was so relieved the judges’ identities weren’t revealed until after we’d performed. I think my stage fright would’ve been much worse if I knew who I was singing to. Especially, Tessa Hart. The woman was my hero.
Like Marissa, she was from the Northwood area. I’d grown up listening to her band, Mason Jar Hart. I’d never been able to see her perform live even though I tried to win tickets to her hometown shows every year, but knowing I’d just sang a song in front of her, completely made up for that. I could die happy now.
There were three more guest judges whose music I wasn’t as familiar with, but I was sure they were equally accomplished in the music industry. And from the applause the crowd gave them, I’d say they might even be more popular than my personal favorites.
Finally, the excitement over the judge reveal died down and it was time for the moment of truth. I clutched the hands of my competitors and whispered good luck as the judges passed their score cards to the MC. He jogged up to his spot at the podium on stage and took a deep breath. His face looked hesitant as he read the results.
My heart was beating double time in my chest as I watched him frown and speak into his headset like he was verifying something. Maybe that was normal. I hadn’t paid such close attention to the other results. I just knew the judges gave their scores and, in our case, our popular vote percentage was added to that and then the winner was determined.
I supposed the popular vote factor added another variable that might be causing the delay, but I knew I had nothing to worry about there. I’d won the popular vote by a landslide thanks to my song being on the radio.
Finally, the MC cleared his throat. “Well, NRSDA is nothing if not exciting. I’m going to get right to it. Please hold your applause until I finish with the announcements. The songwriter with the highest overall score determined by both the popular vote and our esteemed judges, is . . .” I held my breath. “Layne Hall. However . . .”
I gasped when I heard my name, but the fact that is was followed by the word ‘however’ made my knees knock together.
“Due to circumstances just brought to our attention,” the MC continued, “The songwriter scholarship will not be awarded to Miss Hall. Sadly, the fact that her song has been played on a nationally syndicated radio station makes her ineligible for the competition, based on the rules strictly outlined in the bylaws.”
A murmur rippled through the auditorium, and I felt my face flush as everyone on stage turned to look at me.
The MC cleared his throat. “So, without further delay, the scholarship will be awarded to the songwriter with the second highest score. Congratulations to—”
My pulse was pounding so hard in my ears that I couldn’t hear the name of the winner. I only knew it wasn’t me. I hadn’t won. Well, I had, but then it was taken away on a technicality.
I stood in place trying to digest what had just happened.
Chapter Sixty-Five
Wyatt
“Wyatt, please keep your voice down,” my mother warned.
“I don’t care who hears me,” I argued. “This isn’t fair, and you know it!”
The moment I heard the MC announce Layne had won, then take it away, I’d been out of my seat.
I had to do something. All of this was my fault.
I’d been pleading with my mother since the moment I’d found her, but she wasn’t budging on her decision.
“Please,” I begged. “This isn’t Layne’s fault. I’m the one who put