Choosing America's Next Superstar by Jeff Erno

impatient airline passengers who were anything but sympathetic of his fall. “Move it, asshole!” someone shouted. “Hey, you fucking klutz!”
    “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” Jimmy tried desperately to gain some footing and right himself, but with so many people pressed against him, it appeared he was about to be trampled. Out of nowhere, a hand reached down, and he grabbed hold of it appreciatively. As he rose to his feet, his mouth dropped open when all of a sudden he was face to face with the one person he’d hoped to never see again.
    “Jimmy, you all right?” Corey said.
    “Thanks,” he said, pulling his hand away. For a few seconds, they stared into each other’s eyes, then Jimmy turned away. By that time, his bag had come around, and he reached down to grab it. Fortunately his other suitcase and guitar case were right behind it. Once he had his luggage, he pushed his way back through the crowd.
    “Dude.” He heard Corey’s voice behind him. “You all right?”
    Jimmy spun around. “I’m fine. Thanks for the help.” He turned to head toward the Superstar sign.
    “Wait,” Corey said. “Please….”
    Heaving an exasperated sigh, Jimmy spun around once more. “Look, man, I don’t really wanna talk to you.”
    “I know,” Corey said quickly, “and I don’t blame you. I feel so bad….”
    “You should feel bad. My brother almost died.”
    “How is he? Is he doing better now?”
    Jimmy couldn’t believe the audacity of this kid. Did he actually think Jimmy was going to tell him anything about himself or his family ever again? “Not to be rude or anything, but you oughta mind your own business.”
    “I’m sorry, really I am. I had no idea my friend Megan would do that.”
    “But you went along with it. You didn’t stop her.”
    “I know.” Corey was hanging his head shamefully. He looked up, making eye contact with Jimmy again. “It was an awful thing for me to do, and after I got in there I told them the truth.”
    “The judges?” Jimmy asked. He found this hard to believe.
    “No, the judges didn’t even ask anything about it. I’m so glad you made it through your audition. I was worried I’d never see you again. I was afraid I’d never be able to tell you how sorry—”
    “Look, man, you said you were sorry. You’ve got a clean conscience, so can you just leave me alone now?”
    Jimmy turned around and headed briskly across the room to register for his shuttle.
     
     
    “ W HO was that guy?” Sam asked him. They were on the shuttle on the way to the hotel.
    “Look! It’s the Statue of Liberty,” Corey said. “I hope we get a chance to see some things while we’re here.”
    “Yeah, I forgot… this is all new to you. But anyway, that guy who fell back at the airport.”
    Corey sighed, still staring out the window. “Some kid I met during auditions. His brother has a heart condition and had to have like six surgeries. He’s from Kentucky.”
    “He’s cute as fuck,” she said.
    “He hates my guts.” Corey turned to her, cocking his head to the side.
    “Oh, I doubt that, judging by the way he looked at you.”
    “He looked at me like he wanted to kill me, and I don’t blame him.”
    “What do ya mean?”
    “It’s a long story, but things didn’t go too well when we met in Detroit. I was hoping I’d see him here so I could apologize to him. I’m just glad he made it through.”
    “Well, if it’s any consolation, it didn’t seem to me that he hated you. I couldn’t hear what he said to you, but he looked surprised to see you more than anything. I’m sure you’ll have a chance to make up with him.”
    He couldn’t help smiling. “Sam, I really don’t even know the guy. We just met briefly, and like I said, he despises me. I’ve gotta stay focused on the competition. I don’t have time for that kind of drama.”
    “Or romance?” she said.
    Just then one of the other contestants on the shuttle began to sing “I’ve got a Golden Ticket,” the