so i really do love Melrose story that i wanted to do a story of my own patterned to hers.
i know the Melrose is really really god and we love her so much.. but i don't want you guys to compare my story to her..
thanks for dropping by.. and hope you guys would like it!



Prologue

Madel was laying wide awake on her bed for about 4 hours now and finally decided to move and put on some music in her head. She reached for her iPod on her bedside table and tugged her earphones on. She pressed the center button as she closed her eyes and Coldplay started off with one of her favorite songs in the world at the moment, "Yellow". She was happy with it and managed a little smile.

But one thing has been bothering her for the past few hours of the night: the thoguht of being senseless and empty. A lot of things were going through her head about this and she wanted to get over with it. And she managed to as she sang the first few lines of the song.

"Look at the stars, look how they shine for you.. And everything that you do."

But then, it magically made her realize everything that she needs to realize, and it is the answer to why she feels this way tonight.


Chapter One

Madel clutched her cold and sweaty hands together on her lap as she sit nervously wiating for her turn. It is Hollywood Week and she still can't believe she got through the first round of auditions since it wasn't really her plan to audtion on the first place. Madel was just grabbed from her room when her Aunt Janice knew that American Idol was holding auditions just near from their place. The thought of her audition back in New York distracted her for a while from the nervousness that's getting into her. She could still remember every detail on her head clearly. Madel knew she did great back there. The judges gave her good critiques and got three yes'es. She could even remember Paula adding that she has a natural beauty and glow that made her love Madel even more.

That made her smile.

But her smile faded slowly and her heart beat faster when she heard one of the staff calling, "Madel Asuncion, Madel Asuncion?"

She turned to her and raised her hand. "Here! I'm here!" She got up and ran towards her and the staff told her that she's next. Madel knew it from the moment she heard her name. She let out a heavy breath to release the tension for a bit. "Here we go...", she whispered to herself, shaking slightly.

Madel exited the waiting area and walked towards the backstage. She could still hear Simon Cowell speaking which meant the contestant ahead of her isn't done yet. A man with a clipboard which she thought to be another staff approached her. "You'll be out in seconds.", he said too quickly that Madel needn't to respond because he went on and off just in a whim.

Truly, the contestant ahead of her got to the backstage in an instant. Madel wasn't able to fully see him because the man with the clipboard pushed her abruptly towards the side of the stage. She just noticed that he has a guitar with him and then immediately shifted her attention to what's gonna happen on the stage infront of her.


Her audition went quickly and just in a few minutes, she was backstage again. Madel's heart is still racing and her palms are still cold sweaty but his time, she is more relieved and has a little smile on her face. All three judges said yes again for her second audtion. It was a great feeling impressing these three people. Paula said she could already see something bright on Madel at this early in the competion but added that she needs a little bit more of confidence onstage and she's off to go places. And all Simon has to say is "Amzing. Yes.". And it made Madel grin from ear to ear and do a tiny jump.

Madel went back at the waiting area and saw that her seat a while ago is still empty so she just decided to sit there. She quickly put out her phone from her pocket and looked for her aunt's number. She pressed 'Call' and waited as it rings.

There was no answer.

Maybe she is busy, she thought. Her Aunt Janice is a doctor at a public hospital in New York so that makes her really busy. But Aunt Janice is the olny person she could contact at the moment since her family is back in the Philippines. Madel actually moved in to New York to her Aunt's place for a only about 3 months now. She is suppose to find a job there but she always tells that she needed a few months break after her graduation so she still, at the moment, has no job. She finished Theater Arts at one of the best schools in Manila. She's been to a few musicals in her highschool and college years, and they vary from a small workshop showcase to the biggest musicals onstage. She loved performing ever since and wanted to perform for forever. It has always been her dream and she could never ever imagine herself anywhere but onstage for the rest of her life.


Madel was still resting on her chair for quite some time now when suddenly a girl entered the room with a big, bright smile on her face. The girl is short and has a more tanned skin tone than her. She doesn't look American, Madel thought as she watch her skip cheerfully on a chair on the same row.

The girl seemed friendly so Madel smiled at her and said, "Hello there!" She looks so cute with her petite figure. Her eyes are narrow but bright and they are as dark as Madel's.

"Hello!", she replied waving her hand. Her voice is tiny which really suits her size. "You're already done?", she added brightly.

Her cheerfulness seemed to lift Madel up in a certain level. "Oh yes!" she answered. "And you, you look so happy and relieved so I suppose you're already good and done." She smirked.

"Yeah." She nodded and tucked her black hair behind her ear. She looked down at her shoes not knowing what to say or do. There was a quiet pause for a few seconds. "Oh, I'm Ramiele!", she chimed in suddenly and held out her right hand for a shake. "Ramiele Malubay.", she added and looked at Madel.

Madel reached out to Ramiele's hand and shook it. "I'm Madel Asuncion!"

They looked at each other, still holding hands but they already quitted shaking them. They were staring at each other now and it's like they have seen each other before and as if remembering where or how they've met.

"Are you Filipino?" They both asked in unison.

"Oh my god, yes!!!" They both squeled and jumped out of their seats now holding both of each other's hands. They were so thrilled of what they have discovered and their giggles filled the room with an air of excitement and joy.

Madel knew from that moment that she has found a best friend in the competition. They were extremely excited that they never let go of each other since then.



Chapter Two

Weeks have gone by too quickly and before Madel knew it, it is the results show again. She managed to make it to the Top 16 and tonight, the Top 12 are finally going to be named.

Madel is sitting at a couch inside the girls' dressing room waiting in line for her make-up to be done. She's next to Ramiele who got ahead of her because she let her to. Ramiele is like a little sister to Madel in the competition so she's quite considerate of her and even in her little ways, Madel puts Ramiele before herself. Just like now.

A phone suddenly rang and Madel knew it was Ramiele's. "I'll get it for you!" she offered and quickly got up from the couch.

"Thank you so much, Madel." Ramiele said with a smile as the make-up girl dubbed some color to her eyelids.

Madel hurried to the dresser and picked up Ramiele's phone. She pressed 'Answer' quickly that she wasn't able to see who the caller is. "Hello!", she greeted brightly.

"Oh hi, uhm.. Rami?" It was a girl on the other line who seemed to recognize that it wasn't Ramiele's voice.

"Hi! This is Madel. Uhm.. May, is that you?" she asked, recognizing Ramiele's little sister.

"Oh yes! Hi Madel!" she answered cheerfully.

"Hello! I'm sorry but your sissie's not available at the moment. She's getting her make up done." she said politely then looked at Ramiele for her agreement.

Ramiele nodded and smiled.

"Oh. I thought I could say hi and wish her good luck before your show.." she said with a tone of slight disappointment.

"Hey, just tell her I would call her back after my make-up is done." Ramiele said softly.

"Oh, Rami said she would just call you back, honey, after her make-up is done." Madel echoed.

"Oh, okay! And I have colds right now and I really miss the soup she makes for me at times like this.", May told her sweetly.

"Aaaaw. That's so sweet!"

"Yeah. I miss her already." Madel was touched. "Mom and Dad would also want to talk to her so just tell her so.", she added snappily.

"Oh sure thing, hun!"

"Thanks! And good luck to you too, Madel!"

"Thank you, darling!"

"Bye-bye!"

"Bye, May!" Madel put down the phone back to to where it was a while a ago. She is smiling. "May is so sweet! I love her. You must be so lucky, Rami." she said walking back to the couch.

Ramiele chuckled. "She's always been, you know. Even though she's already 13 years old, she's still that sweet, like a 5 year old little girl."

Madel smiled. "Yeah. But still, it's so nice of her to do that.", she said as she picks out her phone from her pocket. "And don't you ever get annoyed with that." she warned.

"Yeah, I'm used to it, you know." Ramiele said.

"It's actually good for you. You know my brother would never do that. He doesn't care." She rolled her eyes. As she open her phone, Madel saw she's got two messages. The first one was from Aunt Janice saying sorry that she can't come tonight and wishing her good luck.

"And what did she tell you? Besides her, err, usual hi and good luck?" Ramiele asked before Madel could check her second message.

"Oh, she said she has colds and she misses the soup you do for her. And Rami, wow, you do that everytime she has colds?"

"Oh gosh. Yes. We're close, you know."

"Right.."

"There! You're done!" the make-up girl said patting Ramiele on her shoulder. "Come here now, darling." she turned to Madel who was about to go back to her phone.

Madel and Ramiele exchanged places.

Madel sat comfortably and checked her second message as the make-up girl gets her make-up ready. It was from an unknown sender but she opened it anyway. Madel suddenly stopped dead when she read the first line for it says, "Hey, Madel! This David Cook." She was surprised, really really surprised. She stared at it for a second and can't believe what she had read. Madel then continued reading, "I didnt get d chance to tell u that u wer really good last night... so i thought i'd just drop u a tiny message. See u tonight!!" The message was sent at 3:11pm as it says. The message was short and shocking. Madel couldn't believe it since she wasn't that close to David and they haven't even got a decent talk before. Just a few smiles and nods is all. And maybe some winks from him that Madel really ignores but secretly adores.

Madel smiled as she replied a simple "thank you" and "see you too" to David Cook. Madel actually thinks that David is good-looking and... hot when he sings. But she doesn't pay much attention to that thing, though. But with that message, Madel is definitely interested in seeing Mr. Cook tonight.

lol well I am liking it so far. when are you gonna add more?

^thank you so much for that!
i'll be adding today..
i'm starting chapter 3 and i'm gonna write the whooole day.

^thank you so much for that!
i'll be adding today..
i'm starting chapter 3 and i'm gonna write the whooole day.

Chapter Three

Tonight's show has ended. Madel was safe along with Ramiele, Chickezie, Carly, Brooke, Jason, Amanda, Kristy, Michael, Syesha, David A., and David C., which made up the competion's Top 12. It was overwhelming for Madel. She didn't expect anything like this to happen. This is American Idol, the biggest singing competiton in the world. And people everywhere could watch her. One of the final 12 among thousands who auditioned for this thing is just crazy. She's not even American, actually. And America did vote for her. It was all unbelievable for Madel. But still, she's definitely loving it. She gets to sing her heart out on stage with people watching and voting for her. People gets to know her name and when she walks out on the streets, someone would stare at her or call her name. Madel knew that after this competition, she wouldn't be the same normal girl she used to be. Everything would change from this moment on.


After they had all eaten dinner, the Top 12 went back to their hotel rooms to pack their things, for tomorrow, they will be moving to a bigger apartment.

Ramiele ran ahead inside the room after Madel has unlocked the door. She threw herself to the bed and grabbed a pillow and hugged it tightly. "Ugh, dinner is good, I'm all tired and I wanna sleep!" she yelled.

Madel chuckled. "No, no, Rami. You know you can't. We've got a lot of things to pack for tomorrow, honey.", Madel told her.

"Ugh, can I not?", Ramiele asked sitting up and she puckered her lower lips out.

Madel rolled her eyes to her. "You better get up there and pack your stuff. Don't be bad, Rami. It will be hard if you would pack tomorrow. The truck will pick us at 8:30, remember? Come on now."

"Yeah... I know." Ramiele stood up half-heartedly and walked towards her used clothes laying on the floor.

Madel just smiled.

"What time is it?" Ramiele asked as she sits down taking her boots off.

Madel put out her phone from her pocket. "It's uhm.. 10:43."

Ramiele gave a little nod.

"That means we have to get this fast so we could get some enough sleep."

"Right. And I can't wait to see our new apartment!" she said brightly snapping out of her drowsiness.

"Oh yes! I'm excited! I just want to be somewhere new." Madel said throwing her used clothes on her bed. She then sat down at the edge of it and put all of the clothes in one bag.

"And I want a new roommate." Ramiele joked furrowing her eyebrows and putting her hands on her waist.

"Oh my god, you little b*tch!" Madel rode on the joke and they both laughed. They obviously wouldn't want any other roommate in the entire world.


They have both finished packing their things and the whole room was cleared up. Ramiele is already asleep but Madel is still up. It is already midnight and she still haven't got any drowsy bone in her body. She doesn't know why. Madel finally decided to go out of the room and walk for a bit until she gets sleepy. She walked towards the elevator and in less than a minute, the door opened and so she walked in. But then, Madel doesn't know where to go and she doesn't know what number of floor to press among the buttons. Then, she remembered hearing that there's a a garden on top of the hotel so she immediately pressed that highest number which is 27. She waited until the door split open again. She walked out towards the end of the corridor and she found a glass door at the right side of it. She could now see the garden behind it. Madel pushed the door open and a wonderful view came upon her sight.

"Wow.", she whispered in awe as she stood by the door. The area is properly lit so she could see everything. No one was there so she walked in.

Everything was arranged perfectly. The walkway is lined with shrubs of lavanders that Madel could clearly smell. She walked right through it as her eyes run through the whole garden. A few small trees and lots of bushes and flowers surround the area. The floor of the garden is made of wood except, of course, from where there are things planted on, there is soil. There's a pond that has a bridge on it that leads to a little gazeebo at the other end of the garden. The gazeebo has white curtains on it that sways palyfully with the wind. And since it is the rooftop, Madel could see an overlooking view of a big part of Los Angeles. It is amazing up there.

It's quite cold since it's already past 1 o'clock in the morning and it is, of course, the rooftop. Madel is only wearing a plain t-shirt and she didn't brought a jacket with her so she's quite cold by now. But she couldn't leave yet. It is their last night in this hotel and she couldn't go back here after tonight anymore. So she decided to stay for a little bit more.

Madel walked to the bridge and rested her arms on its banister as she looked down the at the koi pond. It is lit from underwater that made her able to see the colorful swimming carps. After watching them for a minute or two, Madel walked towards the gazeebo and sat there resting her legs for a while.

Madel was thinking about things as she was looking out to the view of L.A., when suddenly she heard steps coming closer to her.

"Madel?", she heard it say.





Chapter Four

"So you also hang out here at night?" David Cook asked as he sat down next to Madel.

"Oh no... uhm.. actually, it was my first time in here." Madel replied putting down her legs. She became quite uncomfortable because she's not that close to David and she knew she has this little crush on him.

"Oh yeah. Of course, that's why I don't see you here often." David stood up and put his hands in the pockets of his blue jacket. Madel could now see that he's wearing some blue jeans and a white shirt. He's also in his flip-flops.

"Yeah. Just tonight. Ramiele's already asleep and I do not want to go to to bed yet so.. I decided to have a walk. And I came up here."

"Same when I first came in this place. I'm still wide awake playing my guitar and Johns' already sleeping. I just can't bear his snores so I got out of the room. And so I went here." David looked around. "Since then, I go here whenever I can't sleep... which turns out to be.. every night."

Madel laughed. "Ramiele doesn't snore, though!"

David smiled and walked out of the gazeebo. "You should be getting some sleep now or else you'll get some bags under those beautiful eyes."

Madel's heart seemed to skip a beat. David said her eyes were beautiful. It was breathtaking.

David stopped and turned to her. "Come here, you." he went back and lifted her hand gently. Madel stood and she let David led her out of the gazeebo. "Sometimes you just want to go somewhere and let go of the stress life sometimes gives you, you know. Like relax in peace and.. you know.. unwind. Everyone needs some time like this." They walked on the bridge and David let go of Madel's hand then he put his hands in his pants' pockets. "This is a good place for me. The cool wind blowing on your face, plants around you and a great view from up here. It's just soothing. And you could think about what you're doing if you're not in this competition. You know.. just think about things."

"Yeah. A great place to think. Let things go with the wind and think about..."

"Things?"

"Yeah...things!" They both laughed at each other. They stopped by a bench and Madel sat and David followed. She is now getting colder so she folded her arms and held them tight.

"You're cold? You must have not known how freezing it is here." David chuckled. He took off his jacket and wrapped it around Madel.

"Oh gosh. Thank you but you must take this." She started to take it off but David stopped her.

"No. I wanna feel the wind.", he joked.

Madel laughed. "Okay.. if you say so."

"Tomorrow will be another place. I'm surely gonna miss going here.", David said.

"At least you've been here for quite some time already. But me, I just got here now and I absolutely love it but unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to go back here again.", she told him.

"Right. That's sad for you." he agreed. "Oh, look, it's already 2am." David said as he checked his watch. "We better go to sleep. It will be a long day tomorrow, Madel."

"Yep!" she replied as they stood up. They walked back to the walkway but Madel suddenly stopped and turned around. "We'll gonna miss you, Garden!", she yelled and blew a kiss.

David turned around, too. "Yes. That's right... and we love you and we promise to go back here someday, Garden!"

They giggled and gave Garden a last look. They walked out of the glass door and walked to the elevator. Just in a minute they were down to the 16th floor which is where both of their rooms were located. Madel's room is 1605 and David's is 1611. Being a gentleman, David walked Madel to her room first instead of spliting ways after the elevator ride.

They reached Madel's door shortly. "So I suppose this is goodnight." David said looking at Madel in the eye.

"Mm-hmm, I guess so." she replied.

But their eyes were locked at each other now. David can't resist gazing at her and neither can she. David tucked a stray hair behind her ear and rested his hand on her cheek. It made Madel gulp. He looked at her eyes down to her lips. And he leaned down to kiss her. He put his other hand on her arm and grasped it just gently. Madel kissed him back and held him on the waist dropping his jacket which she was just holding together around her.

Madel pulled back knowing that it isn't quite right to kiss someone she just met. But she pulled back half-heartedly.

"I'm sorry.", David said.

"Uhm, no it's ok." Madel replied reaching for David's jacket on the floor but he quickly reached for it too and their hands touched. "Oh." she said folding her palm.

David chuckled. He stood up quickly and offered his hand to Madel. She took it and stood up. "Good night, Madel." He smiled.

"Oh, good night, David." Madel reached for her key in her pocket and unlocked the door. David waited for her to get in before he would leave.

"I'll see you tomorrow. Good night!"

Madel nodded and David left. She shut the door behind her and leaned on it for a while as she rewinds what had happened a minute ago. Madel touched her lips and a little smile crept on her face as she remembers the kiss. "It was lovely, David." she whispered softly.





Chapter Five
Morning came in a few hours after Madel went to bed. Ramiele was up before her and has already took a shower while she's still catching a few more minutes of sleep. It's almost 7 o'clock in the morning so Ramiele decided to wake Madel up to get ready before the truck would pick them up.

"Rise and shine, Maddie! The truck's already here!", Ramiele lied as she shook Madel on her shoulders.

Upon hearing "the truck's already here!", Madel quickly got up from bed. "What?!" She panicked and picked up her phone from the side table and looked for the time. "6:58 am" it read. "Rami?!" and she rolled her eyes.

"What??" Ramiele laughed. "I just want you to get up. I know you take a lot of time in the shower. And you still pick your clothes. So.. maybe you better get up now.", she explained. "And we still have breakfast here before going to our new apartment." Ramiele added empahazising the word 'new'.

"Oh yeah...right." Madel muttered laying back to bed and grabbing a pillow to her face.

"Maddieeee! Come on now!" Ramiele said pulling Madel's arm. "Arrrrgh!" She dropped it unable to get her out of bed. "Wait.." Ramiele paused. "I remember last night, I woke up and you were not on your bed. I even looked for you at the bathroom. Where were you, huh?" she asked lifting her hands to her waist.

Madel pulled the pillow away from her face and grinned to Ramiele. "I'm not telling!" She quickly got out of bed grabbing a bag of clean clothes from the floor and ran towards the bathroom shutting the door behind her.

"Oh my god! That's not fair!" Ramiele yelled and ran to the bathroom door and tried to open it but it was already locked. "Tell me! Tell me!" she cried hitting the door with her palms.

"Alright! Alright! I'm telling you, okay?" Madel yelled back.

Ramiele stopped and giggled as she skipped towards her bed. "I can't wait! I smell something fishy, Madel Asuncion!"

Minutes have gone by and Madel isn't out of the bathroom yet. Ramiele is already getting impatient of waiting eager to know what had happened to Madel last night. "Aren't you done yet? I wanna hear your story!" she yelled.

"Almost done!" Madel answered.

"Faster okay? Breakfast is at 7:45! It's already 7:25, girl!"

"Okay, okay!" Madel finally pulled the bathroom door open. "I'm done!" She emerged out of the bathroom with her hair already blown dry and she is wearing her yellow skinny jeans and a white tank top.

"Okay, so what happened last night? Where did you go? Who were you with?" Ramiele quickly asked. "And why didn't you woke me up?" she added.

"Hold on, girl. One question at time!" she replied as she grab her Wetseal hoodie from a chair.

"What happened last night, then?" she asked with a bright smile.

"Hmm.. I can't sleep so I decided to go out." she answered slipping her skimmers on.

"And then.. where'd you go?" Ramiele followed in with her second question. But before Madel could reply, they heard a knock on their door. Madel quickly got up and opened it.

"Good morning! Breakfast's in 5 minutes. You must go down now." It was a staff member.

Madel nodded. "Thanks!" She closed the door gently and went back to Ramiele. "We must go down now, Rami. Breakfast's in 5 minutes." she told Ramiele as she ties her hair in a loose bun. "Let's go!"

"But you haven't told me your story yet!"

"I'll tell you on our way down, okay?" Madel told her and winked. She then smiled as she recalls how lovely it was spending a few minutes of her evening with David Cook.

Chapter Six

It was a lovely breakfast they had back at the hotel. The Top 12 were given the finest breakfast served and they were each given a small bouquet of flowers. Right after breakfast, they headed to their new apartment, just a 15-minute drive away from the hotel. It was a four-storey building; the 1st floor is the dining hall and a small sitting room; the 2nd is the girls' apartment; 3rd is the boys' and; 4th is the rooftop. After they all have quickly settled their things in their apartments, the contestants headed to the studio to pick their songs and rehearse for next week's show.

Inside the studio, it was announced that it will be Lennon/McCartney Week. Madel knew this two were from the band The Beatles and a lot of things ran through her head. When she was young, her dad would play old songs on the stereo but she's not quite sure which bands were playing. Madel thought that she probably have heard The Beatles among them. She picked a songbook and headed to the couch. She looked at the songs listed alphabetically and half-way through the list, Madel was getting frustrated. She doesn't know any of them except for 'Hey Jude' which she honestly wouldn't want to sing.

"Got any song?", Ramiele chimed as she sat next to Madel.

"Oh my god, Rami.. I seriously don't know what to sing! I mean, I don't know any of these songs..", she confessed. "Except for, err, Hey Jude..? But I don't want to sing that either.", she added.

"Well, you must probably look at the lyrics. Maybe you could find something good in there and maybe try to learn it." Ramiele suggested.

"Hmm.. maybe I could.", she sighed flicking through the lyrics again.


Afternoon came and all of them were done rehearsing their songs. Madel has picked a cute song called 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds'. She loved the lyrics so much and her imagination has took over her through the song. It was all dreamy and beautiful. Madel was quite pleased and thought she would enjoy singing it. She's going to put her own touch into the song which made her feel excited about.

On the ride back to their apartment, Madel kept listening to 'Lucy' on her iPod because she absolutely loved imagining things about the song and she tried figuring out what else she's gonna do with it for her performance. Minutes later, the truck pulled up to the building's garadge and the contestants exited the vehicle one by one. They all headed to their apartments immediately for a little rest before dinner.

"Oh my gosh.. This feels great..", Madel muttered as she threw herself on her new bed.

"Yes! A new bed!" Ramiele giggled as she also threw herself on her bed. "Oh, let's look around! Come on!" She quickly got out of bed and ran outside the bedroom door.

"I'm tired, you know?!", Madel yelled.

"Oh, we ain't got any food in here!" she heard Ramiele say.

Madel got out of bed and walked to the kitchen finding Ramiele opening the cabinets. "Of course, honey. We haven't got any food shopping yet, you know."

"I was just checking if they have food for us already. Like bonus, you know?", she chuckled.

Madel just rolled her eyes.

Carly walked to the kitchen overhearing them. "Maybe we could to the grocery tomorrow." Carly said as she walks towards them. "But for now, girls, we better go downstairs and eat our dinner, right?"

"Oh yes, dinner! I'm kind of hungry already." Madel said.

"Yeah, me too." added Ramiele as she followed the two out of the kitchen.


"Lucy in the sky with diamonds, Lucy in the sky with diamonds, Lucy in the sky with diamonds, aah.." Madel sang softly as she entered their apartment after a pleasant dinner.

"That's what you're gonna sing?", asked Brooke with a smile.

"Oh, yes." she replied also smiling.

"Great song! I can't wait for it on Tuesday!" Brooke told her sweetly as they headed to the living room.

"Thank you!", Madel replied. "How about you, what are you gonna sing?"

"'Let It Be'."

"Oh, wow. I know that song!" Madel told her as her face lit up. She should've picked that song, she thought for a moment, but then realized that her own song choice is better off.

"Yeah.. and I'm thinking to play it with the piano." she chuckled.

"Oh, that would be great!" she agreed.

"How about little Rami, what have you picked?" Brooke turned to Ramiele who was sitting beside Madel on the couch.

"I picked 'In My Life'." she replied.

Brooke just smiled. "So, girls, I better get going. I need sleep!" she told them as she got up from the couch. "Goodnight!"

"Goodnight!" they replied in unison as they watch Brooke vanish to her room.

"Come on, Rami. We better get going too. We need enough sleep." Madel told Ramiele.

The two headed to their room with Ramiele ahead. But before Madel could get inside, there was a knock on the main door. Madel went to open it.

It was the two David's on the other side with their towels, some clothes and shampoos and soaps.

I loved it!!

I really cannot wait to read more

I'm really honored that you drew inspiration from my story <3 It means the world to me that people really liked what I write

thank you!
i really loooved your story, that's why.

update more, ok?

Haha I'm doing the next chapter now It'll be up soon!

yay! can't wait for it!
i loved the last chapter!

-----------------

I can't wait to know what the two Davids are doing in front of the main door of the girls' apartment!!!

MORE, MORE, MORE!!! Keep up the fantabulous work!

haha! thank you so much!
that kept me going..
i'm starting the next chapter already..
thanks for reading!
and i can see you're filipino too!

Oh, yes! Quezon City-born and bred!
I'm keeping a sharp lookout for updates! Until then!

the next chapter will up in a while..
thank you guys for reading!

Chapter Seven

"Oh, good evening, Madel!" Archie greeted her cheerfully waving his hand as it holds a bottle of shampoo.

"Good evening.. What brings you two here.. with.. uhm.. your.. toiletries?", Madel asked as she was confused.

"Oh, we're sorry to startle you but our shower in the apartment isn't working. We already called but they told us that the repairman could only come at around 9:00 in the morning tomorrow." David Cook explained.

"Uh-huh.." Madel replied still confused.

"So that means all of us would use the girls' shower!" Archie said brightly.

"Oh, Archie.. that sounds... something." David told him.

"Uhm..what?" Archie looked confused and.. innocent.

Madel burst into laughter. "You two are so funny! Come on in. Just keep things down. Some of the girls are already sleeping, okay?" She opened the door fully and let them in.

"They told us that some of the boys should take the shower now so it won't be too much of a fuss tomorrow morning. But the others were already sleeping their butts off, so me and Archie are the only ones to came down here." David said as they walk in.

Madel led them to the bathroom as her heart beated quite fast. David Cook's in their apartment and will be taking a shower. A smile crept to her face as the thought came to her head.

"What's going on?" Syesha came to sight with her pajamas already on.

"The boys' shower broke and they were told to take their shower here." Madel answered. "ALL of them." she added.

"Oh, wow. How are we gonna do it tomorrow morning then?" Syesha asked with a chuckle.

"I have no idea, Sye. That's why these two already came down here for their shower."

"Oooh, smart guys!" Syesha laughed.

"No, that's how we're told, Syesha." David said in defense.

"Alright, alright. I never said anything! I'll just tell the other girls who are still awake if they already wanted to take the shower now. I'm too sleepy for that, though. Goodnight, guys!"

"Goodnight!" they all answered.

"Arch, you go in first. I'll keep Madel in company here as she waits for us." David told David. And little David followed as he was told.

"Wow, who said I'll be waiting for you two here?" Madel foleded her arms across. "I want to sleep, you know?" she added cocking her head to the side. But actually, she's definitely loving the idea: another little time with David Cook is pretty good. But of course, being a girl, she wanted to be a little conservative for now.

David smirked. "Alright then. I'll let you go. You need some sleep, I know. I'll just see you in the morning." he leaned towards Madel as she held her on one arm and kissed her on her forehead. "Sweet dreams."

"Uh.. alright. I'll go.. now. Good.. night." It was all Madel could say, she even stuttered a bit. The kiss on the forehead and the "sweet dreams" gave her goosebumps all over her body as she walked to the bedroom. And it left her a smile as she drifted off to sleep.


Days have gone by quickly and it was the results show again. After tonight, it will come down to the Top 11. Everyone was nervous for most of them didn't quite impressed the judges for their performance last night. Even Madel didn't. Of course Paula was nice as usual but it wasn't pretty much convicing to her that she's done her greatest for the night. Randy and Simon both said that it was just okay, nothing special but might give her a spot on the Top 11, though. Paula said she has put her unique personality on the song and connected well to the audience with her dreamy eyes and sweet smiles.

The show started just quickly and minutes later, everyone were on the couch after their group performance and a commercial break.

Ryan Seacrest at the middle of the stage with his cards on one hand, called for the first group. It was David C., Chikezie and Amanda. And it was announced that Amanda was part of the bottom three and the other two were safe. Same goes for the rest of the show, 3 contestants received their fate collectively. The bottom three came down to Amanda, Kristy and Syesha. That relieved the other 9 contestants for only a bit knowing that they were all safe but felt tensed for the final result of who shall go home tonight.

"How do you, girls, feel that you are part of the bottom three?" Ryan Seacrest asked to release the tension for a bit.

"Nervous?" Syesha chuckled.

"Of course, you are all nervous. Besides that, Amanda?" Ryan asked.

"Uhm.. mixed."

Ryan laughed. "Alright! These girls are answering in only a syllable, ladies and gentlemen, we better get this started!" The audience laughed and so as the bottom three and the safe contestants on the couch. "Syesha.. you are safe. Take a seat on our comfortable couch there." He gestured to the couch and got back to the other two contestants immedietely. "America has decided that the person leaving us tonight is.. Amanda." Amanda it is. And her journey video came up to the screen and she followed it with her last song.

Dinner came by and it is time to sleep again. Carly is now alone in her bedroom since Amanda is her roommate. Madel and Ramiele stayed with her for a while after Amanda has left.

"I'm surely gonna miss Amanda." Carly told the two.

"Yeah.. us too." Ramiele answered.

There was a silent pause but Carly broke it. "Alright, girls! Let's go to sleep now. A busy day is ahead of us tomorrow and we should get enough sleep, alright?"

Carly walked them to their room and went back to hers after she has closed their door.

"Carly's sad. She lost her bestfriend here." Ramiele said sadly.

"You're right. I hate eliminations, Rami." Madel replied.

"Yeah.. me too. It's sad to say goodbye."

"Right." Madel nodded. "Come on now, let's go to sleep. We need to freshen up our minds for tomorrow and pick the right songs." Madel walked towards Ramiele and held both of her hands. "I don't want any of us getting eliminated next week. It's hard to say goodbye to a bestfriend for a few weeks."

Ramiele smiled as she was touched and hugged Madel as tight as she could never wanting to let her go. "I love you, Maddie. You're my bestfriend and I don't wanna say goodbye." she said to her in pure sincerity.

Amazing!!! A magnificent update!!!
Love the interaction between Big and Little Davids! And, the last line was heartwrenching!!!
Love it, love it, love it!!! MORE, MORE, MORE!!!
Keep up the fantabulous update!

thank you soooo much!
i'll be updating tomorrow because i need to sleep now. haha.
my class is still early tomorrow!
i promise another 'fantabulous update'! haha!

I love how innocent Archie is!
Great update

sorry this is so laaate! i'm so busy with school..! grr.
anyway.. hope you like the next chapter.

Chapter Eight
"Oh my god!" Madel was surprised and leapt a step backward lifting her hand to her chest. She found David and Jason sitting at their kitchen this early in the morning.

"Good morning, Madel!" Jason greeted her but David Cook just gave her a little smirk. But it was the smirk that could melt her away.

"Why are you both here..at.. 6:30 in the morning, drinking OUR coffee? And your shower is fixed a long time ago, I suppose." she told them as she yawned.

"Yeah.. it was fixed. But we barely have anything on our kitchen to eat or drink. And we knew you girls have." Jason answered smiling lifting his brows up and down.

"Oh right.. And Jason, that's my mug, you know." Madel told him.

Jason chuckled. "Oops.."

"Oh by the way, who guys let you in?" Madel asked as she opened the refrigirator door.

"Kristy's already up. She let us in. She said she'll be taking a shower when she left us." Jason answered.. again. David was just sitting there watching Madel closely. He couldn't say anything. Just looking at her was quite enough.

"Oh, do you guys want some more breakfast? We have bacons and hotdogs.. and.. some frozen stuff." she said as she checked the contents of their ref. "I could cook for you.. for us." Madel offered with a smile as she looked back to them from the ref door.

David just gave her another smirk, quite impressed of her thoughtfulness.

"We were actually planning for a coffee in here and eat the rest of our breakfast downstairs. But if you insist.." It was Jason again. "What do you think?" he asked turning to David.

"Hmm.. I would actually love Ms. Asuncion's breakfast for this morning, Jay." David finally spoke.

"If you say so, Mr. Cook! We would love your breakfast, madame." Jason said lowering his voice and as if he's a messenger to both of them.

"Alright then! Just a moment!" Madel replied and got some frozen food out of the ref. The boys just watched her as she prepare. She cooked them as fast as she could and in about 15 minutes, their breakfast was ready, smelling really nice. "Here it is.. sirs! Bacon, egg, hotdog...," she said as she lay them all out on the table. "And some warm loaves of bread, right from the oven! Let's eat!"

"Wow.. this looks good! And smells good...," Jason said brightly and picked a strip of bacon from the plate. "And tastes really good!" he added as his mouth was filled with the strip of bacon.

"I smell something nice...", they heard Carly say as she peaked from her bedroom door and she walked towards the kitchen. "Oh my gosh, what a lovely breakfast you're having here! Can I join?" she said as she grab two loaves of bread and stuffed a strip of bacon in it.

"Maddie? Where are you?" they all heard Ramiele's little voice.

"I'm here, honey, in the kitchen!" Madel yelled.

Ramiele turned up with her hair still messy. "Wow.. breakfast!"

"Come here, baby. Have some. These are good." Carly told her as she eats her bacon-filled bread.

As minutes pass by, more of the girls woke up and joined them to their supposed-to-be breakfast-for-three. The boys also came down and ate. They spent almost an hour eating, laughing... eating more and laughing more. And after they have all eaten, the girls' refrigerator was almost empty. They had a really great breakfast to start off a busy day and a friendship that would last for a long time.


Madel ran her eyes through the same songbook again. It was still Lennon/McCartney Week, due to public demand. She then remembered a song that caught her eye a week ago called 'Good Day, Sunshine'. It was also a fun and catchy song same as 'Lucy in the Sky' which is the type she enjoyed singing. Madel listened to it on her iPod, since she have already downloaded it last week, as she looked for its lyrics.

After repeating it twice to her ears, she sang the lyrics to herself without music. She definitely liked it, the words, the rhythm, the vibe and everything. She even imagined singing it on a broadway-ish kind of way with all the animations and little dances she basically does on her musicals. Madel had already her official song for next week.


Friday had come quickly as usual. After a little rehearsal and recording thier songs, the Top 11 went back to their apartment later that afternoon. They all loved Fridays since they get to work for only half the day. And since they loved the day so much, they wouldn't want to miss a lovely little rest all afternoon before going to dinner. However, the girls wanted to go food shopping for they have already consumed all of their food this morning so Carly, Syesha and Kristy went off to the grocery along with some of the boys.

Madel and Ramiele were left since they were the youngest and the other girls kind of spoil them a bit. The two of them had their much-coveted rest for that afternoon, instead.

A few minutes after, there was a knock on the girls' door. Madel was just half asleep so she went to open it and found David Cook standing holding his guitar that Madel could barely see.

"Oh, hi! Come on in!" Madel greeted him and managed a bright smile even though she was still a bit sleepy.

"Thank you. And sorry if I disturbed you in whatever you're doing... I'm just alone upstairs."

Madel chuckled. "Oh.. I see. They're taking their naps, I suppose." she replied leading him to the living room

"Yeah.." he nodded.

"And you can't bear their snores?" Madel joked.

"Yeah, yeah!" he even gave a bigger nod in total agreement.

They both laughed as they reached the living room. David sat on the floor and strummed his guitar.

"Oh.." Madel was surprised as she recognized David's guitar. It was the one she saw during Hollywood Week, the contestant ahead of her that day was David.

David heard her and followed her stare and it led to his guitar. "What? What's wrong?" he asked.

"Oh nothing... I mean.. your guitar, I just recognize it back from Hollywood Week. You were the contestant ahead of me." she told him.

"Oh, really? That was cool.." David smirked.

"Yeah.." She just smiled. And they stared at each other for a moment.

Then David smirked again. "Actually, Madel, I came down here..," he started as he looked down to his guitar then looked up to Madel again. "..to sing to you." David finally said with sincerity in his eyes.

For a moment, Madel couldn't speak. A lot of things ran inside her. Everything came back to her. From the night at the rooftop garden to the kiss down at the door, from the 'sweet dreams' and the kiss on her forehead up to what David had said, he wanted to sing to her. They gazed at each other's eyes. Madel couldn't simply say anything. Then David started to pluck his guitar.

He immedietely started his song after a pluck or two.

"We've been here before
We'll be here again so go on and rest your head
Before you lose it again
We're leaning on each other
Or at least I can pretend
That we didn't lose it all again
It could have been different
It could have all been the same
But now I'm standing at your front door, singing."

David smirked while singing the last line. As if he knew he was not on the front door, or at least that was just minutes ago. Madel knew it's time for the chorus as David strummed his guitar a bit harder.

"When everything's the same
And nothing ever changes
Will you fall back into me, oh
You see, everything's estranged
A million empty faces
So will you fall back into me?"

"Yes, David, I will...", she said in her head as she felt David into her. This is heaven, Madel knew. David's voice filled the cold room and warmed her empty heart. She's officially falling for David. And David had fallen for her a long time ago. He then started the second verse. He wasn't plucking anymore rather strumming.

"Congratulations
You left me a little jaded and rejected
And so I lost it again
You chew me up, you throw away
As I continue to pretend
That we didn't lose it all again
I guess it's never different
I guess it's all the same
So now I'm bloodied by my fist, clenched, swinging"

As he sang it, David just looked right through Madel's eyes since he has already memorized the chords like he always does. It was like he's talking to her.. truthfully.

He went back to the chorus but this time, it was more heartfelt and more directed to Madel. David wanted her. He wanted her in his side throughout this whole experience and on. He sang the bridge with all his heart and it showed in his beautiful voice.

"I was a name across your lips
It's time to spit me out
I play the game when my heart rips
It's time to hear me out"

He let out his voice and it gave Madel goosebumps up and down her arms. David ended his song with one last round of the chorus.

"When everything's the same
And nothing ever changes
Will you fall back into me
See, everything's estranged
A million empty faces
So will you fall back into me?
Will you fall back into me..."

He had his final strum. Madel was left speechless and David was just looking at her waiting for something. But she couldn't say anything again. David Cook has undertook her with his heart. It was pure heart. He was just sincere and Madel had known it from his song and the way he sang it to her. It was perfect to melt her away.

Madel opened her mouth but nothing came out. There is simply no word in the earth that could describe how she felt.

"Madel.." David saved her. He put his guitar down and got up. He held her hands and she stood right infront of him. "I just wanted to let you know how I feel.. how I feel about you." He started to speak. "You know, this whole thing has been crazy and everything is starting to change. Our world is no longer that small but instead, we are sharing it to people evrywhere.. that we do not know. I know this is our dream, to sing to the world.. But sometimes I just love being just.. me. At times, I just think that this could change and I could go back to my familiar life again. But it just can't be. And you know the night at the rooftop, I have never talked to anyone like that in this competition before. It's just you. And everytime I get stressed of the negative things in here, you could just enter my head and.. I could breathe. I feel different when I think of you. I wanted to just come to you and hold you close to me and everything would be okay." David looked deeper into her dark eyes and tightened her hold to her hands. "Madel.. I need you. I need you to be with me."

David was waiting for her to answer but Madel was still in the process of taking in all that she has heard. She could now hear her heart beating fast. It is beating for David. She then finally found the words but before she could start, they heard the front door open and it cut them from their perfect scene.

Awwwww...

I'm speechless... But, I must say, that was marvelously romantic!

You've kept your promise, indeed! It's fantabulous!

MORE, MORE, MORE!!! Keep up the splendid work, as always! *hugs*

thank you!
i'll start my next chapter after i eat.
haha!
thank you so much for reading!

Eep! I squealed! Love it, honey <3

Thank you so much for reading!
I'm glad you loved it in a way..


Here's the next chapter!

Chapter Nine

"I heard someone singing while I was taking my nap a while ago, and I know it was David." Ramiele told Madel as she get ready for bed. "What's up?"

Madel's face suddenly lit up recalling her afternoon with David. "Oh my god, Rami, I don't know where to start!!" she squealed in excitement. She grabbed Ramiele's hand and started to jump up and down.

Ramiele was surprised with her friend's reaction. "Wait, wait, wait. Hold on, girl! Calm. Down. Tell it to me, from the moment he, err, ..knocked." She still looked puzzled.

Madel quitted jumping but still hadn't let go of Ramiele's hands. She pulled her down to the bed as they sat down. She took a deep breath and started off with her story. "Oh my gosh. Okay.." She continued as she was catching her breath. "David came down here because he told me that he was kind of alone upstairs. And.. he brought his guitar with him. I let him in and we went to the living room and he sat on the floor as I was on the couch. And then.."

"And then..?"

"And then.. he said he came down to actually.. Sing. To. Me."

They both screamed.. like schoolgirls talking about their crushes. Well, they do talk about her crush, but they ain't schoolgirls anymore, they are already young women of ages 20 and 21. But still..

"Oh my god, Maddie! I knew something's up with you and David! Oh my.. And what the hell did he freakin' sang to you??!" she freakin' asked.

"Oh gosh, Rami. I actually didn't know the song but it was beautiful. It was so beautiful as David sang it. He had this true heart in the song that swept me off my feet. It's just.. romantic, you know?" Madel said with dreamy eyes.

"Yeah, right.. but at least do you remember some.. lines?" Ramiele asked pointing her lips to the side.

"I could never forget the 'Will you fall back into me' line. Ugh, god. He's my perfect man."

Ramiele laughed. "And then what else happened?" she asked eagerly.

"Oh god, he told me some things.." She rested her head just above her wrist.

"Like what??!" Ramiele is completely thrilled.

"Okay.. it was long and I was completely lost but basically, he told me that.. he needs me on his side throughout this thing.. like..," she paused and closed her eyes and opened it again. "okay.. he said that whenever he gets stressed, I could just enter his head and he could already breathe." She bit her lower lip.

Ramiele's jaw dropped and she brought her hands to her mouth. "Oh my god, that was so romantic, Maddie!" She held Madel's hands.

"I know, Rami.." Madel took another breath. "And I think I'm falling.. I'm falling hard with David.."


Madel sat on the couch at the lounge while waiting for the show to begin. She tugged her earphones to her ear and listened to her song, 'Good Day, Sunshine'. She rested her head on the the back of the couch and closed her eyes like she always does whenever she listens to a song she wanted to listen to by heart. After a minute or two the door opened and Madel then opened her eyes. It was Carly and Ramiele.

"Oh, here you are, Maddie!" Ramiele said as she sat next to Madel.

Madel just smiled and tugged her earphones off her ears.

"There's already a big crowd out there." Carly spoke lifting her hands to her waist.

"I just wish I won't flip." Madel said letting out a heavy breath.

Before anyone could answer, the door pushed open and it was the assistant stage manager. "You are needed on the stage now. Show starts in a minute."

The three girls dropped everything they have to drop on the couch and ran as fast as they could to the stage. And they just got there in time. The Top 11 lined up before Ryan Seacrest started the show. The theme song played and a video of The Beatles came up on the screens as Ryan announced that it is their week again.

David Archuleta was left on the stage as everyone returned backsatage since he was the first one to perform. Madel was now getting tensed since she will be next to perform. She went back to the lounge together with some other contestants. She listened to her song memorizing and taking everything in by heart for the last time before she performs. She closed her eyes again for the whole time repeating the song to her ears for at least 4 times before she was called to the stage again.

She saw David Cook walking to her direction on the hallway and her heart skipped a beat. He held her arm for a moment sending her arm some chills. "You are beautiful. Rock it tonight, Madel." He winked.

"Thank you." She said softly as he let go of her arm. For that moment, Madel got rid of all the tense as David touched her. A smile stayed on her face for the rest of her walk.

Madel got to the stage in a second, waved to the crowd with her brightest smile and headed to the silver stools at the side of the stage.

"Good evening to you! You're looking beautiful tonight, Madel!" Ryan commented referring to her outfit. Tonight she's wearing a yellow and white strapless dress and white Bettye Muller 'balcony' pumps. Her make-up is kind of nude and keeps her natural look. Madel's hair is curled and her bangs were swept backwards with a thin silver headband.

"Thank you!" Madel simply replied as she sat next to him.

The lights came back and she smiled at the camera and waved her hand. "Welcome back to American Idol! Here with me is Madel Asuncion." The crowd cheered and some applauded. "How do you feel about our second Lennon/McCartney Week? Was it easy for you choosing your song?" he asked.

"Oh, I feel good about this week since I was kind of familiar with the songbook already so it really helped me choose my song just quickly." Madel replied brightly. "I'm actually excited now!" she added.

"Okay! Let's get this done!" Ryan said pointing his hand to the center of the stage. "Goodluck!"

Madel got up from the stool and made her way to the microphone.

The camera turned back to Ryan Seacrest. "Here it is, America, singing 'Good Day, Sunshine', Madel Asuncion!" The crowd cheered even louder and Madel let out a deep breath as the piano came in playing the intro. She tapped her ankle with every note played. The drums came in and it cued her to start singing.

"Good day sunshine,
Good day sunshine,
Good day sunshine"

She was getting comfortable with the warm atmosphere from the audience.

"I need to laugh and when the sun is out
I've got something I can laugh about
I feel good in a special way
I'm in love and it's a sunny day"

She took the mic off the stand and walked closer to the audience clutching the microphone with her left hand and the other right tapping her hip.

"Good day sunshine,
Good day sunshine,
Good day sunshine."

Madel walked down the stage then to the platfrom where the judges were.

"We take a walk, the sun is shining down
Burns my feet as they touch the ground

Madel was now up on the platform and stood at the center of it trying to connect with the audience more.

"Good day sunshine,
Good day sunshine,
Good day sunshine."

She kept her connection to the audience and tried to really sing her heart to them. She swayed her body to the beat of the song.

"Then we'd lie beneath the shady tree
I love him and he's loving me
He feels good, he knows he's looking fine
I'm so proud to know that he is mine."

She walked to the side of the platform and sang one last round of the chorus but this time with most of the emotions and motions.

"Good day sunshine,
Good day sunshine,
Good day sunshine.
Good day sunshine.."

She looked at the camera as she ended the song. The crowd cheered and applauded even louder than at the beginning of her song. Madel walked back to the stage to receive the judges' critiques. Randy started with "Check it out, baby..", and the cheer slowly subsided. He continued, "I wasn't that crazy about your song but you did a really great job on it. You changed a few notes and, baby, you made it more you. That was nice. Good job."

Madel thanked him and turned to Paula who was smiling and clapping her hands. "Madel, you are a really beautiful singer, inside and out and you were shining through out your performance. I think that you are a very talented young lady and you have captured the hearts of many by now, Sunshine." Paula clapped her hands once more. "Well done." Madel put her biggest smile on and thanked her.

But it faded away as she turned to Simon and she pursed her lips together as she waits. "Okay, Madel.. uhm, I thought it wasn't that original, same type of song you did last week..," Before Simon could continue, the crowd cut him with 'boos' and Madel just chuckled. "..but, BUT, I thought you did a bright performance out of it." Madel was happy with that and thanked him.

The music entered and it filled the venue as Ryan Seacrest joined Madel on the stage. "Alright! If you want to vote for Little Miss Sunshine here, dial 1-888-IDOLS-02, that's 1-888-43657-02. Or if you're an AT&T customer, text VOTE to 5702. Dial carefully. Lines open at the end of the show. Madel Asuncion, ladies and gentlemen!" The crowd cheered and Madel blew them a kiss. "Up next is Carly Smithson and Kristy Lee Cook."

The lights turned in and Madel made her way to the backstage. She was now relieved. Carly and Kristy were standing there and they congratulated her. She headed to the lounge and found the rest of the contestants.

Ramiele ran to her as soon as Madel came into sight and threw her hands around her shoulders. "Maddie, you were great!"

"Aaw, thank you, Rami." And she hugged her back.

The rest of the contestants also complemented her on her performance and she thanked them enough. David was the last one to get to her. Her heart skipped another beat as he approached her.

"You were really good out there." David is a real word nerd but he seemed to be lost for words when he's talking to her.

"Thank you, David." She flashed her sweetest smile. "Was I able to 'rock it'?" she joked.

"Oh yes, you did.. it." David was now lost not only for words but in her. He's lost just looking at her. She was just beautiful plus her beautiful performance, as to David, he cannot resist.

But before it had gone too far, Michael Johns chimed in, "Oh, David Cook, the girl might melt. Quit staring, dude."

The group reacted in a mixture of laughing and shuddering as romance filled the air. The two were quite embarassed with that.

"Whatever, Johns." David said and rolled his eyes.

"Oh, yeah.. whatever, huh? Now tell us why we caught you smiling throughout Madel's performance a minute ago, huh? What now, Mr. Cook?" They all laughed as Michael kept embarassing David.

David pulled his head backwards, closed his eyes tightly and groaned as if he doesn't have any escape with what Michael has revealed.

Madel burst into laughter when she saw David's reaction. Now, it is already obvious to everyone that David has feelings for the girl.

I heart Michael Johns! If you want to put David on the hot seat, he's the man to go to!

Fantabulous update! MORE, MORE, MORE!!! Keep up the superb work!

MORE MORE MORE !!!!!! I love it!

haha, Michael Johns!
thank you for being my avid reader...


Thank you so much, i'm glad you liked it!

I'll be posting the next chapter in a little while.

Love it!

Great update! I loved it

thank you guys for reading!!

next chapter is up!


Chapter Ten

It's almost 10:30 in the evening and Madel still coud not sleep. She turned to her left and saw Ramiele already fast asleep, so she decided to go out of their room. As she opened the door, Madel heard a sound coming from the television. She walked out from the door and headed to the living room and found Jason and Kristy watching some kind of a talk show.

"Oh.. hey, Little Miss Sunshine! Can't sleep?" Jason asked brightly.

"Well apparently.. yes," Madel answered rubbing her eye with the side of her finger. "..Mr. Dreadhead." She sat down beside him and grabbed some chips from the pack of Lay's Cheddar and Sour Cream that Jason was holding. "And why are you here?" she asked chomping the chips.

"Because I hope to see Little Miss Sunshine.", he replied with his goofy smile.

"Oh quit it, Jason.", Madel answered and pushed Jason on his shoulder.

"What? What's wrong with hoping to see Little Miss Sunshine?" he told her making his voice soft on the last six words.

"I ain't 'Little Miss Sunshine', Jay." she replied with a serious tone.

"Oops.. are you mad?"

Kristy laughed at them and got up from the couch. "I think I would leave you know. I'm quite sleepy already. Goodnight, Jay. Goodnight, Maddie." Kristy told them as she passed and they both bid her goodnight.

"Hey, Maddie.. did I pissed you off?" Jason asked bringing back the topic. "I thought it's just.. cute, you know?"

Madel looked at him and she could not help but burst into laughter. Jason was staring at her with his beautiful but worried looking eyes that glistened from the light of the T.V. and the glistening looked like tears to Madel, though that was a bit exaggerated. "Oh my god, Jay, are you almost crying?!" She continued laughing.

"What? I won't cry for god's sake, Sunshine." It was wierd, he thought.

"But it looked to me... oh well, never mind." She still chuckled.

"What the..?", he muttered.

And Madel laughed again. "Alright... whatever you say.." she replied holding back the laughter.


After the opening of the show, a quick recap of last night's performances, the group medley and a commercial break, the Top 11 stood by the television backstage like they always do. Anyone could go home tonight even though they have given their all during their performances. It is still America who will decide.

"Alright," Ryan started. "Can we have now Ms. Madel Asuncion on the stage, please." Madel was quite shocked upon hearing Ryan Seacrest call her name.

She took a deep breath and headed out to the stage. The crowd cheered upon her sight and Madel just smiled brightly at them.

"Good evening to you!" Ryan greeted her.

"Good evening to you, too, Ryan!" she replied with a smile.

"How are you feeling tonight, Ms Asuncion?" he asked burying his hand in his pocket.

"Oh, of course I am nervous and I was kind of surprised you called me first out here." She chuckled and some of the audience laughed.

Ryan chuckled. "I'm sorry for that but that's what's written here in the card. Anyway.." he snapped out of it. "Last night, you sang 'Good Day, Sunshine'." Ryan started as the dramatic music played. "Randy said you made the song more you and you did a great job. Paula said you are a beautiful singer inside and out and you have, by now, captured the hearts of many. Mr. Cowell said that it wasn't original and same type of song you picked last week BUT he added that you did a bright performance out of it. Now, Madel Asuncion, after the nationwide has voted, America has decided that.." He paused and Madel closed her eyes tightly. "you are.. safe." She opened her eyes and let out a breath of relief. "Please take a seat on our comfortable couch there." Ryan permitted her and she walked towards the safety couch. "Next, can we have.. Ramiele Malubay?" Ryan quickly jumped to the next contestant.

Ramiele went out of the stage and waved to the crowd and then to Madel on the couch. She waved back.

"Hello to you, Ramiele!" Ryan greeted her.

"Hello!" Ramiele replied as she reached Ryan, her voice almost shaking.

"Okay, dim the lights, music in and... here we go. Ramiele, last night, you sang 'I Should Have Known Better'. Randy said he wasn't jumping up and down but said that he liked it. Paula said it was better than last week and Simon said that it sounded Chikezie on harmonica. Ramiele, when Simon said that, you were shocked and you made face. Why, didn't you like Chikezie on harmonica?" Ryan asked jokingly.

"That's not what I meant! It's just that I heard that Simon didn't like Chikezie on the harmonica. So, I knew I didn't impressed him. That's all!" Ramiele said in defense.

"Alright.." Ryan chuckled. "So , Ramiele, who is your bestfriend here in the competition?" he asked.

"I would say my bestfriend is Madel. Becasue we get along really well and since we're both Filipinas, I guess." she answered turning to Madel on the couch.

"Alright, Ramiele," Ryan smirked. "You may join Madel there, you are safe." he told her.

Ramiele gasped and immediately ran to the couch. Madel welcomed her with open arms and let out another breath of relief. She's relieved that neither of them is going home tonight. "Yay!" she exclaimed as they hugged.

The show went on. Kelly Pickler performed and after another commercial break, the last two contestants that were left, Carly and Syesha, were called to the stage. Syesha was safe and Carly's part of the bottom three together with Chikezie and Kristy. Carly was the first one to be sent to the couch leaving Kristy and Chikezie on the stage. "Kristy," Ryan started. "you.. are part of the Top 10. Congratulations." That meant that the one voted off was Chikezie. His journey video played on the screens and soon after, he sang his last song. It meant another goodbye for the group and another send-off dinner later that night. The show went off too quickly before anyone knew it.


Madel could not sleep that evening again. She grabbed her phone from the bedside table and checked the time. It's already 11:16. Madel isn't in the mood to sleep yet, she's wide awake, so she got up from bed and walked out of the room. She didn't find anyone at the living room unlike last night. So she went staright to the kitchen just outside the bedroom door. Madel opened the ref to find something she could munch in for now. There was an opened pack of Oreo sitting on the compartments on the door. She grabbed it, closed the door and headed to the dimmed living room. Madel threw herself on the couch and laid there for a while as she munched her Oreos. There was something on her back that's bothering her. Madel pulled it up and saw that it was her jacket. She sat up and put it on. She had already ate enough of the cookies and returned it back to the ref leaving three pieces of it. Madel drank a glass of water to get rid of the sweetness of the Oreos left in her mouth and the crumbs of it in between her teeth.

Madel still don't want to go to sleep. She sat at the counter beside the ref and leaned her head on it. And then, it came back to her: the night at the rooftop garden. David came to her mind and it made her smile. She remembered that there was a rooftop on the building so she jumped down the counter and headed to her room to get her key. She tip-toed her way out the apartment so she won't wake any of the girls up.

Seconds later, the archway that leads to the open rooftop was already infront of Madel. She could hear a guitar playing and someone was singing. She recognized it was David and her heart skipped a beat like it always does when she feels his presence. She walked towards the archway and was welcomed by the cold wind. The rooftop was bare, just plain rooftop. The sound was coming from the corner and she turned to it. It was David indeed.

David looked to her way and grinned. "Hello there!", he greeted her, withdrewing from the wall he's leaning against.

"Oh, hi! I didn't.. expect you here.." But Madel has hoped that he could be there.

"Well.. I'm glad to see you, though." David answered walking towards her still holding the guitar strapped around him.

Madel smiled and nodded. She looked out at the view. "Wow, another view of Los Angeles.", she said as she walked towards the parapet. David followed her. "I heard you singing a minute ago." Madel told him.

"Yeah, that was called 'The Truth' from my album, 'Analog Heart'.", David answered and looked down.

"Oh, wow.. Can you sing it to me?", she asked him smiling.

David immediately lifted his head and his face lit up. "Really? I mean, you want me to sing it to you?"

"Oh, why not? I fell for the other song you sang to me, David." She confessed to him sincerely. "I want to hear more of you." Madel smiled.

David smiled back. "I would love to.. sing you another song, baby."

Madel smiled even wider. "Go on..", she told him softly.

He turned to Madel to gave all his attention to her and he started immediately.

"Two steps removed from every thing I thought I knew
There's no remedy
I see your face in every single thing I do
You change me.."

David smirked and looked down to his guitar then looked up again for the next lines.

"Your laugh intoxicating
One touch and I'm negating everything around
Take me and I'm yours
I only want you anymore
I kiss the ground"

The words were so honest and true and David sang it to her perfectly. Madel could feel the song entering her gently. It was so real. David strummed harder signaling the chorus.

"If you want to know the truth,
You make or break my day
If you want to know the truth
I wouldn't have it any other way"

The cool breeze of midnight blew. It was getting colder but Madel didn't mind. Just David's voice kept her warm inside. She felt his voice wrapping her around with it's truthfulness towards her.

"I rest my head from running circles 'round my mind
On why you let go
No answers to be found, romances don't rewind
I guess I'll never know
Why your absence is devastating
No touch to calm my head and everyone around
You leave me when I'm yours
'cause you don't want me anymore
I hit the ground, yeah.."

David pushed his voice out with all his feelings and put it as well to his hand that strummed the guitar. It was easy letting out all that he felt towards Madel. He gave his all in his song for her and Madel could absolutely feel it.

"If you want to know the truth,
You make or break my day
If you want to know the truth
I wouldn't have it any other way"

He repeated these lines about a few times before ending the song. He looked down at his guitar as he made his last strum.

Madel pursed her lips together and clenched her hands into a fist. She let out a deep breath through the mouth, opening her lips. She leaned closer to David and held his hands and she kissed him passionately to let her emotions out. There were no words for Madel and it was the only way. David kissed her back and tightened his hold to her hand. David then let go of one hand to bring his guitar on his back for a while and then held Madel's waist pushing her closer to his body. Madel lifted her hands to the back of his head while David held her waist with both hands. They opened their mouths as their tongues explored. David's hands traveled from her waist to under her arms and he lifted her up pulling back from the kiss for a second. Madel wrapped her thighs around David's waist for grip and leaned down to kiss him again. David carried her to the wall and pulled her up against it. Her thighs were still wrapped around him and now her arms were around his neck. David pulled back from the kiss and he leaned to her neck. Madel lifted her neck to welcome David's kiss. She moaned as soon as she felt his lips and teeth touch her skin. David lingered on it and caressed it and after a while, Madel slowly slid down to his body. She was now leaning against the wall as David kiss her shoulder tenderly. Madel wrapped her arms around him once again, pressing David against her. It was indeed cold at the rooftop but the heat between them has kept them warm. They were now sweating because of the intense warmth their bodies were releasing. Madel took off her jacket and dropped it on the floor. David lifted his head and kissed her lips one last time and he pulled back. He took off his guitar and leaned against the wall. They were breathing heavily. Madel slid down and folded her legs.

David looked down to her smiling. "That.. was.. lovely." David said as he catch his breath.

Madel smirked. "It is..", she replied. "And.. is your.. guitar.. not.. broken or something?"

"No, darling.. it's fine." David answered as he also slid down beside Madel and folded his legs.

"I think.. we need.. to go..", Madel told him.

"Maybe we should.. catch our breath first.." he replied laying out his legs on the ground.

And Madel did the same thing. "Yeah..," She nodded. "maybe we should.." She rested her head on David's shoulders and let out a deep breath. Madel closed her eyes for a while but she slowly drifted off to sleep.

Awwwww

That was so electrifying -- I just love David-Madel moments!

MORE, MORE, MORE!!! Keep up the fab work!

Ohmygosh. "David-Madel moments".
thank you, beb. that really cracked me up..

my next chapter, though, will be up tomorrow.
i can't finish it tonight cuz i need to go to sleep already.
i can't think that well now..

Oh, have a pleasant slumber ahead of you! Sweet Cookie dreams! Until tomorrow's update! Goodnight!

I need an update!

thank you for reading!

here's my update! ..it's short but i really, really, love it.
more updates tomorrow cuz i don't have classes.. yay!


Chapter Eleven

Madel slowly opened her eyes and stretched her arms above her head almost hitting the headboard. She pulled up the covers to her neck and folded her legs together. She closed her eyes again for a while and then in an instant, Madel opened it again widely. Something hit her. "What the fuck did just happened last night.. was that a dream?" she uttered to herself. And it all flashed before her: the rooftop; David Cook; the song and then; THE kiss, the fucking KISS. Madel sat up on the thought and pushed the blanket off of her. She tried remembering what else happened. She knew she.. fell asleep.. on David's shoulder. Right, on David's shoulder. "Then how the hell did I get here? Oh shit. Was that really just a DREAM?" She clutched her hair with her hands resting her elbows on her folded legs. "Crap, I can't remember..", she muttered. "..was it a dream?"

Just then, the door swung open and it was Ramiele. "Good morning, Maddie! Carly made some breakfast, come on out!", she told her. Ramiele has already taken her shower and was already dressed up.

"What time is it, Raym?", she asked, ignoring the breakfast.

"It's uhm.. 7:55."

"Shit." Madel quickly got up from bed and headed out to the bathroom in an instant, leaving Ramiele in the room. She heard the girls greet her and offer breakfast on her way to the bathroom but she just smiled at them. She needs to get things done before 8:30. Madel hates running out of time and end up cramming things up, so she's in a hurry. In the shower, she kept remembering what else had happened after she has fallen asleep. Well, at least she clearly knew she has fallen asleep not on her bed but on David's shoulder. But Madel still could not figure out how she has gotten to her bed or if that was even a reality, until she had finished her shower. Madel knew one way too find out, to bloody ask David. Of course yes, ASK DAVID. But what if that's just a dream? Oh well..

After she has put on a white graphic tee, a pair of skinny jeans and her green flip-flops, Madel went out to the kitchen and grabbed a slice of bread. The girls were already downstairs except her and Brooke, who, luckily, also got up late. After both of them were ready, they quickly headed downstairs to get in the van and into the studio just in time.


"Good morning, miss." David whispered to Madel's ear as he reached her.

Madel stood as she browsed through her songbook and was quite taken aback by the breath to her ears. "Oh, hello. Good morning!", she greeted him back. David leaned down and kissed her on her cheek. Madel's heart skipped a beat. And with that good morning kiss, she knew what happened last night was no dream.

"Wait, what's our theme again?", he asked as he reached for a songbook with his name and '1982' on it.

"Songs on the year we were born.", Madel replied as she looked down to the lyrics again. She then remembered that she needs to ask David about last night, it's as if she got drunk and didn't know if she had sex or something. But it's no big deal, anyway.

"Do you know what to sing?" David asked with the songbook in his hand.

"Honestly, I barely know the songs. But I do know some of these artists, though. Oh, I don't know, David." She shook her head. "Ugh. That's why I hate Thursdays. I hate picking songs. There has never been a theme that I got comfortable with so far, really."

David chuckled. "Let me see.." David took Madel's songbook and scanned it. She joined him looking through her list as they sat down on the floor.

Madel spotted a song. "Oh, that's what you sang during your audtion, right? 'Livin' On A Prayer'."

"Oh, right." His face lit up. "That was it." They both scanned through the lyrics. "You know.. you could sing that for me, Madel." David smirked.

Madel chuckled. "The lyrics are really nice. 'We're half way there/Livin' on a prayer/Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear/Livin' on a prayer/We've got to hold on ready or not/You live for the fight when it's all that you've got/We're half way there/Livin' on a prayer/Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear/Livin' on a prayer'," she read. "It's really nice.. But don't you think it could be a little bit.. soon? I mean, we're not 'half-way there', are we? Actually, I would want to sing you a song that really, truthfully speaks about how I feel for you, like the songs you sang to me, David. But don't get me wrong, honey, this song is beautiful I swear."

"Yeah, I completely understand. Maybe you could sing this to me some other time, honey.", David replied.

She smiled. "Of course, I promise."

"Hmmm, let's see this again.", he suggested, going back to the list and scanning it again for a few seconds. And then, "Bingo!" David tapped his finger on a song title. "Baby, sing 'Take My Breath Away' for me, will you?"

Madel grinned. She knew that song very well. "Why, of course I will!" They both chuckled and stared at each other smiling. Madel finally has her song for next week's show, with the help of her David. "How about you? What are you gonna sing?", she asked.

"I spotted Billie Jean by Michael Jackson. But I remember Chris Cornell's version of it so maybe I'll just go with that one.", he answered quickly.

She nodded. "Oh, David.." Madel is finally asking him the question that has been bothering her since she woke up.

"Yes, darling?"

"Uhm, last night.. I fell asleep on your shoulder, right?"

"Mm-hmm."

"So.. how did I get to my bed and woke up on it this morning? You.. carried me?", she asked uncomfortably.

"Oh, that? Actually, I was planning to carry you to our apartment but then, I saw your key in your jacket's pocket so i just decided to bring you to your apartment. I saw the first door open and Ramiele was sleeping in so I knew it was your room. I just laid you on the other bed." David answered. "Why do I have a feeling that this has been bothering you.."

Madel chuckled. "Actually.. yes." She chuckled again. "But don't think I'm suspecting anything.. I was just plain curious.", she defended herself.

David laughed. "Of course, baby."


Afternoon came by and so as dinner. They have all eaten dinner down at the dining hall since all of them were present tonight. Unlike some other dinners, some of them were out with their families and friends that came by to see them. Tonight, all of them were gathered together and they had a lovely supper. They all headed to the girls' apartment after eating and they watched anything they have found on the telly. They all laughed and chatted and shared that night. No mouth was left unopened during their bonding session.

After a few hours, it was almost midnight and it's time to turn in. The boys have all gone back to their apartment except David since he wanted to bid a special 'goodnight ' to Madel.

The other girls were already in their rooms leaving the two of them in the living room. They sat on the couch and talked for a few more minutes.

"David, I'm sleepy." Madel yawned. "You better go back upstairs now. And I miss Rami already. I've been with you all day."

"But, babe, I'll miss you.." David clutched her hands.

"There's still tomorrow, okay?"

"Tomorrow will always be another day, babe. And I don't want this to last yet.", he replied, almost pleading.

"No.", she said firmly and got up from the couch but David was still holding her hand and so he pulled her down and she landed on his chest. "David!", she almost yelled.

David hugged her and he pinned her down to the couch.

Madel chuckled. "David? You know the girls are still awake." she whispered.

"I know, baby. But I just can't help it. Don't sleep yet..please."

"Alright, alright!" she finally agreed and David's face lit up. "But will you release me for a second?"

He released her and she sat up. And then Madel stood up from the couch. David was quite confused, she agreed that she's not yet going to sleep. But Madel shook her hand up and down, signaling David to stand up. And he did. Madel wrapped her arms around David's back, resting her head on his chest. "It was a wonderful day I had with you, David." He rested his cheek on her head and they lingered there for a moment as their feet slowly travel together. They almost would never want to let go. "I hope this goes forever. You know.. just you and me.", she uttered softly.

"Baby, I swear I would do anything, whatever it takes.. only to be with you." He kissed her hair and Madel looked up to him. She stood on her toes and she kissed his lips lovingly and tenderly. A moment like this is priceless, nothing could ever compare.

I was literally smiling the whole time I read this
Love it

and you made me smile!
thank you so much!

i'm starting the next chapter now..
thank you for all those who are dropping by..

Yay!
Can't wait!

*smiles broadly*
That.
Was.
A.
Great.
Update.

I think I just melted into mere puddle... That was so romantic!

I don't know what to say, I'm speechless...

But, it was a fun chapter, and definitely placed a smile on my face!

MORE, MORE, MORE!!! Keep up the fab work!

Ahh I loved it so much <333 Perfect chapter!

Thank you so muuuuch!