Page 48 of Playing With My Heart Strings

“Welcome back toHeart Strings.Those of you at home just witnessed a heart-hammering fourth episode, but we’re not finished yet. Unfortunately, tonight is an elimination, and each of the members of the losing team from the escape room challenge are at risk.” He pauses for effect. “Tonight’s voting is going to operate a bit differently from the past episodes, so don’t get up from your seats quite yet. Your voting matters more than ever, and this will also be the first time you’ll get to hear three of the six contestants perform live.”

Sage, Valerie, and I all exchange glances.

“Yes, you heard me correctly, folks. Tonight, each of the ladies at risk of elimination will be performing, but they don’t know what.” Once he finishes his sentence, a screen on stage shows Katherine, Aspen, and Jade all in different rooms with noise-canceling headphones on. “All three of the women will perform the same song—the song that earlier this week you all voted for on social media—and America, you will get to decide who moves on based not only on what you’ve seen from tonight’s episode, but also the voices and talent of our contestants.”

“The same song?” Valerie’s eyes widen like she’s processing what Jarrod just announced.

“Let the battles begin.” Jarrod shoots a smile at the camera, and then the lights go dim.

Jade comes out on stage first. She looks a bit nervous, and even though we’re sitting far from the stage, I can tell she’s gripping the microphone tightly as the curtain behind her rises, revealing a full band who starts to play the introduction to Pam Tillis’s “Maybe It Was Memphis.”

Right off the bat, it’s clear she’s either extremely nervous or doesn’t know the words to the song. Valerie cringes from her seat next to me as she misses the cue to start singing the verse. It looks like she has ears in, too, so she shouldn’t have missed it if she knew the song.

Jade’s voice doesn’t fit the song. I’m not sure what she sang during the auditions, but it must’ve been something in a different genre or something modern.

The song ends, and I let out a long breath. I feel for Jade, because that performance was rough. It’s probably going to take Aspen or Katherine performing horribly for her to make it through the elimination.

Katherine performs next and completely steals the show.

“She was made to sing nineties country.” Sage bites her bottom lip as Katherine exits the stage. “It was like being transported back a few decades.”

“She’s definitely a frontrunner when it comes to performing,” Valerie agrees, nodding.

I think we can all agree that Katherine has secured her spot in the next week.

“Now, Aspen,” I sigh as I train my eyes on the stage. “Is it wrong of me to hope she messes up worse than Jade?” I say it under my breath, but not nearly quiet enough that the othersdon’t hear. Sage lets out a soft chuckle as Valerie quickly shakes her head.

The same intro of the song starts playing, and while the song doesn’t fit her voice as well as Katherine’s, Aspen still gives an incredible performance. Not only does she have a great voice, she has great stage presence. I’m not sure what the producers were trying to do by letting us watch, but if it was to intimidate us, I’m afraid it’s working—even if it is only a little bit.

It’s a bit frustrating. Even though we’re all guaranteed to stay another week, the audience is getting to hear the other three girls sing, which could give them an advantage. They’ve only heard us sing in the auditions, and potentially any dates I haven’t been on. If voice and performances play a large role in whether someone winsHeart Strings, then Sage, Valerie, and I are being handed the short end of the stick right now.

Jarrod Stone walks back out on stage, switching places with Aspen. “Well, folks, there you have it. Those were our performances of the night. Now, you’ll be able to cast your vote for your favorite singer. Voting will end after this break, when we’ll come back and reveal the results. And remember, the contestant with the least amount of votes will be eliminated.”

“I wish we got to vote,” Sage mutters.

“I wish we got to sing,” Valerie says, like she took my thoughts straight from my brain.

“It puts us at a bit of a disadvantage, doesn’t it,” I agree with her, my comment coming out as more of a statement than a question.

“Hopefully we get dates that showcase our musical talent instead of axe-throwing or rollerblading,” Sage remarks.

The group date during the week that Valerie and I had our solo dates must have been rollerblading, then. I chuckle quietly to myself, thankful I wasn’t put on that date.

Our conversation is cut short by music playing and the stage lights kicking on once again.

“We’re back, America!” Jarrod declares. “Before we went to break, you watched three performances. Each woman gave us their own rendition of ‘Maybe It Was Memphis’ by Pam Tillis, but none of them knew they all had to sing it. You’ve now heard three different voices on the same song, and the voting results are in for best performance tonight! Let’s bring out the ladies! Welcome to the stage Jade, Aspen, and Katherine!”

I imagine millions of people sitting at home watching their TV screens intently, hearts pounding as they wait to see if their favorite singer is moving on. Makes me wonder if I’m anyone’s favorite, or if my parents know I’m on the show. I can’t imagine they’d be too eager to watch if they do.

“Ladies, it’s the moment of truth. One of you will, unfortunately, be eliminated tonight. How are you all feeling?” Jarrod asks, leaning in like he’s close friends with all of them.

None of them speak at first, but the look on Aspen’s face radiates confidence.

“I’m feeling great, Jarrod, thanks for asking.” She gives a beaming smile as Jade shrinks back a little.

“Jade, how are you feeling?” Jarrod calls her out.

She shifts nervously on her feet. “It wasn’t my best performance… I know that. But I hope the people at home see enough in me and my relationship with Dusty that they want me to stay. I really want to be here, and I hope I’m given that chance.”

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