Amber hopped into her red Mustang convertible and drove down the long driveway. Normally she would ride with her sister to school but since she had rehearsal she was by herself. Jonas would most likely pick up Sabrina anyway. She thought it was nice that her sister had a nice boy in her life. The two were not officially boyfriend/girlfriend but Amber was certain it would happen soon enough. As for herself she was happy being single. She went out a few times with some boys but her love was music. Music was her passion. Her father would say she got that from her mother. Amber was proud of her mother's accomplishments. How she wished she could be just like her! More than anything Amber wanted to sing. Record albums, have adoring fans! Star on Broadway! It was her dream since she was a little girl. She loved to dance and sing. When her grandparents would visit, she would put on little performances for them and they just loved it. Not because she was their granddaughter and they felt obligated. It was because they truly believed her to have talent. Just like Howells. Nana and Pop. That's what she always called them. She loved her real grandparents of course. Kimberly Grant was her Grandma. Sandra Caldwell (married to Theodore Caldwell much to the delight of Ginger) was Grams. Lovey Howell would always be her Nana. She loved her dearly. Never missed any play or musical she was in. Right there in front row cheering her on. Mr. Howell, her Pop, right beside her applauding just as hard. Both were proud of Amber. Joshua Grant was her Grandpop. She did not refer to Theodore as her grandfather but he allowed her to call him Theo. Both men also never missed a performance of hers.
Amber came into town and stopped at a red light. Her eyes saw a huge poster with her mother's picture on it. It was the anniversary of the release of a film she had done many years ago. Her mother was certainly a knock out then and still was. She prayed one day she would see herself on a poster like that! And maybe have a terrific man like her father.
Ginger had told her about the wolves in Hollywood and warned her to be very careful. Directors and producers may seem like they have your best interest in mind but it could all be a lot of smoke. She took this advice to heart as she was not unaware of how Ginger used to be chased around by such men. It angered her to think of it. She was glad that her mother had her father. No one dared mess with Ginger knowing they would have to face the wrath of Roy Hinkley Jr. He was very protective of her and if anyone tried to say anything bad about his wife there was hell to pay.
The light turned green and she drove off towards the high school. It was such a pleasant day she hated to have to waste it spending it in school but there was nothing that could be done. She didn't really mind school too much. Amber was very popular but she chose her friends carefully. The last thing she wanted some stupid girl or boy trying to get close to her so they could get near her famous mother. She hung out with a select group. Her best friend in the world who also happened to be the daughter of one Mary Ann and William Gilligan. Amber was so happy that the Gilligans had moved back to the mainland. As much as they loved Hawaii, they just felt like it wasn't home. At first it did but as time grew on, they were being called back home. Skipper, who she just loved and was her dear Pappy, had retired from his business and moved to Texas with his wife Alice. His children Adam and Gloria had also decided to move with them. The two were as close as can be to their father and being that they were deprived of his presence growing up, they did not wish to be far away. It made their children happy too. Chris and Toby were excited that their Mom moved back. Especially since Chris and Mary Ann's sister Kathleen had two children. Two boys. William Conrad Norbanks, after her favorite brother in law and her father. And Thomas Christopher Norbanks after Chris' father and himself.
Amber became fast friends with Ashley Gilligan. The two girls were as close as Ginger and Mary Ann were. Ashley closely resembled her mother. Same brown eyes, same brunette locks and was a terrific cook. Her mother taught her well. Ashley excelled in home economics that was for sure. She talked about maybe opening her own restaurant someday but of course that was way into the future. Both girls thought it was cool how their parents met on that island. In particular both were amused at how clueless their fathers were. Amber could not fathom how her own father could not jump immediately at the chance to be with the glamorous Ginger Grant! What was wrong with him!
Ashley was puzzled how her father could have been timid around someone as sweet as Mary Ann Summers. How he could not set out to make her his was something she could not comprehend. She laughed at how her Nana, Mrs. Howell, told her about the matchmaking efforts and how they paid off. Ashley thought Mrs. Howell was a wise woman. As did Amber who delighted in the story about her parents being matched up.
Amber pulled into her space at the high school and shut off the engine of the car. She opened the door stepping out. She ignored the looks from the boys as she walked up the steps and inside the building. She made her way over to her locker and smiled seeing her friend. "Hey!" She greeted to Ashley.
"Hi!" The brunette replied. "Big dance is Saturday? You have a date yet?"
Amber rolled her eyes. "You've asked me that every single day. I told you that I'm not interested. I'm going to be singing at the dance. I don't have time…"
"Oh nonsense!" Ashley said. "You can still go with someone! What about Scott? You know you like him."
Amber smiled to herself. It was true that Scott Wilkerson was pretty cute. He was also a bit of a science nerd who was friends with her brother. Her mother always told her to not discount the smart boys. They weren't always nerds. They could turn out to be the best man in the world. Just look at her father! He was the best thing that ever came into her life. "I suppose I could ask him. What about you? You going with Edward?"
Ashley nodded. "I am. I need to get a dress though. You want to go after school?"
"I can't. I have rehearsal. Sabrina is going with Mom though. Maybe you could join them."
"Maybe. Come on. We should get to class."
The bell rang and they two girls scurried to the class room taking their seats. Attendance was taken and then they all stood reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The students then took their seats and Miss Geist began her lesson.
Amber's mind began to wonder. She thought about the rehearsal after school. It was a tough role for her to play Eliza. More than she thought it would be. She then clutched the gold cross that was around her neck. Never did she go a day without a cross necklace. It was a reminder to her of how her savior Jesus was always with her and that He loved her.
It was instilled in her by both her parents. All three kids were equally versed in the Bible and always turned to it when troubled. Never did they miss a church service. Amber loved going to church not just because she would sing in the choir but she thought Father O'Brien was the best speaker. She always listened intently to his sermons. Very inspirational to her.
The redhead knew that Jesus would be there giving her strength to pull off the role of Eliza Doolittle. She had the talent. Everyone said so. And someday she would be a big star. That she would never ever stop believing.