Ok so here is the rewritten version of chapter one. Not alot has changed. A few sentences have been added here and there and I changed the song she sang for her audition. But mostly it's still the same.
Disclaimer: I don't own the original characters or anything pertaining to the show Victorious such as Hollywood Arts high school. They belong to Dan Schneider. The song used in the chapter is Skyscraper by Demi Lovato; I absolutely love Cimorelli's cover of the song, but I don't actually own it or the lyrics.
The drive from New York to L.A. was long but the West girls avoided planes unless absolutely necessary. Sixteen year old Eden looked over at her mother Jade. "You know you didn't have to do this for me mom. I know how much you loved writing and producing for Broadway," she said. "You're right. I did love it, and I got to live my dream that I worked hard to achieve, but now it's your turn. Your grandfather never approved of me wanting to perform and write. He always told me my dreams were stupid and that I'd never amount to anything. I never want you to feel like that," her mother told her. "I love you mom," she said. "I love you too Edes. You know what song you're doing for the audition?" Jade asked. "Yup," Eden said simply. "Gonna tell me what it is?" her mom asked. "Nope it's a surprise," Eden said. "Well I hope you're ready because we're here," Jade said as they pulled into Hollywood Arts parking lot.
"Ready for this year's auditions?" Beck asked Andre as they walked down the hall to the black box theatre. "Yup, should be interesting," Andre said. "Why's that?" Beck asked. "Because one of them is Jade's daughter," Andre said simply. "Really? I thought she was in New York?" Beck asked a little stunned. "She got hired to write and produce a new show so they moved out here," Andre explained. "Cat really didn't tell you?" "Uh, no she didn't," Beck said slightly bewildered. "Pretty cool though, having the whole gang back in one place, "Andre said. "Yea, yea it will," Beck murmured as they walked into the black box.
Auditions had been underway for a while and Jade was starting to get impatient as she waited for Eden's turn. She looked around the black box and noticed that not much had changed, other than the fact that they let returning students sit in on auditions, and that Beck and Andre seemed to be the ones holding them. Interesting. She broke out of her thoughts when she heard her daughter's name. "Eden West!" Andre called. "That's me," Eden said as she walked onto the stage. "Alright, it says here you want to go to Hollywood Arts for singing and writing. What have you got prepared for us?" Beck asked. "A song I wrote about a year and a half ago," Eden said as she began to sing.
Skies are crying
I am watching
Catching teardrops in my hands
Only silence, as it's ending, like we never had a chance
Do you have to, make me feel like there's nothing left of me?
You can take everything I have
You can break everything I am
Like I'm made of glass
Like I'm made of paper
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper
As the smoke clears
I awaken, and untangle you from me
Would it make you, feel better to watch me while I bleed?
All my windows, still are broken
But I'm standing on my feet
You can take everything I have
You can break everything I am
Like I'm made of glass
Like I'm made of paper
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper
Go run, run, run
I'm gonna stay right here
Watch you disappear, yeah
Go run, run, run
Yeah it's a long way down
But I'm closer to the clouds up here
You can take everything I have
You can break everything I am
Like I'm made of glass
Like I'm made of paper, ohhh woaah
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper
The entire theatre started clapping as she finished. "Eden that was amazing," Andre said. "Thank you," she said as she walked off the stage and sat next to her mother. "That was beautiful sweetie," Jade told her. "Thanks mom," she said as they sat back and watched the rest of the auditions. The rest of the auditions flew by and soon everyone got up to leave. "What do you say we stop for pizza on the way to the apartment?" Jade asked. "Sounds good," Eden said in a distant tone. "What's wrong?" Jade asked. Eden sighed. She should've known her mom would realize something was wrong. "What if I don't get in? Then you'll have given up Broadway for nothing," Eden said worriedly. "Sweetheart, you did wonderful. I'm gonna wake you up tomorrow morning after I get the phone call, and tell you what I already know. You're gonna get in," Jade said reassuringly as they walked out the doors.
"Renee Jamison?" Beck asked. "No! She reminded me way to much of Trina. Not to mention her grades are way too low. There's no way she'd be able to handle the regular course work on top of the performance arts classes" Andre stated. "Ok," Beck chuckled, "Parker Stephens?" "Yea. A little rough but with the right coaching and the right classes he could be really good," Andre explained. "Alright last is Eden West," Beck said. "Definite yes. Girl for sure got her mom's talent. She could be big if she wants to be," Andre said. "You're right, she's good. Maybe even better than Jade was," Beck said. "Don't let Jade hear you say that," Andre said chuckling, "Let's start making those phone calls."
"Hello?" Jade asked as she answered the phone. "Jade? It's Andre, I'm calling about Eden's audition. We thought she was great and her grades meet the requirements, so we expect to see her at Hollywood Arts tomorrow morning," Andre explained. "Really?! That's wonderful. I'll be sure to tell her and I'll make sure I have her there first thing tomorrow," Jade said. What she didn't realize as she hung up the phone was that Eden had been walking back from the bathroom and had heard the whole conversation. All she could think as she lay down in her bed was that her mom was right. She got in. If only her dad were here.