I forgot to update again. Yikes. Well, yesterday was pretty busy.

Okay, sorry for keeping you in the dark. Here's the next one! The Talent Show!


The talent show started at three in the afternoon. Astrid, Chase, Frank, and all the other backstage people got into position. Owen was the announcer, and went on about the reason they put on this talent show, explaining the lack of judges and the choice of setting.

When he was done, the first act was shown. Not all of the acts shown were like a typical talent show. There were magicians, like Leo and Bree. The veterinarians showed off a few dogs that were approved by their owners to do tricks. And there was some singers. Instruments were played, stunts were performed, but also, there was art brought into the mix.

Owen did a speed painting and showed the crowd. There was a couple of students from school who put together a video and they showed it on a screen. And that wasn't the end.

Chase could watch the acts from his station. "Great job guys," he told Leo and Bree as they walked off.

"Yeah, that was awesome," Astrid agrees.

"I know, I'm just that great," Leo says, looking into the distance above his head. Bree elbows him in the side. "I mean, we, are that great." They go to the prop hands and Chase focuses on the next act.

Astrid turns up the music. It's a love ballad. Chase peeks out from behind the curtain. It's a pair of dancers. He watches their routine for a few moments, then looks back at Astrid. She has her eyes closed, swaying to the music. The song ends and they walk off stage.

"Do you ever dance?" Astrid asks, noticing that he had been watching.

"Huh? Oh, no not really," Chase says, pressing buttons on his console. "I have two left feet. Never learned how."


The last act was a group of former college cheerleaders. They walk off and Owen comes out on stage. "Last but not least, for there are many talents out in the crowd that haven't shown tonight, here is our last talenteer, Chase Davenport!"

Chase freezes up. He turns to Astrid. "I didn't sign up. How's my name on there!" He panics.

"..Leo told me that you wanted to sign up, but couldn't since you were back here. So I said that you could do both," Astrid says, "He didn't tell you?"

Chase shakes his head. "I don't know what I'm going to do," he says.

"Chase, I'm sure you have a talent somewhere," Astrid encourages.

"Nothing I can show onstage," Chase states.

"Chase you have to get out there. Think!"

Chase concentrates and goes through the memory band of everything he's learned. "Wait! I- I know martial arts," he says.

"Perfect. I'll put up a song for that. Now go!" Astrid pushes him towards the end of the curtain. He straightens himself and walks out. He hasn't finished developing his act yet, so he plans something to say, to stall.

"Hey everyone, I'm Chase," he starts once he reaches the microphone setup front and center, "Most of you know that I'm a genius-"

"Uber nerd is more like it!"

'Who let Trent in here?' Chase wonders to himself. "Anyway, I may be smart and all, but I don't just use my detailed memory for books." He picks out Trent in the crowd, "You can never know what us, nerds, are capable of." He backs away from the mic and gets into stance.

The mic stops humming. Astrid starts the music, which is a soundtrack from a movie. Chase takes a deep breath and starts slow, mimicking the music. He shows the basics, but as the music increases its intensity, so does Chase. He pictures an imaginary opponent in front of him and shows off offense too, as if it was a real fight.

For a moment, he forgets he's on stage. But that moment was only for a second, because then a change in the music brings him back. He does a flip and lands, sweeping his opponent's legs out and flips back up. He stands to face the crowd and bows as a gong rings through the speakers.

There's a beat of silence, and then the crowd erupts into cheers. Chase beams and bows again. The backstage staff comes out as well. They line up, Chase near the middle. Astrid gets the spot to his left.

The ends of the line start joining hands and Astrid doesn't hesitate for a moment. Chase's hand is warm and kinda sweaty from the mock fight. He's surprised by the action, but takes the person's to his right. They all raise their hands and bow together. The group stands there as Owen states their names down the list. Each person bows on their own, stepping up.

"Chase Davenport!" The cheers intensify as he walks forward and bows again. He walks back. "Annie Velton!" A girl somewhere else curtsies. "Astrid Feire!" Astrid lets go of Chase's hand, who had grabbed back on once he stepped back. She does a little dip, not all too comfortable with the attention. She walks back to the line. A few more names were said and the group breaks the line. Chase and Astrid are part of the group that goes back behind the curtain.

"Chase, that was amazing!" Astrid gushes, "I didn't know you could do that."

"There's a lot you don't know about me," he says, "you've only been here for two weeks, three days, eight hours, and twenty-seven minutes." Astrid looks at him odd. "I'm guessing," he shrugs, playing it off. But he keeps the smile he's had since he finished. Astrid looks at it a little, but then her dad calling her snaps her back to reality.

"I have to go help my dad. See you later!" Astrid walks away. Chase watches her for a moment and then turns to find his family in the crowd. When he does, he gets a hug from Bree and a slap on the back from Adam.

"Way to save the day, Chase," Leo says. Chase looks at him.

"Why did you sign me up?" Chase asks, "I didn't have anything prepared and Astrid was right there."

"..That wasn't prepared? You did that from scratch?" Tasha asks. Chase tilts his head back and forth.

"Well.. I created the plan as I walked on stage." He turns his attention back to Leo.

"It all worked well, didn't it?" Leo tries. Chase still gives him a dangerous look. "It's not like you.. Have a crush on her, or anything.." Leo states slyly, "Right?"

Chase straightens his back and agrees, "Right."

Mr. Davenport puts a hand on his shoulder, "That was an outstanding performance, Chase."

"Without Astrid being there, I wouldn't have pulled through," Chase admits, "She's the one that helped me choose what my act was." Chase looks at his siblings. They are thinking the same thing. They all look to Mr. Davenport, even Leo.

"..Okay, yes. You can tell her." They cheer. "But! She has to swear to never tell a soul, even her dad. If she can't make that promise, then I take it back."

"No problem, Mr. Davenport," Chase says, grinning. 'A friend that knows? Yes!'


Felt like Chase should get recognition for his awesome martial art skills.

I will update another chapter today too. Looks like Astrid's going to see some bionics.