Chapter 21-Music Video

A/N And the next chapter…

Ever wondered the unusual stresses of being a preteen tomboy? We are often over-looked, but what goes through our minds is nothing like what you see. My name is Max, and welcome to my world.

Laura-Stars

"So, you understand?" Sid, the choreographer checked.

I nodded quickly. "Do the routine, then quick hair and outfit change, then I do it again, then I change, then I do it again…"

Sid nodded excitedly, "You got it. Then we photo-shop you in all over, dressed differently,"

"And, camera's rolling in, three, two, one, action!" the director said, pressing the button as I did my quick hip-hop routine. It was only about two minutes long, as the rest of the video would be them on a stage.

"Okay, come on sweetie, let's get you changed," a friendly woman, my stylist Lindy, said from behind a curtain. I ran off quickly and into the changing room as she held up my next outfit. I'd been told the drill. I come in, remove my clothes, put the new ones on then we sorted out hair. I slipped off the black leggings and long pink top, starting to climb into my jeans, crop top and leather jacket. She quickly pulled out my pigtails and put my hair in a ponytail.

The morning pretty much went like that. I'd do the routine, change, do it again. Over and over, for hours on end. I didn't even see my dad in that time, but I needed to remember he was busy. This was his job and I was helping him.

Laura-Stars

Finally, at dinner time, dad came. Everyone was packing up.

"So, how'd my little superstar do?" Dad asked Sid, pulling me close in a hug.

"Good," Sid replied, "You've got a lot of natural talent there, Maxi, and you're gonna make this video what it is."

I smiled, "thanks,"

"So, see you tomorrow then?"

"See ya,"

"High five," I smacked Sid's hand as dad led us out to the parking lot.

"So, how'd you like working with Sid?" dad asked when we were in the car.

"Good," I replied, nodding, "It was fun,"

"And you felt comfortable doing it?"

I nodded again.

"Like Sid said, you've got a lot of talent. What do you want to be when you grow up?"

"I want to…" I thought about it. I wanted a lot of things. I wanted to play on the Red Sox, but that was for boys. In fact, all the sports I wanted to go were only really 'big' for boys. I sighed, "I want to dance," I decided.

"Really?!" Dad looked excited. "Good choice, Max, you know, I could make that happen,"

"Not right now though,"

The look on dad's face when I said that crushed me.

"I mean, I don't want to be big right now. I love doing little bits like this, but, I wanna be a kid too,"

"Okay," dad nodded. Then he suddenly had an idea, "do you sing?"

I shrugged, wondering whether to tell him about my song. "A little,"

"Hey, I've got the afternoon off, how about we record you a few songs, just for fun,"

I smiled, not wanting to disappoint him. "Yeah," I said, as we pulled into McDonalds.

"You like McDonalds, right?" he checked. "I heard most kids do,"

I smiled, "Of course I like McDonalds, dad."

Laura-Stars

"So, what do you want to sing?" dad asked as I stood in the booth. "Do you have any original songs?"

"I have one," I admitted, "But the music to it's never been recorded."

"Well, could you sing it without? Or do you want to sing a cover?"

"Could I try my own?"

"Sure darling, ready when you are,"

I began to sing my song. When I'd finished I looked up to see my dad's shocked (happy shocked) face. "It's called Dragon (That's What You Wanted)," I said with a smile.

Dad smiled, "it sounds like it was written by a professional. And your voice! Are you sure you've never been trained?"

My smile grew.

"Do you want to sing another song for me, or call it a day?"

I thought for a moment, "Call-" I stopped seeing his disappointment, "Me Maybe," I saved, "Call me Maybe, that's the song I want to sing,"
"Ready when you are," he agreed.

Laura-Stars

"You are amazing," dad repeated as we ate dinner. "The triplets love you, the team love you, I love you! I bet Zack will love you soon as well,"

"Dad, stop," I moaned.

He laughed, "Come on, Maxina, just admit it, admit that you're really talented."

"Fine, I'm really talented. Can we talk about something else?"

"Well, like what?" he asked.

"Like…" I thought, then asked the burning question on my mind. "How did you and mom split up?"

Dad sighed. "I guess you're old enough,"

"To know what?"

"Well you know how your sister Halie-"

"Hailee," I corrected.

"Hear me out. You know how she came from incest, between your mom and her twin?"

"Yes," I said.

"Well. Your mom fled England when she was pregnant with Halie, to Canada. That's where I met her. When your mother had Halie, questions came up about the father, and wanting to do a DNA test, but your mother wanted to keep he babe. So, she sent me to flee to Boston with her baby Halie, her following after. Your mom changed hers and Halie's names when we fled. I looked after Halie for about six months just to be safe, and when we were re-united, she said to me, 'I love you and your bravery, and I want you to be the father of my next Hailee.' Then, eighteen months later, you popped out. My only condition was on your name. I wanted to name you Maxina, after my late mother," the tears were already on his cheeks.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah," he nodded. "But after she had you, she didn't want to see me anymore, except rarely. I never chose to leave you Maxina, she made me. She threatened to hit me. I'm so, so, sorry,"

"It's okay," I shrugged, "She's hit me before," I turned around, lifting up my back to reveal the scars. "I jumped in the way of Hailee, then she cut Hailee's hair,"

"Oh, Max, I'm so, so, sorry the two of you lived like that."

My name is Max, and welcome to my world. Everything's explained.

A/N Happy Friday! And end of term! On Sunday there'll be another chapter, and a thank you for each review. Please review! It means a lot!

Laura x