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Friday had three practices for Sora and only two for the rest of the cast.

Cathy was pleased with the level of skill that the young acrobat was displaying, but Layla was a little disappointed. Though, the blonde did not say this out loud. Layla chalked it up to Sora getting into the role and decided to wait and see how she was the next day.

That should give her enough time to adjust to the smaller stage.

Saturday morning's practice came and then went. Layla was getting a little worried. The afternoon practice occurred after a lunch break with Sora not doing much better. Layla's long ponytail flared out behind her as she stayed in her ending pose.

There was some clapping from the other cast members and a grin on Cathy's face.

Layla walked off of the stage to grab her sweat towel. Her blue eyes watched as Sora came nearby and took a drink from her water bottle. The teen looked fatigued and in low spirits.

This is not good.

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The night practice didn't have any hiccups.

As per usual, Sora ate with the cast in the hotel dining area and then headed up to her room. With a sigh, she got her pajamas out and laid them on the bed.

Layla's performance is still overshadowing me.

The blonde star had told Sora not to hold back, to give it her all and improvise with whatever moves she felt were appropriate for the scene. Sora was trying to, but even she could tell that she could do better than what she was offering so far.

She was in a funk that she could not shake out of.

I better get out of it soon.

The thought of not letting Layla down boosted her spirits a little. Her old partner was counting on her to make that scene a success.

She padded over to the bathroom, hoping that a nice soak will help.

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In the Sunday morning practice Sora felt that she did a lot better than the past two days.

During lunch, Layla had received a phone call and left the dining area. Sora looked to Cathy to see what it was about, but the director shrugged it off.

"She's always getting calls from recruiters."

Sora could see that happening, especially since she had seen movie producers trying to get Layla into their films when she was the leading lady of the Kaleido Stage. She saddened a little with the reminder that things were different and Layla was no longer in that position.

I'm not even in that position.

She played around with the food on her plate.

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Monday morning's practice was pushed forward as per Layla's request.

Biting back a yawn, Sora stretched out her arms and then her legs for the practice. Layla was with the others doing vocal exercises that made Sora laugh inside.

I wonder if Sarah has to do something like that for her role.

This time she did giggle aloud, but her joy was quickly cut off with the dramatic opening of the main theater doors. Everyone turned around to see who just entered in. Sora heard someone asking another actor who it was, but it all sounded like background noise to her.

Coming down the aisle was none other than the current leading lady of the Kaleido Stage.

Sora went through several emotions as the sudden and unexpected appearance of May Wong strutted down to the stage with all the usual pomp and confidence the teen constantly gave off. Extreme confusion filled Sora which was followed by suspicion and then outrage.

She overheard my conversation with the Boss!

Sora's brows were in a deep frown as she stared at May's smug smirk. The Chinese acrobat stopped right in front of her with her hands on her hips in a haughty fashion.

"Well, well. So this is where you ran off to before our break even started."

Sora bristled at her tone. "What are you doing here May? You can't just barge into places whenever you feel like it!"

May's eyes narrowed in insult. She had a hand up with a finger pointed at Sora in preparation to tell her off when Layla's voice sounded over both of them.

"I invited her."

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AN: Oo snap.