Gabriel
Rehab hurt. Let me tell you that. I've experienced pain, I am a dancer…besides music and food pain is a consistent companion of mine. Luckily it only took one week of the holidays for the concussion to heal and I wasn't bound to the stupid hospital. I wasn't bored, it was always someone there. Liana, Vivian Dustin, and Andrew came by from time to time and entertained me with the newest gossip, food or played games like cards. But there was still a week left and after a boring week at my grandparents, I was allowed to return to the boarding house. Luckily Gramps and Grammy were in a foul mood with Tony being out of the country and Daniel up in Brisbane, spending time with Jen and her family and me in a cast…okay they hated it. They had visited me the day after Tony left, came with Dan who was really annoyed and deprived of sleep, and wanted to know more about the trial against the motorcyclist which I had no idea of…and frankly, I didn't care. Andrew had been there at the time and sat quietly in the corner. He had confessed that he'd promised Tony to look after me and even convinced my family that I could return to the boarding house…surprisingly dad agreed after a week.
Andrew, even being the scholarship holder and having privates made time to really take care of me and assist me in the daily life. We bonded quite well…it hurt to see all the Academy students return one after another and start training again and I couldn't do much but watch.
Right now I was chilling on a stool in Studio 14 while Andrew worked on a variation of Prince Charming.
"Watch that developpé," I said while filming him with his phone. I had to admit he was getting better. The piece ended and I pressed stop and because I was bored watched if the video was any good. I noticed that there were some videos of my sister on it…new ones I didn't know.
"Tony had been messaging you?" I asked.
"She occasionally sends me videos of her training…" he said
"and her free time" I noted and swiped over some photos of her grinning at the camera, with shopping bags on the walk of fame and gushing over Johnny Depp's star.
"Yeah I suppose Noah…forced her to inform me," Andrew said
"Clearly…I see that" I said looking over their WhatsApp chat.
"Dude! Privacy?"
"Well, mate you're the one writing with my sister"
I notice his shift uncomfortably "I am hardly writing with her… I mean the time difference. makes it…difficult" He said carefully.
"Yeah… and it's her who is writing mostly…actually kind of weird she doesn't usually do that!" I grinned.
"Mr. Woolfe?" Miss Raine suddenly was standing in the hallway "Oh good you're here already…Mr. Barrington…I'm afraid you need to leave now Andrew is having his private"
Lily
"So the both of you had a pretty chill time back in Perth?" Liana asked me and Aaron as she helped me sort in some clothes into the closet.
"Yeah…we actually went on a whale watching trip," I said "Aaron sure was excited"
"Oh I'd so get sea sick" Dustin yawned from the bed "I tried surfing once with Tony…I couldn't eat properly for a day and a half…:"
"Speaking of which…Do you know when Tony is arriving?" Aaron asked and put down the drinks
"She should be here any time…why?" Liana said stacking some socks into her drawer.
"Well…because I just saw Vivian and Andrew at the café…being friendly and friendlier…" He said and took a sip from his smoothie "Well…they weren't indicating physical contact...but Vivian looked like she was very interested."
I sighed and not to say anything…not only because Liana tended to get triggered by the sound of Vivian's voice.
"It's not that I hate her" Liana said "But I just don't get that girl…last term she was all over Gabriel and now Andrew…. I don't get it. "
"She's not that bad," Dustin said quietly "She's probably trying to fit in here…"
"Why are you trying to defend her?" Liana shook her head "It's not like she tried to be nice to us or anything…she hardly takes place in fun activities…to get to know us"
"But we didn't try that too… befriend her" Dustin said "Look…what I'm trying to say…that we all needed a year to get to know each other…give her the same…I mean she gets to know us and …I get that she's ambitious…but shouldn't we all be"
"So…have you heard anything from Tony?" Aaron said to change the subject.
"I believe that Gabriel had told me that she had contact with Andrew over the holidays…" Liana said and grinned a little and we exchanged a look.
"Are you two still taking in bets?" Aaron who probably read our minds said.
"Bets?" Dustin asked.
"When the both of them actually get together!" I grinned "Our whole year, minus Tonia, Andrew, Gabriel, and Vivian are in…and even some of the third years and first years…."
"Seriously?"
"Yup…Marlon and Cecily started it all…I'm just treasurer" Liana grinned.
"I think it'll depend on how dense those two really are…" Aaron shrugged.
Andrew
Mrs. Raine had just killed me in private…I mean I kind of did like the private…this one on one time where she'd point out all my flaws…but she didn't have to be so brutal.
I wasn't in the mood to go back to my dorm…Gabe…I mean Gabriel would be there…and I didn't want to upset him by talking about the private…it would have been an inevitable conversation…and Gabriel had still a long way to recovery.
So I instead made my way down to the café, ordered a mango shake and went through my phone and remembered the convo I had with Gabriel about Tony. It was weird…I didn't want to write her…and still, I did…and I wasn't even sure why...maybe it had to do with the time difference…but I also was still a bit upset, I guess, that she was in LA with that…guy….it was truly confusing…Blake had just laughed when I told him this….and said about hormonal problems…really supportive right?
"Deep in thought?" A voice approached me and I looked up to see Vivian.
The blonde had sat down in a chair next to me and looked at the phone.
"Antonia…I see…" she said "any news?"
"No…she must be on a flight back…so…" I said and looked suspiciously at her…we have been classmates for good six months…but hardly had talked…Vivian was a loner…sometimes hung around Lily, occasionally with Bubbles and Carole…but didn't have a clique…she was way too focused on training to bother.
"I was wondering," Vivian said and looked at her nails, that were cleanly trimmed and polished "is Tony…dating Noah? Now that he isn't our teacher anymore…"
"Not that I know," I said quite quickly and a bit angry…why the heck…
"Just saying…we…I mean I have been wondering…she and he are pretty close…and she was invited to live in his home for the last three weeks…I'm sure that they're not only close…but closer…I mean we all are thinking that…"
"Who do you mean with us?" I asked.
"Carole, Bubbles…Tristan…and Stella from 1st year had asked me if I know about them as well…" Vivian said "Anyway…this is not what I wanted to talk to you about…."
She hesitated then started again "I was wondering…If you'd like to partner up with me this term"
"With me?" I said to assure that she was talking to me "But why?
"Silly" she laughed and hit my arm playfully, "I think you're good and now we have an equal number of girls and boys in class…so I don't have to share my dance partner….and I wanted to volunteer to sort of give up Gabriel…so Lily can dance with him and all…and I thought about you…"
"Probably because I got the scholarship right?"
"I would be lying if I said no…." Vivian said and casually took a sip from my drink and grinned "I think we can learn from each other…I can show you a few tricks that are up my sleeve…we could easily beat the competition and maybe even get into the Coupe de dance….."
"I don't know" I was pretty comfortable with T as my partner.
"You know that if we can make it to New York, you'll have the opportunity to work with the best choreographers and companies all over the world will see you…not to mention that you can win scholarships," she said twisting around the straw and winked at me.
I hesitated, sure I wanted to have the opportunity to show my talent…and the chances that the Sydney Company wouldn't take me were high…but I actually thought that Munchkin and I….
"Don't let yourselves be distracted by little things?" Vivian said as if she had read my mind "I know that Antonia is a good friend and all…but she clearly isn't thinking about you when she is having all these amazing opportunities…and even not…her name will open doors for her all over the word…people like us don't have this chance…so we have to stick together"
That was true though…. "Okay…let's partner up" I nodded.
"Great!" Vivian smiled and stood up "I'll inform Miss. Raine about this…maybe she'll put in a private duet lesson for us…merci Andrew…oh…and your hair is getting quite long….I can cut it for you if you like"
She said and gave me a short and quick peck on the cheek winked and left the café…
Dustin
Call me naïve but I don't believe that Vivian only has bad intentions. Nobody is just mean for meanness sake and this comes from the guy who was brought up with three mean guys in the family…they were to me at least…but their meanness came from ignorance.
So I found her in a studio rehearsing. Of course. She always spends the late evening hours just before curfew training whilst the others chummed together in the common room.
"Hello Dustin," she said immediately when I stepped into the studio "
"Hi Vivian," I replied trying to figure out what piece she was practicing.
"I don't suppose you're here to train with me," she said and glanced up and down at my clothing "Nice outfit by the way…you always have a very special taste in clothing choice…"
I shrugged "So, I heard some rumors…."
"And you're inquiring what is true about them?" Vivian smiled "This school is way too consumed with gossiping…I suppose that Messi said something…"
"Messi was not yet informed," I said, "Yet…but I don't care about his messages anyway…"
"Sure…that's why you're here right?"
"Listen, Vivi…tell me are you interested in Andrew"
"It depends on what your definition of interested is"
"In the same way, you are interested in Gabriel?"
"No…" she smiled "He's sweet but not my type…but I have to say he is a good dancer and beneficial for my chance to get a ticket to New York…"
"So you just want to partner up with Andrew…because of the coup?" I mumbled… a bit relieved?
"Yes…" she paused "However I wouldn't mind if anything more than this would happen…"
"But you just said that…"
"I still like Gabriel…do not get me wrong…but at the moment he's not the perfect person to put your bets on…and as far as I've learned Andrew works well with partners he has a close relationship with…that's why he and Antonia work so well together…if we take the ridiculous childish fighting of theirs aside."
"Just don't do something you'll regret…," I said.
"I'm sure I won't," Vivian said, "I choose and plan my actions accordingly…"
"But you have to consider the others as well…and their feelings" I sighed.
"Look…if they want to be together…so be it…but I won't try anything to make them kiss and make up…I'm looking after my own bottom….and if I think that I have the best chance of winning the coup with Andrew as my partner. I'll do anything to achieve that…."
"So…that's why you're doing this…to win the coup?" I said
"Question back…why aren't you doing everything you can to win the coup?"
I had to think about that a minute
"Because I want to win it fair and square?"
"That sounds more like a question than a statement Dustin…." She sighed "Ballet isn't fair…and in dance fair doesn't mean equal…everybody should have an equal opportunity…but it's still fair when an individual does anything to take this opportunity"
"But is playing around with others' feelings worth it? What if it was you?"
"Sweet Dustin…but don't pretend you're concerned…I am a monster in your books currently"
And I had to admit yes…she was a monster…somebody I couldn't understand. Playing with Andrew, Tony, Gabriel and Liana's feelings….but she was wrong with one thing….I wasn't pretending…I really was concerned for her.
Jen
"Seriously…I am so not excited for the tour!" Aria explained as she stuffed some dance clothes in her bag "and that is not only because of the smelly old tour bus we'll be stuck in for hours and hours..."
"Actually I'm not looking forward to that too but I think it'll be fun to perform for the different communities and besides…there are some neat places to visit," I said and sorted out some clothes of mine.
"It'll be fine…" Daniel said…he was sitting in the corner of our room and were sewing on ribbons on the new sets of pointe shoes "Personally, I loved the visit to the blue mountains "
"Oh, yeah…the flies, the mosquitos…" Aria said and rolled her eyes.
"Always so optimistic Fletscher…" Dan grinned and threw a finished pair of point shoes onto Aria's bed "By the way…do you know that Marlon and Cecily have left the campus together…with some photographer…? I am not sure what that's supposed to mean"
"You're such a gossip girl Barrington," said Aria but grinned "Yeah he was pretty excited by it…they seem nice together…and Cecily is the kind of girl that will put the idiot in his place…"
"Yeah Luke told me that Marlon had taken a whole hour to text Cece, he wanted to make sure to type the perfect message," I grinned and folded another pair of leotards and put them back into the drawer.
"You mentioned he-who-should-not-be-named, Love," Dan said amused and got hit by Aria with a fluffy pillow.
"Shut up Barrington!" said Aria, who'd turned red.
"Seriously what has been going on with the both of you?" Dan asked chuckling.
"Barrington I swear…."
"All right all right…. Don't lose your Marbles Fletch…I was just asking…we could easily arrange a double wedding" he said and got hit by a pair of point shoes.
"SPEAKING OF WHICH!" I said loudly to get the attention and to distract from the topic LukeXAria "Have I told you that we have a date?"
"Only like….10 times…" Aria said "In the last two days….it'll be in the last week of the summer holidays…end of January…"
"And we actually wanted to ask you something…Dan, do you have it?" I said nervously and looked at my fiancé who searched for a small box in his pocket. He got it out and held it towards Aria.
She looked at the blue box suspiciously. "I am not marrying you Barrington…."
"Just open it Fletscher…" Dan said and grinned.
Aria grabbed the box and opened it and looked at the chain, we had made for her.
It was silver, with a plate that had something written on it.
Aria screamed "YES OFCOURSE I'LL BE YOUR MAID OF HONOUR!" and jumped over to hug me.
"That chain was Dan's idea…." I said, "He said that it had to be something special…"
"Gosh…now I really have to hug you right?" Aria said grinning.
"I don't force you to Fletch" Dan winked
"I'm gonna call mum…I always wanted to be a maid of honor" Aria said and left the room with her phone.
"She is really happy!" Dan said and came towards me to pull me into a hug from behind and rested his head on mine, while I was still folding clothes.
"She is" I smiled "Have you chosen your best man?"
"Not yet….I really can't decide…." Dan sighed "I immediately thought that it'll be one of the twins…but If I choose one of them the other will be upset…I don't want dad to organize the Stags night…so he's a pass…and then there is Gem…."
"She'll do a great job I'm sure," I said, "But you can still decide…"
There was a knock at the door, and we looked up to see Antonia standing in the doorway. She was a bit surprised to see Dan here, I was sure, it was written all over her tired face. She looked at us then cleared her throat, Dan immediately stopped the hug, but casually put his arm around my waist.
"Shamrock, you're back!" Dan grinned and tried to approach his sister "Why didn't you call? I could have picked you up from the airport."
"Dad picked me up, he had his free day and I didn't want to bother you…I wasn't sure if you'd be back from Brisbane"
"We are…Jen is going on Tour the day after tomorrow…."
"Right!" Tony nodded and eyed me.
"So how was your flight?"
"Long!" Tony said shortly and rubbed her eyes to support her argument. She seemed kind of distraught and wasn't really looking at us directly. She also fiddled with the hem of her trademark hoodie.
"Um…I actually wanted to talk to you Jen…since we hadn't had the chance to…after the …after Gabe…"
"He's in good recovery…have you met him?" Dan interrupted.
"Just arrived at the Boarding House" mumbled Tony, with slight annoyance "I didn't get the chance to meet anyone…I directly came here…"
"So…as I said" Tony took a deep breath "I didn't have the chance to talk to you after the day of the accident…and I didn't want to write text…because I really wanted to talk to you personally"
She gulped down something, it seemed like it was large and heavy in her throat.
"Look…" I saw her shuffling her feet nervously, she took a deep breath then forced herself to look me in the eyes "What I am trying to say…is that owe you an apology…How I reacted back then in the hospital wasn't okay…and I apologize for hurting you with my words…I was caught up with my emotions…but that are still no excuse for my words."
"Tony I don't really…it's okay" I said, now getting why she was apologizing. It was a bit uncomfortable seeing her like this.
"No, It's not okay…" she said mumbling to her feet "I needed to say that…and by the way…congrats…I am happy for you two."
"Well…then" smiled and looked at her tilting my head. She looked like Juliet…after she had confessed that she had trashed my favorite tutu years ago when I got accepted into the academy. Back then she was convinced that she could hold me back from going here if she'd rip the tutu…but, in the end, she had been sorry.
I shrugged and gave Tony a big hug, which seemed to surprise her…but hey…it was a big deal to so sincerely apologize.
"Um…," Tony said squirming against my hug a bit.
"You know that I'm not letting you go until you hug me back T," I grinned and felt her slump her shoulders in defeat…till she hugged me back.
"We have to work on those Tony," I said to her after our short hug as I looked at her my hands on her shoulders.
"I'm not really a hugger" she mumbled but blushed a little of embarrassment.
"But with me as a sister in law you'll soon be" I grinned, I just had to think of that.
There was something on Tony's face that changed, her eyes lit up a bit but I could not investigate further before Daniel said.
"Aww...look at you Shamrock…you've always wanted a sister didn't you"
"Shut up!" Tony turned to her brother in her usual tone of voice "Anything is better than a pair of two babbling baboons of brothers…"
"You know you love me…" Daniel grinned and hugged me from behind and rested his chin on my head.
"Stop teasing her Dan," I said and poked him in the side playfully "So how was LA?"
"Amazing! Though I think I never been that sore my entire life…but I had amazing opportunities to dance with different choreographers…I think I'll head there for the next holidays as well." She chatted happily.
"And…you lived at Noah's place?" I asked remembering that Daniel wasn't very happy that she had.
"Yeah, he's renting an old house with some of his friends, they've renovated the whole place to something more modern. They have like….6 bedrooms, one of them for guest and 2 bathrooms a kitchen and a living area…and they transformed the attic into a dance studio…since they are all dancers or dance…"
"And he's living there with whom?"
"It's Noah, Dave, John, Ava, and Mel" Tony counted on her fingers and smiled as if she remembered some stories about every person.
"Um…Tony…" I suddenly said and remembered what I wanted to ask her. I gently pushed down Daniel's arms around my waist and took Tony's hand.
"Tony…I wanted to ask you…if you'd like to be one of my bridesmaids?" I said and looked at her shocked expression smilingly.
"Really?" Tony whispered not believing what I just told her.
"Yes, I'd love it…you, Juliet and Aria...I wouldn't want anybody else…. My best friend and my sisters!"
"I'd be honored!" Tony said and gave me a grin and put gentle pressure on my hand.
"Wait for a second!" Daniel said "But I….it thought...I wanted you as my best man!"
"Too bad" Tony blew a raspberry, "She asked me first"
"I did love" I grinned "While you were indecisive about who you'd choose…I made the decision easy…so you only have to choose between Gemma and Gabe!"
"My advice?" Tony said "Choose Gem…I love Gabe…but you'll stags night will end up in a National Museum if you'll choose him."
She hesitated, before leaving "Danny? Your flight is the day classes start?"
"Yup…" Daniel said a bit sad, he tilted his head and looked at his sister…judging and analyzing her reaction. Tony quickly turned around and waved a bye.
"Then see you…I need to go unpack…"
Andrew
"Good and now lift," Vivian demanded and so I put my hands around her waist and heaved her up my head to let her down on my shoulder and carefully steadied her.
"Nice!" Vivian smiled and patted my face with soft hands "I believe I made a good choice."
"What is that supposed to mean? "I mumbled she kind of made me uncomfortable so close with her intense blue eyes gazing at me.
"Oh you know" she batted her eyelashes and smiled then turned around to fiddle with her bun "Andrew…would your mind?"
She pointed to the bun in which some pins where stuck.
"Oh…right" I quickly pulled out a few so her hair fell onto her shoulder in soft waves.
"Perfect timing…" Vivian smiled.
"Huh?" I wondered.
"We rehearsed a good two hours that' enough for now.:"
I took a look at the clock on the wall above the door…she was right…two whole hours…just then I saw a hint of brown hair and cat-like green eyes…Tony…Oh boy.
"Catch you later Viv'" I said and grabbed my things quickly to run outside and Tony was already making her way down the hall.
"Hey wait up," I yelled
"Don't worry... you can return to your practice." Tony said angrily her ponytail whipping as she walked "I just wanted to say hi…but it looked like you were really busy!"
"That wasn't what it looked like," I justified and earned a perfectly rose eyebrow and look that gleamed disbelieve but she didn't say anything. All in all, she looked tired, however with a nice tan that suited her very well….and she was wearing a flowy dress that looked surprisingly cute on her…wait for focus….
"How was your flight…. you seem tired"
"I'm fine..." she shook her head "I arrived this morning…and I already had a nap…and unpacked everything…"
"Did you see any of the others?"
"Not yet…I have seen the second years though…. I had to apologize to Jen after all…but you sure seemed to have seen some of the others" she clearly meant Vivian by others.
"We were practicing that's all…"
"Yeah right…"
"Hey, don't be mad…there wasn't anyone else there…I mean she and I were free and Viv asked if we can try out to partner up… so she could see if we can team up during the semester and…"
"Oh if Vivi said so!" Tony said ironically "Then hurry along...meet up with that sweetheart and good luck with the coup…. I don't want to bother…just came here to bring you this."
She handed me a bag from which I pulled out a bound together CD and paper sheet.
"What is?"
"I've asked Noah to choreograph a contemporary solo for you…so..."
"I don't need Noah too-"I interrupted angrily but Tony's glare stopped me from talking more.
"Do whatever you want with it?" she said coolly "Vivian probably has one or two ideas about your solo…ask her…oh and that other thin is from me…I need to head back home…I haven't unpacked everything…"
And she went away her ponytail still whipping.
I looked into the paperback and saw some American snacks I've always wanted to try and a Los Angeles Hard Rock Café T-shirt.
Tony
It was the Sunday before classes started and I was currently at home, stressing out over the upcoming lunch. Apparently, Grandpa had formally invited Jen and Dan over and would officially greet them. Grandma was constantly fuzzing over everything and tried to make everything as perfect as it could be. I wasn't even allowed to make me a sandwich for as a snack since crumbs could make a bad impression. So I was hungry and still jetlagged and busied myself with dancing in the attic. Some choreo Noah had given me to try out.
"Antonia?" The was a knock at the door and my dad came in, he paused and waited till I stopped the music.
"Your home?" I panted and stretched.
"Yes, I have just picked up Gabriel...that looked decent. I suppose Mr. Williams choreography?"
"Yeah…"
"He does have this very storytelling aspect in his choreography…a shame that the board felt that his teaching methods weren't appropriate…."
"Yes…he told me that you spoke out for him…I was wondering why…your methods are so different…"
"Well…he has a talent to really tell a story in dances….and I think that is something that you children lack….so many are just focused on technique…"
"Who are you and what have you done with my father?" I had to grin and gained a smile.
"Glad to see that your sarcasm hasn't been left behind in the States…I brought you a little snack…mother probably didn't allow you to make something…." He said and laid down a plate with some sandwiches and a sliced apple from the local bakery
"Thanks, dad" I smiled and sat down "You can join me if you want…"
"Oh…okay sure…but not for long…I need to check up on Gabriel and downstairs…"
"Yeah…how is Gabe today?"
"He's getting tired of the crunches but I believe he is making progress in therapy…"
"But your concern is currently elsewhere? Dan, I suppose?"
"Yes and my father…. I just hope that he'll…behave…"
"Dan?"
"Father…."
An hour later I was ready, dressed for lunch and waited in the living room for Dan and Jen to arrive. Gabriel made his way down also, huffing as he sat down in the armchair next to the TV.
"Hey," I said and sat down across him.
"Hey…" he nodded and fiddled with his crutches that kept falling on the ground.
"Don't bother…" I sighed and helped him out "When is your next doctor's appointment?
"On Thursday"
"Need someone to come with you?"
"Na…Andrew is taking me…" he said and paused "Have you…by the way talked to him in the last few days?"
"Yes, I have" I huffed and got up "Why are you asking?"
"Just…curious…" he mumbled and muttered something.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I rolled my eyes, this wasn't like him and it kind of annoyed me.
"I was just wondering…because you have had contact with him over the holidays…"
"Yeah…pretty one sided…he hardly wrote back…and I apparently now know why…"
"And why?"
"Like you don't know…he's seeing Vivian…"
"He's what?"
"I've seen them train together…a lot in the past days…and Aaron had seen them in the Café together…not that I care…I mean he can see whoever he likes…. But I send him the choreography because I wanted him to keep up with my training so we'd be on one page when partnering this term…but if he's not interested…not my fault…"
Gabriel said nothing…which triggered me a bit more…but I had to calm down since the doorbell rang.
"They're hear…they're hear" Grandma fuzzed.
"We heard you the first time Annalise" Grandpa sighed and put his newspaper away.
Dad was the first at the door and greeted them.
DAN
"I'm nervous…are not you nervous?"
"No dear, as I said…I'm not" Jen grinned and patted my shoulders and straightened out some wrinkles of my sports jacket.
"They are going to be awful…."
"You already warned me…but we can manage…I can manage…can you manage?"
"Most probably…" I gulped and started at the door and being the idiot I rang the doorbell…I had a key good damn it.
"You do realize you have a key son?" It was Dad who opened the door smirking "Good to see you Jen…you look lovely"
He said and greeted us with a short hug before my grandma came fizzing over.
"My my my…aren't you a pretty girl Jenneva...have I said that right? Come in, come in…you don't need to take your shoes…of…or you can …if you like…feel at home…please…..Daniel darling….you look so thin…have you eaten? Of course, not…you're here to eat…."
"Annalise…" Grandpa sighed "Glad to finally meet you, Ms. Marshall…."
He said shortly and coolly as he shook Jen's hand. I put a hand on her back and led her inside the living slash dining room where my siblings were coming over. Gabriel was struggling with the crutches and from the look on his face, just had rejected help that Tony had offered him.
She, I immediately noticed, was wearing a sundress, she wouldn't wear normally…and yet wasn't something Grandma would have bought for her…had her trip to LA made her change her wardrobe.
"Hey Danny," She said beaming up at me and hugged me "Hey Jen…"
Then she hurried away to help Grandma with the food, probably before Grandpa got the chance to tell her to do so. Gabriel decided to just sit down again and waved from his seat at the table.
"Please be seated" Grandpa said, "Fancy something to drink?"
And then began a very uncomfortable silence for around ten minutes while we ate the delicious fish and salad grandma had cooked…until Gabriel broke the silence
"I heard that you're doing Much Ado about Nothing on tour?"
"Yes, I'm dancing Hero," Jen said with a hint of pride.
"You tend to get a lot of leading roles…" Gabriel muttered
"She is one of four…. but to be honest I find her character quite bland…the choreography is nice…but it's not that difficult"
"I wouldn't call a major role in the ballet bland just because it's more artistically" Grandpa piped in.
"Personally I liked to be challenged in my technique with another type of role" Jen answered, "Cinderella and Hero are quite similar artistically..."
"Actually I'd always typecast you in roles like Cinderella," Tony said, "You fit those roles…"
"Luckily you aren't a director my dear" Dad chuckled "It's true that Hero and Cinderella are quite similar…but as far as I know the reason you are Hero is that Ms. Fletscher was more capable as Beatrice…"
"And Luke is dancing Benedict?" Tony asked with a hint of a grin "This should be fun"
Jen and she shared a knowing smile.
"So how is your rehab doing Gabe…you had a doctor's appointment?"
"Yeah…the last will be off in the coming week….and I have to look after that…but the operation went well…so I'll be able to participate in the coup"
"Man, I wish I had the opportunity to participate…back in my academy time nobody won the Prix de Fonteyne….and we didn't participate in the coup…dancing in front of all these companies…." I mumbled.
"But you have enough time now to dance for another company now don't you Daniel," Grandpa said under his breath
"I heard that Mr. Williams is giving some master classes there?" Dad quickly said to Shamrock who nodded but before she could say anything was interrupted by grandfather.
"Mr. Williams as in Noah Williams?" he grunted, "I can't believe that they hired such an incompetent and inexperienced…"
"Noah!" Tony said a bit angry and quite loudly "has a huge repertoire…he's been a soloist at the Austin Ballet and has various projects with contemporary choreography"
"Antonia…do not speak to you grandfather in that tone young lady" Grandma scolded her.
There was silence again until Gabriel broke the silence again.
"So…by the way…do you guys have a date yet?"
"Oh…." Jen smiled widely "Yes…we do…I mean not a specific day…but we narrowed it down to the week"
"Oh really?" Grandma shrieked "How excited tell me all the details"
"I don't think that it's the appropriate time to discuss these matters" grandpa said.
"I do believe that this was the reason you invited me here today" Jen said
"The details of this courtship…not this...this idea of a wedding."
"With all due respect Mr. Barrington…it's not an idea…I am marrying your grandson…and it's not an abstract…we already started planning and of course your all invited we are happy to…but if anyone is unhappy with our decision…this person is welcome not to come…it'll be a shame…but we want to spend the day with happy vibes…" Jen stated.
"No, we'll come," Grandma said in a tone that put a final stamp on it.
"It's the week in January before the new term starts….to avoid clashing with any of our contracts and school for the twins…" Jen smiled "We wanted to marry at my parent's farm but most of our family and friends are here in Sydney so we will do it here…"
"We're looking at venues already and Aunt Charlie is helping us organize it all…"
"You have contact with that woman?" Grandpa yelled
"She is their aunt father," Dad said very loudly "and he's out of age so he can do everything he wants…"
"But I don't allow the twins to see this woman"
"But I am," Dad said
"Have you forgotten what this girl had called us…what she accused us of?"
"And we have done the same father," Dad said "I realized that we should end this stupid charade…the Ramsay family is as much of a part of my children's lives as we are….and we can't remain to be so disconnected to them."
"Humph …and your estranged uncle is coming as well I believe?"
"Yes, we plan on inviting him…I never had a problem with Uncle Jamie…" I said defending my paternal uncle.
Grandpa didn't comment on it anymore…he just scolded.
"Have you picked out a dress yet?" Grandma asked
"Noo not yet…too early" Jen said, "but I've decided that my Aria will be the maid of honor sister, and Tony will be bridesmaids…"
"Really?" Grandma smiled widely at Tony "You will be willingly wearing a dress?"
"Um…Grammy…I am wearing a dress…" Tony commented and added "Willingly…"
"Remind me to send this friend of Mr. Williams a thank you letter for changing your wardrobe," Grandma said.
"Um…back to the topic" Tony bid
"Alright…" I chuckled and said "Jem is going to be my best man…without her I might never have the courage to ask Jen at all…and Gabe will you be one of my groomsmen?"
"I'd be honored "Gabe grinned.
"Oh and T…we'd like you to perform some songs for us…especially the first dance…" Jen said.
"As in singing?" Tony chocked "But…how…why…"
"It would be a nice personal touch instead of a playback…" Jen smiled.
"But why me?"
"You do realize that you have a beautiful voice dear" dad smiled and nipped at his drink "There is a reason why we put you into singing lessons instead of advanced piano"
"Thanks…I guess?" Tony shook her head amused "And Gabe is playing the piano alongside?"
"To some songs…but I actually thought of you and Andrew…with a guitar…"
"Oh" Tony's smile faded "Andrew…."
"Yeah…If that's fine by you"
"Sure it's fine why wouldn't it be fine…it's not like we had an argument or so" Tony said quickly "I'll make sure we have time to rehearse…"
She nodded and drank up her glass and filled in another one which she emptied.
Oh boy….
