Clary's POV
"Dinner's Ready!" I yell up the stairs to the second floor from the kitchen as I grab the bowl of vegetables and take to the dining table. Logan, who was doing his homework in the kitchen sets it aside and goes sit down in the dining room. Slowly, the rest of my kids start making their way down until the entire family is there. It isn't very often that we all get to sit down and have a meal together, so I made it a rule that we have dinner together once a week.
"Nutcracker auditions are this weekend" Bree has been talking about her day for the last ten minutes. This girl can talk for days if you let her. "I'll probably only get cast in one role, but it's fine because that's what level I and II always get. You can't go for any of the big roles until you're in studio division. Clara is always the best girl in level V, but I hear that last year it was a girl from level VI because none of the level V girls were good enough and it was a big scandal. I want to be a Policcinelle that's usually al level III but I'm better than most of them so I might get cast instead. I really don't want to want to be a mouse, that's just stupid, but I'll be fine if I get to do Angels which is what level II does and I have been taking classes with them and I am doing really well in that class. It's so much more challenging than…"
"Ms. Dana says I'm doing really well riding" Mia interrupts which is kind of rude, but I know everyone was tired of Bree's never-ending story.
"That's good Berry" Jace smiles. He loves hearing about what the kids are doing. Since the new album was released he has been gone for most of the day and he is still not used to it.
"Yeah, she says I can probably start jumping soon" She smiles proudly and goes back to eating her dinner quietly.
"And how was school, Logan?" I try to hear from each one of the kid's day during dinner.
"Good" he said between bites. Logan is the only one of my kids who is not doing something apart from school. Gray has music, swimming, and soccer, Bree has dance, and Mia has horseback riding. It's not because we haven't signed him up for anything. He's done soccer, karate, baseball, and art. He just hasn't liked anything so far. He enjoys learning piano from Jace, but I think he's not as much into piano as he is into spending time with his dad.
"Are you ready for this weekend buddy?" Jace asks Gray who has been working with him on a song and has been strangely quiet throughout dinner. He's planning on performing this weekend with Jace and the band, but he's been really nervous.
"Umm…" Gary stares at his food trying to come up with an answer.
"You don't have to do it if you don't want to" I let him know since it's obvious that he is not sure about this but he doesn't want to let Jace down. I can feel how worked up this is making him. Gray, my beautiful smiling boy, has been frowning all week.
"No" Gray shakes his head, "I want to do it, I'm just a little nervous".
"Scaredy cat" Bree teases laughing, and Gray does not find it one bit amusing.
"Did you finish your school day?" I raise an eyebrow at my very outgoing daughter letting her know that the comment was out of uncalled for. The smile fades from her face and she looks down at her plate, which is not done but she's full. "Yeah, that's what I thought…"
"I just have half an hour…" she tries explaining to get out of doing it today.
"Go on" I motion towards the stairs, "Clear your plate and go finish". She does as told knowing better than putting up a fight.
"Can I be excused too?" Mia asks and I nod. She follows her sister into the kitchen. Logan is still working on his plate.
"You know Gray" Jace places a hand on our son's arm, "I absolutely love spending time with you when we work on music, but if you do not feel ready to go onstage you don't have to. If you do decide to sing, I'll be there with you the entire time just like when we practice in the music room".
Gray takes a deep breath and puts down his fork. "I'm gonna go take a shower" he takes his plate into the kitchen before heading upstairs.
I look at Jace concerned. I don't want him to be stressed out from this. He wanted to sing onstage, but I need him to know that we are not going to be disappointed if he doesn't.
"I'll talk to him tomorrow" Jace reassures me grabbing my hand, "let's just let him clear his head".
Grayson's POV
The show comes much much faster than I expected. My mom and dad keep telling me that I'm going to do great, but they don't understand. I'm not afraid of messing up in front of all of dad's fans, I'm scared of messing up in front of Macey Richter. She's in the audience with her friend and one of her older sister. I was fine until she sent me a picture of her and her friends already in the audience.
Rafael is with me backstage while our dads perform the first few songs. Mom is also here because she wants to see me perform, but everyone else stayed at Aunt Izzy's tonight.
"So now I want to introduce someone incredibly special to me" my dad announces and my heart starts racing.
My mom places a hand on my shoulder as I grab my guitar and stare at the stage lights waiting. "You're going to be great" she gives me a kiss on the cheek.
"He makes me smile every single day. He holds one-fifth of my heart." he continues and I start taking a few steps towards the stage, "Please welcome my son, Grayson".
The entire audience bursts out in cheers as I walk on. I wave because it seemed like the right thing to do but with all the lights and screams I fall into a daze.
I sit on a stool right next to dad. We are doing an acoustic version of one of his old songs, so it's just our guitars and our voices.
"Just like when we practice in the music room" my dad reminds me without speaking into his microphone. "Just you and me buddy".
"And Macey" I think to myself before taking a deep breath and nodding to my dad that I'm ready. He starts playing the first few chords of the song and before I can even realize it, I am singing in front of thousands of people. When we finish there is a small moment of silence that feels like forever to me, but then the crowd goes wild. My dad gives me a big hug before I leave the stage.
Even though it was just a simple performance, being on that stage is exhilarating. The lights shining, the crowd singing along, the cheering when you're done. I have never felt anything like this before.
"I'm so proud of you baby" My mom gives me a huge hug too as soon as I reach backstage.
"Dude that was awesome" Raf smiles as he pats my back while my mom continues to hug me.
"Wow" is all I can say as I stare at my dad who has moved on to the next song with the whole band now. I am in shock. That was one of the best things I have ever done.
Maybe this is what I'm supposed to do with my life. Is it?
Mia's POV
After dropping off Bree at her audition, my mom drives me to the horse ranch. I don't usually ride on Saturdays, but today Natalia has a competition so mom and I decided we would come watch. I like watching the horses and mom likes hanging out with Aunt Izzy, so it works out perfectly. Dad and Grayson were still sleeping when we left this morning. They must be tired from the concert last night. Uncle Simon took Cooper and Logan to go see a movie.
"Hi, Mia" Natalia comes up to me all ready in her competition attire.
"Hi" I hug her before she goes hug my mom.
"Do you feel ready?" My mom asks.
"Well, I'm a little nervous but yeah" she laughs nervously.
"You're going to do great" my mom encourages.
"Thanks, Aunt Clary" Talia grins before someone calls her name and she runs off to the stable.
We sit there watching all the contestants. Natalia's category is the first and easiest one. They only jump a few low jumps. When it is over, Natalia wins second place and joins us to watch the more advanced contestants. They fly over those jumps like it's nothing and some go them are even taller than momma!
"Hi girls" Dana, my instructor, comes to where we are sitting, "Congratulations Talia! Are you enjoying the show?"
"Yes, ma'am" Natalia and I both say together.
"I'm glad" she nods before turning to face our moms, "I just wanted to let you know that Mia can start coming to the next class above hers".
"That's my class" Natalia says happily surprised.
"Thank You!" I say to Dana as I stand up and give her a hug.
"No need to thank me" she laughs, "You've earned it". She walks away and I am slightly in shock.
"Congratulations baby!" my mom gives me a big hug.
"Well, I say this calls for some celebration" Aunt Izzy suggests.
"Yeah!" Natalia and I say as we wait eagerly to see what they offer.
"I have to go pick up Bree, but Meghan is coming over so why doesn't Natalia spend the night and all the girls can have a sleepover". We stare at Aunt Izzy waiting for her response.
"I guess that's a pretty good celebration" she agrees knowing we're going to be super excited.
"Yes!" we both shout excited and rush to the car.
Bree's POV
"The roles are pretty much already cast" Addison explained in the den after our audition as everyone gathered around her. The audition was fine. It was just a regular class, only a little shorter, and then we learned a small section of the Angels section. I really don't know how I did, but it didn't feel awful so I'm trying not to worry about it. "I mean, they see us in class every day so they obviously already know who is doing what. The audition is clearly just for experience".
Meghan and I sit on a bench sharing our snacks as we roll our eyes at what Addison says. When I first got here, Addison was super nice, but now she just seems really mean. I think it's because she thought she was the best, but she's really just ok. Honestly, I think that I'm a lot better than her, but momma always says that we have to be humble about what we have.
"I'm so excited for our sleepover tonight!" Meghan smiles as I offer her some of my baby carrots.
"I know!" I smile too, "If my dad picks us up I'll convince him to take us to get ice cream".
I try to ignore Addison's talking but I just can't. "I think I'm going to be cast as a Policcinelle" Addison continues cockily and I can't help but roll my eyes.
A few minutes later, Miss Kira comes into the den with a paper in her hand. Everyone moves closer to listen because it's the roles.
"So all level I…" she begins and that's me, "except for Sabrina will be in the battle scene as mice". Everyone looks at me for a second before continuing to listen. "You will be the drummer bunny in the battle scene" she says to me and everyone looks at me again. This role usually goes to a level II… I think. "Then all level II students are angels with the addition of Meghan and Sabrina" I turn to Meghan smile and she does the same thing. "and finally Addison and Katie are Policcinelle dolls". Addison smiles with pride. She got what she wanted, but that doesn't mean she deserves it. "Congratulations girls! Rehearsals start next week".
"Congrats!" Meghan says with a smirk. "The bunny doesn't do the same as the soldiers, but you're pretty much dancing with the level III girls".
"Why do you think I got it?" I ask and she just shrugs.
"You're too short for Policcinelle doll" A girl named Gina who pretty much lives at the school because her sister is in level VI and her mom picks her up really late says.
"Wait" I shake my head, "What?"
"Addison may be annoying, but she was right about the roles being cast already" Gina continues talking as she packs her bag and starts getting changed, "I overheard the teachers saying that you were ready for Policcinelle. It was supposed to be you and Katie, but you're too small compared to the level III girls. So they gave it to Addison and gave you the rabbit". That girl gossips too much, but she does come a handy.
"Do you know what this means?" Meghan holds her laughter, "Addison was just supposed to do angels". We both burst out laughing as we grab our stuff and head out of the den and into the lobby.
Our backpacks are already heavy with all of our dance stuff and Meghan has an extra bag because she's coming over to my house so as soon as we get to the entrance we drop everything. Usually, my mom would already be here since she likes watching, but I don't see her anywhere which makes me think that maybe my dad is picking us up and I get super excited.
"Bree" I hear Andrea from the reception and turn around to look at her, "Your mom just called. She's running a little late from picking up your sister, but she'll be here soon".
Great! Not only are we going to have to wait a while because Mia was horseback-riding and the ranch is kinda far, but the car will probably smell like horse too.
"Do you want to watch the auditions from the gallery?" Meg asks with a grin.
"Yes" I smile. We drop our stuff back in the den and head up to the gallery.
Meghan and I kneel in front of the large glass windows where you can see into the studios. From here, we can see three of the studios but the largest one is where most of the Studio division is auditioning for roles. It only takes me a few moments to realize that these girls are all auditioning for the role of Clara.
Now, this is an interesting audition. About 5 girls are going for the role and they all wait patiently by the sideline as one of them dances in the middle. Her curled hair is half up with a white ribbon and it flies as she nails her turns, she's on pointe shoes, which look almost brand new but beautiful, and in her hands she holds a wooden soldier doll. The Nutcracker. She turns beautifully, her legs are high, and she flies in her leaps. Now, this is a role that I have to do someday.
"I'm going to be Clara one day" I let out a breath as I continue to stare at the girl's dancing.
"You'll have to beat me to it" Meghan raises an eyebrow and shoves me playfully. I give her a small smile, but I cannot stop watching.
"That's going to be me…" is all I can say. We keep watching in silence for a few more minutes before we hear Andrea's voice calling for us.
"Sabrina!" she yells so we hear her from up here, "Your mom is here!"
"Coming!" I yell back and we make our way down, but the image of Clara is now forever in my head.
Thank you for reading supporting and being patient.
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