A/N: Before this, if you've never been to an audition, at a dance call you usually get a number. That is what the number is for. A monitor, monitors the auditions. Sometimes, they give you your number, sometimes it's the person you check in with. Just so no one is confused. Now I'll start the chapter! (Also this is very unrealistic from an actual audition, I don't know. As an actor, I feel the need to justify myself.)
"Here you go." The monitor said, and gave Jake his number.
Jake and Rose laughed.
"What's so funny?" Sam said.
"Your number eighty-eight and Jake's is eighty-nine….it's a huntsclan thing." Rose said, pinning the number to Jake's shirt.
"Now you guys are ready."
"I didn't expect this many people to show up." Jake said.
"What do you expect? Most of these people probably think it's their one way ticket to fame." Rose said.
"I just wanna see Shaniqua." Sam said.
"You know, there's a meet and greet later?" Rose asked.
"And miss all the fun?" Sam asked.
"I'm going to go sit with the parents." Rose said.
"Yeah. I was about to go say you should sit down." Jake said.
"You worry too much." Rose said.
"I think it's sweet." Sam said.
"Yeah, Rose. I'd be concerned if he wasn't worried." Trixie laughed.
"Plus, he's only been obsessed with you since middle school." Spud said.
"You really wanna do this Spud?" Trixie asked.
"Of course I do!"
Jake shrugged.
"I like the new look Jake." Sam said.
"It's all your sister." Jake laughed.
He was wearing relaxed fit black jeans, with a white shirt and a red and black short sleeved checked jacket with a white shirt underneath.
"I thought I picked out a hat." Sam said.
"He wouldn't wear it." Rose laughed.
"I drew the line there." Jake said.
"Come on, you look hot." Sam said.
"I thought you were into redheads." Jake joked.
"Only one. Too bad he couldn't make it." Sam said.
"Why is that exactly?" Jake asked.
"I'm not sure. He was going to come but he texted me last night and said something came up." Sam said.
"Don't let it get you down." Rose said.
"I wish this would just start so we can go on with our day." Jake said.
"Can you at least try?" Sam asked.
"Sure. No promises." Jake laughed.
Just then they heard a huge crowd of girls scream and the next thing they knew, Shaniqua was on a platform talking into a microphone.
"Who's ready to dance?" She asked, with enthusiasm.
Jake looked at Rose, who smiled. She was so making this up to him later.
Sam dragged Jake onto the dance floor.
"All, right. I'm going to teach the combination only once! I need dancers who can pick up choreography in a moment's notice." She said.
Jake shrugged, and started learning the dance. It was kind of fun, he had to admit.
He noticed Sam struggling to remember the steps. It was simple enough.
"Okay, now full out!" Shaniqua said.
They did the dance full out. "Yeah!" Trixie yelled.
She gave Jake a high five. "We rocked it!"
"I'm going to start making eliminations. If you don't make it to the next round, keep dancing! We're all stars here!" She said.
"Number twelve, Number thirty, Number Eight, Number Ten, Number Four, Number Sixteen, Number 101, Number Forty, Number Seventeen, Number Forty-Four, Number Fifty-Eight, Number Eighty-Seven, and Number Eighty-Nine. If I called your number, stay for the next round. Everyone else, thank you for coming, and I hope to see you at the meet and greet!" Shaniqua said.
"Yo Jake, she called our numbers!" Trixie said
"You get to stay for the next round!" Sam said.
"Yeah...I was just here for you guys." Jake said.
"Well, Trixie's still in." Sam said.
"Fine. One more round. Then I'm done!" Jake said.
Sam and Spud went to sit by Rose. She wasn't really surprised Jake made it to the next round. She could tell he had experience, and he was doing really well.
"We're going to learn a new combination, there's an eight count hold, BUT if you have any tumbling or acrobatic skills feel free to throw those in at the beginning. IMPRESS ME!" Shaniqua said.
"Ooooh! We gotta show off our mad skills." Trixie said.
"No."
"JAKE! Don't make me tell Rose you aren't giving it your all." Trixie warned.
"I'm not afraid of Rose." Jake said.
Trixie raised her eyebrow. She didn't believe him for a minute.
"A little bit, but she's pregnant and you haven't seen her hormones." Jake said.
"Then give it your all." Trixie said.
"I feel so stupid even being here."
"You don't look stupid. That girl who wore heels? She looks stupid." Jake laughed.
True, you can't do hip hop in heels. It's probably really hard. That poor girl.
"Okay! We're starting. Pay attention!" Shaniqua said.
This combination was more challenging, but not impossible. Him and Trixie were able to pick it up pretty quickly once he saw a pattern in the dance, it was pretty repetitive just fast.
The repetitiveness was probably so she could focus more on the tumbling skills.
"All right! Full out, and show me what you got! Don't be shy just because i'm a world famous pop star!" Shaniqua said.
Jake rolled his eyes. The music started and he smirked with Trixie, they just did what came naturally to them. When the song ended, he really felt that feeling again. Of wishing the dance had lasted longer.
He wasn't a dancer, but it was a good hobby. Shaniqua announced she was making cuts again. He was late on a step so he expected to get cut.
Somehow, he managed to make it to the final round.
"There are twelve of you left. I need six. This will be the final round, and I know you guys are tired but you're almost done!"
Jake and Trixie smiled at each other.
"Last round, there is no combination. I want to see you freestyle one by one! Frequently, I have to do quick changes in between sets. I pick a dancer at random to freestyle! So let's start with number seventeen and remember, have fun!" Shaniqua said.
"Oh…" Trixie said.
Jake was pretty good with freestyle, Trixie- not so much.
"You got this." He whispered.
"No. I don't. You know freestyle makes me nervous." She said.
"Just have fun. Pretend it's just me and Spud." Jake said.
"Eighty-nine your turn!"
Jake smiled at Trixie one last time and started dancing. He wished he could give his experience to her. He didn't even want to do this, yet he was better than her.
Everyone applauded when he was done, and he watched Trixie walk out onto the floor next. He cringed silently when she attempted a back handspring but was shaky on the landing. She did manage to brush it off, but her next few moves made Jake want to pull her off the dance floor. You could tell she was nervous. Finally her time was up and she came back to the line.
"Don't say anything." She said.
"Wasn't gonna." Jake said, putting a hand on her shoulder.
Finally everyone was done and Shaniqua told everyone to wait on the sidelines, while she took a few minutes to make her final decisions.
Jake went up to Rose. "You did great!" She said.
"Thanks."
"I think she's going to pick you." Sam said.
"What makes you say that?"
"She pointed at you and nodded. You just missed it." Sam said.
"That could mean anything. Besides, I was just here for moral support- you suck by the way." Jake joked.
"Thanks Jake!" Sam laughed.
"That's my sister!" Rose said, but she laughed and kissed her boyfriend.
"I'm ready to announce my dancers! You were all great, and should be really proud of yourself! If your number is called, please stay, if your number isn't called thank you for coming."
" Number Seventeen, Number Eighty-nine, Number Four, Number Sixteen, Number Fifty-Eight, and Number Forty-four. The other six of you, thank you." Shaniqua said.
"Yo, Jake. She picked you." Trixie said.
"Uh...I'm not really looking for a dance career."
"You do need a job." Sam said.
"I'm sure it pays good money."
"I'm sure I don't want to be a dancer." Jake said.
"You have a gift Jake!" Rose said.
"Only because I need a job...and it is kind of cool." He said smiling.
"Hi! You have some awesome skills!" They turned around and Sam's eyes widened.
"Thanks!" She said.
"Not you. You need dance classes sweetheart. I'm talking about number eighty-eight." Shaniqua said.
"Thanks, my name's Jake." Jake said.
"Nice to meet you! Is this your girlfriend?" She asked, motioning to Sam.
"No. This is." He said, motioning to Rose.
"Twins. Nice. Why didn't she audition?"
"I don't dance, I was here for support." Rose laughed.
"Well, you're a lucky girl, and you!" Shaniqua turned to Trixie. "I was so close to choosing you. I just need you to train a little bit more. You're a bit rough around the edges, but you got raw talent! Don't stop dancing." She said, giving her a hug.
"Thanks." Trixie said smiling.
"Do you guys mind if I steal Jake for a minute? We need to talk about things like contracts and hours, and boring things like that." Shaniqua said.
"Not at all. How much does he get paid?" Rose asked.
"I pay my dancers well." Shaniqua said.
Jake shrugged. He looked over to where the other dancers were. There were three girls and three guys.
A job is a job.
"Are you gonna be okay with Trix?" Jake asked Rose.
"I'm with Trixie, and my sister. I'll be fine."
"Don't forget about me!" Spud said. Wanna grab a bite to eat?" He asked.
"I'm starving. I'm sure Trixie is too." She said.
"You know it. I need something to eat. Sam, you coming?" Trixie asked.
"No. I actually want to see why Nigel isn't answering my messages." She said.
"Please don't go by his house." Rose said.
"Why not?"
"It looks desperate. Just give him time, he may be training. Something came up in the magical world, and he might be training with his master. He'll call when he can." Rose said.
"Fine, but I want a hamburger."
"Whatever."
Jake watched them leave. Satisfied everyone was getting along. He followed Shaniqua, she greeted everyone warmly.
"Here's everyone's work schedule, and contracts. Look them over if you want to, or just sign them now! I'll need all of the paperwork before the first day of work. If you have any conflicts, put them down now." Everyone nodded and started filling out paperwork.
Shaniqua walked up to Jake who looked overwhelmed by the amount of paperwork." Most rehearsals are in the evenings, Jake- you're still in school right?" Shaniqua asked.
"Yeah, I'm homeschooled." He said.
"Great! Flexible hours. For now we'll keep the schedule we have- but for future planning that's good to know. You're the youngest one here, the only teenager. So I expect you to be mature. I'm actually going to need a parents signature on your contract. So take it home and bring it back here before rehearsal Monday. I know it's quick, I have a big show coming up, but I promise you'll have plenty of time to spend with your friends and girlfriend. For show dates we'll rehearse at the venue of the show. We only really travel in the summer. We'll need a parent's signature when that time comes but it's September now so we have a while. The pay differs from experience, you're just starting out, and I know this isn't an ordinary job for a teenager. It's easy to get overwhelmed. Right?" Jake nodded.
He held up a paper.
"This is a lot of money. Will I really be making this much?" He asked.
"For now."
"Oh...wow."
"You can totally tell he's a newbie." One of the females said.
Shaniqua turned to her.
"There was a time you were new to this. We all have to start somewhere."
Jake smiled. "So, I'm gonna go talk to my parents now." He said.
"I'll see you soon Jake." Shaniqua said.
"Yeah."
This could pose as a challenge. Recently he's had a lot come up during evenings, but his dragon training was during the day….But with this job him and Rose could afford all types of things for the new babies. They could make the shoe room a really nice nursery without much of his parents money. It'd be a challenge for sure though.
He walked inside. "Mom, dad? Are you guys home?" He called.
"Yes! Rose texted us the news. Please tell me you aren't actually humoring the idea." His mom said.
"First you tell me to audition, then you say I shouldn't take the job. Look at the salary. Twice a month." He showed his mom.
"I make less than that." She said.
"I know! Think of what we could do for the twins! Cribs, toys, clothes! I just need a parents signature." He said.
"I don't know." Susan said.
"You told me to get a job."
"I thought you'd work at a drive through, or wait tables. This is a career, Jake."
"I'm the only teenager she picked."
"She must have a lot of faith in you. I'm so proud of you, Jonathan if you're okay with it. I'm fine with it." Susan said.
"Well hand me a pen and let's sign this thing!" Jonathan said, "How much are you making by the way?"
"A starting salary of Twenty-Eight Thousand twice a month. She said I have room for career growth though, the longer I work. We make more money when we have big performances."
"Well! You sure went and got yourself a job!" His dad smiled.
Sam's House
"That was disgusting." Sam laughed.
"Truly?" Spud asked.
"Yes."
"I bring my dates there."
"Do you ever get a second date?" Sam teased.
"It's not because of the hot dogs!"
"The hamburger is better. Still gross, but better." Sam laughed.
"Rose liked it."
"No, I agree with Sam. I was just hungry. I blame the pregnancy." Rose laughed.
"Sam? How did things go?" Her mother called.
"Well, we better go." Rose said.
"See you later Sam?" Spud asked.
"Yes. I have to teach you how to take a woman on a proper date."
"You sure your cool british boyfriend won't mind?"
"He's not the jealous type. I can have guy friends!" Sam said.
The two left, with Trixie having left after Kyle called her to hangout at the restaurant. Rose was surprised she never mentioned a boyfriend, but she was happy for her.
Sam checked her phone to see if Nigel called her. He didn't.
"Sam? Did you hear me? How'd it go?" Her mom asked.
"I got cut. Jake got hired." Sam said.
"Interesting." Her mom said.
Her phone rang, she looked at the caller ID. "Oh, mom! I've been waiting on this call all day! I'm going to take this to my room!"
"Tell Nigel I said hi!" Alison laughed.
Sam rolled her eyes and answered her phone. She went into her room and quickly closed her door.
"Hey cutie." She said.
"Hi. I'm sorry I've been absent all day. I had to learn a new spell, and I couldn't get it right. It was quite bothersome." Nigel said.
"I figured it was something like that." Sam said, even though it was Rose that told her. She giggled.
"Do you want to hangout tomorrow? It's the last day of summer." Sam said.
"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something." Nigel said.
"Okay."
"I was doing business that involved the magical world, Jake was there, we're working together again. He told me something I find quite unnerving." Nigel said.
"What is it?" Sam asked.
"I really shouldn't ask, it's just been on my mind all day." Nigel continued.
"What?"
"He mentioned...you had a history. With guys. Like a sexual history. Is that true?" Nigel asked.
Sam was quiet. She was a virgin-mostly. She's fooled around with guys, she's given them blowjobs, and handjobs. She's let guys touch her, and she's gotten pleasure from it. She told Jake that in confidence. Only him and Rose knew that she was somewhat easy in middle school.
"Nigel. I can explain." She said.
"Please do."
"I am a virgin. I've fooled around with guys in middle school. That's it." She said.
"Fooled around? As in?"
"You know...handjobs? Blowjobs?" She asked.
"I see...please don't explain more." Nigel said.
"Look, Jake never should have said anything." Sam said.
"No. I'm glad he did. I didn't know you were like that...you said you didn't want to have sex."
"I don't. Not like...penetration. You know?" Sam asked.
"I know."
"I'll do anything else you want me to, if you-"
"Samantha. I don't want any sexual favors from you. I just want to spend time with you. Kissing is fine, but I don't see why everyone is in such a rush to have sex."
"I'm not. I don't want to be that way anymore." Sam said.
"You promise you've changed?" Nigel said.
"Yes."
"No more secrets?" Nigel asked.
"No more secrets." Sam agreed.
"Then I'll see you tomorrow. I really missed you today." Nigel said.
"I missed you too...can you believe Shaniqua hired Jake?" Sam laughed.
"He's a good dancer." Nigel said.
"You've seen him dance?"
"Freestyle a few times." Nigel said..
"Nigel, why did it bother you that I've done things with guys before?" Sam asked.
"My parents gave me to my grandmother when they realized they couldn't handle a baby with supernatural powers, even though my mother grew up around it her entire life. She knew it was a possibility that I have my powers. Thankfully my grandmother was wonderful to me, but now here I am. You see kids in the foster system everyday because they had parents who didn't want them, or didn't treat them right. If I were to get you pregnant right now, I hate to say it, but I don't think I could be as strong as Jake is. I'd ask you to get an abortion or give it up. When I look at you, I see someone pure-even now. You're sweet, and kind, and I don't want sex to ruin things." Nigel said.
"I thought you didn't know what happened to your parents." Sam said.
"It's easier to tell people that, than to tell people they didn't want me." Nigel said.
"Yeah...I'm so sorry. I don't know how anyone could walk away from you. Now I feel bad. " Sam said.
"That's the reaction I don't want from people. I'm fine. Don't feel bad for me, please." Nigel said.
"I want you."
"Samantha.."
"To be my boyfriend. That's it." Sam laughed.
"I want you to be my girlfriend. That's it." Nigel said.
"And when did you start calling me Samantha?"
"Dinner with your father. I don't think he'd like me calling you lovely."
"Call me lovely?." Sam asked.
"You're absolutely lovely." Nigel said.
"Thank you." Sam smiled, "Oh and my mom says hi." Sam laughed.