Skylar: Hola chicos. Hope you're having a better day than me. I want to say thank you for over 1,000 views! I really didn't expect this, and this is the first time for me. So, thank you all so much for the support! But this isn't about me, so I'll just say the disclaimer real quick. "Sing" characters don't belong to me. Only my OC's and plot. Enjoy!
Irene sighed tiredly. "I told you the first time, I'll tell you again. I am a hot mess with dancing, and I have loose footing." When Nooshy started teaching Irene and Porsha how to dance, Porsha hit it off great. Irene, on the other hand, wasn't the best at it, to be honest. Every time she tried a step, she either didn't focus on her surroundings, or fell because she kept on tripping up her feet.
Nooshy looked at Irene. She didn't think that it was hard, but boy, in all honesty, she thought that Irene was a little worse than Johnny. Nooshy sighed and spoke. "I think we'll call it a day."
Irene nodded and got up. She gave a weak smile. "Thanks. I'll see you guys' tomorrow?" She asked.
Porsha and Nooshy nodded. Nooshy said, "Yep. Just work on your footing, 'kay?"
Irene gave a soft chuckle. "Sure." She gave them both hugs and headed to the door. "Bye!"
Irene left and went to the stage, thinking over her dancing. She knew that her dancing was terrible, and she worried that she wouldn't get it right before the competition. She sighed and lowered herself to sit on the floor. She stared at the floor, thinking that she wasn't great with dancing when everyone stared at her. She felt conscious when others looked at her while she danced, because she felt others would judge her.
Wanting her negative thoughts to go away, she hummed and drummed the stage using her hands. She soon felt the tension flow away from her body and she gave a relaxed smile. Not noticing someone sneaking up behind her.
The person slowly sneaked behind her and in a deep loud voice, said, "BOO!"
Irene screamed at the top of her lungs and fell off the stage, ending up in a play dead position. She looked up to find Johnny with a shocked and concerned look. "Irene, are you okay?"
Irene stared at him for a moment then started to laugh hysterically. She stayed on the floor and continued to laugh. "T-That was good." She said and continued to laugh for a few more moments, before calming down enough to get up. She giggled and looked at Johnny. "Oh, you're in-trouble mister!" She exclaimed and ran up to the stage.
Johnny gave a mischievous grin. "Oh really?" He said mockingly. Irene narrowed her eyes with a smirk, and she ran to him. She ran around in circles and Johnny didn't flinch at least once. Irene stopped and jumped on his back. She tickled his neck, but he didn't flinch. Irene realized that, but it was too late. Johnny grabbed her and stared tickling her, in which she squealed with laughter.
"S-Stop! Ahahah! Johnny stop! Hahaha!" She tried to escape his grasp, but Johnny wouldn't allow it. "No." He teased. Irene whined and continued to laugh and then felt another pair of hands tickling her. "P-Please! M-Mercy!" She cried out.
"Sorry, no can do!" A teasing voice said. Irene glanced for a second to see Ash tickling her as well. "Nooo! W-Why Ash?" She asked while laughing. Ash and Johnny laughed and continued to tickle her until their hands accidentally touched each other. They noticed and immediately stopped, which gave Irene a chance to breathe.
Johnny quickly said, "S-Sorry Ash." Ash gave a nod only once. "T-That's okay." They heard someone clear their throat and they turned to see Irene with a knowing look. "Okay, was that tickling payback for me making you all rush for unnecessary reasons this morning?" Johnny gave a smirk, forgetting about the little incident. "Yes."
Irene rolled her eyes with the knowing smile. "Fair enough. I did make you both rush out of the door even though we had time."
Irene realized that now was the chance to tease Johnny. She opened her mouth and as if on cue, Nana arrived on the stage. "Ah, Irene, Johnny, are you both ready to go?"
NOOO! Irene thought. She was so close to teasing Johnny, but every time she gets the chance, someone ruins it. Irene nodded, and started to head to the entrance, with Nana following her behind. Irene and Nana both stopped, noticing that Johnny wasn't following them. Irene looked back and saw something a little surprising. Johnny was apologizing for some reason to Ash and…
Is he… blushing? Irene thought and slowly grinned. He is SO blushing.
Nana took notice of Irene's look and glanced where she was looking. She noticed the two teenagers and gave a small smile. She whispered to Irene, "We need to have a conversation about those two." She points to them with her closed fan. Irene nodded in agreement, then she called out, "Johnny! We gotta go!"
Johnny turned and suddenly remembered the arrangements they made with Nana. "Right! Bye, Ash!" He said, and he jumped off the stage running toward them.
"Bye Johnny!" Ash called back. Nd with that they all left the theater. They went outside, where Johnny's truck and Nana's limo was.
Irene turned to Nana. "Um, Ms. Noddleman-"
Nana hit Irene in the head. She yelped and rubbed her head, looking at Nana, wondering why she hit Irene with her fan.
"Don't call me Ms. Noddleman, Irene," She said with a stern look. "Call me Nana."
Irene nodded. "Yes, Nana."
Nana smiled. "That's more like it, child. Now, do you want to join me or with your brother?"
Irene glanced at Johnny. "No disrespect, Nana, but I want to be with Johnny. And you can follow us back to our house."
Nana nodded. "Very well. Lead the way."
They went to their vehicles and started to head to Johnny and Irene's home. Irene kept on thinking why Nana wanted to be with her.
"Hey Johnny?"
He responded while looking at the road, "Yeah?"
She furrowed her brows in thought. "Why do you think Nana wants me to join with her on an activity? I mean, I just met her, and she doesn't seem like someone who wants to hang out with you the first chance you meet them."
Johnny slowed down because they were reaching a stop light. "Well, I'm not exactly sure. But she maybe wants some company." He suggested.
"With me? A complete 16-year-old stranger?" She remarks.
"U-Um, well…" He trailed off, unsure of how to answer her question.
Irene sighed. "Forget it. I think we just need to take a little time to relax. We'll get our answers when we get home and Nana explains."
Johnny nodded. "Right."
They fell into silence for a few minutes, then Irene had a perfect idea. "Hey Johnny, did you find a dance partner yet?" She piped.
He replied, "No, not yet."
Inside, Irene grinned mischievously, while on the outside, she said, "Well, I have a suggestion. Why not pair up with one of the girls! Maybe Meena or Ash?" She emphasized on Ash's name, hoping Johnny would get her message.
Johnny thought for a moment. "With Meena, I would probably have to disagree. She has a boyfriend."
Irene had a small, surprised look. She didn't think Meena had a boyfriend. Not that she was against the idea for Meena to have a boyfriend, but she just looked single. "Really? Who's her boyfriend?"
He explained, "Alfonso. He's an elephant like Meena and an ice cream parlor. They met 5 months ago while we were getting ready for the show back at the Crystal Theaters. I could imagine her asking Alfonso if he would be her dance partner."
Irene nodded in agreement, and said, "Ooh, okay. That makes perfect sense."
"As for Ash…" He stopped and seemed hesitant for a second. "I'm a little unsure with her. With her past love life, I don't think she would want a dance partner."
"Oh." Irene slowly nodded. "I see."
With that, the conversation ended, and Irene stared outside, thinking over the conversation. I should ask Ash about this. She thought. Or find a way for Ash and Johnny to work together. I just need a little help… That's it! I can ask the gang for help! That is, if they want to. Well, I'll know tomorrow. That's for sure.
Few moments later, they arrived at home. Irene and Johnny got out of his truck and saw the limo being parked behind it. The driver got out and opened the door for Nana. She got out of the limo and looked at their home. "Hmm. I would say that your home is a little… cozy, I might say."
Irene and Johnny didn't know if that was a compliment or an insult, but they didn't question it. They simply walked and Johnny unlocked the door. "Dad! We're home! We also have company!" He called.
"Alright, I'll be right with ya!" Matthew called.
Few seconds later, Matthew came down the stairs wearing a fresh collared shirt with pants. "So, how was practice?" He asked.
Johnny gave a smile. "It went well. We have a new competition to do." Irene popped out behind him. "An interesting one!" She said excitedly. "A singing and dancing competition!"
Matthew smiled. "Really? Well, that's exciting." Irene nodded eagerly. "Yeah. Oh and one more thing!"
Both Johnny and Irene came inside, with Nana behind them. "Dad, meet Nana Noddleman. Nana meet our dad, Matthew." Johnny said, while gesturing each other.
"Pleasure to meet you madam." Matthew said, with a hand extended out.
Nana took his hand and shook it. "Same to you as well, Mr. Matthew."
He guided her to the living room, while Irene went to the kitchen to prepare tea.
"So, what bring you to our home, Ms. Noodleman?" Matthew asked.
"Oh, well I saw that you have a daughter, and I need an accomplice for this particular activity. But Irene told me that I should talk about it with you." She explained. At that moment, Irene came in with a tray. On the tray was a tea set and a hot pot of tea. Johnny followed her, making sure she didn't trip.
Irene placed the tray on the coffee table. "Would you like some tea, Nana?" She asked.
Nana nodded with a gentle smile. "Yes, please. And with one sugar cube please." Irene nodded and got to work on making Nana's tea. While she was doing that, Nana faced Matthew again.
Matthew raised an eyebrow. "And what is this activity?" He asked.
"Oh, nothing dangerous. I just need a competitor for chess." As soon as Nana said the word 'chess' Irene's eyes lit up. "Chess? I like chess! I used to play it with-"
She stopped and her face slowly fell. She shook her head to get rid of some thought and changed her expression back to her cheerful self while giving Nana her tea. "Anyways, I like to play it."
Nana nodded, took the cup of tea from Irene, and sipped from it. "Excellent. But this is your father's decision."
They both turned to Matthew, who was thinking this over. He looked up. "And when would you like her over at your place?" He asked.
She assures him with, "Oh, as long as she come by once or twice a week. My driver can come pick her up and drop her off from here."
Matthew was about to say no, but he thought that if she's accompanied by Johnny, everything would go smoothly. "Well, as long as Johnny accompanies with her at least once, I think I can make an acceptation." He said with a nod.
Nana smiled. "Very well." She put her empty teacup on the tray and got up. "Thank you for the tea by the way. And is it alright with you that I can take Irene with me back to my home? I promise, I'll have her back here whenever you like."
Matthew nodded. "Of course. And thank you for visiting us and consulting with me. As for Irene coming back, have her here at 6 please."
Nana nodded. "Of course. Come along, child. A game of chess awaits us."
Irene nodded. "Yes Nana. Bye dad, bye Johnny! I'll see you later." She hugged them both and went out the door and into the limo.
As soon as Irene got in, the driver started the car up, and drove to Nana's mansion. While they were on their way, Nana turned to Irene. "Now, what do you think is going on with your brother and that porcupine Ash?" She asked with an amused eyebrow.
Irene grinned. "Oh, I think there's more to that, Nana."
Skylar: Nice! Nana and Irene are starting to be more like grandmother and granddaughter. And speaking about Johnny and Ash... *Giggling with mischief* Ahem! Sorry, got a little excited there. But thank you so much for over 1,000 views! I appreciate it. And I'll see you in the next chapter. Adios, readers!