here i need a disclaimer. the words to any of the songs here are not mine.

Jackie was dressed in a blue leotard, black bandanna and black leggings. She pulled her hair back into a high ponytail and looked at herself in the floor-to-ceiling mirror of Room 327 in Julliard. It was surreal to be back in her college, this time as a performer. The Broadway company had rented the rooms for practices and rehearsals, and Jackie was waiting for her break to end.

She wasn't alone, as a matter of fact. Almost the entire cast was in the room, warming up in dance and voice. Jackie looked again at the music in her hands.

Her favorite number of all the ones she had sang so far was one of the duets, "Something There" . The lyrics had really been beautiful. And they were going over it now.

"Jackie!" A.J. Soriano, a new actor who was playing the Beast. "Hey, we have another run-through of 'Something'."

Jackie looked over her shoulder at the huge glass window that looked out into a comfortable room where the actors liked to hang out, and sent Booker a smile.

He grinned back at her from his position on the plush sofa.

"Okay!" The pianist also happened to be the director, Robert Jess Roth, who had directed the production back in 1994. "Let's give 'Something There' one more chance, and then we're moving on to the dance scenes. Jackie, here we go."

The intro started, and Booker listened as the piano began to play, and Jackie's voice rose softly over the piano.

There's something sweet,
And almost kind,
But he was mean and he was coarse and unrefined.
But now he's dear, and so unsure,
I wonder why I didn't see it there before...

Another actress chimed in with a spoken part about changing Belle's clothes, and A.J., on the other side of the room, feigned a glint of hope and glanced over at Jackie. His voice was slightly shaking, but it was acting.

She glanced this way,
I thought I saw,
And when we touched she didn't shudder at my paw.
No it can't be, I'll just ignore,
But then she's never looked at me that way before...

A.J. came slowly over to the other side where Jackie was standing, and where one of the stagehands had hastily moved a shelf of books over. "Belle, I have something to show you. But first, you have to close your eyes. It's a surprise!"

Jackie covered her eyes, giggling slightly. "May I open them?"

A.J. looked up at the bookshelf. "All right, all right, now!" He presented the shelf with a grand flourish.

Jackie's eyes widened in surprise. "I can't believe it! I've never seen so many books in my whole life!"

"You like it?"

"It's wonderful!"

"It's yours."

Jackie pretended to be in delight over the shelf of books, and looked back at A.J. before going back to the books.

New and a bit alarming...
Who'd have ever thought that this could be?
True that he's no Prince Charming,
But there's something in him that I simply didn't see.

"Oh, this is one of my favorites! It's King Arthur!" She turned to A.J., a book in her hand. "Have you ever read it?"

"No." A.J. turned, and Jackie moved to stand beside him, accidentally hitting the side of the bookcase, which promptly collapsed, and whole rehearsal dissolved in laughter.

"Okay, well, I think we've hand enough for today." Robert Roth said, getting up from the piano. "I have an appointment with one of the theater executives. But first, I want to say thank you guys so much and congratulations. I look forward to working with you, and I am sure that this production is going to be the best we've ever had."

Everyone cheered and Jackie bent down to sift through the remains of the bookcase. "Hey, don't worry about it, Jackie." Robert waved his hand at the pile of splinters. "We've got 18 months until this show hits the stage. We'll have a better bookcase by then."

Jackie laughed and bounded out of the room to meet Booker.

"Hey, beautiful," Booker said, wrapping his arms around her waist. "You were amazing."

Jackie smiled. "Eh... it'll get better." She lifted her arms up and swiftly pulled her long hair into a braid.

"Jackie?" Robert was standing in the doorway. "One more thing."

"Sure," Jackie turned to face him. "What can I do for you?"

"Well, as you know, Belle didn't have waist-length hair," Robert began. "And I think--"

"You want me to get my hair cut," Jackie finished. "Okay."

Robert looked a little surprised. "Thanks, Jackie."

"Hey, that's my job. I'll be here tomorrow at ten."

"Great," Robert smiled and shook Booker's hand, pointing them to the exit used for performers only. Jackie took Booker's hand as they walked out of Lincoln Center.

"I like your hair," Booker said.

"Me too," Jackie replied. "But I have to cut it for the role."

Booker grinned. "I'm sure you'll look gorgeous no matter what length your hair is."

"Why, thank you," Jackie giggled. "Listen, I'm gonna go to the salon now. You can come if you want."

Booker thought for a moment. "You know what? I think I'm going to go back to the hotel, catch up on a little sleep, okay?"

Jackie smiled. "Okay, I'll be back in a bit." She kissed him and bounded off down the street.

The salon was called Expressions. Jackie walked in, pulling the bandanna off her head. The clerk at the desk sat up. "May I help you, miss?"

Jackie nodded. "I need my hair cut."

"Sure. Go over to the fourth chair. Nina will be with you shortly."

"Thanks." Jackie walked over and sat in the big black chair. A few minutes later a young woman with short dark hair came up to her, smiling.

Jackie had her hair washed and cut, and blow-dried. The stylist spun her around to face the mirror, and Jackie smiled. "Wow," she said. "Thank you." It looked amazing. Her hair fell a few inches below her shoulders, turning under, her bangs flipped to one side.

Jackie paid the stylist and went back to the hotel.

Booker was sound asleep when she walked in, and Jackie decided that might be a good idea. Yawning, she settled herself down next to him on the bed, and closed her eyes. She was going to be very busy for the next few months.