Chapter 19: Talent Night

(In Class)

"And next Wednesday after school, we will be holding auditions for this year's talent show," the girl on the intercom announced, "so if you dance, sing or have any other talents you want to share, be sure and come audition!"

"Oh Liz, you have to audition," Miranda told her.

"I don't know, Miranda," Lizzie started.

"Come on, you're like one of the best singers in this school, you have to audition," Miranda said forcefully.

"Okay," Lizzie caved in. She actually kind of liked the idea of singing for the school.

"Yes, I know you will impress everyone. You are a great singer Lizzie," Miranda told her.

"Maybe you should do something too," Lizzie suggested.

"Me?" Miranda asked, "naw, I'm not talented at anything."

"Miranda Sanchez! That's not true, you are an excellent dancer. Maybe we could do something together, you know I sing and you dance," Lizzie thought aloud.

"If you insist, but we have to an audition piece ready for the auditon. Hey, what about that music video we did for Gordo in 8th grade. Do you still have it? We could watch it and refresh our memories. You could learn the words to the song and we could dance together, while you sing,"

Miranda was getting excited. "That's actually a good idea," Lizzie agreed, "let's do it. I have the video somewhere at home, I know it."

"Miss McGuire, Miss Sanchez, if you don't mind, I'd like to start class now," the teacher was glaring at them.

"Sorry," Lizzie mumbled as she turned red. (In the Parking Lot-After School

"So we're going to be auditioning for the talent show, we'll be practicing all weekend," Lizzie explained.

"I bet they are looking for someone to film the show," Gordo said. "You always act as the official school cameraman," Miranda laughed.

"What can I say? They adore my photography skills," Gordo smiled.

"You are good at it," Lizzie agreed.

"Do you want to come watch us practice?" Mirnada asked.

"Whose house?" Gordo answered her question with another.

"Mine of course," Lizzie stated, "where do we always hang out?"

"Any particular reason that we always hang out there?" Miranda wondered aloud.

"I don't think so, we just kind of always have done it that way," Lizzie returned. "There's nothing wrong with it, it's where we are all comfortable," Gordo offered.

"Speaking of, are we ready to get out of this place and enjoy our weekend?" Miranda jumped into her car. "Oh yeah, can't wait until we graduate," Lizzie smiled, "we'll be out of this place forever!"

"It's coming up quicker than you realize," Gordo said. "I know, I'm excited," Lizzie gave Gordo a kiss.

Miranda drove them to Lizzie's house. Jo McGuire had a plate of cookies and three glasses of milk waiting for them. She knew that they'd be coming over after school, it was their routine.

"Hello kids," she greeted them.

"Hi Mrs. McGuire," Gordo and Miranda said in unison.

"Hi Mom," Lizzie dropped her backpack on the living room floor. "How was your day?" Jo inquired.

"Great, Miranda and I are going to audition for the talent show," Lizzie told her mom.

"That sounds wonderful dear," Jo handed Lizzie the cookies and she carried the milk to where Gordo and Miranda were sitting on the couch.

"Thanks for the cookies," Gordo picked one up.

"Yeah thanks," Miranda said through a mouthful of cookies. "Not a problem," Jo smiled and left the kids to their own plans.

"Okay, so I have the music video," Lizzie popped the tape into the VCR and pressed play. The three friends sat back and watched as Lizzie and Miranda danced on the screen. They watched the video a few times, then decided they should try to see if they could remember all the steps to the dance. The girls were actually doing pretty well until Lizzie tripped over the McGuire's coffee table and fell on the floor.

"Lizzie! Are you okay?" Miranda asked, a little bit of fear apparent in her voice. Gordo jumped up to assist Lizzie.

"I'm okay," she grinned sheepishly, "that just hurt a little bit."

Miranda laughed and gave Gordo a hand getting Lizzie to her feet. "The good thing is, there won't be any coffee tables on stage when you perform," Gordo teased.

"Very funny," Lizzie gave him a hurt look.

"Okay, we'll just move this out of the way until we're done," Miranda lifted one end of the coffee table. Gordo picked up the other end and they moved it out of the way so the girls could practice the dance some more.

After about an hour, the girls had the dance steps down comfortably. They would, of course practice some more, but it was time for Lizzie to learn the words to the song. Lizzie fired up her laptop so that she could print out the lyrics to the song. Gordo had burned a cd with the music, but not the words to the song. Lizzie read over the lyrics, then began to sing. Miranda and Gordo both sat back and listened to her beautiful voice as she sang.

"This is going to be amazing," Miranda whispered. "You guys will be great," Gordo agreed, "so what's the prize if you guys win the talent show?"

"I think it's a $1000 scholarship for each of us," Miranda said.

"Well, it's not much, but it's better than nothing I guess," Gordo smiled at Lizzie as she finished singing.

"That was great Liz," Miranda clapped her friend on the shoulder.

"Thanks. I think it needs work, but I think we can have a decent shot at winning," Lizzie grinned.

(Talent Show Auditions)

"Okay, next on the list we have Miranda Sanchez and Lizzie McGuire," the drama teacher, Miss Brown announced.

Lizzie and Miranda took center stage and Gordo cued their music. They went through their routine with a few minor mistakes and stood, breathless as they finished. The whole room was silent for a moment, then all broke out into applause. Lizzie and Miranda high-fived eachother and then sat and watched as the rest of the acts practiced. There was a guy playing his guitar, a few magic acts, a few short scenes from various plays and a few other singers.

"Everyone did a great job, I think our show this year will be amazing," Miss Brown said, "I will have the results for which acts will be in the show tomorrow posted outside the auditorium along with practice times. Have a nice afternoon."

The auditorium suddenly roared to life as students gathered their belongings and exited. Some of them hung around to talk to their friends. Most of them had plans and homework to do.

(Next Morning-Before School)
"Look at the list," Lizzie ordered her best friend, "I'm too afraid to see for myself."

"Lizzie, open your eyes, we made it!" Miranda jumped up in excitement. "Wow, I was so afraid that we wouldn't make it," Lizzie broke into a smile.

"Come on, you know we're good," Miranda rolled her eyes.

"Haha, someone sounds a little cocky," Lizzie winked.

"I don't mean it like that, but Lizzie, remember you are the girl who performed at the IMVAs and the crowd there loved you," Miranda reminded her.

"True," Lizzie agreed, "so when is practice?"

"Everyday after school until the show next Thursday night," Miranda read off the flyer.

"Okay, works for me," Lizzie walked toward class with Miranda.

(The Talent Show-Announcement of Winners)

"And this year's second place goes to..........Timmy Walters with his wonderful magic tricks, congratulations Timmy," Miss Brown said.

The audience clapped and cheered as Timmy took his second place award. Then they got quiet so that Miss Brown could announce the winner.

"Our winners for this year's talent show will each receive a $1000 scholarship. Get ready to applaud because this year's talent show first prize goes to......Lizzie McGuire and Miranda Sanchez! Congrats girls!" Miss Brown smiled as the crowd erupted into cheers.

Lizzie and Miranda accepted their award and smiled proudly as the auditorium full of people cheered for them. Lizzie's parents were in the audience and they sent Matt up with a bouquet of roses for Lizzie and another one for Miranda. All of the talent show participants ran out on the stage and took a group bow. Then they all went backstage to gather their belongings and make sure everything was cleaned up.

Gordo met the girls backstage, "Congratulations you two, the room loved you."

"They loved Lizzie," Miranda added.

"No, they loved BOTH of you," Gordo assured her, "you are a talented dancer, Sanchez."

Miranda blushed, she didn't think she was all that great, but was glad Gordo supported her. They went out into the foyer to meet their families. Hugs went all around and the McGuires offered to take everyone out for ice cream.

A/N: So sorry for the delay between chapters. I started writing this a while ago, then forgot where I was going with it. Then I got busy getting ready to move in at college. Now I'm here, at Colorado State University (go Rams!) and I should be having more time to write, though I won't guarantee it. I am sorry if this chapter is boring, like I said I forgot where I was going and this ended up being sort of a filler. The story is nearly over now. A couple more chapters I think and she's finished!