Ratchet's POV
After testing Ricky's blood with Knockout's energon, it showed it wouldn't work for him. I need to figure out another solution before his energon level drops to that same level again.
"Can I at least take the energon to Tracy?" Snowdrift asks.
"Yes, I think you should reprogram your holorform since it looks too much like Matias' late wife,"
"That makes since I don't want to confuse anyone," Snowdrift says.
Tracy's POV
I let out a nervous sigh and head inside. As I enter the auditorium, I hear a few gasps of awe as I walk up to the stage.
"Hello, everyone. I'm professor Teresa Gonzalez the head dance professor here at ZIPA. Today you can call me Teresa. I opened up my audition to everyone and not just my students here at ZIPA because I believe that every dancer deserves their time in the spotlight," Teresa says.
"I think you should ban internet celebrities from Audiotoning since all they care about is making a blog about it to boost their views," a girl wearing a turquoise leotard says.
"Would you stuff it, Ria, your just jealous because BlueDragonflybellet's channel is more popular than yours," another student says.
"Plus, Ria, you can't expect your channel to grow if you don't post anything to it," Sara says.
"Ria, for the record, I didn't start my channel to become famous. I was trying to show people just because I was talented. It didn't mean I was stuck up or could master a new routine after just one class," I say.
"Ria, if you're going to continue to display this disrespectful behavior. I will have to ask you to leave," Teresa says.
"Teresa, my name is Patricia. I'll go if my being here will cause trouble," I say.
"Patrica, you don't have to leave, dear. I'd had a few of your videos shown to me by my students. I, for one, am thrilled to get a chance to see you dance in person," Teresa says.
"OK, but did we need to have a routine prepared?" I ask.
"No, dear," Teresa says.
Good, that takes some of the pressure off. But, I still need to make a good impression. This audition could be my second chance to go to a performing arts school.
Everyone takes turns going on stage, and I have to admit, after seeing some of the students perform, I was intimidated and hoped that I could meet their expectations. My heart was thumping in my chest as I walked to the middle of the stage. A lump began to form in my throat once the music started to play. Waltz of the Hours from Coppélia. It was my mom's favorite ballet. I got halfway through my performance as a wave of grief hit me like a tidal wave, and I ran off stage.
I'm sorry, mom, I failed you.
Normal POV
"It looks like Patricia isn't a great performer. After all, she can't even do a full performance," Ria says.
"Back OK, I think that family member she mentioned in that video a week ago must have been her mom," Sara says.
"Yeah, she mentioned in a different video that her mom's favorite ballet was Coppélia," Samatha adds.
"Ria, that's strike two, one more act of disrespect, and you can forget about performing at the ball with the others. I'll go talk to her," Teresa says.
Terese goes backstage and finds Tracy sitting on the floor with her knee pulled to her chest. She is trying her best to stop herself from crying her eyes out.
"Patricia, dear, what happened?" Teresa asks.
"I'm sorry, Teresa, but the song was from my mother's favorite ballet. Her funeral was a few days ago, and I've been doing my best to stay strong. I guess I hit that wall hard," Tracy replies as more tears stream down her face.
"Dear, I'm so sorry for your loss," Teresa says.
"Thank you, Teresa, but I guess I'm not a great dancer if I can't control my emotions while performing," Tracy says.
"Patricia, losing a parent is one of the hardest things anyone can go through. I lost my mother when I was sixteen, and I tried my best to stay strong for my little sisters and dad. But, you can only keep up that brave face for so long." Teresa says as she kneels in front of her.
"Teresa, do you know when the grief stops hurting?" Tracy asks as she slowly lifts her head.
"In time, the pain will fade, but the grief of losing a parent never goes away," Teresa says as she wipes away a few of Tracy's tears with her hand, "But things will get better if you allow yourself to go through the grieving process instead of pushing the pain below the surface so no one can see it," Teresa says.
"I know, Teresa. I hope you understand if I don't want to stay or perform at the ball if you decide to pick me," Tracy says.
"Of course, dear, from what I saw, I'd appreciate it if you'd at least consider applying to the school," Teresa says, handing Tracy a business card with the school's info on it before heading back to tell everyone who she'd chosen for the performance.
Tracy's POV
After Teresa leaves, I slowly stand up and compose myself before sneaking out the back to change. I neatly folded the leotard Sara lent me on a bench with a note apologizing for the new tears stains on it. Then I head outside to meet up with Ivan and Prince Philip.
"Dove, why is your beautiful face covered in tear stains? Ivan asks.
"The song that played for my audition was from my mom's favorite ballet," I reply, showing the lump in my throat, "I tried to make it through the entire song, but I only made it halfway before a wave of grief hit me. I did my best to hold it together because I wanted to show everyone was strong I am, but I just ran off stage," I continue as I feel a few tears begin to form in my eyes again.
"Oh, Heart's Gleam," Ivan says as he pulls me in for a hug.
I didn't want to cry about my mom again, but it seemed like the only thought on my mind was that it would help me feel better from all the grief I'd kept buried inside since the funeral last week. After I finish crying, Prince Philip hands me a tissue, and I dry my face. Then we walk back to the car. I'm surprised to see Aunt May and Uncle Marco talking with Ratchet's holoform. I walk over to them.
"Ryan, what are you doing here?"
"I came here to give you this. It is a special drink to help with your new medical condition," Ratchet- Ryan says.
"Thank you, so I see you've met my Aunt May and Uncle Nick," I say, taking the bottle of energon, "But, where is NIck? Never mind, I found him," I joke as Nick pops out from behind Ratchet's alt mode and jumps on my back.
"Nickolas, be careful. You and Pixie could get hurt," Uncle Marco scolds.
"Uncle Marco, you promised that you'd stop calling me that at my fourteen birthday, remember," I say as I quickly regain my balance.
"Sorry, daddy, I was happy to see Ricia," Nick says.
"So, am I, buddy, but a bear hug will be fine next time," I say.
"You're highness, we still need to discuss the plans for the decorations for the ball," Aunt May says.
"Of course," Prince Philip says.
"Ricia, are you going to the ball?" Nick asks as Uncle Marco takes him off my back.
"I don't know, buddy," I reply.
"But, mommy made a special dress," Nick says.
"Aunt May, but why? You know big gatherings aren't my thing? Going to them makes me super nervous," I say.
"I know, sweetheart. I planned to give it to you earlier so you could wear it to graduation, but I wasn't able to finish it," Aunt says as she goes over to Uncle Marco's car.
She walks back over and hands me a garment bag. I open it, and inside is a robin's egg blue dress with three-quarter-length sleeves, a knee-length shirt, a ribbon around the waist complete with a bow, and the bust area covered with blue lace flowers.
"This is beautiful. It's like something I'd wear to a dance competition," I say.
"It looks like being a master decorator isn't your only skill, Mrs. Gonzlas," Prince Philip says.
"Yes, fashion design is my second hobby," Aunt May says.
"Ricia, you'd look like a princess if you wore that to the ball," Nick says.
"I agree with Prince Nick, and that color makes your blue eyes look even more beautiful," Ivan says.
"Thanks," I say, kissing Ivan on the cheek.
"I thought you and Andrew were dating?" Uncle Marco asks.
"Were, Uncle Marco, I broke up with him a few days ago," I say.
"You made the right choice, given how he treated you. The boy didn't tell you in person that he didn't want to go to Prom with you, he texted. That boy didn't deserve you. He wasn't the right one," Aunt May says.
"Thanks, Aunt May, plus he never listened to a word I said the entire time we were together. He was trying to see if his best friend had feelings for him since he liked her," I say. "Regardless, I think I can handle my anxiety level spiking to show off this dress, considering you worked so hard on it,"
"It is settled, Mrs. Gonzals. Shall we head back to the palace?" Prince Philip says.
