This Is Our Year: College I-I
Chapter 4: Taps of Glory
Disclaimer: All the Kim Possible Characters belong to Disney. The original characters are of my own creation.
It was, 3:20 pm, as Anna was sitting in the living room of the Stoppable townhouse and waiting for her parents to change into their cheer and football uniforms so they could quickly get to practice without having to change at the field house.
During the wait, she thought back to how she felt and reacted when she learned of the kiss her parents shared while in the fountain at Hudson River.
"You know," Anna thought. "Maybe I was a little hard on Mom and Dad for their actions. I mean, sure they kissed passionately, but no one has given me grief about it. Besides, the last few times they've kissed passionately, nobody gave me any grief about it. I know, I'll apologize to Mom and Dad as soon as they get down here."
Then, as if on cue, Kim and Ron ran down the stairs.
"Hey, Mom. Dad?" Anna asked. "I'm sorry."
Kim and Ron looked at Anna as soon as they reached the bottom.
"What are you sorry about?" Kim asked.
"My attitude towards you guys over your kiss in the fountain," Anna replied. "I've been thinking this through and I have realized that I was really hard on you guys and I feel terrible for it."
"It's okay, Anna," Kim assured.
"We'll talk more after practice," Ron spoke up. "Right now, we gotta get going."
Anna nodded before following her parents out the door. But not before saying bye to Ike and telling him Sabre will arrive shortly to watch him and Hana.
Later, at 5:30 pm, Kim, Ron, and Anna walked out of the field house after practices concluded.
Anna spoke, "So, as I was saying earlier, I've been thinking this through and I have realized that I've been too hard on you guys and I feel terrible for it. So, you guys shared a passionate kiss that could've caused people to give me grief, big deal. I mean, all those other times you've passionately kissed have never caused anyone to give me any grief. So, I highly doubt anyone will give me any grief, should word of the fountain kiss get out."
"So, you forgive us?" Kim asked.
Anna smiled, "All is forgiven."
The three Stoppables stopped walking and joined in a group hug.
"Thank you for forgiving us," Kim said with a smile.
"Anytime, Mom," Anna said, still smiling. "I love you and Dad so much."
"We love you too, AC," Ron said with a smile.
As soon as the three broke the hug, Kim asked Anna, "Anna, to make it up to you, why don't we all go out to dinner tonight?"
"That will be great!" Anna said in excitement.
"There's an Italian restaurant your father and I went to last week that we can go to," Kim said.
Ron then spoke, "Afterward, we can go to, The Chocolate Palace, nearby and we can enjoy the best chocolate around."
"I would love to go to those places," Anna commented. "I'm a huge fan of both Italian food and chocolate."
"Let's go home and change clothes," Kim suggested. "I feel like dressing up for tonight."
"Me too," Anna said.
"Ditto," Ron added.
Soon after that was said, the two teens and one pre-teen have reached the parking lot. They then climbed into the Sloth before driving back to the townhouse.
Later, at 5:45 pm, Kim and Ron were in their bedroom dressed up for tonight and smiling.
Kim wore a red fitted velvet cocktail dress with spaghetti straps and black knee-high boots. She also wore the chocolate diamond stud earrings, watch, and necklace Ron got her the first time they went to, The Chocolate Palace. Her hair was also in a flowing ponytail held by a black hair scrunchie.
Ron on the other hand, wore a red short-sleeve collared shirt, khaki pants, and black patent Loafers.
Just then, the two teens heard the door to their bedroom open.
They turned to see Anna smiling and wearing a black fitted tank-dress, black headband, and black patent Mary Jane shoes. For jewelry, she wore her gold locket and diamond stud earrings.
"So, what do you guys think?" Anna asked as she raised her arms up in the form of a V.
"You look so beautiful, AC," Ron commented. "Just like your mother."
"You look very beautiful, Anna," Kim commented.
"Thanks, guys," Anna said as she lowered her arms. "You look great as well."
"Why, thank you, Anna," Kim said, appreciating her daughter's feedback.
"Shall we head on over to, Mario's Luogo di Cena, once Sabre gets here?" Anna asked.
Then, as if on cue, the doorbell rang.
"That must be, Sabre," Kim speculated.
Later, at 5:55 pm, the Stoppable family walked into, Mario's Luogo di Cena, and were greeted by the host.
"Ciao, welcome to, Mario's Luogo di Cena," The host said in an Italian accent. "Table for three?"
"Yes, please," Kim answered.
"Right this way," The host said before he led the Stoppables to a four-person table.
Once the Stoppables sat down, the host handed them each a menu.
"The waiter will be here in a few," The host said before walking away.
Later, at 7:00 pm, the three Stoppables finished eating a divine Italian dinner.
"Those spaghetti with meatballs were delicious!" Anna commented happily after swallowing her last bite. "I'm glad you guys brought me here."
Kim and Ron smiled.
"We are so happy you are having a great dinner," Kim said. "After all, we did wanna make it up to you for our actions."
"Mom, it's okay," Anna assured. "I have accepted your and Dad's apology and I really appreciate you guys taking me out to dinner."
"Thanks, Anna," Kim and Ron said in unison.
Anna giggled, "Jinx, you two owe me a soda the next time we go out to dinner."
Beep Beep Beep Beep
Anna answered her Annamunicator, "Wa…Albert?"
"Hey, Anna," Albert said with a wave and frown. He then coughed.
Kim, Ron, and Anna's smiles faded at the sound of the cough.
"You caught a cold?" Anna asked.
Albert nodded, "Yes. But I also have other news. You remember me telling you that Shawn and I were moving to Broy?"
Anna nodded, "Yes?"
"Well, it turns out that he has chosen to move his Insurance business HQ to Portland, Oregon instead," Albert announced in an apologetic tone. He then coughed, again.
"So…you're moving away from us?" Anna asked in disbelief.
"Say, do you think you can put me through to your parents?" Albert asked. "I need to talk to them about something."
Anna nodded, "Okay."
She then removed her Annamunicator from her wrist and handed it to Kim.
Kim soon took the device into her left hand before she and Ron looked down at Albert on the screen.
"Hey, Al," Kim waved with her right hand.
"Hey, dude," Ron added with a wave. "You wanted to talk to us about something?"
Albert nodded, "Yes." He then coughed, again. "If you should know, Shawn has chosen an apartment for us to live in due to a lack of houses for sale in Portland." Albert sniffled before he continued. "But the problem is that they don't allow dogs, so Mamie can't come live with us."
"You want us to take Mamie into our home and watch over her?" Kim asked.
"Actually, would you be willing to take both me and Mamie into your home?" Albert asked.
Kim, Ron, and Anna were both shocked and confused over what they just heard.
"Say, what?" Ron asked in disbelief.
Albert sneezed before speaking, "Shawn understands that I will miss both Anna and Mamie terribly if we moved away. So, he gave me permission to live with you guys if you approve."
"Mom? Dad?" Anna spoke up.
Kim and Ron looked up at Anna and notice her give the puppy-dog pout.
"Albert is my best friend and Mamie is Ike's best friend," Anna continued. "Ike and I will be sad with Mamie and Albert moving away from us. Please…I beg you…"
Kim raised her right hand, "Anna, there's no need for the puppy-dog pout or begging."
Anna became confused, "Huh?"
Kim smiled and looked down at Albert, "Albert, you and Mamie have me and Ron's permission to live with us. But on condition that you follow our house rules. Okay?"
Albert smiled and nodded, "It's a deal and thank you so much! I'll see you guys after Thanksgiving." He then sneezed.
"We'll see you then, Al, and we hope you get well soon," Ron spoke up with a smile.
"I'll hand the Annamunicator back to Anna now," Kim announced.
Albert waved, "Bye."
Kim then handed the Annamunicator back to Anna.
Anna soon took the device into her left hand and placed it back onto her right wrist.
"It'll be a thrill to be having you and Mamie living with us, Al," Anna commented with a smile.
"It will be a blast," Albert commented. He then coughed. "Well, I'll see you after Thanksgiving."
"You too, Al," Anna said with a wave. "And I hope you get well soon."
"Good luck at that dance contest at the Broy Theatre tomorrow night," Albert said. He then sneezed. "Sorry I can't make it because of my cold."
"Don't worry, Al," Anna assured. "After you get better, I'll reenact my tap dance solo for you."
"Thanks, Anna," Albert said before sneezing, again. "I'll talk to you later."
"You too."
"Bye."
"Bye."
After the screen went black, Anna looked up at Kim and Ron.
"Thanks for allowing Albert and Mamie to come and stay with us," Anna said.
"You're welcome, Anna," Kim said. She then thought of something and asked. "Speaking of the dance contest, are you ready for it?"
Anna nodded, "Uh huh; And I'm so gonna hand that Connie Waller her biscuit at the contest."
Kim and Ron's smiled faded.
"I still can't believe there's a Bonnie wannabe attending your school," Kim groaned. "Just don't let her get to you."
Anna shook her head, "Don't worry, Mom, I won't."
The next night, November 2nd, at 6:30 pm, Anna was looking at herself in a mirror in a green room at the Broy Theatre. About 15 minutes ago, the Stoppables have arrived at the Broy Theatre after eating a quick supper and now, Anna was in her dance costume and ready to dance for when she gets called to the stage.
Anna's costume consisted of a black V-neck vest with a red rose, white under tank top, black pants, black elbow-length gloves, black bowler hat, and pearl earrings. Also, her hair was held back in a ponytail by a black hair band. The final touch, were the 1930s-style black and white lace-up tap shoes on her feet.
Just then, Anna noticed a familiar face she didn't wanna see appear in the mirror.
"Hey, Anna," Connie Waller said in a venom voice.
Anna turned to her rival, "Hey, Connie."
"Don't you just heart my dance costume?" Connie asked. For her dance costume, Connie wore a black crop-top with white leggings and platinum-colored ankle-high tap boots with beige 2-inch heels.
"What do you think of mine?" Anna asked, ignoring Connie's question.
"Yours?" Connie huffed. "It's looks so old school; I'm more of a modern type and one who is better at tap dancing."
"But can you tap dance better than me?" Anna asked.
"Yes," Connie replied.
Anna smirked, "We'll see about that."
Connie then walked away and sat down in a chair across the room.
"Anna?" Came the voice of a young girl.
Anna looked to see a five-year-old girl with strawberry-blonde hair in pigtails held by red bows, brown eyes, fair skin, and wearing a red and white plaid farmgirl dress with white socks and black patent Mary Jane tap shoes with red bows. Anna recognized her; it was Eleanor "Ellie" Kelly, a girl she met at a restaurant a few days ago and autographed a pair of tap shoes the little girl had with her.
"Ellie Kelly?" Anna gasped in amazement. "You taking part in this dance contest too?"
Ellie nodded, "Uh huh, and I have been rehearsing a routine that will blow the audience away."
"Ellie Kelly to the stage please," Came a female voice over the speaker.
"I'm up first," Ellie announced.
"I wish you luck and I'll be rooting for you," Anna said.
"Thanks, Anna," Ellie said, happily. "You're the best."
"And you're the best to, Ellie," Anna commented.
Soon, Ellie turned and walked out of the green room.
Just as Ellie walked out of the green room, Connie walked up to Anna and asked, "Okay, since when did you start supporting dancers you are competing against?"
Anna turned to Connie, "She's my biggest fan and I was her inspiration for taking up tap. She even asked me to autograph her tap shoes a few days ago."
"Do you even intend to win?" Connie asked.
Anna nodded, "I do, but there's nothing wrong with rooting for other dancers, right?"
Before Connie could respond, a contestant interrupted, "It's starting!"
Anna, Connie, and all the other contestants in the green room looked up at the large TV on the wall to see the show start.
Out in the audience, Kim and Ron (with Hana in his arms) found some seats in the front row and sat down.
Ron soon put Hana on his lap before he and Kim got out a couple cameras they were carrying.
"Mr. and Mrs. Stoppable?" Came a female voice.
Kim, Ron, and Hana turned to their left to see a woman with strawberry blonde hair, brown eyes, and fair skin sitting by herself and holding a video camera and a bouquet of flowers.
Kim and Ron recognized her and smiled.
"Hey, Michelle," Kim, who sat to Ron's left, waved. "It's good to see you, again.
"It's good to see you again too," Michelle commented. "I take it Anna is performing?"
Kim nodded, "She is and I take it your daughter is performing too?"
Michelle nodded, "You guessed right."
"Ta dance," Hana chirped.
Michelle noticed Hana and cooed, "How are you?"
Hana turned to Michelle, "Good."
"Michelle, this is Hana, my baby sister," Ron introduced.
Michelle noticed Hana's footwear and asked, "She's a tap dancer too?"
Ron nodded, "Uh huh, AC, gave her the dancing bug."
Just then, the lights dimmed, getting everyone's attention.
Soon, a voice came over the speaker, "Welcome tonight to the Annual Broy Dance Contest. Sponsored by Smarty-Mart, where shoppers shop smart. Tonight, only one dancer or group of dancers will go home with the trophy along with a $1,000 gift certificate from Smarty-Mart. Our first dancer will be Eleanor Kelly performing a tap dance to, 'Barnyard Boogie' by Louis Jordon."
The audience in the theatre gave a round of applause as Ellie Kelly took center stage.
Soon, the music started playing and she danced to the rhythm.
While watching Ellie's tap dance solo on the TV in the green room, Anna and Connie couldn't believe how well Ellie was pulling it off. Anna knew that Ellie had only taken up tap about a couple weeks ago, but never expected her to be as good as her.
After the dance solo ended, everyone in the audience gave a round of applause.
Ellie gave a bow before she made her way backstage.
"Wow," Ron commented in amazement.
"Ellie, did great," Kim added.
"She has learned so much these past couple weeks and has become a professional," Michelle pointed out.
"I wonder how AC will do later," Ron spoke up.
After the dance solo concluded, everyone in the green room, minus Connie, smiled and gave a round of applause.
Once the applause died down, the voice over the green room's speaker came, "Mae Copeland, to the stage please."
Soon, a girl wearing a pink ballerina outfit with tutu got up from a couch she was sitting on and made her way to the green room's entrance.
Just as the ballerina opened the door, Anna saw Ellie coming with a smile on her face.
Before the door closed, Anna made her way out of the green room and up to Ellie.
"That was incredible!" Anna commented.
"Thanks, Anna," Ellie said, happily.
The two then embraced in a hug.
After breaking the hug, Ellie asked, "Say, when do you perform?"
"I looked at the lineup earlier and learned that I'm going last," Anna pointed out.
"But I'm going before you," Connie spoke up.
Anna and Ellie's smiles faded as they turned to the entrance to the green room to see Connie walk up to them.
"Who are you?" Ellie asked.
"I'm Connie Waller, the greatest tap dancer in the world," Connie replied. "And that tap dance was nothing compared to what I have in store later tonight."
Anna scowled, "Connie, Ellie did great tonight."
"I know I've asked you this before, but since when did you start supporting dancers you are competing against?" Connie asked.
"I told you, she's my biggest fan and I am her inspiration for taking up tap," Anna replied.
"Your biggest fan is such a little loser," Connie commented. "And how underclass of a dancer she is. If I were her, I'd quit dancing and get a life."
Ellie started tearing up and ran further backstage and out a door, crying.
Anna scowled at Connie, "You are a horrible woman, making a little girl cry like that."
"And she'll be crying more when she loses," Connie taunted.
Anna scowled, "I hope you lose."
She then followed Ellie further backstage and out the door.
Anna soon found herself in a hallway and Ellie sitting on the floor against the wall across the hall with her hands over her eyes.
"Ellie?" Anna asked.
Ellie removed her hands from her face and looked up at Anna, "What?"
"Are you okay?"
"No."
"May I sit down with you?" Anna asked.
Ellie nodded, "Yes, please."
Anna walked up and sat down to Ellie's left side.
"I'm so sorry, Connie, said those mean things to you," Anna said with sympathy.
Ellie sniffled, "She really hurt my feelings. What she had to say really makes me wanna quit dancing."
Anna put her right hand on Ellie's left shoulder, "Ellie, I know you're sad. But you should know that there are people in this world who like to discourage other people from doing what they love. An important thing you should know is that it's easy to get discouraged by those people. But it's more important to not let them discourage you. I know what it's like to be discouraged. Back when I was your age, I won 1st place at a dance contest and felt great. After the show, however, my biological brother, who could never stand my tap dancing, came up to me and told me that I was a horrible dancer and that I've been wasting time making nothing but noise. I felt so discouraged that I dropped my trophy, burst into tears, and ran into a nearby bathroom."
"You were discouraged by someone?" Ellie asked.
Anna pulled her arm back before nodding, "Yup."
"So, what happened after?" Ellie asked.
Anna took a deep breath before continuing, "My Mom, my biological Mom, followed me into the bathroom and gave me a pep talk that restored my courage. She then told me that someday, I would give that same pep talk to another person plagued by discouragement."
"I'm so sorry for what happened," Ellie said with sympathy.
"It's okay, Ellie," Anna assured.
Ellie soon thought of something and asked, "Say, did your adoptive mother ever get discouraged by someone or some people?"
"Actually, yes," Anna replied. "You remember the Diablo Incident?"
"Yes, and it made me become afraid of fast-food toys."
"Well, Drakken used a synthodrone disguised as a male high school student to keep my Mom distracted. By the time my Mom realized the 'student', Eric was its name, was a fake, it was too late and it left my Mom in discouragement. While tied up, my Dad reignited my Mom's courage and admitted his feelings for her. After freeing themselves, they defeated Drakken, Shego, and Eric and went off to the prom where they danced to the song, 'Could It Be', and shared a kiss. And the rest is history."
"Wow," Ellie commented. "So, that's how your adoptive parents got together?"
Anna nodded, "Yup. It's a kooky story, but that's how it went."
Another question soon popped into Ellie's head before she asked, "Were there other times your adoptive mother got discouraged?"
Anna nodded, "Yes, but my Mom has never let it get the best of her."
"What about your adoptive father?" Ellie asked.
"He was heavily prone to discouragement," Anna replied. "But my Mom helps him realize that those that discourage him are complete losers."
"So, what should I do?"
"What you should do is never let people discourage you from doing what you love. You love tap dancing and someone tried to discourage you from doing it. Don't listen to anyone who discourage people from doing what they love. The discouragers are the ones who really need to quit and get a life."
Ellie took a deep breath and developed a look of confidence on her face, "You're right, Anna, I shouldn't let anyone discourage me. From now on, if anyone, even that Connie, tries to discourage me from doing what I love, I'll ignore them."
Anna gave Ellie a hug before Ellie returned the hug.
"That's the spirit, Ellie," Anna said softly and with a smile.
Just as the two dancers broke the hug, Ellie asked, "Say, what's a synthodrone?"
"Let's just say that it's a robot that leaks green goo and deflates when bitten by a naked mole-rat," Was all Anna said.
Ellie shrugged her shoulders, "Okay."
With that said, the two dancers got up off the floor and headed back to the green room.
Later, the theatre's audience gave a round of applause to someone who just finished performing a jazz dance solo.
"Who's up next?" Ron asked.
"According to the lineup, that Bonnie wannabe Anna told us about is up next," Kim replied.
"Connie?" Ron asked.
"Yes," Kim replied. "And Anna performs after her."
Soon after the applause died down, the announcer spoke over the speaker, "Our next dancer will be Connie Waller performing a tap dance to, 'Livin' la Vida Loca' by Ricky Martin."
Everyone in the audience; excluding Kim, Ron, Hana, and Michelle; gave a round of applause as Connie took center stage.
Just as the song began, Connie danced to the rhythm.
A couple minutes later, in the green room, Anna and Ellie were sitting on a couch and watching Connie dancing on the TV with scowls on their faces.
"Look at her go," Ellie groaned.
"She's good," Anna groaned. She then turned to Ellie. "But you and I are better."
"When you go out there, just know that I'll be rooting for you like you were rooting for me," Ellie said.
Anna smiled, "Thanks, Ellie."
Ellie smiled, "You're welcome."
Soon after that was said, Connie had just finished her tap solo.
Everyone in the green room, minus Anna and Ellie, gave a round of applause.
After the applause died down, a voice came over the green room's speaker, "Anna Stoppable to the stage please."
"Well, this is it," Anna announced as she got up from the couch.
She then walked up to the door right when Connie came in and said, "Top that, A."
Anna turned to Connie, "We'll see about that, C."
Anna then resumed her walk to the stage.
As soon as Connie's tap dance concluded, everyone in the audience; excluding Kim, Ron, Hana, and Michelle; gave a round of applause as Connie took a bow and walked off stage.
Soon, the announcer spoke, "And now, we have come to our last dancer who will be Anna Stoppable performing a tap dance to, 'Sing, Sing, Sing' by Benny Goodman."
Soon, everyone gave a round of applause as Anna took center stage.
Just as soon as the song began, Anna danced to the rhythm.
After Anna concluded her tap solo, everyone gave her a round of applause before she made her way backstage.
"Amazing," Michelle commented in amazement.
"Anna did really good on that solo," Kim added.
"That's our girl, KP," Ron added.
Just as the applause was dying down, a man walked onto the stage holding a gold trophy of a dancer, along with the $1,000 gift certificate, in his left hand and a card in his right hand and stood behind a podium with a microphone to the left side of the stage.
He then spoke, "And the winner, of the Annual Broy Dance Contest is…"
To Be Continued…
A/N: Who will be the winner?
You'll find out next chapter.