AN: Hey! So this is the next chapter as promised. Enjoy!

Chapter 25

"Alright everyone! Grab an index card and write down any dance experience you have. Then, I will teach you a combination and you will perform it in groups of four" The choreographer, shouted above the group of chatting girls. I changed into a pair of navy blue cotton shorts over nude tights, a long sleeved black shirt, and my nude jazz shoes. It didn't match whatsoever, and made me feel incredibly self conscious, but it was best to wear body hugging clothing to a dance audition so they can see how you move. Many girls were wearing similar attire.

"So, how'd it go?" Ari asked while stretching.

"I think it went well, well at least I hope" I struggled to say as I pulled my right leg up behind me and tugged on it until my body was at a 110 degree angle.

"Jesus Christ how did you get your leg to do that?!"Ari acted as if she had never seen a dancer stretch.

"Twelve years of practice" I giggled and relaxed out of the position, switching to the other leg.

Before any other conversation could ensue, collected our cards and made us form four lines on stage left.

"Okay, I'm only doing this twice so pay attention" demonstrated a simple ballet combination slowly once, then at a faster pace. Arabesque to the left, pas de chat, arabesque to the right, glissade jete, glissade jete, ending in a single pirouette. Easy enough.

We rehearsed the combination a few times until we had to go up in groups. Four after four, girls chuckled and turned red at their inability to portray the movements. I don't blame them, if you're not used to doing them they aren't easy. There were a few a girls who you could tell were real dancers, a couple who could dance but weren't trained, and then the ones who had no coordination whatsoever.

Ari and I were among the last group to go, which I wasn't particularly broken up about. I soon discovered Ari danced until she was twelve, why she quit I don't know, but she knew what she was doing.

"Alright girls, you can go home now. Call back list will be posted tomorrow between fifth and sixth period" addressed and gathered her bags to leave. I was too lazy to change back into my uniform, so I exchanged my jazz shoes for my penny loafers. They looked exceptionally silly, but I didn't really mind.

I arrived home around the same time as Spencer, around 5:45. He had been coming home from the BAU early the past couple of days, so I wasn't very surprised.

"Hey how'd it go?" He looked up from his case file to ask. I kicked off my shoes and dropped my bags on the mat next to the door.

"It went well, but I don't want to jinx anything" I replied, settling in on the couch next to him and switching on the television. Spencer just nodded and went back to his file, and after rotting in front of the television for a good three hours I headed off to bed.

The next morning I was calm, until I got to school and was reminded about the call back list going up. Everyone was buzzing with who they thought would get what part, and who go head to head. I didn't know many of the names they mentioned, since I still only knew two people, but I did pick up that they thought Matthew would get Jean Valjean. I could definitely see it happening.

I met Matthew just outside of the library after fifth period to walk to Chorus together.

"So, you nervous to see the list?" He asked completely loosened up.

"Just a bit, yeah. I'm keeping my expectations low so I won't be disappointed if things don't go my way" I stated.

"I'm sure your name is on the list, even though I've never heard you sing. You can tell by the way you carry yourself that you have a hidden talent. You're modest about it, too" Matthew seemed like he was profiling me. It was strange, very strange.

"Oh? Am I now?" I giggled, Matthew nodding in response. My heart started beating faster and faster as we approached the music hall. When we entered, there was a swarm of thespians crowded around the small bulletin board across the Choir room.

"Alright! Coming through, make way!" Matthew proclaimed, earning a slight push from me. I squinted and slowly analyzed each name on the list, ending up having to do it over again because I couldn't comprehend them.

I passed Ari's, then Matthews, still not finding mine. Just as I was nearing the end of the list and giving up hope of seeing my name, there it was. Jenna Reid, third from the bottom. My jaw dropped to the floor.

"See! I told you!" Matthew shouted over the sound of excitement from the people around us. I jumped with joy and ended up in a two second embrace with Matthew, broken up by our laughter and Ari trotting over to look at the list.

"AH! Yes!"Ari too gleamed with excitement. "Looks like we've got some competition, though" Ari explained to me and Matthew, well mostly me because Matthew already knew who was a threat.

"I'm just happy I got a call back" The three of us giggled.

The day proceeded on, I texted Spencer with my news and he told the rest of the team. I wasn't sure how I felt about that. If I ended up not getting a part, then it would be sort of embarrassing to tell them. I found it best to just shut my mind off and hoped for the best.

After school, everyone who was called back headed straight to the choir room. Everyone seemed to be apprehensive, but for some reason I wasn't. I was lucky just to get this far. came out of her office around ten minutes later with stacks on stacks of papers.

"Alright, let's make this as quick and painless as possible. I'm going to have each of you read for the parts I could see you in. Now just because you read for a certain character doesn't mean you will get that part, or even get a part at all. Now, come up and grab these papers as I tell you"

First, Ari read and sang for Cosette and Eponine. It was the first time I had heard her voice, and it was astounding. It was classically trained I could tell, but did not possess the overly coached sound so many people acquired. It was crystal clear, right on pitch, and all together pleasant to the ear.

Matthew read for Marius, Enjorlas, and Valjean as expected. I then understood why everyone made a big fuss over him. His voice was so rich, so potent, so utterly astonishing I never wanted the songs to end. His acting was exceptional as well. He really dug into the charter he was challenged to portray.

Mrs. Bates had me read for Cosette and Fantine. I also sang small snippets of A Heart full of Love and I Dreamed a Dream, both of which went very well. My acting wasn't the best it could be, but it wasn't terrible either. Although, Mrs. Bates could have been thinking the exact opposite. I decided to keep my thoughts neutral.

"Thank you everyone, you all did wonderful. I'll be posting the cast list at 3pm Friday on the musicals blog that you can find through the school website. Thank you and go home!" Mrs. Bates wrapped up the call back in time to catch the 4:00 bus with a few minutes to spare.

"Wow, you've got an incredible voice on you" Matthew caught up to me as I was exiting the music hall.

"I can say the same to you" I grinned. Neither of us had to say thank you, it was already implied.

"What part are you shooting for?" Matthew asked as we continued walking. I had to think for a moment, but I found my answer shortly and knew it was the right fit.

"Fantine, definitely. Yourself?" I replied. Matthew didn't hesitate to answer.

"Valjean is my first choice, but Marius would be great also. I think you're right for Fantine, I see some of her in you." Matthew smirked shyly.

"Oh, so I'm an abandoned woman who had to leave her daughter with abusive innkeepers and in order to pay her fees I turn to prostitution and sell my hair and two front teeth, then get arrested, and then rescued, only to die soon after?" I said sarcastically. We both laughed and Matthew gave me a slight push of the shoulder, causing me to stumble a few steps.

"You know what I mean! You're trusting, shy, and you have a sense of innocence to you"

I directed my face to the ground as I smiled timidly. We both chuckled at my lack of response. I was glad I found a friend who didn't get offended if I remained silent.

"You'll get the part, I know it!" Matthew shouted at me as I boarded my bus. I smiled and waved as a form of response. The more I thought of it, the more I wanted the role. Correction, the more I needed the role. It sounds dramatic, I know, but I needed something to put my all into, to dedicate 100% of my time to. I hadn't felt so determined to get something for longer than I cared to remember.

Spencer didn't come home until late that night, and when he arrived he went straight to his bedroom. I figured he just had a rough day, so I wasn't insulted when he didn't ask how the call back went. I felt a bit selfish actually. I knew Spencer had been having a hard time lately, he wasn't sleeping well and something was bothering him, I just wasn't sure what, and I was too busy thinking of myself and stressing over auditions to talk to him about it. Maybe I was over thinking things, or maybe I really was being self centered. Either way, I found the only solution was to hop into bed and put all thoughts and worries on hold. For seven hours at least.