Chapter 24 My Money Don't Jiggle It folds
Peter's POV
"Do you know why you're here Ben?" Red Jessica asked.
"No, I don't." Ben answered.
"No?" Red Jessica said.
"No." Ben repeated.
"You're rambunctious Ben you're a wild boy." Red Jessica told him.
"You can't tame a lion." Ben said.
"I'm a lion, I'm Ben the lion!" Ben exclaimed.
"Okay?" I said.
People think running a studio is easy, with lion boy over here sometimes it can be a real challenge.
"Ben you know we just want you to do well with your solo and..." Red Jessica was about to finish but Ben cut her off.
"I have a solo?!" Ben said.
"You've HAD a solo Ben." Red Jessica told him.
"No!" Ben said.
"Yes." Red Jessica exclaimed.
"I'm like amazing at that right? I'm good?" Ben wanted to know.
Jake's POV
As I walked into studio A, Izzy walks over to me.
"Hey, Jake good morning!" Izzy exclaimed.
"Oh, hey. And good morning to you too." I told her.
"Anyway Jake, I just wanted to talk to you about the whole co-Captain thing." Izzy said.
"Oh." I answered.
"Have you decided?" Izzy wanted to know.
"Wow, I did spend a lot of time thinking about it last night." I told her.
"And?" Izzy asked.
"I've decided to accept the offer!" I said.
"No way really!" Izzy exclaimed.
"Yeah! Look Izzy, Troupe A isn't just our team, they're our family as well." I told her.
"Oh Jake, I love you so much." Izzy said as we hugged each other then shared a short passionate kiss.
Izzy's POV
As Red Jessica Peter Jake and I went inside studio A, where all of Troupe A was Red Jessica started tp speak.
"All right dancers!" Red Jessica told them.
"We've got some exciting news gather round, gather round. Peter the floor is all yours." Red Jessica exclaimed.
"Jake and Izzy are now co-Captains!" Peter told them as everyone is excited but also confused while Izzy and I hugged each other.
"So we need to choreograph a new routine for regionals." Peter said.
"Actually, you know what? I think we need to routines." Bart exclaimed.
"Why?" Izzy and I both wanted to know.
"Cos, we're going to make it to the finals." Bart told us.
"Ohhhh." Everyone said as they all cheered.
"I love the way you think Bart! love the way you think." Red Jessica told him.
Some studios don't even bother choreographing a finals routine because they know that they're not going to make it to the finals. But obviously The Never Dance is confident about making it to the finals.
"Excuse me Peter, but are me and Izzy still doing our duet?" I asked.
"Well Jake actually considering what Bart just said what I was thinking is we could put our duets in the last dance, I mean it's really good." Izzy told me.
"It's amazing." Stormy exclaimed.
"So why don't we utilize that and use it to win regionals?" Izzy suggested as everyone claps.
"All right so I guess you guys should start talking about concepts." Red Jessica told us.
"Get to work cuz we have a lot of work to do all right?" Red Jessica said.
"We'll check back soon okay? Start working." Peter exclaimed.
"Good luck!" Red Jessica said as the two left.
Izzy's POV
"So does anyone have any ideas? Izzy?" Jake asked especially me.
"Um, I was kind of thinking we could do like a "grease" kind of theme you know like..." I said as I showed them.
"Oh cool!" Owlette exclaimed.
"Yeah totally and like we'd have like props okay?" Stormy said.
"Definitely we have to have props for everyone." Jake told her.
"Yeah." I answered.
"Bart?" Jake called.
"Hey I just got out of school, don't put me back into school." Bart told us as we all laughed.
"I'm serious, it's just it brings back memories." Bart exclaimed.
"What do we think about kind of an Alice in wonderland vibe." Jake suggested.
"Oh yeah!" Everyone said.
"That would be totally cool." Jake exclaimed.
Jake's idea for the routine are cool...not really what I would have chosen.
"Finn, can be the white rabbit!" Jake told them as we all laughed.
"Oh but of course, of course, I'm the white rabbit!" Finn started to complain.
"Yeah!" We all said as we continued to laugh.
"What about bikers?" Bart asked.
"Oh!" Jake said as we all laughed.
Jake's POV
As I was helping the boys with their choreograph in regionals routine, I started to speak.
"All right, all right let's just see the first count of right okay?" I said to them.
"Now, is that a double tour or a single or...?" I asked.
Owlette's POV
As I went over to Stormy, I quietly called her.
"Stormy, er, I've got to go." I told her.
"Go ahead, don't worry I'll cover for you." Stormy said.
"Thank you, Stormy." I thanked her.
Jake's POV
"First count of eight? 5, 6, 7..." I counted than spotted Owlette trying to run out the studio.
"Owlette, where are you going?" I asked.
"Um...I've got to go I have somewhere to be." Owlette explained.
"Uh, Owlette, we have two choreograph two routines, you can't really be leaving right now." I told her.
"I know I...I just have a previous commitment." Owlette exclaimed.
"Owlette, this is really going to affect the team. I mean it's regionals it's what we've been preparing all year for I told her.
"Actually Jake, I let her go." Stormy told me.
"What?" Both Izzy and I exclaimed at the same time.
"Yep, I said she can go, she has to go somewhere." Stormy told us.
"All right." I said.
"Don't worry about it." Stormy told me.
"Stormy." I called her name.
"Keep going." Stormy said.
"Yep." Stormy answered.
"Can Izzy and I talk to you for a second?" I wanted to know.
"Yep." Stormy said.
"Can can you guys just keep rehearsing?" Izzy asked the rest of troupe A.
"For people who are still here we have a lot of work to do okay?" Izzy exclaimed.
"Let's go okay?" I told the boys as Izzy and looked at Stormy.
"Um...what was that?" Stormy asked.
"I let Owlette go she has to go somewhere." Stormy said.
"Stormy...you can't just let dancers go like that." Izzy told her.
"We have two routines to choreograph." Izzy reminded her.
"I know." Stormy answered.
"Stormy, me and Izzy are co-Captain, Owlette should've come to us first instead of you if something is going on, I deserve to know." I told her.
"We don't feel comfortable humiliating one of our dancers because we don't know what's going on with her." Izzy pointed out.
"I can't say anything." Stormy said.
"You can't say something?" I said.
"Yeah!" Stormy answered as I looked at Izzy.
"What about showing us?" Izzy asked.
"Okay but, you have to promise me that you two won't tell one soul." Stormy told us.
"We won't we promise. Right Jake?" Izzy asked.
"Well...?" I exclaimed.
"JAKE!!" Izzy yelled.
"Okay, okay I promise I promise." I answered before Izzy or stormy killed me.
"Okay." Stormy said as she shook both of our hands in a deal way as we went back to the team.
"Everyone, let's get back to work." I told them.
Stormy's POV
As I was showing Jake and Izzy were Owlette works, Jake started to speak.
"Where are we?" Jake asked.
"You know what? Can you be a little more patient?" I asked as Jake saw Owlette come out wearing a work uniform.
"Is that Owlette?!" Jake said.
"Sh!" I shushed him.
"Stormy, what is she doing?" Izzy wanted to know.
"She's working." I answered.
"What?" Both Jake and Izzy exclaimed.
"Owlette has a job." I told the two.
"That's the secret." I said.
"If I was in her position, I'd want it to be a secret too." Jake told us.
"Look, we better go, I don't want her to be embarrassed if she sees us." Izzy said.
You know it seems like Izzy and I kind of understand finally what's been going on in Owlette's life. And maybe now Jake and Izzy will treat her differently. and I'm hoping they do.
Owlette's POV
Everyone was in studio A, until Peter called my name.
"Owlette, I need to talk to you." Peter said as I entered his office.
"I think you know why I've called you in here." Peter said.
"I'll have the rest of the money for you tomorrow." I told him.
"Ugh, Owlette you've said that everyday this week." Peter exclaimed.
"Okay? I keep extending the deadline for you." Peter said.
I figured that just telling Peter everything will be easier because i don't think that there's any way that I'm going to get this money in.
"Uh, the truth is...I work two jobs in order to pay for Troupe A." I told him.
"Owlette..." Peter said as he hugged me.
Tears started to come down my face as Peter hugged me.
"I had no idea, why didn't you tell me?" Peter asked.
"It's not something I'm exactly proud of and that I want everyone here to know about." I explained.
"But my job is also to be here for you guys. I can't believe you kept it hidden." Peter exclaimed.
"I keep it hidden coz girls walk in here everyday with new outfits fancy cars they dropped off new dance shoes." I said as I began to cry. I have to take three buses just to get here and sometimes I don't even make it on time." I told him.
It feels like a weight off of my shoulders coming clean to peter but it's almost like she's just admitted defeat.
"Owlette, I'm sorry I had no idea." Peter exclaimed.
"I think right now the best thing for me is to leave Troupe A so you can find someone else who can afford it in time for regionals.
"Okay." Peter answered.
"But I'm a good dancer and I'll be back next year." I told him as Peter rubbed my shoulder.
I then quickly ran out of Peter's office grabbed my stuff, and ran out of Studio A. I just don't want to face everyone. My dreams of being a dancer and performing at regionals are over.
Bart's POV
I start to run after Owlette but Peter caught me and made me go back to studio A.
"Peter what's going on?" Lisa asked.
"Owlette's no longer in troupe A." Peter told her.
"What?!" We all exclaimed.
"It's a sensitive subject okay? I don't want to talk about any longer." Peter said.
"Go back to rehearsing all of you. I'll be in my office." Peter said as he went back to his office.
Having my girlfriend not being in Troupe A anymore is devastating and that I don't know what's wrong as well. I feel like I failed as her boyfriend.
"Stormy...did you know it was this bad?" Jake wanted to know.
"Kind of." Stormy answered.
"What?" Everyone said apart from Jake, Izzy and stormy.
I was really confused.
"Owlette's been having some money trouble okay?" Jake said.
"And her parents can't afford to pay for dance so she's been working multiple jobs." Izzy exclaimed.
I still don't understand why my girlfriend never told me about her money trouble.
Does she really trust me?
"How come no one told us?" Misty wanted to know.
"Because Misty she's embarrassed." Izzy answered.
"If you guys had money troubles, would you guys tell everyone?" Izzy asked.
"You don't understand her situation we all have money." Jake said.
I just watched my girlfriend would have told me that's what time is there for. I'm her boyfriend.
"We can't do it without her." Lisa told us.
"I have an idea come in everyone." Jake said as we all came in with Jake whispering the plan.
I just hope Jake's plan works.
Owlette's POV
As I was at work serving customers, I started to speak.
"Here you are." I told one of the customers as I gave him his food.
That's when I saw Jake walk in. So, I picked up the plate up and tried to hide my face so Jake doesn't recognize me.
"Owlette I can see you." Jake said.
I'd like to order something so serve that fine gentleman and come over here." The man told me as I gave him his food.
"Enjoy your meal." I told the man.
When I saw Jake I'm not really sure why he's here in the first place I don't even know why he came here.
"This section is closed." I told him.
"Does my face look like I care?" Jake asked.
"Okay." I answered.
"I don't think so." Jake answered back.
"Hi welcome to Neverland Juicy's! My name is Owlette and I'll be your waitress today.
"Great! I'm going to take a blackcurrant with strawberries please. That'll be all." Jake said as I looked at him and walked back inside the cafe.
Jake's POV
Right now, we're kind of carrying on my plan devised.
Owlette has absolutely no idea what's in store for her. Finn and Bart do a handshake.
"What's up dog?" Finn said.
"Hey!" Bart exclaimed.
Everyone from Troupe A walked into the cafe, and sat down.
Owlette's POV
As I took Jake's order, I then came back out and saw everyone from Troupe A is sitting there. I was really upset that they're all here.
I'm so embarrassed right now.
"Excuse me, can I get a chai tea with extra sugar please? Thanks your a doll." Finn said.
"How could you do this to me? Why would you bring them here?" I asked.
"I'm just thirsty could I get a drink?" Stormy asked.
I don't even know how stormy could do this to me because I thought we were friends and I thought we were closer than that. I also thought that she respected me as a person enough to not tell my secret to all the people that she really did want to know.
"Mocktail summer berries please." Stormy exclaimed.
"And what can I get for you, Cubby?" I asked.
"I'll have coconut milk, please." Cubby responded.
"Great!" I said sarcastically.
"I'll have tea." Izzy told me.
"Can I have water?" John asked.
"I'll have tea with extra mint leaves and on the rocks. Oh and that means ice." Misty said.
"So, an iced tea?" I asked.
All they're ordering is water and tea and...just obviously there to get back at me for what I did.
"I would actually like another raspberry water please." Jake said as everyone started to talk to me at once.
"These people that I spent every day with and hours and hours with aren't my friends anymore not even Bart.
You know what? I'm going to prove to them that I'm stronger than this. They are not going to tear me down.
That's when I decided to walk back out there and pretend like nothing is wrong. And like I'm not upset and just do my job.
"Hi!" Pirate Princess exclaimed.
"Hi welcome to Neverland juice my name is Owlette, I'll be your waitress today how can I help you?" I asked.
This is who I am and if you're not okay with that then... you're not okay with me.
I then come back out as Finn came over to me.
"You know what? I'm done I'm done I'm done." Finn said as he pleased his cup on the table.
"I'm done, thanks miss." Finn thanked me as he gave me a tip.
"Finn! This is too much." I told him.
"Well, you know what I've got to say about that? Did you know that tea was discovered by Chinese emperor Shennong in 2737 BC? Yeah bet you didn't know that." Finn said as he walked away.
It was pretty much a £50 tip.
I'm now really confused as to why Finn would do that.
"Hey Owlette." Lisa said.
"Money is on the table." Pirate Princess told me.
"Yeah we left it on the table." Lisa exclaimed.
That's when everyone started to get up and leave and started to speak.
"Thanks, money is on the table." Jake said.
"Thank you!" Izzy exclaimed.
"I appreciate it." Stormy said.
Okay I think I know now why they all came. Everyone left me money. They're all really my friends.
"You know Troupe A's a family right?" Bart said as I nodded.
"And you know you're part of that family. And sometimes families help each other out." Bart said as he placed £50 tip on the table.
"I love you." Bart exclaimed as I looked at the money then smiled at Bart.
Troupe A is my family my best friend and my boyfriend.
Bart's POV
As I did a backflip, Finn was impressed.
"Whoo!" Finn cheered.
"Hey, Finn how do you get so high?" Jake asked.
Owlette's POV
As I walked into Peter's office, I knocked on the door.
"Hi, Peter!" I exclaimed as I hand him the envelope with the money in it.
"What did you do rob a bank?" Peter joked.
"Haha good one Peter, but no I did not rob a bank I am not one of those bad guys I deal with every night with my friends. But...I do you have some pretty awesome friends." I told him as I looked out the window and saw my friend and my boyfriend.
That's when Peter got up and hugged me I then hugged him back.
"Just remember, next time come to me okay?" Peter said.
"Of course Peter." I answered.
"Good. Now, get in rehearsal please." Peter said.
"Aye aye Peter!" I exclaimed while laughing as I then walk out of Peter's office.
Once I walked into studio A, Izzy started to speak.
"Guys." Izzy exclaimed as everyone cheered and clapped that I was back.
That's when everyone started to come over and hug me tight. Okay maybe too tight because Bart's suffocated me.
"Bart, Bart, Bart? You're suffocating me." I told him.
"Sorry about that I just missed my girlfriend." Bart said as we both blushed.
"Aww." Everyone awed.
"Come on guys! And you two crazy love birds on the top not to go." Jake told us as we all just stood there.
"You heard my boyfriend go go go!" Izzy yelled as we started to get into our first position as rehearsal began.
Walking back into rehearsal and everyone happy to see me it's just the best feeling I ever felt. And I'm just ready to go to regionals and win.
"Well, there's only one thing left to say... LET'S GO!" I exclaimed.
