Merry Christmas, readers! 3 chapters in 3 days! This chapter had been in the clouds for a while, so I'm excited to finally give it to you. Enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to "Meet the Robinsons" nor "TMNT," and I do not own the songs "Legacy" by Nichole Nordeman, "Liar Liar" by Christina Grimmie, nor "Without Him" by Christina Grimmie. I only own Lilianna, Ryan, Venus, Athena, Karena, & James.
January 28, 2040 – New York City, New York, USA
LILIANNA'S POV
Wilbur continued to train with Uncle Leo on the weekends while I practiced my song with Athena. I was pleased with the progress we had made together. I mastered the song on the keyboards and Athena has been knocking out her harmonious part. She was a fantastic alto singer.
"Shall we do it one more time?" I asked my freckled cousin.
"Let's do it!" Athena, whose blonde hair was straight down, answered enthusiastically.
My six fingers started to play a soft low-key melody on the keyboards. I had played by ear, remembering exactly how the music was supposed to sound. After ten seconds, I started to sing. I smiled, content with the world I was in despite the song I was singing. I was in my own world, not letting the horrors of the outside world get in. I also smiled because it was only me and Athena in my father's lab, and I felt peace.
The more I sang, the more powerful I felt, and I put more power into my voice. When the time was right, Athena joined in with her harmony. I remembered the girl who wrote the song I was singing, and I felt angry at what had happened to her at such a young age. Remembering this singer also made me thankful my family never learned to fire a gun because it was against the Hamato Clan's beliefs. I smiled, feeling grateful because I went to school in a community where guns were forbidden. Then I got angry again, because crime still existed, and I knew that crime would never go away until Jesus would come and cleanse the world of it once and for all.
I continued to play the piano with a powerful feeling in my fingers, and I belted my voice out, letting the soprano out to harmonize with Athena's alto.
"I don't need to know you'll be there," we sang together. "You're not on my mind. I don't need to know you care."
"Please don't waste my time," I sang before vocalizing and singing the chorus again. "Liar, liar, don't cry on my shoulder. You played with fire and smiled when you told her!"
Suddenly, we heard the clash of a cymbal, and Athena and I screamed.
"What was that?!" I asked, feeling freaked out.
We turned around… and saw Venus de Milo Hamato behind her father's drum set. She put a big grin on her face.
"Okay, that was fun!" Venus said.
"Venus, we were practicing!" I yelled at her.
"And you scared us!" Athena yelled.
"That's why it was fun," Venus replied, still carrying her big grin.
"You are so Raphael's daughter," Athena retorted. "Not only do you know how to scare people, but you also know how to play the drums… quite loudly."
"I'm amazed you carried the drums all the way from Uncle Raph's room," I said with widened eyes. "You must have inherited his strength."
"My mom is just as strong, you know," Venus replied back nonchalantly. "So what's the occasion that you're singing this song all the time?"
"Lily's gonna be in a talent show and I'm helping her," Athena explained.
"Could I help?" Venus asked with a gleam in her green eyes. "I can play the drums really well."
"Well that's just great!" I yelled out sarcastically. "We have a piano, two voices, and drums. How is this going to work?"
"Wait, Venus, can you sing?" Athena asked. "Cause that would be the only way for you to help out."
"Are you kidding me?" Venus replied, raising an eyebrow. "I can't carry a tune for the life of me. I think of all of us, Lily would be the lone representative in the glee club."
"She also inherited Uncle Raph's sass," I whispered to my youngest cousin.
"Auntie Mona has just as much sass," Athena whispered back before speaking up. "Well, I do know how to play the guitar. Kirby taught me how."
"Kirby? Who's Kirby?"
"Your grandpa."
I smacked my head. I was not used to hearing my grandpa's real name.
"So the only thing missing is the bass guitar?" I asked.
"Ryan knows how to play that," Venus said. "But we gotta get him to be curious about it. And first, I wanna know how to play this song."
"So the first verse and chorus is strictly my voice and the piano," I explained. "No one else starts playing until the second verse."
"Here's the song," Athena said, showing Venus the song on her T-Pod.
"Thanks. Now are we all playing on the stage?"
"I'm not sure exactly," I answered. "I'll be playing the piano and singing at the same time."
"I heard drums!" Wilbur suddenly yelled excitedly. "Hey, Venus."
"Hey, Wilbur."
"Playing the drums for fun?"
"At first," Venus answered. "Now the three of us are in on Lily's act."
"Lily, you know you're going to have to hide your cousins," Wilbur told me. "It's just your name on the schedule."
"Wilbur, the acts may be official, but there's always room for change," I replied. "I see a lot of potential with Athena's harmonizing voice and guitar skills. And Venus on the drums? She may nail the song on the first try!"
"You're also going to need costumes," Wilbur suggested, putting a hand on his chin. "Athena and Venus, you're gonna need to wear black if you're going to be in the shadows."
"We should tell Ryan too if he wants to get involved," Athena replied.
"No, no, wait for Ryan."
Wilbur paused, putting on a confused look on his face.
"What would Ryan be doing?"
"Playing the missing link," Venus answered. "The bass guitar."
"Maybe I can ask Tallulah to help you guys out," Wilbur told us. "She's already helping Karena with her outfit."
"What would Lily wear?" Athena asked.
"I can make my own outfit," I answered. "I made my own dress for my vision quest after all."
"Well, let me get together with Tallulah at least and see if she can make you guys some black costumes," Wilbur told us. "We'll just need your measurements."
"Wilbur, you are aware I'm not human, right?" Venus asked.
"Yeah, and neither is Ryan," Athena chimed in. "Both of them actually have shells. Making them costumes would be complicated."
"Trust me, Tallulah has a gift for this stuff," Wilbur assured us with a smile. "She will find a way to make it work, even if it's having Lily bring you two with her."
"And I'd be fine with that," I replied.
"But what about our dads?" Venus asked, putting her hands on her hips.
"You guys may have to do it in the afternoon. But we'll figure something out! I'm confident we'll figure it out! Meanwhile, let's help Venus and Athena learn how to play the song."
"I can have my mom make sheet music if that helps," Wilbur suggested. "She's really good at converting music by ear to sheet music."
"Great! Go ahead."
I pushed the button on my portal to help Wilbur return home. After he left, I helped Athena and Venus understand their parts in the song.
January 29, 2040 – Todayland, North Montana, USA
WILBUR'S POV
The first thing I did this morning was taking the travel tube to the second floor to walk to Tallulah's room. I knocked, and Tallulah opened the door with a smile on her face.
"Hiya, Wilbur! Come on in!"
I walked into the room, and she shut the door.
"So I know you're helping Karena make an outfit for the talent show."
"Karena is going to be so beautiful!" Tallulah replied excitedly.
"So will Lily," I said, putting a smile on her face.
"Lily's in the talent show, too? How wonderful! Is that why you're here? You wanna ask me to make Lily an outfit?"
"Lily told me she can make her own outfit," I answered. "I'm actually asking for you help in making three costumes for her cousins. Her cousins are going to back her up."
"This already sounds very intriguing. Now, you may have to refresh my memory because I've only met Lily's cousins one time."
"No big deal. Athena's easy. She's mostly human, so making her costume shouldn't be a problem. Ryan and Venus, on the other hand, got most of their physiology from their fathers. They both have turtle shells, and we're afraid that the shell may complicate things."
"Hmm… have you seem any of the Turtles wearing clothes?" Tallulah asked.
"I…"
I paused, realizing I have to tell the truth about my using the time machine to my cousin-once-removed.
"I went back in time with Lily to her parents' wedding, and Donatello was wearing a cloak. Leonardo was wearing a kimono. I'm unsure of any other instances."
"Do you have Donnie's number?"
"Yeah, I've got it."
I gave Tallulah his number and she did not hesitate to call him.
"Hi Donatello, this is Tallulah Robinson. I'm fine, how are you? Great! I'm calling you because I have a clothing question. No, it's not for Lily. Wilbur's assuring me that she can make her own outfit. Wilbur has asked me to make costumes for Ryan and Venus, and he's concerned about their shells being in the way. Do you have any advice for me?"
Tallulah and I sat in silence as we waited for Don's response.
"Really? It's that easy, huh? Well, cool! Thank you! Wilbur and I will be there shortly. Goodbye!"
Tallulah hung up.
"So what do you have to do?" I asked.
"Take their measurements like I do all my clients," Tallulah answered with a wink. "Get ready, Wilbur. We're heading to New York City!"
"I am ready!" I replied a little too enthusiastically.
I pointed to my tennis shoes.
"I just need to get my jacket."
"I'll come with you. There's a good chance Lily's going to pick you up in your bedroom."
New York City, New York, USA
Lily brought us into Donatello's lab through the portal where all four cousins were assembled.
"Ryan, Lily actually convinced you to join her act?" I asked with a smirk.
Ryan and I shook hands.
"It wasn't Lily who convinced me," Ryan answered. "It was Venus. She told me that being a part of the band would be cool and that I would learn the bass part quickly."
"Now I gotta know," I replied. "Who taught who how to do what you're doing?"
"I taught myself how to sing and how to play the piano," Lily answered. "My dad sang me to sleep every night, so the softness of his voice taught me how to be smooth. My mom, as a reporter, used her voice boldly to expose what was hidden from the world, so she taught me to be heard."
"Lily's grandfather, Kirby O'Neil, taught me how to play the guitar," Athena explained.
"My dad taught me how to play the drums," Venus answered.
"And my dad taught me how to play the bass guitar," Ryan answered. "So tell me, do you have any music ability, Wilbur?"
"I cannot carry a tune, unlike my girlfriend. But I can play the trumpet."
"I'll be doggone," Venus replied with surprise in her voice. "That makes two of us."
"You can't sing either?" I asked in reply.
"Nah. Apparently Athena can. What about you, Ryan?"
"I'll stick with giving the singing parts to Lily," Ryan answered with a smirk. "We were just going through the song for the first time, and Lily has an incredible voice. She's going to do amazing in the talent show."
"Speaking of which, that is why I am here," my cousin chimed in. "My name is Tallulah. I'm making Karena's costume for the talent show, and Wilbur has asked me to make all of yours. But I do not have your measurements."
"Measurements?" Ryan asked in confusion.
"I'll show you," Tallulah replied. "Athena, let's start with you. You're actually the perfect person for a demonstration."
Athena walked over to Tallulah, and she started doing her job.
"Athena, you are just as beautiful as Lily. The freckles on your face, the blonde hair, the brown eyes. Remind me whose daughter you are?"
"Michelangelo's. But my dad has blue eyes. My mom has the brown eyes."
"Do you have the nunchucks like your dad, Athena?"
"My main weapon is the yuma, archery. But I do carry nunchucks too, just in case."
"Perfect," Tallulah said with a proud smile. "Thank you, Athena. Venus, you're next!"
Venus walked over, and my cousin was immediately inspired.
"So Wilbur tells me you're part-turtle," Tallulah told her. "But you have a tail, I see."
"I am part-Salamandrian, too," Venus replied. "My mom is not from this planet."
"She's an alien? That is fascinating. She is evidence that there is life out there!"
"Just don't tell her that, please. She's been on this planet since 2017, and she's even applied for citizenship."
"Duly noted," Tallulah replied with a wink. "So what are your weapons, Venus? And are you named after Venus de Milo?"
"I am. And my dad gave me a pair of his sais to use as my own."
"Thank you, Venus. Last but not least, Ryan."
Venus and Ryan switched places, and Tallulah started taking his measurements.
"Were you named after Tallulah Blackhead?" Ryan asked.
The girls in the room cracked up laughing, and I joined in on it.
"What's so funny?" Ryan asked his cousins, giving them all a glare.
"I think you mean Tallulah Bankhead, silly!" Lily answered in the middle of her giggling fit.
"But to be fair, I think she earned that one," I replied, wiping away the tears in my eyes from laughing.
Tallulah gave me a strange look.
"Tallulah Bankhead, I mean. Tallulah Robinson is a saint."
"Nice save," Athena told me.
"Thank you, Wilbur," Tallulah replied, still giving me a weird look. "No, I was not named after Tallulah Bankhead. My late mother loved the name when she looked through her book of baby names, so I got stuck with it. And that's okay. It means leaping water."
"That totally fits you!" Lily said loudly. "You roller skate everywhere pretty much, so obviously you've done a lot of dancing in your life."
Tallulah gave Lily a look of shock.
"I am very impressed! How did you know I danced?"
"Lucky guess," Lily answered, not revealing her psychic powers.
"Well, I am done here," Tallulah said, writing down the last of her notes on a notepad. "Thank you, everybody!"
"Bye, Tallulah!" we all yelled back.
Lily activated the portal, sending her back.
"Oh!" I exclaimed. "That reminds me!"
I set my backpack down and took out the sheet music for Lily's act.
"Here. You'll each need this."
"Yes!" Athena exclaimed. "Sheet music! This will help us out a lot."
"Yes, it will," Lily agreed. "Thank your mom for me, Wilbur."
"It's our pleasure!" I replied. "Do you need me for anything else?"
"Weren't you going to ask my dad for advice?"
Donatello. Right.
"Yes, I will. Where is he?"
"He should be in the living room watching TV with Uncle Mikey."
"Thanks."
I ventured out of the lab once the cousins started to practice, and Lily was right. Her father and Mikey were watching TV in the living room.
"Hey, guys," I said, joining them.
"Hey, Wilbur!" Mikey greeted me. "Want some popcorn?"
"I'd love some. Thanks!"
I sat down and watched Super Robo Mecha Force Five with the two youngest brothers. After the episode ended, I decided it was time to ask the question.
"Don, could you give me some advice on something?"
"Sure! What's on your mind?"
"Well, I didn't make the cut to be in the talent show," I explained. "I'm not as good at comedy as I thought I would be. Lily suggested I be a teacher because I am good at telling stories, but I don't want to."
"I didn't want to teach either when I was your age," Don told me. "All I wanted to do was stay in my lab and invent retro-mutagen or some other weapon or vehicle that would help my family in our missions. But most of all, I always had a dream of being widely-known scientist who would make the world a better place to live. And then, your father came along. When he offered me to take an exam to test out of college, I didn't hesitate. I did it. When he saw how smart I was, he encouraged me to be an inspiration to people my age, that like the two of us, they can also make the world a better place to live."
Donatello paused, putting his arm around me.
"You see, Wilbur, I teach college students how to think, and if their thinking is flawed, then I challenge them to better their thinking. And that is one of the best decisions I have ever made."
Don then leaned in to whisper to me.
"Only God knows the man you will become. He already knows who you will be. Place your faith in him, and you will see your future clearly. And right now, I feel like a broken record because I told my daughter the same thing the other day."
I laughed.
"Thanks, Don."
"You're welcome."
I got up but noticed I didn't have any way to go back home.
"Hey, Don. Is there any way you can hook me up with a ride home?"
"Sorry, Wilbur," Leo answered instead. "It's time for me to train you."
I let out a sigh. Training to be a ninja was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be, and today, I was dreading it.
"I'm coming, Leo."
I treaded up the stairs and into the dojo, mentally preparing myself to get my butt kicked again.
February 18, 2040 – Todayland, North Montana, USA
LILIANNA'S POV
It was four o'clock in the afternoon after school. I sat outside of Tallulah's dress shop with Wilbur waiting for my cousins to show up. I had folded the outfit I was going to wear to the talent show and placed it in my backpack earlier this morning. I did not want the burden of carrying it on a hanger all day.
Suddenly, three pink doors appeared, and out came my cousins.
"We're here!" Athena announced excitedly.
"Great!" I replied. "Let's all go inside."
We walked in the door and the bell rang.
"I'll be right with you!" we heard Tallulah yelling from the back.
"I cannot believe she has her own shop," Athena said with a big smile on her face. "This is all amazing!"
"Isn't it?" Wilbur replied, returning the smile. "Believe it or not, Tallulah went into business when my mom was pregnant with me. She's got everything in here. Baby clothes, men's clothing, wedding dresses. If you name something, she probably has it. She's that good."
"Thank you for bragging for me, cousin," Tallulah replied as she walked up to us. "Excellent! You are all here. Follow me!"
We followed Tallulah through the store to her spacious fitting rooms.
"This is amazing!" Ryan said excitedly. "Is this where our costumes are at?"
"Yes, sir!" Tallulah answered. "And each of you has your own fitting rooms. Lily, do you have your dress on you?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Excellent! Your name is on the doors. Go ahead and get changed, and I will see you again shortly."
I walked into the stall that had my name on it. I took off my purple blouse, black pants, and black ballet flats. I took a moment to admire my body and my lavender lingerie before putting on my costume. I had made this costume in honor of Christina Grimmie. I put on a black-laced top with straps, a blue skirt, and black boots with blue shoelaces and two-inch heels. I left my long red hair down for now, and right now, I was not wearing makeup.
Feeling ready, I walked out of my stall and walked onto the platform. I heard wolf whistles from both Tallulah and Wilbur.
"Wow!" Tallulah said excitedly. "You look like a rock star! I don't think I need to change a thing."
"Really?" I asked.
"Really. In fact, I can probably give you some advice on your hair too."
"Oh?"
"Leave it down exactly the way it is," Tallulah suggested. "You already have the bangs to rock out, and most singers usually have their hair down anyway so they can rock out."
"And it also makes sense because I'm playing the piano," I replied. "People can see the different dimensions of my hair too."
"Lily, look at you!" I heard Athena say. "But I thought purple was your favorite color?"
"It's white, actually. But I was trying to come as close as possible to one of Christina Grimmie's outfits without copying her."
I took a good look at Athena. She wore a long-sleeved black shirt with a black skirt that touched the floor.
"That is a good look on you," I complimented her with a gap-toothed grin. "Black goes great with your blonde hair."
"Thanks! I love it. I may even wear this on my vision quest some day."
Venus and Ryan both emerged from their stalls at the same time. Venus looked very identical to Athena with her long-sleeved black shirt and long black skirt. Her skirt came with a train to cover her long tail. Venus's outfit also came with a black bandana to cover her bald head. Ryan's outfit consisted of a long-sleeved black shirt, a pair of black pants, and a black hat. I was happy to see that the shirts covered Ryan and Venus's shells perfectly.
"So, what do you all think?" Tallulah asked.
"I think you made our wearing shirts possible," Venus answered with a grin. "I'm very impressed, and I'm not one to easily impress."
"Right, Venus, you and your parents," Ryan said. "I love my outfit, especially the hat. I feel like I should be a spy in a detective movie."
"What's Karena wearing?" I asked.
"That is a surprise for that night," Tallulah answered with a wink.
"You all look incredible," Wilbur complimented us. "But there's another pressing matter to tend to. My dad told me that the winner of the talent show will perform again. Now, I'm not sure if he means another song or if he means the same thing."
"We've already worked on that," Athena replied. "Would you like a preview?"
"Sure!"
"We can easily come up with an a cappella version," I said with a smile. "You ready, Athena?"
"Yep!"
We nodded to each other, and then I started singing.
"Right from the start, he lured me in, took me to places I've never been. I think I'm in love. I think I'm in love. He might have bent me, but I didn't break. He rearranged the map I had made. But I think I'm in love. I think I'm in love."
I gave Athena a nod, and we started to sing together.
"Now am I crazy? Why can no one understand that I'll never find a better man? Oh no. I'm just imagining a life without my baby. I know, I know, this life ain't meant to be lived without him, without him. This life ain't meant to be lived without him, without him, oh no."
I took a quick breath before I quickly sang a verse.
"I'm not one to really talk at all. Speak up only when the time is right or when it calls for the big guns. Problem is where to speak from. I hear it's your heart that does all the talking. Hurry up, you've got no time to waste, 'cause this is the man I'm loving for always. But be honest to God, truth of the matter. I just can't see my life going on without..."
I took a deep breath, preparing to sing the highest note possible in my head.
"You!"
"Now am I crazy?" Athena sang as I continued to belt out. "Why can no one understand that I'll never find a better man?"
"Oh, no, no, no, no!" I belted out.
"I'm just imagining a life without my baby," we belted out together. "And I know! I know this life ain't mean to be lived without him, without him."
"Yeah," I sang softly.
"This life ain't meant to be lived without him, without him," we finished together in harmony. "I know."
Tallulah and Wilbur both clapped.
"I'm amazed you managed to hit that high note, Lily," Tallulah complimented me.
"Trust me, it took a long while for me to get it," I replied.
"Yeah, my mom can't even hit a note that high," Wilbur chimed in. "And neither can Karena. You've got talent."
"Lily, let me promise you something," Tallulah told me. "I'll always be rooting for Karena. She's the sister I never had. But my heart will be rooting for you to win this."
I laughed.
"Thank you, Tallulah!"
We hugged each other.
"We are just one step closer to the talent show!" Athena yelled excitedly. "We can win this!"
March 10, 2040 – Todayland, North Montana, USA
DONATELLO'S POV
All eight of us took the portal to Todayland University to attend the talent show that our children were a part of. We decided to visit them backstage long before the show started. I smiled at them upon seeing them.
"Lily," I yelled out happily.
"Dad! Guys, our family's here!"
The children ran up to us and hugged us.
"You made it!" Lily said excitedly.
"What you guys doing here?" Athena asked with excitement.
"We're here to support you all," I answered with a laugh.
"You all are going to be amazing," Raph encouraged them.
"Make us all proud, children," Leo told them.
"Break a leg!" Mikey told them with a wink. "But don't do that literally."
The children laughed.
"Thanks, Dad," Athena replied.
"Dad, are you going to video-tape us?" Lily asked.
"Of course I am, Lily," I answered. "This is a big moment for you. Just be amazing."
I kissed her on the cheek, and then we went off the backstage and made our way to the doors. We purchased our tickets, retrieved our programs, and took our seats.
"Guys, I know how to find the best seats," Mikey said, and then he ventured off.
We watched with amusement as Mikey wandered around the auditorium. He eventually stopped in the middle of the rows on the left side and waved his hands to us. We made our way to him and took our seats.
"Since Lily is playing the piano, I wanted to find the best view of both the piano and the player," Mikey explained.
"Hey, if it works, it works!" Leo replied.
"Hey, guys!"
We turned to our right to see Wilbur finding a seat behind us.
"Hey, Wilbur," Leo greeted him. "What are you doing here? I thought you were part of the show."
"Nah, I tried out and didn't make it. I've been emotional support for Karena and Lily, so now I'm here."
"Hello, Hamato Clan!" Franny greeted us from behind.
"Hi, Franny!" I greeted her. "Where's Cornelius?"
"He's the host of the talent show. He's the one who did the auditions, so he's the host too. It'll be my turn next year."
"So the talent show is going to happen every year?" Raph asked.
"Yes. Though we may change it up some times. So, where are the kids?"
"Lily's part of the show," I explained. "Her cousins are backing her up. From what I hear, it should be amazing."
The auditorium eventually buzzed with excitement for the next half hour until the show started at three o'clock. When the time came, the curtains dropped down, the lights turned off, and Cornelius emerged with a wireless microphone.
"Thank you, thank you everybody for coming here today. For those who do not know me, my name is Cornelius Robinson, and I am your host in today's talent show. We have a great lineup for you all today, and right now, it is my pleasure to welcome to the stage, Karena Edwards. Karena is a junior at Todayland University studying music education. Today, she will giving you a performance of Nichole Nordeman's Legacy. Let's give her a big round of applause."
Everyone applauded as the curtains opened up and Karena emerged. Karena wore a light blue dress with a silver necklace and silver heels. Her long brown hair was put up in a bun. I took out my T-Phone just as Wilbur took out his iPhone, and we both started to videotape her. Karena sat down at the piano, waved at us, and then took a few seconds to herself before she started playing and singing.
"I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me. And I enjoy an accolade like the rest. And you can take my picture and hang it in a gallery of all the Who's Who's and So-and-So's that used to be the best at such-and-such. It wouldn't matter much."
Karena, who only played a few chords at the beginning of each line, started to play the piano flawlessly before she started to sing the second verse.
"I won't lie, it feels all right to see your name in lights. We all need an 'atta-boy' or 'atta-girl.' But in the end, I'd like to hang my hat on more besides the temporary trappings of this world. I want to leave a legacy. How will they remember me? Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough to make a mark on things? I want to leave an offering, a child of mercy and grace, who blessed Your name unapologetically, and leave that kind of legacy."
Karena continued to play the piano flawlessly as she went into the next verse.
"I don't have to look too far or too long a while to make a lengthy list of all that I enjoy. It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy. I want to leave a legacy. How will they remember me? Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough to make a mark on things? I want to leave an offering, a child of mercy and grace, who blessed Your name unapologetically, and leave that kind of legacy."
Karena played a little bit before jumping into the next part of the song.
"Not well-traveled, not well-read, not well-to-do or well-bred. Just want to hear instead, well done, good and faithful one."
Karena vocalized beautifully just as she ticked the piano keys gracefully.
"I want to leave a legacy. How will they remember me? Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough to make a mark on things? I want to leave an offering, a child of mercy and grace who blessed your name apologetically, and leave that kind of legacy."
Karena played the piano a little more, and then she stopped playing. Some people started to applaud as they thought it was the end of the song, but Karena had one more line to sing.
"I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me."
Karena stood up. She was met with loud applause. She bowed three times. The curtains dropped. Cornelius then emerged again.
"Thank you, Karena. That was very beautiful. Next on our lineup is a quartet performing Aerosmith's Dream On. We have Travis Perry, a sophomore at Todayland University studying physical education; Adam Goodman, a sophomore at Todayland University studying physical therapy; Kenny Jones, a junior at Todayland University studying sports therapy; and Robert Samson, a junior at Todayland University studying physical education. Let's give these fine men a hand of applause."
We clapped at the quartet appearing on stage with a set of drums, a bass guitar, an electric guitar, and a microphone. The talent show was very entertaining to watch, and me and my family, as well as Wilbur and Franny, enjoyed every act that was presented. We were all very eager on when our children were going to perform. I kept glancing at my T-Phone as the anxiety continued to rise inside me. After five more acts had passed since the Aerosmith cover, April tapped me on the shoulder.
"This is it, D," she whispered.
"Oh good!" I whispered back, taking out my T-Phone.
"I hope you all are enjoying the show today," Cornelius said, and he was met with applause. "Next on the list is a very aspiring young woman performing Christina Grimmie's Liar Liar. This is Lilianna Hamato, a sophomore at Todayland High School who wants to attend Todayland University to study criminal psychology, and she is backed up by her cousins Ryan, Venus, and Athena Hamato. Let's give Lily and her family a big round of applause."
The applause was light as I started another video. The curtains rose, and out came my daughter. She had gotten a fresh trim prior to this performance, and her red bangs and long straightened hair represented her boldness. She wore a laced black top with wide straps, a blue skirt, and black boots with blue shoelaces. She waved with a big smile as she walked to the piano. She sat down, took a deep breath and let it out. She started playing the piano, displaying much talent despite only having three fingers on each hand. After about ten seconds, she took a breath and let her voice sing softly into the microphone.
"Can't see you anymore. You're in and shut the door. Didn't know what I do know now. With words I've been betrayed. You respond and let them fade. And I just won't let you bring me down. You can see what I know, and I know somewhere there's a sorry heart. Tell me why these roads keep leading, leading you right back to me. Liar, liar, don't cry on my shoulder. You played with fire and smiled when you told her. Oh, oh, thought you were someone. Oh, oh, goodbye to no one."
I smiled, being so proud of my daughter. Right when she sang the last line, I heard a guitar chord from Athena, and she, Ryan, and Venus joined in with their instruments right on cue.
"So break away the touch of bliss you miss so much," Lily continued to sing and play the piano. "But I won't tell you to come back home. Emotions dissipate. Is love designed to hate? Keep on driving away from here. Eye the rain as it falls in your hands."
Lily took another breath, as if to belt out the next line.
"Will there be another storm?"
"Tell me why these roads keep leading," Lily and Athena sang harmoniously. "Leading you right back. Liar, liar, don't cry on my shoulder. You played with fire and smiled when you told her. Oh, oh."
"Thought you were someone," Lily sang.
"Oh, oh."
"Goodbye to no one."
Lily took another breath as she and Athena started to sing the bridge. Lily sang with her high notes while Athena belted out her alto voice.
"I don't need to know you'll be there. You're not on my mind. I don't need to know you care."
"Please don't waste my time," Lily sang sweetly.
She then vocalized as Athena, Ryan, and Venus stopped playing momentarily.
"Liar, liar, don't cry on my shoulder," Lily sang softly as she played the piano, and then she prepared herself to belt out the next line. "You played with fire and smiled when you told her!"
Venus did a very impressive entrance on her drums to bring herself, Ryan, and Athena back into the groove.
"Liar, liar, don't cry on my shoulder!" Lily and Athena belted out their lines harmoniously. "You played with fire and smiled when you told her. Oh, oh."
"Thought you were someone," Lily sang alone.
"Oh, oh."
"Goodbye to no one!"
"Oh, oh."
"Thought you were someone!"
Lily took one more breath, preparing herself to sing the last of her high notes with Athena as her harmony.
"Oh, oh!"
Everyone stopped playing their instruments.
"Goodbye to no one," Lily sang softly to finish the song.
Lily stood up and bowed, and she was met with the loudest applause I had heard all day. She had a big smile on her face, and I could also tell that she was crying happily. The curtains closed, and Cornelius emerged from the curtains.
"Thank you, Lily and company!" he said with a big smile on his face. "Now we have an act we think will delight you."
I felt prompted to get up and head on backstage. I sensed April getting up and following me out of the auditorium. We walked backstage together, where our children were talking excitedly amongst each other.
"You all were amazing!" I told them.
"And so were the rest of you!" April complimented everyone else.
"Thank you!" everyone replied at the same time.
My eyes darted to Karena, who walked up towards me.
"Donnie, you and April have such an amazing, talented daughter," Karena complimented us with a smile. "Did you both teach her how to sing?"
"No, but I think Lily took cues from both of us throughout her life," I answered with a proud smile.
"You did amazing too, Karena," April complimented her. "I think the songs you and Lily both did represent you both well."
"Now I have to ask," Karena said, turning to Lily. "Why did you pick that song?"
"It's one of Christina's top songs, I wanted to challenge myself, and it just has an awesome beat."
"Venus was amazing on the drums. You all were amazing at what you did. Now Lily, tell me, didn't you have a boyfriend?"
"No. I had a liking for a boy here after I danced with him last year and went on a date with him. He even asked me to be his girlfriend. I turned him down because I thought I was staying in New York for school. I haven't talked to him all year despite us being in the same football and basketball games. It's like he doesn't recognize me. But that's in the back of my mind. I really don't have time to date anyone."
"I felt the same way when I was your age," April replied. "Your dad instantly had a crush on me, but I chose not to act on it yet. I waited for some time before finally returning my feelings to him. You have plenty of life ahead of you, Lily. You just do what's best for you in the moment."
Lily smiled and hugged us both.
"Thank you both for coming," Lily told us.
"We wouldn't miss it for anything," I replied. "But we have to go back to the auditorium. We don't want to be missed for too long."
"Have fun watching the rest of the show," Karena said with a smile and a wave.
April and I joined our family to watch the rest of the show. Four-thirty came, and it was time to announce the winner.
"Thank you all, once again, for coming out to see our talented students here in our show," Cornelius said with a smile, and we all applauded. "And I am very happy to announce the winner of today's show. The winner is... drum roll, Venus."
We all chuckled as Venus started drumming. The auditorium was silent with anticipation, and then Cornelius opened his mouth to announce the winner.
"The winner is Lilianna Hamato!"
April and I screamed at the same time and hugged each other tightly. Lily and her cousins emerged from behind the curtains.
"Now, I am sure you all have heard of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from New York City," Cornelius said into the microphone. "Would you all care to tell us which Turtle is your father?"
"I am the eldest cousin, and my father is Donatello," Lily answered, waving to us.
"I'm the next oldest," Ryan answered. "And I am the son of Leonardo."
"I am the daughter of Raphael," Venus answered.
"And Michelangelo, the party dude, is my dad," Athena answered enthusiastically.
"Now, Lily, tell me how this all came together," Cornelius requested her.
"This was originally going to be a solo act," Lily explained. "Just my voice and the piano. Athena heard me singing and started to sing with me one day. Some time later, Venus loudly played the drums while we were rehearsing, and she joined the act. Athena then suggested she play the guitar. We had to convince Ryan to join us."
"So why Christina Grimmie?" Cornelius asked. "She had started out her music career at such a young age, and then she was murdered all those years ago."
"Christina Grimmie is one of my inspirations to sing my heart out. She was my age when she started out on YouTube, and even after she died in 2016, she still continues to inspire me and others to become better people."
"Would you care to perform an encore?"
"We would love to," Lily answered with a hearty smile.
"What will you perform for us this time?"
"We will be performing Christina Grimmie's Without Him."
"Let's give Lily and her cousins a big round of applause!" Cornelius encouraged us.
We gave them the applause that was needed as Lily sat back down on the piano. She took a breath, and played one chord every few seconds.
"Right from the start, he lured me in, took me to places I've never been. I think I'm in love. I think I'm in love. He might have bent me but I didn't break. He rearranged the map I made. But I think I'm in love. I think I'm in love."
Venus joined her on the drums, and Athena and Ryan started to harmonize with Lily.
"Now am I crazy? Why can no one understand that I'll never find a better man? Oh, no. I'm just imagining a life without my baby. And I know, I know this life ain't meant to be lived without him, without him. I know, I know this life ain't meant to be lived without him, without him. This life ain't mean to be lived without him, without him, I know."
Lily went on to sing alone, softly and quickly.
"They say this is America, free speech free will, but I don't even care at all. I can't seem to fight this, needing him every day and night. Why can't I just try to speak my mind to him? Tell him all the things that he probably thought was coming, but didn't want him thinking that I'm trying to rush it. Please, dear God, give me the words, 'cause you know my tongue ties as soon as I see him blushing."
Lily and Athena started to sing together.
"I get my thoughts, put it all on the page, I might get to find a way out of the maze that I built for myself, it's some kind of haze. And if the right words come to me one by one, I hope he tells me that he loves me the same. I hope he don't laugh, or worse, walk away. But be honest to God, truth of the matter."
"I just can't live my life without you," Athena sang.
"Right from the start, he lured me in," Lily sang just as Athena finished. "Took me to places I've never been. I think I'm in love. I think I'm in love."
"Oh, no," Athena sang.
"He might have bent me but I didn't break. He rearranged the map I made. I think I'm in love. I think I'm in love."
"Oh, oh, no."
"Now am I crazy?" Lily, Athena, and Ryan sang harmoniously. "Why can no one understand that I'll never find a better man? Oh, no. I'm just imagining a life without my baby. And I know, I know this life ain't meant to be lived without him, without him. This life ain't meant to be lived without him, without him, I know."
Lily went solo again as Venus continued to provide the beat.
"I'm not one to really talk at all. Speak up only when the time is right or when it calls for the big guns. Problem is where to speak from. I hear it's your heart that does all the talking. Hurry up, you got no time to waste, 'cause this is the man I'm loving for always. And honest to God, truth of the matter. I just can't see my life going on without..."
Lily took a deep breath, preparing to hit the highest note possible.
"You!"
"Now am I crazy?" Athena and Ryan harmonized as Lily belted her note out. "Why can no one understand that I'll never find a better man?"
"Oh, no, no, no, no!" Lily sang.
"I'm just imagining a life without my baby," the three cousins sang on different octaves. "And I know, I know this life ain't meant to be lived without him, without him. This life ain't meant to be lived without him, without him, I know."
We applauded wildly as the show ended on a high note.
March 12, 2040 - Todayland, North Montana, USA
LILIANNA'S POV
I decided to head to my locker first to admire the trophy I had received at the talent show. I smiled, proud of all the practice I had done with my cousins, and I was proud to have everyone's names on it, because it truly was a team effort to win. As I looked at the trophy, I put my belongings in my locker.
"Lily."
I turned towards the male voice on my left, but it wasn't Wilbur. My heart skipped a beat.
"James?"
"When did you come back to Todayland?" the blue-eyed brown-haired boy asked.
"I've been a student here all year long," I answered.
"Oh. I never saw you."
I closed my mouth and raised an eyebrow.
"James, you're on the football and basketball teams. I'm a cheerleader. We play in the same games, and yet you claimed you never saw me?"
"Lily, listen, there was a girl there who looked like you, but I didn't think it was you after everything you told me."
"So you never stopped by to see if it was me nor to just say hi?"
"I know now that it's you after seeing your performance on Saturday."
"You seriously thought all this time that I was just another girl?" I asked angrily.
James let out a sigh.
"Look, when school started up again, I started seeing another girl. I developed feelings for her and asked her out to homecoming and winter ball. I didn't think you were coming back. But you never left my mind."
I read his mind to see if he was telling me the truth. To my sadness, he was telling me the truth. He didn't think I was coming back and he had moved on.
"Lily, why are you staring into my eyes like you're staring into my soul?" James asked.
I shook my head.
"Look, James, I'd like to trust you, but right now I can't. Right now, we are in that part of our lives where we are discovering who we are and what we want in this life. If you can't even trust your own eyes to see that that girl was me, then why should I go out to prom with you?"
James looked at me with shock in his eyes.
"How did you know that I wanted to ask you out to prom?"
"That doesn't matter," I answered with anger in my voice. "You are dating another girl because you didn't think I was coming back. And I understand that. That's a part of life. But just because I am here doesn't mean you can make this a game. You cannot just dump her out of the blue and suddenly ask me out. That's not fair to any of us. I am not just a pretty girl, James, and I am not your girl. I probably never will be now."
"Lily, look-"
"Don't."
I let out a sigh.
"Look, I enjoyed our dance last year, and I also enjoyed our date before the school year ended. But then after ten months, you just expect me to go out with you again?"
I scoffed.
"I have to go. I have to meet my friend in the cafeteria."
I walked away with tears in my blue eyes.
Liar, liar, don't cry on my shoulder. You played with fire and smiled when you told her. Oh, oh, thought you were someone. Oh, oh, goodbye to no one.
I tearfully walked down the stairs, walked into the cafeteria, and slumped into my seat across from Wilbur. I sobbed.
"Lily? What's wrong?" Wilbur asked with concern in his voice.
"I don't want to talk about it," I tearfully answered.
I felt both of Wilbur's hands on my shoulders, and I looked into his chocolate eyes. He had a saddened expression on his face.
"Let me guess: did James hurt you?"
I blinked and wiped away my tears.
"How did you know that?" I asked.
"What did he do?" Wilbur asked with a raised eyebrow.
"He never stopped by my locker to say hi or anything this entire time I had been present, cheering at games or taking tests in class. He wasn't convinced I was me until he spoke to me just now."
"That doesn't sound like James. But at the same time, I'm not quite sure I understand what you're saying."
"He thought I was a totally different person, Wilbur. So he never stopped by to say hi. Wilbur, I had the best time of my life at that winter ball last year, dancing in his arms, and he took me on what was going to be a wonderful date until we realized senior night was happening at the same time. We finished our date only for me to tell him that I may not be coming back here. But this entire time, he was dating someone else. He even had the gall today, ten months after our last date, to ask me out to prom while he was dating this girl."
I let out a loud sigh.
"I didn't really want to think about dating right now, but he kind of hurt my feelings."
"He kind of hurt your feelings, or he did hurt your feelings?" Wilbur asked. "Because from the way you're crying, it sounds like he actually hurt you."
"He is so stupid, Wilbur. I know I'm not supposed to say mean things about people, but-"
"Lily, don't apologize. You really loved James, didn't you?"
I looked at him, and I let out another sigh.
"I kept looking forward to the day we'd go on a date again. But it never happened. Ten months is way too long a gap. I read his mind. He was thinking of dumping this girl and then immediately ask me out to prom, only because he just now realized that cheerleader who looked like me was me."
"Let me talk to him," Wilbur replied. "He's my best friend. I'll set him straight."
"Wilbur, do what you need to do, but please know I absolutely will not go to prom with him."
Wilbur looked at me with a saddened expression, but he demonstrated understanding and nodded his head. He walked out of the cafeteria. Not wanting to have pity from other people, I also left and immediately went to my first class.
North Hampton, New York, USA
DONATELLO'S POV
I walked back inside the house from the barn to grab another cup of coffee. But suddenly, I got hit with the smell of cherries. I felt confused.
"Why would Lily be home right now?" I asked out loud.
I set the mug down and immediately went up the stairs to my daughter's bedroom. I found her door closed. I knocked.
"Lily, it's Dad. Are you in there?"
"Leave me alone, Dad."
I felt even more confused. It was not like her to push me away.
"Lily, I'm worried about you. Are you okay?"
"I said LEAVE ME ALONE!"
I felt angry then, not thrilled that she yelled at me. I opened the door, preparing myself to discipline her, but then I found her lying on her stomach in bed with her head buried in her arms. My anger immediately washed away, and it was replaced with sadness.
"Hey, Lily, everything is going to be okay."
"No, Dad," she replied angrily. "It's not going to be okay."
"What happened at school today?" I asked. "Please tell me."
Lily sat up and turned to face me. Her face was red, and there were tears streaming down from her blue eyes.
"I don't want to talk about it. Could you hold me?"
I frowned, but I was willing to do anything to help my daughter. I held my arms out.
"Come here, sweetheart."
Lily threw herself into my arms and started to sob into my plastron.
"Shh," I soothed her, rubbing her back and holding her tightly. "You are safe here, Lily Mae. I love you. You know that, right?"
I felt her nodding her head as she continued to cry.
"You cry all you want, Lily. When you are ready to talk, I'll be right here. I won't go anywhere."
I held her for a good five minutes until she finally spoke.
"I'm mad at James."
"Who's James?" I asked.
"That boy who danced with me last year."
"Oh! I remember him now. I haven't heard of him since you told me you wanted to go to school in Todayland."
"He didn't recognize me, Dad, so he started dating another girl. Then he suddenly comes up to me at my locker after not recognizing me for ten months and asks me to prom. Dad, he was going to cheat on her with me, and it's not fair!"
Lily sobbed into my plastron again. I felt sad that my little girl got hurt, and I felt angry because she got hurt.
"You're right," I replied. "That wasn't fair at all."
"Wilbur said he was going to set him straight, but right now I don't even care. I don't want to speak to him ever again."
"Lily, I need you to listen to me, okay? Don't do what your mother did when she was your age and hold a grudge. Yes, what James did was a stupid thing. He hurt you, and to be honest, he deserves a beating from me. But I also know you, Lily, and you are a fighter. You need to stand up to him."
"I did, Dad. I told him how I felt and everything. I told him I would never be his girl."
"Then you did all you could. You deserve better. Now, you need to let him go and move on with your life, just like before."
Lily finally looked up at me with her blue eyes, and she nodded.
"I love you, Daddy," she said.
She hugged me tightly, and I hugged her back.
"I love you too, Lily Mae."