Leading Ladies

XXIV. Adventures in Los Angeles

Walking towards the arrival lobby, Sabrina spots the modelesque brunette.

"Aunt Cyndi!" Sabrina grins. Pulling her handle up, she rolls her suitcase over to her and smiles when she is instantly glomped.

"I'm so glad you made it!" her Aunt sings, reminding Sabrina of a joyous songbird. She goes about hugging Bianca and Elsa before wrapping her arm around Ileen. "I'm so glad to see you guys."

"Glad to see you too," Ileen hugs her. "Thank you for picking us up and for letting us stay with you the next few days."

"Of course," Cynthia waves her away. "You think I'm actually gonna let you get a hotel when I live here. Marko, probably but I love you more than my brother. Come on."

Cynthia guides them out of the plane and to the parking lot. After putting her suitcase in the car, Sabrina climbs into the Acura, chuckling when Bianca takes the whole back and lays down.

"Didn't you get enough sleep in the plane ride over?"

"There's no such thing as enough sleep," Bianca closes her eyes.

Sabrina takes the seat behind her Mom with a snort while Elsa takes the one on the driver's side. Before long, they were on their way.

She looks out the window as the scenery passes them by. It's not the first time she's been to LA. Heck, they were here three weeks ago for a competition, but it's the most she has seen of LA in a while. Usually, she goes from plane to bus to hotel room, no time to enjoy the sights.

"So, how'd you get the time away?" Cynthia asks, causing Sabrina's ear to perk up. "The audition isn't until Wednesday."

"How'd you do that?" Sabrina wonders. It's not like Abby to let them take a day off of dance, let alone a whole week.

"I told a small lie," Ileen admits. "I told Abby and the producers that the audition was on Saturday, the same day as the competition. If they're not going to attend the competition, they shouldn't be in rehearsal, and unless they fact check, they will never know."

"Sneaky Mom," Elsa snickers.

Sabrina chuckles with her, but her heart isn't in it. It was a new endeavor, something they'd never done before, and that's scary.

Before she knew it, they arrived at Griffith Manor. A beautiful white contemporary home facing the unobstructed pristine views of snow-capped mountains and Valley lights.

"You're here!" a honey beige girl, about a head shorter than Sabrina with a head full of curls, runs up to them.

Forgetting about her suitcase Sabrina runs over to her cousin, squeezing her around the waist. "Hi, Ayanna."

"Oh my God, you two act like we didn't just see her on our birthday," Bianca complains, approaching them with Sabrina's suitcase. "Here." She shoves it at her before taking her turn to hug Ayanna.

"I know," Ayanna beams. "Going to Pittsburgh for your birthday slash easter party is one thing, but you guys coming to LA to audition is another thing. This is my turf now. Hi Elsa. Hi Aunt Ileen."

"It really is your turf, though," Elsa chuckles, accepting the hug. "But in a couple days, you might not be the only actress in the family."

"Maybe? Definitely. You guys are amazing."

Ayanna is Sabrina's favorite cousin. She's bubbly, bright, 10 months older than her, and an actress. She's how they got their manager Danielle — she's Ayanna's manager. Ayanna is on a TV show for Nickelodeon called Emily Windsnap, where she plays a mermaid. It's terrific and it's on its second season.