Soaring [ej caswell]

Twenty Four: Second Chances

I run out onto the stage, doing one final spin and bow as everyone claps and cheers. Tears start to well up in my eyes, this was one of the best things to ever happen to me. I wave at the crowd before we all take one last bow together.

Ricky's transformation was...PASSABLE! I'm so happy!

We run off stage and I go get changed into a regular outfit which was a pair of jeans and a pretty white blouse with roses all over it. I take my hair out, letting it down to flow freely.

I walk into the rehearsal room where everyone was, holding my stuff.

"Hey! Give it up for our star!" Nini says and everyone cheers for me.

"Oh you guys! You're going to make me cry" I giggle as tears well up in my eyes.

"You were a true princess tonight, Bella" Kourtney smiles.

"Yes you were!"

"You were stunning!"

"I'm best friends with an actual Disney princess!" Ashlyn says hugging me.

"Okay now I'm crying" I laugh as tears stream down my face which makes everyone "Awe."

Nini and Seb come and hug me next, both very tightly squeezing me.

"Has anyone seen my boyfriend? It feels like I've been missing him all night" Ashlyn asks.

"I think he pushed himself a little hard" Carlos says.

"But I'm pretty sure he left a letter at your locker?" Ricky says.

"A couple letters, actually" EJ cuts in.

"Oh okay, wow, that's sweet. Um, maybe I'll read them on the way to Slices. Good show, everyone" Ashlyn says walking out.

We all smile at each other, knowing something Ashlyn doesn't.

Once she walks out, we all pile in the doorway to watch.

"This is what you were doing in-between scenes all night?" Ashlyn asks as Big Red holds up a light-up sign of Ashlyn's name.

"Yeah. No. Sometimes I was actually puking" he says and Ashlyn laughs.

I smile widely. God, this is so freaking cute.

"You were perfect tonight. I was really proud" he says and Ashlyn starts crying. Great, now I'm crying again.

"Come here, you evil genius" she says.

She goes to hug him but he's still holding the sign. So, they both laugh as he sets it down and they both hug.

"Oh wait, I just got paint..."

"It's okay" Ashlyn laughs and she kisses him. This is so freaking cute I can't.

We all head back and I go and greet my family in which they all congratulate me. I say bye to them and start to look for EJ so we can get ready to load up to go to Slices.

I find him talking to Mr. Mazzara.

"Yo Gaston!" I yell.

He spins around and Mr. Mazzara leaves us alone and I walk towards him.

"You ready to go?" I ask resting my hands on his hips.

"Uh, yeah, I will be. I'll meet you there?" He says nervously.

Woah, something changed. He's acting weird.

"Eej, you okay?" I ask, furrowing my eyebrows.

"Uh yeah, I'm great!" He smiles.