Jasmine + Anthony Forever and a Lifetime

-3-

I don't have all that much to mention before this chapter, but in the words of the kids, they are precious cinnamon rolls too good for this world. -Kate

Jasmine's POV:

           I gratefully accepted Pippa and Renée's embrace as I walked into the theater with Anthony by my side. We went up to our dressing room and Renée broke the ice. "So Jazzy, let's start at the beginning since we have lots of time before we actually need to be ready for rehearsal," She exclaimed.

           "Well Nathan and I were together for 3 years. In those 3 years, we got really serious but these past two months have really been tough. He would threaten me and often get drunk, so our relationship was slowly getting more and more toxic. Yesterday, I came home to him with a woman, Elise, who I later found out had been dating him for five months. I had a really hard night. I got probably an hour of sleep and cried uncontrollably. I had no energy. No motivation. My home stayed dark. Then, this morning, I got a text from Anthony asking how I was doing," I paused for a second because Pippa and Renée smirked. "What?!" I commented.

            "Oh nothing, nothing!" Pippa and Renée tried to convince me with goofy grins. 

            "Seriously guys, what's up?" I questioned.

            "Fine! We'll spill!! If you must know, the entire cast has been shipping you two in the past twenty-four hours like CRAZY. I mean, COME ON, you have to admit that you like him. You both steal glances at each other all the time and blush at the sight of one another," Pippa explained.

            "Okay...maybe I like him just a little bit!" I admitted.

            "Yes!! Yessss!!! Janthony is sailing!" Pippa beamed while I rolled my eyes.

            "Okay, now back to you Jaz," Renée declared.

            "Okay where was I...ah yes! This is the part you guys will gush over. Ant had texted me asking how I was doing and I told him that Nathan had cheated. He insisted on coming over and when he finally arrived, he sat down next to me on the floor and told me I was 'so beautiful, and sweet, and funny.' And that I 'don't deserve any of this.' then he said I was a 'fantastic woman.' While looking deep into my eyes. It wasn't for long, but I loved it. I was so vulnerable in this moment, and he was doing everything in his power to support me in every way he could. I wrapped my arms around him and cried into his chest, all he did was embrace me. He just let me cry on him. He let me express my emotions. This continued until I fell asleep on his shoulder, which he said was when he texted you guys. Then, he picked me up BRIDAL STYLE and placed me on the couch, but I couldn't be alone. I was too scared. I was too upset. So Ant lay with me. That's when my crush became very evident to me. After a slow morning, Anthony rested his eyes on me for at least three whole minutes when I finished getting ready. So yeah, that's pretty much all that happened since all we did on the way here was small talk." I finally finished, blushing.

            "You really like him don't you?" Renée proclaimed in a motherly way.

            "Yeah, I really do," I replied.

            "Aww," Pippa and Renée gushed just like I thought they would. Just then, Anthony walked in,

            "Hey Jaz, can I talk to you?" He asked.

            "Yeah sure," I answered while the girls and I exchanged looks. The two of us walked into the hall. "What's up Ant?" I questioned.

            "So, I know you just got out of a serious relationship, and this is completely up to you, I don't wanna force you into anything serious, so do you wanna come over to my place tonight for just a casual dinner?" He nervously coaxed.

            "What time?" I pleaded, easing his nerves.

            "How's six?" He queried.

            "Sounds like a date!" I added flirtatiously before turning and walking back to my dressing room. When I got through the door frame, I was greeted by Pippa and Renée smirking and raising their eyebrows.

             "Sooo..." Pippa started.

             "He totally asked me out!" I responded, beaming.

             "Oh my gosh!! What's the plan?!" Renée asked.

             "We are going to his place for dinner tonight," I explained.

            "OooOo, how romantic!" Pippa chimed. I was still smiling. I really did like Anthony. 

            "Five minute warning!!" We heard Lin shout from the stairwell. I drank some water and we did some quick scales on our walk to the rehearsal room. We arrived and sat in our assigned spots with all of our music stands. 

                   SCATTERED ENSEMBLE

Leslie, Lin, Daveed, Oak, Ant, Me, Renée, Pippa

                                        FRONT

            I'm not sure how the seating arrangement was chosen, but at least I had my sisters by my side. It's kind of funny how none of us have any real sisters. I am an only child, Pippa has a brother, and Renée has two. It was only the second day, and I've felt safer with them than I've felt with anyone else in my life. Then I started to think about the rest of the leads' siblings. Anthony has a sister, Stephanie. And an older brother, Mario. Lin has an older sister, Luz. Oak has FIVE sisters, bless his heart. Daveed has a brother, Malcolm. Chris is also an only child. I'm not sure about Leslie, but Brian has two sisters and a brother. We had talked about it for a while yesterday. I then hit the realization that Anthony, along with the rest of the cast and ensemble, had taken their seats.

Lin's POV:

           I walked into the rehearsal room, most of the cast had arrived. I peered over at Jasmine and Anthony. Anthony had been stealing glances at Jasmine a LOT during our table read yesterday. I really hope he took my advice and made a move. Anthony locked eyes with me and then gave me a thumbs up. Jasmine didn't notice, as she was staring at something in the distance. I went over and whispered with Tommy and Alex for a minute about my world class seating arrangement and asked if they had noticed the Jasmine x Anthony chemistry.

            "Oh yeah," Tommy exclaimed, "big time!"

            "For sure," Alex laughed, "Good job on that seating chart dude," he winked and glared over at Anthony and Jasmine, who were now talking. The entire cast had arrived, but me, having to let this ship sail, I let them talk for a bit before really starting rehearsal.

Anthony's POV:

            I stared into Jazzy's eyes as she was talking to me about this smoothie place downtown, she was so gorgeous. I looked over at Lin who was with Alex and Tommy, then at the clock. Rehearsal was supposed to have already started, but something tells me this was Lins idea, as he was beaming ear to ear and whispering with his buddies whilst looking from me to Jaz. I took the opportunity though. I continued to chat with Jazzy and then rehearsal actually began. "Alright guys, let's start with some more solo-type songs. Jaz will start us up with Say No To This, then Renée with Congratulations, Pippa with Burn, Leslie with Wait For It, Chris with One Last Time, Anthony with Blow Us All Away, and finally Brian with What Comes Next. Then we will run vocals for some bigger group pieces like Alexander Hamilton, Non-stop, and Aaron Burr, Sir. If you have any questions PLEASE feel free to ask myself, Lin, or Tommy. Let's begin!" Alex Lacamoire grinned. Jazzy began to sing. I felt a deep blush forming on my cheeks. Her voice took my breath away. I couldn't help but smile.

Word Count: 1,266 (not including my notes of the POV's)

Hi guys! I'm so glad you read this chapter. Next up, post-rehearsal dinner at Anthony's! I hope you guys keep following along! -Kate