Grace

Chapter 10| Auditions

I am officially nervous. Now that I am here, back stage, I can only think about the judges eyeing me down. Yeah, I've done auditions and competitions in the past, but this was different. Completely different. I was auditioning for the Nationals!

The realization hit me hard.

"Alice, you okay?" Gavin asks me as he starts soothingly rubbing my back.

"I will be auditioning in front of the best of the best." I gulp as I turn to face him. I wallow in his blue eyes for that was the only thing keeping me calm.

"You will do great Alice, just breath and give it your all." He smiles.

Then, I hear my name being called.

"I love you so much goldilocks." I say quickly and kiss him on the lips before walking onto the stage.

My eyes adjust to the bright light as I walk to the center of the stage. I study the three judges. One was a middle-aged male with thick black hair. One was a bald old man. And the other was-

Mrs. Sankford.

I knew she was a professional instructor, but I didn't think she was one of the judges. My eyes widened at this sudden realization.

"You may begin whenever your ready." The bald guy gruffly says as ballet music starts to play. I believe it is a piece by Mozart.

I take a deep breath and start moving my body to the rhythm of the tune. I added some pirouettes here and there, but stuck to what I knew. There is no way I was going to try something I know I can't do, I don't want to risk being more of a failure than I already am to my parents.

"Stop." Mrs. Sankford says and I immediately freeze. Did I do something wrong? Was I not good enough?

"We will see you in the nationals Allison." The thick black haired judge announces in a plain voice.

"Is that it?" I question them. The bald guy whom was busy writing on his note pad looks up and gives me a glare.

"Did you expect to give you roses? Clap for your performance. Use up our tissues?" He spats and continues writing.

"No-no that isn't what I meant." I stutter and look at Mrs. Sankford for-well anything. But she is just writing on her notepad. Feeling defeated, I slowly walk off the stage with my head hanging low.

I can't describe how awful it felt to perform what I felt like was the best performance I had ever done and then be shot down like a bird in hunting season. The judges didn't care, they just passed me on like I was just, just me.

I have to tell you the truth, I did expect clapping and cheering, but that's only because every time I had a performance, that is what I got.

"Hey, maybe they were having a bad day." Gavin tries to reason right after I explain my thoughts to him. I snuggle into his chest for some more warmth from the chilly air. "So Mrs. whatever her name is-"

"Sankford." I imply.

"Sankford," He continues on, "Is a judge? And she has been your instructor for 11 whole years?"

"Correct," I say softly with not much enthusiasm. In all honesty, I just want to sleep this nightmare away. I yawned as I thought about waking up in every girl's dream bedroom, going downstairs to my dad and mom cooking in the kitchen, listening to them laughing and having normal conversations. Gavin and his family (his dad as well) coming over for breakfast, and all of us stuffing our faces with my dad's amazing cooking skills. It was the reality I wanted.

"Alice, come home from wonderland please." Gavin's voice snaps me back to the reality I dislike, a lot. I blink a few times and realize we were leaning on the limo. "I didn't want to disrupt your thinking, but it's getting colder by the minute and I don't-" He pauses as I hear his teeth chatter.

"Gavin!" I squeaked as I turn to face his pale face. "Why didn't you tell me? We could have been in the limo!"

"Sorry." He tries to give me a sheepish grin but ends up shivering. I then noticed how cold I was. George honks and the doors slide open automatically.

Gavin and I slide in as we feel the heat wrap us in an invisible blanket. Once we warm up, we cuddle.

"I love you Goldilocks," I whisper as I play with his fingers. I look up at him and see a warm smile projecting off his face. Gavin leans in and kisses me on the lips, which sends me through paradise. I kiss back, but with more force.

After our little make-out session, we cuddle up again and we chat. It has been a long while since we have had chats like this, but I was going to savor the time I have with him.

"So what am I thinking of?" He asks me.

"Is it a place?"

"Nope."

"A thing?"

"Nope."

"Is it a person?"

"Yes."

"Is it a female?"

"Yes."

"Is she old?"

"Yeah."

"Is it your mom?"

"Nope, it's you." He answers.

"But, I am not old," I whine and make a pouty face as he chuckles.

"You're 17 years old, my Alice."

A/N: Hey! I hope you liked the little Gavin and Allison scene! I for one am proud of it. More updates shall be coming and I don't say this enough but......

I really appreciate the support.

You may not think reads are as important/meaningful as votes and comments...

But to me, they mean the world.

Stay Graceful~K

Ps. I just noticed how much I put "realization" in my work...

Edited on October 21st, 2017