The Hudson Boys

Chapter Nine

Today's the day.

I could hardly sleep last night, I was too nervous. I look over at my clock to see that it's 8:30. Sighing, I get out of bed and take a nice, long shower hoping to ease.

After my shower, I head to my closest and put on a pair of jean capris, a floral peplum shirt and gladiator sandals. I wasn't sure at first if I should wear nice clothes or clothes that I could dance in, but Claire assured me that I should wear something nice and comfortable and then change into my dance clothes after.

I let my hair fall in its natural waves and I put some leave in conditioner in it. Then I did my makeup, adding a little more than usual for the audition.

Grabbing my bag with everything I need in it for the audition, I close my door and head downstairs. I somehow make it downstairs without getting lost, but I know I won't remember how I got here, I'm too nervous.

Vince, Parker and Mark are sitting at the table, already eating breakfast.

"Morning" Vince and Mark say to me. Parker just grunts.

I try to say good morning back to them, but I'm so nervous that the only sound that leaves my lips sounds more like a dying cat.

Willow comes in and puts some pancakes in front of me to which I smile at her in appreciation.

I start to eat the pancakes when I feel all three sets of eyes on me. Slowly, I look up to see them all looking at me.

"What?" I ask.

"Nothing" Mark replies. "You just seem a little antsy."

It's true. My leg is shaking, my brows are furrowed and I could hardly get the pancakes to go into my mouth.

"I'm just a little nervous for my audition today" I admit, not making eye contact with any of them.

Looking at my watch, I see that it's 11:30. "Well I should probably go" I say, standing up from my chair. "My audition is at two and I'm walking. I don't want to be late."

"Why are you walking?"

"What?" I ask, turning back around so I can face the boys.

"Why are you walking to the audition?" Vince asks.

"Oh" I reply. "I don't have a car."

"Jess, you could have just said so, I'll take you to the audition." Before I have the chance to tell Vince that I'm fine with walking he's already standing up from the table. "Let me just change. I'll be back down in a couple minutes." Vince jogs out of the dining room and up the stairs.

Mark starts to speak again. "So you're into musical theatre?"

"Yeah, I love it. I love performing and making music" I respond.

"That's really awesome" Mark compliments. "I wish I had musical talent. Trust me, you do not want to hear me sing."

"He's not wrong" Parker mumbles. Mark and I start laughing and a smile forms on Parker's face. That is until he notices that I'm also laughing and his smile is immediately replaced with a scowl. "Whatever" he grumbles. "I'm going back to my room."

As Parker heads upstairs, Vince comes back in the dining room. "Okay, I'm good to go!"

Vince and I say goodbye to Mark and he tells me to break a leg. When we get in Vince's car, Vince starts to question that old saying.

"I mean" he muses "why would you tell someone to break their leg? They kind of need it to finish the production! Also, breaking your leg is really painful. I broke mine once." He shutters. "Never again."