When Lightning Burns [COMPLETED]

Chapter 8: Recital

           

The weeks passed, and A.R.S.E. didn't return. Smidge and Pudge stayed relatively quiet in the garden, but a few times she swore she caught a glimpse of them following her to the Academy. But that would be so unlike the minor Fey that she was probably being paranoid. The minor Fey never participated in the Great Fey stuff. At least they never did on Seelie, unless pushed by someone.

The night of her recital came quickly. It was the day before Thanksgiving. None of her family could come because of the stupid restriction on her mom not leaving Seelie without her father and her father couldn't leave Jamie. Apparently Jamie was still struggling with control, and there was no chance he would leave for some time.

Her family insisted that she fly home to them the next day. She wasn't looking forward to Thanksgiving on Seelie. But it was only a few days, so she could stay at the house then return home. After a month, New York was already home.

Rory and Luke were being way too nice to each other—it was freaking her out. They both stayed in the city to go to her recital tonight. She wasn't sure how they got tickets, but money and charm were not a problem for either of them. Luke was going back to his family, wherever the Forest Tribe lived, and Rory had chartered a plane to take him and Julie to North Carolina the next morning. They could drive the rest of the way from the small airport.

"Earth to Julie? Are you there?"

"What?" She smiled over at the costume designer for the show who was putting the final touches on her dress before the performance.

"Oh, good. You're back." The older woman with the messy bun shook her head. "I like you, girl, but you need to focus out there. Female Six has it out for you. You bumped her down a slot."

Julie snorted. She knew. "I'll be okay."

She also appreciated the lady watching out for her. Julie was one of the only two girls who hadn't been a total snob about fittings for this event. Weirdly enough, the other girl was Female One. In return the costume designer had needed them for fewer fittings.

Julie checked out the fall leaf design layered around her legs and arms. There were a lot of see–through patches but no more than usual.

"There. Everything is in place, and nothing should fall out." The designer smiled. "Move around some and see."

She stretched while the designer kept talking. She pulled her arms, making sure that the finger loop for the sleeves stretched enough. The last thing she wanted was to expose herself onstage. A slip like that wasn't unheard of, and it wasn't fun to be the object of online pictures. She shouldn't have worried—the designer knew her stuff.

"Female Four." The lady winked at her. The designer only bothered to know her name and Female One's, Marjorie. "She has to have gained five pounds in the last month. I don't know what she's doing. If she keeps on though, you will be Female Four in no time."

Julie nodded. Keeping a weight constant was a big deal, for costumes that had to fit a certain way to look consistent with everyone else and also if you had a dance partner. Gaining a bunch of weight put more strain on them.

"Okay, girls!" Their main teacher came in, clapping her hands in her typical staccato. "It's time. Remember this is to showcase the school to the company's main sponsors. We get a lot of funding for scholarships and school needs from this crowd. They came to watch the main company's performers, but let's still wow them anyway. I know you can do it."

It had taken a month of extra practice, all for five minutes onstage. But this was five minutes in front of people who could change her life, offer her dream jobs in the future. Julie took a deep breath, waiting with the other girls in the wings until their cue came. They were the break in the performance of the main company today, a short piece added on extra for the night to celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow.