Fifteen

Chapter 25: Be Ok

"Aria, wait up!" She could feel Sophia Kate's breath behind her as her panting increased. We definitely need to work on Sophia Kate's endurance! She thought as she continued to run towards her dorm room. I'm definitely the unluckiest person when it comes to anything and everything. Aria sighed heading up the stairwell with her shoes in hand.

Sophia Kate's face was flushed as she plopped onto her bed. The original roommate had stopped by yesterday to inform them that she'd be staying with her boyfriend. They were all beyond happy to immediately replace her with Sophia Kate and for that she was grateful.

Aria rummaged through her bags getting her dance clothes, costumes and shoes together. They had a few hours until auditions and she was determined to get to the studio as quickly as possible. However, it seemed as though Sophia Kate had other ideas. "Aria, talk to me! I know you're freaking out, but this is a good thing."

She wanted to slap her dear friend in that moment, but determined that violence was again not the answer. "Please enlighten me as to how auditioning today, after the night we had, is better than having a week to recover and practice?" Sophia Kate sat up excitedly. "Yes, let's talk about the night we had shall we!" Aria scoffed.

"Focus, SK! This is the chance of a lifetime. There are twenty people auditioning and only five spots for freshmen and sophomores. We have to kill this audition." Sophia Kate plopped down beside her friend and smiled. "There are twenty people that were hand selected by the Great Madame Boudreaux and you were one of them. You are going to rock your audition and it'll be amazing. Just remember what your mom always said."

At the mention of her mother, Aria felt a calm wash over her. She missed her family so much. She could still smell the honey and lilac mixture that engulfed their one-bedroom apartment. "If it's meant to be it'll be. God's timing and purpose are the best." They said in unison. Aria smiled at her friend and hugged her. "Thank you for being so awesome, Sophia Kate. I can't believe you remembered that." The redhead stood up and curtsied. "Don't mention it, love! Your mom is one of the wisest women I know." She smiled as if remembering something.

"Now, I'll help with your hair and packing up on ONE condition." Aria knew where this was going. "I don't need your help!" Liar. "Well too bad, because you're getting it! Now, what the heck happened with you and the guys last night? I must say you were definitely channeling your inner Helen juggling those two hotties." Yeah, I'm definitely NOT having this conversation before the most important tryout of my life.

Aria sighed as Sophia Kate went on and on about how she was definitely Team Caleb. She didn't want to go over everything that happened that morning, but she was also in desperate need of Sophia Kate's makeup and hair skills. Take one for the team! She thought looking at her reflection in the mirror. "Fine. I'll tell you what's going on, but you need to hurry! We both have to be ready and on our A-game for this."

Sophia Kate saw the panic in her eyes and smiled. "It's all going to be okay, Aria. You worry too much." She rolled her eyes and filled her in on everything that happened from dancing with Caleb and then Stefan, sleeping in between them, staying up talking to Stefan and of course her morning session with Caleb. Sophia Kate's face was comical to say the least.

"Well, damn! We wanted you to come out of your shell – not get so close to actually comin..." That warranted a swat on the arm as Aria shook her head. "Shut it! I don't know what came over me, but it's not happening again." This earned her a louder than necessary laugh. "If you think that's possible then keep on dreaming, honey."

Sophia Kate began to bring out Aria's makeup. "I know chemistry when I see it. The way Caleb looks at you is incredibly hot and overwhelming. You can't just stop unfinished business." Aria sighed and shook her head and attempted several strokes with the hairbrush. Sophia Kate snatched the brush from her hand.

"If you're about to put that gorgeous hair into a ponytail or bun, you might as well let me do that after I'm done with your face." She started with the primer for her face and eyelids and Aria reminded herself of how incompetent she was when it came to all things beauty. After twenty minutes, Sophia Kate dabbed a subtle amount of lip-gloss over the lipstick on Aria's lips and smiled. "Perfect."

Sophia Kate loved doing make up and had the basics down for applying it to every skin tone thanks to her diverse group of dance friends. She stepped out of the way and Aria got a view of her reflection. Wow! She looked great and subtly majestic. She just prayed the makeup would complement her routine. "Sophia Kate, you made me pretty!" She gushed giving Sophia Kate's arm a squeeze.

"Oh please! You're beyond beautiful and everyone seems to know that, but you. You look like yourself...only more," she smiled. Aria smiled as she began to move towards her bag. "We're not done yet. We still have to take care of your hair. So, while I work on that you can tell me about Mr. Latin Lover."

Aria plopped back down with a heavy sigh. "There's nothing to tell really. Stefan is a great guy, intelligent, talented, funny, sweet...extremely hot..." Sophia Kate halted the brush mid-stroke. "But," she interjected. "He's no Caleb." Shaking her head, she added, "I say let him go, girl."

Aria tilted her head as she stared at Sophia Kate's reflection. "There's nothing to let go of. He's not mine – neither is Caleb. This whole thing is just getting a little out of control." Sophia Kate chewed her lip and thought for a bit resuming brushing.

"The group dynamic is amazing and I know how your mind works. You've considered everyone else's feelings in this entire situation." She took a deep breath before adding, "I just think you deserve this. Whatever this is. I'm not saying claim them as boyfriends, but you need to date. You're the girl with the dream of the career, husband, kids, etc. You can't really set out to accomplish that without testing the waters now can you?"

Aria laughed without mirth. It really is like no time has passed at all. She still gets me. Sophia Kate applied more bobby pins to her hair. "I guess I just don't really understand all that I'm feeling and everything that's just happened in a day alone. It's crazy, right?" Sophia Kate chuckled.

"Girl, this is what happens when you don't do what normal teenagers do while still in high school. I feel like the last four years are trying to catch up with you." Good point. "I'm not the girl who gets the guy," Aria whispered looking down at her hands.

"You're whoever you want to be, Aria. Enough with the pity party – especially today. We're about to march into the infamous Boudreaux auditorium in a few hours and you need to exude confidence like no other."

Sophia Kate looked determined and Aria was sure a pep talk was on its way as her brush strokes suddenly became rougher. "You don't need to have everything mapped out for years to come, A. You just figure out what you want today and go for it!"