Jasmine POV
I slammed my door shut as soon as Pippa and Renee entered the room.
"You kissed him on the cheek!!!!" said an excited Pippa.
"I know!" I said back.
"You know" started Renee."You and Anthony would make a great couple."
"Janthony!" screamed Pippa.
We all giggled at Pippa's silliness. She always brightened up any situation and always smiled. I was glad to have her as a friend.
Meanwhile...
Anthony POV
I touched the spot on my cheek where Jasmine had kissed me. The spot still tingled with sweetness.
"Well someone's crushing on Anthony..." said Leslie sarcastically after a long moment of silence
"Shut up, dude."
We laughed our way back to our rooms.
After a few minutes or so of just sitting there, I asked Leslie and Oak a question.
"Yo, do you think I should take Jasmine somewhere...?"
"Why not dude." They both said, at the same time.
"Where?"
"Hmm, perhaps the fancy little Botanical Garden? The New York Botanical Garden." suggested Oak.
"The Boat Garden..?" I asked. I was known to mishear things sometimes.
"Nooo!!" He said, smirking. "Botanical Garden. Plants, nature!"
"Oh god. I really hope Jasmine like plants." I laughed at the thought.
"Well then, why are you still here? Go ask her?"
Then Leslie and Oak literally shoved me out the door.
I walked over to Jasmine's room and heard a lot of giggling at the door. I instantly recognized Jasmine's sweet laugh, although I also heard Pippa and Renee somewhere there too.
I knocked on the door.
Jasmine POV
"Shh" I whispered to Renee and Pippa. Could it be Anthony?
I opened my door and saw Anthony. Of course.
"Hi Jasmine" He said."Can I, umm, talk to you for a minute?"
"Sure.." I said, my voice trailing off. I looked back at Pippa and Renee and they had their fingers crossed, smiling.
I followed Anthony down the hallway. I really wished I had mind reading powers at the moment to know what he was going to say.
He looked into my eyes and said, "Would you like to go with me this weekend to the New York Botanical Garden?" It's not far from here."
I wondered, He was taking me, out of all people? I wouldn't dare to decline.
"Sure, Anthony. Meet you outside the theatre?" I said.
"Yes. And.. try not to trip on the door frame again."
We both laughed.
I really wished I had something else to tell him so he wouldn't leave and stop talking to me... I was getting kind of used to having him near me. Was I officially losing my mind?
Just as he turned around to leave, I gently gripped his wrist. He looked back at me with intense eyes.
I let go of him and said, "Hey Anthony...I wanted to thank you. Personally. For... giving me confidence. I couldn't have sung well without you."
"It was all you, Jazzy. You have that beautiful talent."
I laughed. "But thanks, again."
I reached out and gave him a gentle hug. He smelled of cinnamon and other spices. I was also slightly embarrassed; I was so much smaller than him.
"You're so small" he said, just as I finished my previous thought. (Mind reader???)
"I know." I declared, laughing, as I pulled away from him.
"See you tomorrow"
"See you." I said, blowing him a kiss. He smiled.
Once he left, I ran to my room and (almost) kicked my door open.
"Well?!?" Renee and Pippa said.
"ANTHONY IS TAKING ME TO A BOTANICAL GARDEN THIS WEEKEND!!!!!!" I half screeched.
"OH MY GOD!! HOW CUTE!!" exclaimed an excited Pippa.
"Aww. I'm guessing you need an outfit?" asked Renee, in a calm but playful manner.
"Of course. My sister knows what I need"
We all laughed, considering we weren't really sisters; we just pretended we were.
"And." Renee said. "I know exactly what I'm giving you."
She came back with the best dress ever. It was a light blue and white striped dress, (with the stripes going downward) with two pink flowers embroidered on two corners.
"Where do you find these artworks?!" I asked. "I absolutely love them!!"
Pippa, Renee and I had a little group hug, and then they headed back to their rooms.
I sat down on my bed and thought about Anthony. Did I... did I love him?
With that I thought, I went to sleep.
Next Morning...
This morning I woke up quite refreshed. First thing on my mind: Anthony.
Today, Lin told us we'd be going over the songs again, but at a slower pace. Pretty much everyone sang in the first song, so we all had to be present.
A few songs later, it was time for "The Schuyler Sisters" again. Today, I felt that I sang with more confidence. Anthony came over to me and whispered, "Absolutely gorgeous."
I smirked at him. He's such a flirt.
I cheered for my sisters as they sang their songs.
At one point after I sang I started feeling drowsy, so Lin told me I could lie down and that he'd tell someone to wake me up later. Pippa and Renee checked on me real quick, and after I told them I was okay, I went to the corner of the stage and slept.
Anthony woke me up 3 hours later.
"Jasmine?" He whispered, gently shaking my shoulder. "Jasmine?"
"Mhmm.." I said, still not focused.
"We're on the first Cabinet Battle"
"Shoot. Was I out that long?" I said, finally gaining my focus, primarily on Anthony.
He laughed. "Perhaps. Let me help you up"
I sat up and took his hand, stumbling as I stood up, but Anthony caught me. (I'm starting to think he's jealous of the floor)
"You okay?"
"Yes."
"Are you nervous?" He asked.
"Only a little." I replied; and it was bare truth.
"You'll do good. I know you will." (He smiled as he said this)
"I have to go." He continued. "My next song is coming up"
"Okay." I almost said "Love you."
He left as he took his place on stage. During the song, I did a few singing and breathing exercises.
Eventually it was time for me to sing. I took my place on stage and put on a brave face.
I began to sing...
The line "You can stay" approached, and I did it perfectly. This time we actually finished the song, and everyone applauded.
The rest of the week went like this, except on Friday, the day when Lin mainly worked with the Ensemble.
The weekend came.
2: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
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Hi guys! Some parts of this chapter were quite fun to write 😂
Anyone have constructive criticism?
Love, Christina 💙
