Chapter Two
One week later
It’s 5 in the morning and I’m standing at the Fort Lauderdale international airport with the entire choir. I see my psychotic ex boyfriend, Josiah, and his equally crazy family across the way. A shiver runs down my spine as I remember the painful memories of being with him. Then something else distracts me, Vladimir is looking at me. I give a tiny wave and he just nods his head acknowledging me, and then returns to a conversation with his friends. I put my headphones in my ears and listen to some Taylor Swift songs while I go to check in my bag. I take my carry on with me along with my purse and iPad mini, I sit next to my friend Kaylie while we wait for the plane. Mr. Jackson seems overly excited this morning, he probably had like 4 cups of coffee to get him awake and keep him awake. I take off my headphones to wait for instructions and he says “hey guys, soon enough we’ll be boarding and then we’ll be in New York City. Just wanted to say, you guys did phenomenal at district evaluation and you deserved that straight superior rating. Next up is state but first; enjoy the sights and sounds and experiences you’ll get in New York City, because you’ll never get those back.” I’m so excited I can hardly contain it, well, maybe I can. It’s kind of early and it’s far too early to show too much excitement. We board the plane and 3 hours later we end up at JFK in New York, I can’t believe we’re actually here. I see Vladimir “hey, can you believe we’re actually here?” I say, “I know right?” he smiles and then walks to baggage. He definitely has no interest in me, I mean, who can blame him?
We board the bus to take us to the hotel, I put my headphones in and begin listening to birthday, I envision the moves and doing it on stage. I lose focus when I decide to look out the window and up at the tall skyscrapers which are just so beautiful. I could get used to living in a city like this, maybe I will after graduation if I can get a job on Broadway. We make it to the hotel, drop off our bags and then have free time in Time Square. We all break off into groups and head to do what we would like to do, in my case, it’s shopping; my addiction. I buy a lot of things but I can’t help but think what Vladimir would think of me in whatever I’m buying, why is he fogging my thoughts? Before we know it we’re back at the hotel and getting ready to head to dinner and to the empire state building to watch the sunset. Did I mention it’s really cold in New York? My lips are chapped and my face has a cold rash, definitely not attractive. I feel someone come up behind me, “need some warmth?” a deep voice says. I turn around and see Vladimir looking at me and I just nod, he holds me close and it’s true, he really is warm. He holds me for a good 2 minutes until I’m done shivering, and then lets go. “thanks.” I mutter.
The view from the top of the empire state building is breathtaking, it is definitely one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen, I took a bunch of pictures of it. New York has a heart of its own and I could definitely get used to this lifestyle, except for the cold, I don’t like the cold. I imagine myself performing on a Broadway stage and I’m suddenly warm because the thought of it just gets me really excited. Then I remember my own solos and begin to listen to the music again, this time really paying attention to the words. They’re both such beautiful songs and I’m so lucky to be able to convey their messages.
“every single birthday I promise I am gonna change but I can never take the first step, every single new years I promise there’ll be no more tears..” I sing, not realizing there are choir people around me. “What’cha singing Maddie?” one girl asks me, “oh um…nothing.” I say blushing and I quickly walk to the window to see the view again. Mr. Jackson then announces that it’s time to go, after headcount there’s a tiny problem, Vladimir is missing.
“Does anyone have his cell number?” Mr. Jackson asks frantically, a few people say “I do.” And proceed to text and call him but no immediate response. We notice that the composer of the piece we’re premiering at Carnegie hall has also disappeared and Mr. Jackson figures Vladimir is with him, he then begins to call the composer who says they’re at the entrance of the building. We then begin to file to the elevators and stairs to make it to the bottom of the empire state building to make our trek back to the hotel and for Vladimir to be yelled at. Once we’re all downstairs I see a furious Jackson charge toward Vladimir, “what were you thinking Vladimir?! That’s right you weren’t thinking!” he sighed “at least you were responsible enough to be with an adult.” He doesn’t say anything further and we make our way towards the exit and walking back to the hotel on this bitterly cold night.
