Jasmine POV
Our last 19 days of rehearsals passed like a breeze.
It was the early early morning of January 20th.
Anthony woke me up that day, but he didn't use water this time. He literally kissed me all around my face, except for my mouth.
"Anthony, what are you doing" I moaned while laughing, not quite asking a question.
"Waking you up"
"This way?"
"Unless you'd prefer water"
"Never mind"
I sat up from my bed and looked up to see Anthony smiling.
I smiled back, and then he said, "How are you feeling?"
"Excited, but nervous at the same time. Mostly excited"
"Good. Now get up before I start tickling you"
I immediately shoved the sheets off of me and saluted him, sarcastically.
"Sargent Jasmine, reporting for duty" I declared.
Anthony rolled his eyes and laughed, then he said "You're so silly"
Then he kissed me on the forehead and took my hand, now headed to the dressing room.
Pippa and Renee were already there, in costume.
Our first dress to wear was a vase (or peach) colored simple dress.
Pippa, Renee and I all had similar dresses, but that, apparently, that didn't stop Anthony from teasing me.
He walked over to me, and when he did, Pippa and Renee made way for him, like a king, (I'm not saying he's not...) while trying not to die of laughter behind him.
"You look gorgeous" he said, twirling me around in a circle.
"Hmph" was all I responded, while trying not to die of laughter just like Pippa and Renee.
Then Pippa, Renee and I were called over for makeup. Before leaving, Anthony kissed me on the forehead again.
"Why do you keep kissing me?" I asked Anthony, out of genuine curiosity.
"For good luck" he replied, with a smirk.
I rolled my eyes and then said, "I probably need it, anyway. Let me return you the favor"
Then I kissed him on the cheek and caught up with Pippa and Renee.
The three of us also had similar makeup.
After the makeup, we went to the hairdresser, who put our hair in a simple, but neat, half ponytail. The only difference was in Pippa's hair; she actually had a partition in the middle of her hair.
We had 10 minutes before the show started.
I started getting somewhat nervous, but of course, Anthony had to help.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing." I mumbled.
"I know you too well. Come on. Please tell me"
So I had no choice but to tell him.
"I'm really nervous. But I'm also excited... actually I'm not sure how I'm feeling. Can I hug you? Please"
"If it makes you feel better"
Then I hugged him and held him tightly.
He patted down my hair softly, and that was quite comforting.
I broke away from the hug and said, "Thanks Anthony"
He smiled and kissed me on my hair. (I'm assuming because he didn't want to mess up my makeup)
I walked over to Pippa and Renee and we had a small group hug.
Still in our group hug, Renee started singing,
"Angelica..."
"Peggy..." I sang.
"Eliza..." sang Pippa.
"Work!" the three of us exclaimed, a bit too loud, that was.
Everyone in the cast laughed, and then we were told to get in position.
As I took my position, I took a deep breath and looked at Anthony.
He smiled at me.
I smiled back.
Then I looked away and took another deep breath.
I was ready.
The first few notes began playing and the curtains opened.
Although I only danced and had minor singing parts in the first song, it was still scary.
Rushing, Pippa, Renee and I shoved our next dress on; mine was a golden yellow, while Pippa's was pale blue and Renee's was pale pink. (Or peach)
We also had to have our makeup redone, and a few moments before I went on stage, Anthony came out of nowhere and kissed my hair again.
"The Schuyler Sisters" came eventually, and I did it perfectly.
A few moments afterwards, "Helpless" came on, and while I danced with Anthony for a short time, he mouthed "You're doing great"
All I could do was smile back at him.
After every song, there were applauses, which I felt thankful for.
Then we had our short break before Act 2, and now I had to change dresses to play Maria.
My Maria dress was actually red, which I loved.
This time, there were more makeup changes, and only slight hair changes.
I had gotten ready quick, so I had some time before Act 2 started.
I think I was the first to be ready, and didn't help my nerves.
Suddenly Anthony appeared, and immediately I went to hug him again.
"You'll be fine. Trust me." he said, probably feeling my shaking.
"Are you not nervous? Like at all?"
"Well, I am, kind of, but... I know that I'll get through it. Believe in yourself"
I sighed. I hated it when he was correct.
I broke away and said, "I'll try"
"Jasmine, you sing beautifully. Everyone will love you"
Somehow, that made me start feeling better.
Before I could I get another word out, just about everyone else came out in costume and started cheering,
"YOU CAN DO IT JASMINE!"
I laughed and felt my confidence boost.
"Thanks guys. To everyone"
Then Daveed and a few other people were called to start Act 2.
I was no longer nervous.
"You okay?" asked Anthony.
"Yes. I'm okay now"
"If you say so.."
With that he left me alone, and a few minutes later, he left to perform.
My turn to perform came.
My lines, miraculously, came out perfectly.
I mean, Every. Single. Note.
After the song ended, there was a longer applause than usual.
When I went backstage, Anthony, Pippa, and Renee were waiting for me, already in their next costume.
Anthony put out his arms for me to hug him.
I went up and hugged him. (And of course, the squeals coming from Pippa somewhere behind him)
"You sang beautifully, Jasmine"
Just when I blushed, I accidentally broke away from the hug.
I looked sheepishly at the floor.
"Thanks Anthony"
He smiled and pushed me over to Pippa and Renee, who looked ready to scream.
"We need to celebrate this after the show" said Pippa.
"Absolutely!" agreed Renee.
We agreed to have a sleepover at Pippa's room.
I was going to love performing with my dorky friends.
February came. (More performances, of course. Sometimes 2 in one day)
Or more specifically, February 13th.
The day before Valentine's Day.
When my life would change. For quite forever...
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Sorry if I bored some of you to death with this chapter 😂
THE NEXT ONE YOU CANNOT MISS THOUGH.
I've had the next chapter written in my head since I came up with it, and I can't wait to write it.
Hammy out 💙
