Forever In Your Shadows

Chapter 4

Scarlett's POV

I sat in my theatre class and saw AJ across the room with his friends. I was having one of my off days and just sat near the back. I didn't want to be bothered today... Too many people were asking too many questions today and it was giving me a migraine. 

"Alright class! I know it's still summer break for you guys, and I'm glad all of you could show up before school started to get a head start on the fall play!" Director Daniels smiled. "Now some of you may have heard that it's going to be Phantom, but we want it to be memorable! We need some good voices. So when you audition, make sure you pick the best song that best suits your range. We do not need another girl thinking she can sing higher than her range allows her to do." He laughed. A couple girls looked at others, laughing in good fun. Everyone always wanted to out do the other, or just wanted to expand their vocal ranges in the wrong way. 

"But, Mr. Daniels, their hearts say yes!" One of the girls laughed. 

"But your range says no." He laughed with them and I checked my phone. Mom was texting me to have a good rehearsal and to cheer up a bit. I sighed and was still debating on auditioning for this one. I didn't think I was going to ever be good enough. Even though it was just high school, what was the point? Everyone was going to be better than me no matter what I did. We were allowed to go help build the set, a very proud tradition for us. We built the set ourselves so we knew what everyone went through. Summers were meant for building and auditioning, while the school semester was filled with after school rehearsals and running lines with one another. 

"So are you going to audition?" Serephina asked. 

"I don't know..." I shrugged while carrying a paint can towards the wooden panels. 

"You should! Your parents would be so sad if you didn't. Isn't that why you're here? To be just like them?" She asked. 

"No." I spat. "I want to be different from them. Make something out of myself. Not just be the daughter of Lin and Phillipa Miranda." I growled. "I want to make something out of me." I repeated. 

"Gosh, didn't need to be so rude about it." She said while walking away. I sighed and mentally beat myself up about what I just did. I didn't usually have a temper... But ever since I started this nonsense, everyone has expected me to become just like my parents.

"You look tense...." AJ whispered while grabbing a paint brush. 

"Just... Want to go home." I sighed while painting one side of the cutouts. 

"I thought you loved the building process!" He gasped. 

"I do. I really do. It's fun! But not when I'm constantly reminded who my parents are and how upset they would be if I didn't become just like them." I frowned. "You know, they got upset with Alejandro because he wants to be an accountant? I mean come on! Are they expecting all of their kids to be musical prodigies??" I asked. 

"My dad was just hoping I grew up to be a gentleman." He shrugged. I sighed and realized that he was younger than me. He had a longer way to go. Well, a couple more years at least. "But I was lucky that your school was allowing me to come help at least." He smiled. 

"Well yeah, your school is going to help all the time. Getting the experience is what fuels this school." I groaned. "You're so lucky your parents aren't pushing you to do whatever they want." 

"Well, they want me to be a nice person and hope that I do a great job in school. That's it." He shrugged. 

"Well, do that at least. But always follow your heart." I smiled. We went through the rest of our day, nothing big got finished, just some cutouts were finally painted up nicely, and a lot of the costumes were being put together. I caught the train to head home and was greeted with the twins yelling with Burger screaming on the couch. Dad was yelling at someone and I saw mom reading a book and ignoring everything... "What's going on?" I asked.

"Well, I'm not sure anymore." She shrugged. "I just know that Amelie asked for a pet and I said no. I think your dad is mad at someone from work." She frowned. "I honestly have no idea but I know that I'm over these kids arguing." She said while getting up. I watched in fear and she took Burger back to Alejandro's room and came back birdless... 

"Oh no..." I whispered. 

"That's it!" She yelled. "I've had it up to here with your constant arguing and fighting!" She said while grabbing them each by the arm. I ran to my room and shut my door behind me. I could still hear the yelling, but I knew I wasn't getting into any of that. I was smarter than that. My phone buzzed a few times with some texts, mostly from AJ asking if he could borrow some books for his classes. I replied with yes to him and saw a few others from theatre buddies. All about which audition song they were going to use and how they would do it. Stupid group chat apps. 

Vivian: Oh my gosh, I'm thinking of singing something not Phantom! Maybe something else that'll show my vocal range perfectly! I'll make a wonderful Christine! 

Helena: Sure, that part is mine and you know it! 

Serephina: What if I audition and get the part! Then we'll know who the real champ is! 

Victoria: As if. We all know Scarlett will get it because her dad works with Mr. Daniels. Isn't it obvious? She never has to really put herself out there to get what she wants. 

Helena: True. 

Serephina: Makes sense.

Vivian: That doesn't sound fair. We've worked hard too and she just gets to waltz on in and wave her stupid family card in everyone's face? I don't thinks so.

Dani: Or you know she could just be good at what she does guys. You guys are pathetic. She's still on the group chat.

Scarlett Soo has left the group...

I frowned and thought they were my friends... Dani was the only one sticking up for me and I thought Serephina was my best friend... How could I be so stupid... I'm not good at what I do.. Maybe I should just quit now. Become a stupid accountant with Alejandro. He seemed to know how to get mom and dad away from him.

**** Sorry about the rather upsetting chapter with Scarlett. My emotions sometimes affect my writing but it kinda plays into the book so hang tight and love the characters for who they are! Or hate them I don't know...****