A Key To Hope

Chapter Five

             Devan's POV
                     Two weeks later, we all headed into the local high school's auditorium. Isaac had come earlier in the day to get Micaiah, and Bella had gone with them to get ready. Things had been better between Spencer, Bella, and Micaiah the last two weeks, and things had been more peaceful throughout the whole family. Less insults, and I had heard Micaiah laughing a lot more. We took our seats, and I saw Spencer messing with the camera.

     "Need help?" I asked, and he looked up, startled.
     "Hmm? Oh, no. I know how to work it. Thanks." I smiled slightly, and Leah took a deep breath. The lights were turned down, and it started. The show was about an hour and a half long, and most of it was people that we didn't know. Then, the announcer came back up.

     "Ladies and gentlemen, we are honored that you joined us tonight. It is my duty to inform you that we only have two performances left. Next up, we have Isabella Key, performing Wonderland by Taylor Swift, and There's A Place For Us, by Carrie Underwood."

       Bella's POV
           "Next up, we have Isabella Key, performing Wonderland, by Taylor Swift, and There's A Place For Us, by Carrie Underwood." I headed out, and then the lights came up as I reached the center of the stage. I took a deep breath, and then the music started. I looked to the side, seeing Micaiah and Isaac, and I smiled at them as I started singing.

   Flashing lights and we
   Took a wrong turn and we
   Fell down a rabbit hole
   You held on tight to me
   Cause nothing's as it seems
   Spinning out of control

   Didn't they tell us 'don't rush into things'
   Didn't you flash your green eyes at me
   Haven't you heard what becomes of curious minds
   Didn't it all seem new and exciting
   I felt your arms twisting around me
   I should've slept with one eye open at night

   We found Wonderland
   You and I got lost in it
   And we pretended it could last forever
   We found Wonderland
   You and I got lost in it
   And life was never worse but never better

    In Wonderland
    In Wonderland
    In Wonderland
    In Wonderland

   So we went on our way
   Too in love to think straight
   All alone or so it seemed
   But there were strangers watching
   And whispers turned to talking
   And talking turned to screams

   Didn't they tell us 'don't rush into things'
   Didn't you flash your green eyes at me
   Didn't you calm my fears with a Cheshire cat smile
   Didn't it all seem new and exciting
   I felt your arms twisting around me
   It's all fun and games til somebody loses their mind

    But darling, we found Wonderland
   You and I got lost in it
   And we pretended it could last forever
   We found Wonderland
   You and I got lost in it
   And life was never worse but never better

  In Wonderland
  In Wonderland
  In Wonderland
  In Wonderland

  I reached for you, but you were gone
  I knew I had to get back home
  You searched the world for something else
  To make you feel like what we had
  And in the end, in Wonderland
  We both went mad

   We found Wonderland
   You and I got lost in it
   And we pretended it could last forever
   We found Wonderland
   You and I got lost in it
  And life was never worse but never better

  We found Wonderland
   You and I got lost in it
   And we pretended it could last forever
   We found Wonderland
   You and I got lost in it
   And life was never worse but never better
   In Wonderland

    I finished the first song, and everyone started clapping. But then, I made a quick decision. I picked the microphone back up, and before the music started I said something.

     "Hey, I just want to say something really quickly. This next song.....This one's for my younger sister, who hasn't ever stopped believing in her dreams, no matter how crappy life has gotten." I smiled at Micaiah again, and then the next song started.
   

   There's a place out there for us
   More than just a prayer
   Or anything we've ever dreamed of
   So when you feel like giving up
   Cause you don't fit in down here
   Fear is crashing in
   Close your eyes and take my hand

   We can be the kings and queens
   Of anything if we believe
  It's written in the stars that shine above
   A world where you and I belong
  Where faith and love will keep us strong
  Exactly who we are is just enough
  There's a place for us

   When the water meets the sky
   There your heart is free
   And hope comes back to life
   When these broken hands
   Are whole again
   We'll find what we've been waiting for
   We were made for so much more

   We can be the kings and queens
   Of anything if we believe
  It's written in the stars that shine above
   A world where you and I belong
  Where faith and love will keep us strong
  Exactly who we are is just enough
  There's a place for us

   There's a place for us
   So hold on, hold on
   There's a place for us

   We can be the kings and queens
   Of anything if we believe
  It's written in the stars that shine above
   A world where you and I belong
  Where faith and love will keep us strong
  Exactly who we are is just enough
  Yeah, exactly who we are is just enough
  There's a place for us

    I finished again, and once again, the room exploded in applause. I bowed, and went back offstage, and the announcer came up again.

    "Beautiful job, Miss Key. Now, for our final act, we have Isaac Thomas and Micaiah Key, performing an original ballet routine to the song Walking Her Home, by Mark Schultz." They went onstage, taking their places, and the song began as the lights went up. I watched, in awe, as they performed the dance. They did it so beautifully, and it seemed like they were acting out what the lyrics in the song were. As I watched, I couldn't help but hope that they won. It was so beautiful, and they did it beautifully together. The song finished, and they got a standing ovation. I couldn't help but nearly squeal as they came offstage, and the announcer came back up.

     "Ladies and gentlemen, the judges have already made their decision. In third place, Samuel and Eliza Davis's dueling banjos!" There was a fairly polite round of applause at the siblings came up together.
      "In second place.....Isabella Key!" I couldn't help but grin, going out, and I got my small trophy. Samuel, Eliza, and I were supposed to wait until first place was announced to leave.

      "And in first......Isaac Thomas and Micaiah Key!" It took everything in me to not start jumping and squealing. They won!! Of course, after we left, I was like a drunk Tigger, jumping all over the place and nearly squealing at the top of my lungs. Everyone was laughing at me, but I didn't care. My little sister had shown people what she could really do. And I was so proud of her.