Forever In Your Shadows

Chapter 36

Scarlett's POV 

First opening night. I was nervous, pacing back and forth in my dressing room waiting for everything to come crashing down on us. A knock on my door interrupted my thoughts of course. 

"Scarlett, it's me." I recognized mom's voice. I smiled and opened the door to see her. She had on a nice dress and her hair was done up. "Are you nervous?" She asked while walking into my room. 

"So nervous..." I laughed. 

"Don't be. I know it's a pretty big production, but at least you're here." She said while sitting me down at my vanity. "I remember my first performance... I couldn't stop shaking in my dressing room." She laughed while fixing my hair. 

"Really?" I smiled. 

"Of course! It was even worse when we got to our marks and I had to stare at the audience..." She frowned. "But once the music started playing, and after I sang the first few notes of the song, it all just..." She took a deep breath in and let it out. "It all melted away. My mind was cleared, and I knew I was where I needed to be." She smiled. 

"You always know what to say Ms. Soo." I looked over and saw my little group of friends. Taylor was tearing up and using my tissues to dab her eyes so she wouldn't ruin her makeup. 

"Oh girls. I'm so proud of you. No matter what happens tonight, always remember that this is what counts. The friendships you make and of course the fun you have on stage. Don't focus on the negatives. Focus on the positives." Mom explained to all of us. 

"Yes Ms. Mom Boss!" All of us laughed. Bea hugged Georgina and Taylor joined in their big hug. I let myself do the same and pulled mom with me. We had worked hard for this. 

~~~~

Pippa's POV 

"Do I have to wear this get up?" Amelie groaned. 

"Yes, this is a very important night for your father. Now just smooth out your dress. I don't understand how you got so many wrinkles in it already." I sighed. Alejandro was standing with his new boyfriend, holding hands with him and talking. I wasn't worried about them since I knew they were more than capable of dressing themselves. 

"Mom, where's dad?" Alejandro asked. 

"I don't know. He might be holding the prayer circle already. Just wait until he comes up on the left wing." I shrugged. Amelie eventually got her act together with her dress and looked at least a little less like she just rolled out of bed. All of us were escorted to our seats and we waited. Lin came out eventually and sat next to me. 

"Did you get to talk to Scarlett before the show?" He asked. 

"Yes. I talked to all of the girls." I said while adjusting my dress. 

"Oh. I didn't get to... She was busy warming up when I wanted to talk to her." He sighed. I nodded and looked at the curtain. It was only a few more minutes until show time... "I'm sorry for freaking out like I did so many months ago... I overheard you talking with Scarlett when she was in the hospital..." 

"Lin, now is not the time to even bring up anything about our divorce." I frowned. "It's done and over with. I'm sorry it happened to, but we can't erase the past, nor can anyone change how I feel." I frowned and closed my eyes. "Can we please just worry about the success of our daughter in her first show that her father has written?" I whispered. He nodded and looked towards the stage. I was so nervous... I could only imagine how Scarlett must be feeling right now....

~~~~

Scarlett's POV 

I was crying, but a happy cry. First preview show done. Audience approval? Well, seeing as we got a standing ovation with them crying. Once we exited the stage I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with emotions and didn't know what to do. Ignacio wrapped his arms around me and smiled. 

"You did it." He smiled. 

"I did it? You did it too!" I laughed. 

"But this isn't my first show. It's my second." He smiled. 

"I know, but still." I shrugged. He nodded and kissed my forehead. I held onto him tightly and wanted to just stay like that forever... It was always comforting to be with him. 

After everyone was changed and ready for the after party, we headed out to the venue for a good time. Everyone was cheering and singing random songs from the radio. I stood near Bea the whole time. Ignacio was over partying with the guys and I couldn't help but feel happy. But it didn't feel real. 

"Scarlett?" I looked up and saw people who did look somewhat familiar to me... "It's me! Victoria! From high school!" The girl smiled.

"Oh... Hey." It was awkward seeing one of the people who used to make fun of you in high school.. 

"What are you doing here?" She laughed while putting her drink on the table. 

"Celebrating a successful first night performance." I shrugged. 

"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow and smirked. "What show?" 

"Unnamed and Deceitful." I shrugged. "It's still a work in progress." I added. 

"I can tell. Didn't your dad write that?" She laughed.

"Yeah..." I frowned. 

"Figures. Daddy gave you the part again I assume?" She scoffed. 

"No. He let me audition." I glared. 

"Sure he did. Never going to be able to leave that alone are you? You're never going to be better than them. Just only a mere shadow to them." She laughed a little and looked at me. "Don't get me wrong, you are a good performer, but that's all you'll ever be. You'll never be a great performer. Better start finding another occupation soon. Your name will only fizzle out the minute daddy's fame ends." She said while walking away. I frowned and felt so terrible... She was right... What was the point of me doing this... I wasn't that great... I was barely even good..

"You look like a train wreck." Bea laughed. 

"I feel like a train wreck.. I'm just going to go home." I frowned. 

"What?! But we just got here..." She pouted. 

"I know.. I shouldn't have come out tonight.. I feel terrible." I said while walking away from her. I took a cab home, didn't even bother to explain anything else to anyone before I left... When I got home mom was sitting on the couch watching tv. 

"You're home early." She smirked. 

"I didn't want to party." I frowned. 

"What's the matter?" She asked while setting the remote on the table. I walked over and sat next to her on the couch. "Scarlett?" 

"I don't think that I'm cut out for this... I can't be an actress..." I cried. "I don't know why I even thought I could do this.." I sniffed. Mom wrapped her arms around me, trying to calm me down... "People will always compare me to you or dad and I can't be you guys... I just can't...." I sobbed. 

"Oh Scarlett... I'm sorry." Mom whispered. "I didn't think that this would hurt you so much..." She frowned. 

"I just wanted to do what you did... You always seemed to have fun." I sniffed. 

"I did. Believe me I did. But it isn't any fun when you're being compared to everyone else. But you are you. Not me. Not your father. You're always going to be Scarlett." She smiled. "And I swear on my life that you are a wonderful actress. Probably better than me at your age." She laughed. I nodded and she placed her hands on my face. "Scarlett Elizabeth you listen to me." She frowned. 

"Okay..." I whispered. 

"I promise you are the best you can ever be. But only if you stop this negativity. I know that you're going to be pushed to start conforming to how your father and I were when we pursued our acting dreams. But promise me that you'll always break through that and continue being you." She frowned. I nodded and she smiled. "Now, go change. You have another big day tomorrow." 

"Thanks mom." I laughed.

"Anytime."