5th Generation

Episode 9: The Sleepover (Part 1)

Sandy Pine danced around her room humming a song from the school musical. She had to learn the choreography for the number SOMEHOW. Practice was the only solution. She tried for an hour every day, but it was no use. She was a terrible dancer. She could act great, and sing pretty well, but for some reason, dancing was hard. But it's not like she could just sit out during the number. She had to try again. Give it another go. So she did. Sandy stood up, and tried her best to recreate the movements the choreographer had shown them. She tried to do a "ball change"? She thought it was called. It didn't work well. She tried a different move. This time she slid on her carpeted floor and ended up on her butt. At least it didn't hurt. One last try; she promised herself. Then she could go get some lunch. Wait. That looks right! Maybe she COULD- She was wrong. Her long, wavy brown hair fell into her face and she tripped. On the floor again, Sandy pulled her hair from her face. Hadn't she tied it up before starting her practice? She checked her wrist. The hair elastic was still there. No, apparently she had not tied it up. She must have forgotten. Oh well. That was enough dancing for today. She thought, standing up tiredly. Maybe she should just give up. She was mostly in the back during that number anyway. She could just copy someone in front of her. Problem solved. Yeah. And now that she was thinking about it, she should probably work on that assignment she had due next week. Then she wouldn't have to worry about it later. But she REALLY did not want to do it right now. It would turn out fine. She could do it later.

Sandy tended to put things off and pretend they weren't happening. It was a fine philosophy for HER. She also was a theater geek. Although she had never received a lead role in any of the school productions she auditioned for (which, of course was all of them) she still loved being onstage and took pride in being a part of the amazing productions, no matter how small her part was. She was determined. Even if she got villager #2, she would be the best damn villager #2 the director had ever seen. Then maybe one day, he would actually give her a lead role. Or at least something with lines. She could only hope. Her future was looking bright, though. The director was very nice to her and called her "Flora" because she always wore flowers. She had a flower wreath that had small fake pink roses on it and she wore it everyday without fail. It was...lucky. She wasn't very superstitious, but the flowers felt lucky and gave her comfort. She had taken them off to dance, but now she placed it back on her head. The flowers seemed to be a part of her. It was how she stood out. No one else wore anything like it. She wasn't only a theater geek with flowers in her hair. Sandy was also very outgoing and had many friends. Many of her friends never go up to anyone. Sometimes she felt like she had to be their voice; to speak for them. It was sad. She loved being on stage so much, but none of her friends shared that love. She felt like the only theater geek in the world, sometimes. Luckily, she had gone to an acting camp over the summer and met a few girls that shared her interests. Not to say she did not like the friends she had now, but they just did not understand. Another thing was that she loved Shakespeare. She couldn't help it. She just found it absolutely mind-boggling how something written some 400 years ago is still relevant and changing how people think today. Isn't it amazing? No one else she knew would agree. People always looked at her funny when she told them she loved the old plays. She was on her own. Although she did not have much in common with her friends, she still loved them.

Her closest friends were Paz, Hazel and Jacqueline. She remembered meeting Paz. It was first grade and there were no other bus seats open, so Paz had sat down next to her. Being the outgoing and chatty kid she was, Sandy had immediately started up a conversation with her and they had been friends ever since. Other friends had come and gone, but Paz had always been there. She was really shy and it was a nice contrast to Sandy's constant chatter. She was also a good listener. Sandy wasn't quite sure how much exactly Paz listened and how much she tuned out, but she didn't really want to know. Paz was also an amazing artist. She was always drawing. Sandy was amazed there was still room on her binders. Paz was really humble about it, but really, she had talent. Sandy was sure of it. She wished she could draw as well as her friend did, but it wasn't to be. Besides, her passion was theater. And she was the best at acting. Sandy had befriended Hazel when they sat together at lunch one day in third grade. They had immediately hit it off. Hazel was pretty talkative too. So the girls usually end up accidentally interrupting each other, but it was ok. Hazel always was talking about her obsessions. Her most recent one was a cartoon called Gravity Slides. It was a cute show, but Hazel took being a fan to new extremes. Hazel swore she wasn't the only one who got like that, but Sandy wasn't so sure. Either way, Hazel was still a great friend and Sandy loved her. The last friend in their quartet was Jacqueline. Jacqueline had moved to their town a few years ago. She refused to say from where and was very cryptic about her past. Usually, the friends overlooked it. Sandy didn't want to think too hard about it. Jacqueline had a bob dyed half black and half purple. No one knew her actual hair color. Or why she perpetually wore a leather jacket on all days no matter the weather. She told everyone she was a goth and spends her time staring into space. Sandy noticed this and sometimes attempted to mimic it, but she couldn't seem to keep her mind in one spot quietly for too long. She didn't quite remember becoming friends with her. They were assigned to sit next to each other and the next thing she knew, they were friends. Her, Paz, Hazel and Jacqueline.