Miss Jefferson

Chapter 25

"Try that step over again,"

I nodded and got back into the first position.

"Go." He said.

I did the step over, making a mental reminder to have fun while I worked myself into utter exhaustion.

"There you go." Sky smiled. "You're catching on quick."

"It's only one song." I waved his compliment off. "I can do most of one song in a day. Are we going until twelve?"

He nodded. "Yeah, we're almost done with choreo for today. Then we need to do lyrics."

"Okay. I have to be home by one or two, so I'll probably head out pretty soon."

"Sure. And are you doing lyrics on your own tonight, then?"

"Yeah, I can do that."

"Alright."

I nodded, walking over to where we'd set our bags. I slipped the olive green jacket on, and picked up my backpack.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" I asked, taking a sip of water from, yes, Anthony's water bottle.

"Yeah, see you." He called back.

I hurried from the building's entrance, thought the cold winter air, to the safety of my car. I turned the heat up and pulled out of the parking lot.

Winter was slowly melting into spring, but it was still freezing, so I didn't take much notice.

I drove home and got a quick shower, before changing into a pair of clean clothes.

•••••

"Wait, so let me get this straight." Oak held up a hand. "You've never had butter pecan ice cream?"

I shook my head. "Should I have?"

"How have you been living?"

"In the absence of butter pecan ice cream."

"Here," he took my spoon from me and scooped out a small bite of his ice cream. He held the spoon to my lips and I accepted it.

"That's good." I nodded.

"Just 'good'?" He pretended to be offended.

"Really good." I corrected myself and stole another bite of it. "Thank you for introducing me to that."

He rolled his eyes. "So, your birthday is coming up."

I nodded. "It is."

"You know what else is coming up?"

"What?"

"You leaving for Chicago."

"It is?"

"Yep. According to my calendar, anyway."

I looked up at him. "You have the date marked?"

"No, cause you don't have a specific date yet. I just have that week circled."

"Aww," I teased, nudging him.

"Don't make fun of me." He whined.

I laughed. "Poor baby."

"That's making fun of me."

"Okay," I raised my hands in surrender. "Okay."

My phone buzzed.

"Did you see that Anthony cut his hair?" Oak asked me as I checked the notification.

"We do not speak of that." I said, reading the text.

Sky

«Sorry to bother you, but I just thought I'd let you know that we're both flying to Chicago next Thursday. Congratulations, you're officially in Newsies Tour!»

«Yes!! Thank you!»

«The rest of cast can't wait to meet you, by the way.»

«I'm so excited!!»

«So am I!»

I tried to repress a smile as I looked back up at Oak.

He raised an eyebrow. "You look suspicious."

"I'm leaving next Thursday."

His face fell. "Next Thursday?"

I bit my lip. "Yeah."

"And you'll be gone for how long?"

"A week and a half, maybe two."

"But you got into the tour?"

I nodded.

He broke into a smile. "Congratulations, Jada."

"Thank you."

"Are you excited?"

"Beyond excited!" It took all that I was to keep my voice down. "I'm practically exploding with excitement!" I whispered loudly.

"You're gonna do great!" He whispered back.

"I hope so!"

"You will!"

I hid my face in my hands, smiling uncontrollably.

"Do you want to celebrate?" He asked.

I shrugged. "I'll probably just go home and sing at the top of my lungs for three hours, but that's just me."

"That disturbs the neighbors. Do you have any actual plans?"

"A: singing for three hours is plans, excuse you. B: nothing other than that."

"Would you like to do something?"

"Oak, if it's not in your schedule, then no."

"No, tell me honestly."

"I'm fine without doing anything." I shook my head, smiling. "Go do Great Comet. Text me when it begins, and I'll sing with you the entire time."

"Jada,"

I reached across the small table and slipped my hand into his. "I'm serious. If I wanted to do something, I'd suggest something, and we'd try to do it. I won't lie to you."

"But it's a big deal for you. You got into Newsies Tour."

"I did, but I really am fine if we don't do anything. I'm excited about it, you're giving me moral support, and right now, that's all I need."

He gave me a look. "Moral support doesn't seem like enough."

I laughed. "Well, what else would you like to give me?"

He moved our ice cream to the side and gently held my chin with his thumb and index finger. He gave me a slight tug toward him, touching his lips to mine.

"That's all I have to give you right now."

I sighed dramatically. "I'll take it."