One Month Later
Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd.
His skin was pale and his eye was odd.
He shaved the faces of gentlemen who never thereafter were heard of again.
He trod a path that few have trod.
Did Sweeney Todd.
The demon barber of Fleet Street.
I repeated the notes that went with the words over and over again in my head.
"Relax." Jada said, reading my expression.
"Sorry," I exhaled, lifting my eyes from my sheet music.
"You got this." She reassured, placing a hand on my shoulder. "You've done this a million times before."
I nodded. "I know, but I get nervous every time."
"Didn't you just play in Sweeney Todd in L.A., though? You have literally nothing to worry about."
"I know. I'm just overreacting." I laughed at my pre-audition jitters.
"I'm glad you found a theater here that was doing your show. It'll make it easier for you to settle in to your new place."
"Definitely." I agreed. "How much longer do I have?"
She checked the clock hanging above the wall. "You're on in five or so."
I nodded, taking a deep breath.
My phone began to ring.
I silenced it before checking the caller.
Joshua Burrage
I considered declining it, but I gave in.
"Hello?"
"Aiden!"
"Hey, Josh."
"Josh Burrage?" Jada whispered to me. I nodded.
"You have to fly out to San Antonio!" Josh said urgently through the phone.
I stood from my chair. "What? Why?"
"I'll explain while you're driving to the airport!"
"Josh, I have an audition for Sweeney Todd in like, five minutes."
"Call it off! Jada told me you're in New York, right?"
I nodded slowly. "Moved in a couple of weeks ago."
"Yeah, well, it's only approximately 1,827 miles away!"
"Josh—"
"Catch a flight! There's one leaving in three and a half hours!"
"Slow down! Why do I need to fly to San Antonio?"
"We're in San Antonio!"
I stopped, sighing. "Josh, I thought I made it clear that I wouldn't be coming back."
"You don't understand!"
"Obviously not, because you're talking too fast for me to possibly register anything you're saying!"
"Ben and I got you back on crew!"
"Wait, what?"
"You're in orchestra again! You're back on tour!"
My heart was pounding in my ears. "What are you talking about?"
"Ben and I talked to the director and convinced him that we could use another violin!"
"They didn't choose to hire anybody else?"
"No! We suggested you, since you already knew the music and the system!"
"But what about—"
"Forget room and board, girl! Shows have been selling out like crazy! They have enough to pay for you!"
I inhaled sharply, the biggest smile slipping onto my face. "I get to come back?"
"You get to come back!"
"And you guys are still on the tour?"
"Why would we leave before we had to?"
(*cough cough benjamin cough cough*)
I laughed. "You wouldn't."
"Oh, by the way, Sky doesn't know yet. We'd prefer for you to get here as soon as possible, because I don't know how much longer DeMarius can keep it a secret."
"When was that flight leaving?"
"Three and a half hours!"
A woman stepped out of the door to the audition room. "Aiden Tracer."
I looked down at Jada, who was staring at me with wide eyes.
"I'm gonna have to cancel." I said, picking Cephas' case up and slipping the straps onto my shoulders.
Jada stood from her chair. "Your audition starts right now!"
"I know!" I turned to the staff woman. "I'm sorry for the short notice, but I have to leave immediately."
She shrugged. "Alright."
"Thank you!" I grabbed the folder with my sheet music in it and ran to the door.
"Where are you going?" Jada called after me.
"Texas!" I shouted back, already running through the parking lot.
"Is she coming back?" I heard Ben's voice in the background of Josh's call.
"I'm coming back!" I replied to him.
"Sis's coming home!" Josh yelled.
