I'm with the Band

I'm with the Band chapter three

Chapter 3

I can barley hide my excitement as the phone rings and rings. I know it's late, and Gran will already be fast asleep, but Gran was like a mother to me, even when mine wasn't there.

Almost after the moment I was taken home the first day of my entire life, my mother bolted, leaving me to my father, alone. My father named me Sophia Grace Hennerson and struggled to raise me the first year of my life, but finally couldn't take it any more. He went to his mother, Gran Hennerson, and pleaded with her to take me. Reluctantly, Gran agreed, disappointed with my father, but found joy in raising her only grandchild. That's how the story goes at least.

I don't remember my mother at all, I don't even know her name. As for my dad, he never called or visited, or even accepted my friend request on Facebook, hardly keeping any contact. I don't have his number, either. But once a year, for either my birthday or for Christmas, he'll send a large amount of money and a card with a quick note inside. The note is usually fairly succinct, hoping that I was well and wishing me a happy birthday or merry Christmas, saying a shout out to Gran as well. Every now and then, I'll see a glimpse of his own life, oh so different than mine. He remarried and had a couple kids and moved from Florida, the only home I'd ever known, to New York.

I'd tried to contact him through letter, but only twice. The first time it was when I was still young and curious, only seven I think, wondering if he could visit. No reply. The second time was when I was accepted to be a backup dancer for Formerly Lucky. I thought that I would at least get a congratulations. Nothing. I wondered if he'd moved again. I'd never know, after the first letter he stopped putting the return address on his cards. After that I gave up, accepting that he wanted nothing to do with me.

But ever since he came to Gran, she had already been as much as a mother if my real one had stayed. Gran noticed my talent for dance when I was around three or four. At first, she put me into artistic gymnastics, but quickly realized that rolling around on the floor tossing around balls, twirling ribbons and jumping through hoops was so not my style. Even still though, wherever I was, when there was music, you could count on little Sophia to wiggle her butt, twirl her hips and jump around. Believe me, we have hundreds of recorded tapes of me as a little kid putting on a show.  Next, she put me in any free dance class she could find at the local YMCA. I stayed in those until I was eight, eight! That's when she decided that I needed professional taught classes. So I joined one of the best dance studios in all of Florida- East Coast Winds Dance Company, or ECWDCo.for short.

After joining ECWDCo. my dancing career really took off. I met my best friend Paige there, and did recitals, competitions and learned new skills and moves. I was the best in all of my classes, clinics and any camps I took. But I wanted to go further, so finally, after begging since I was ten, Gran finally let me go job searching at thirteen. Thirteen! So old. After that, I signed up for more auditons, sent out applications and videos, everything, more then I could count. Not one wanted me. Until Formerly Lucky agreeed to see me. Even the fact that they wanted to see me was made it one of the best days of my life. To be wanted and recognized. Gran made this all possible.

Sometimes I wonder what my life might have been like if my mother or father had stayed with me. Would I even do dance? Certainly I wouldn't be where I was today? Just the thought makes me shudder.

I'm beginning to think Gran might not pick up, I'm sure she's fast asleep, but when I'm about to press end, she finally picks up.

" Hello," Gran says quietly and sleepily into the phone in her cute, little old lady voice.

" Hey Gran, it's me," I say softly, not wanting to be too loud.

" Sophia! Is everything alright?" Gran exclaims, suddenly sounding more awake. I can almost see her scooting upright in her bed.

" Yes, don't worry. Actually everything is great!" I say, not trying hard enough to keep the excitment out of my voice.

" Then what on earth are you calling me for this late at night that it couldn't wait until morning?" Gran asks, sounding a little annoyed. She wouldn't be for much longer.

" I had my first performance tonight, it went GREAT!" I say, trying hard not to shout.

" That's wonderful Sophia but why-"

I cut her off, not able to hold it in any more. " I got promoted to be co-captain of the dance team AND now I'm one of the lead dancers!" I cry out happily.

" Sophia that's wonderful!" Gran exclaims loudly.

" Now, although I'll have to learn new routines I'm getting payed a lot more!"

" How much?" She asks. Being a backup dancer is expensive, between the costs of traveling, the costumes, paying the choreographers, staff, props and our own little taxes I guess really adds up. We are required to spend more then we usually make.  I sometimes have to get help from Gran, as much as it pains me to take her money, she insists.

" Twenty-thousand more," I squeal. I can already feel her smile in relief.

" That's brilliant, Sophia."

" Thanks Gran. I'll let you get some sleep now, OK? Love you and miss you."

" Sophia, I'm so proud of you, don't ever forget that, and when that band comes to Florida, you can count on me being in the front row. Love you too darling."

" Bye."

" Goodnight Sophia." I let her hang up first. It sounds like the party is dying down and I need to make one last phone call. I dial in Paige, my old best friend from home's number. Paige was one of Formerly Lucky's biggest fans and had seen me perform a couple times now.  The phone rings only a couple times before picking up.

" Oh my God Jeremy, just let me get some sleep already! It's over!" Paige says sleepily and angrily into the phone.

" Hi Paige, it's me, Sophia," I say, knowing she was thinking Jeremy, her clingy ex-boyfriend was calling again.

" Oh my god, Soph, I'm so sorry, I thought it was Jeremy calling again!" Paige gasped.

" No worries. I was just calling to tell you that my first performance went well and that I've been promoted to co-captain and second lead dancer!" I say excitedly.

" EEEEE!" Paige squeals, " that's amazing! Good job Sophie!"

" I know! So how's ECW doing?" I ask.

" Great, they're doing great. We're going off to a competition in New Jersey next weekend."

" Go rock it! Tell me how it goes ok?"

" I will, I gotta go now before my mom comes in, talk to ya later?"

" Absolutely. Bye Paige, love ya."

" Love ya too, girlie, go tear up the stage, lead dancer!"

I giggle. " Bye!" But she's already hung up.

I fall asleep with a smile on my face.

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A/N: Hey guys! I know that was kind of a long boring chapter, but every books gotta have a few of those, right? I just had to explain about Sophia's past a little and how she became a dancer. Sorry about the mix up with the chappie numbers too, I'm sorta new and this is my first story so some stuff is a little confusing still! Like my new cover? Ok, time to go with the drill: I would love it if you guys would:

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