Different

Reconstruction

      When everyone showed up, I had just finished putting on a grey shirt, jeans and my pink tennis shoes and fixing up my hair and we all got into working on rebuilding what we could of our fallen theater. Many hours passed and we were finally finished Mike had asked my dad about the prize money, and when he heard that they were singing for themselves, he scoffed and walked away. I rolled my eyes and laughed as I felt someone spin me around and I came face to face with Johnny. "Johnny I-" I started to say when he stopped me. "Jennifer please, I just want to tell you that I'm sorry for getting upset with you. I know it's not your fault, and I shouldn't have yelled at you. I'm so sorry and I hope we can be friend again." Johnny said, holding his hands on my shoulders. I smiled and hugged him tightly, burring my head in the side of his neck. Johnny hugged me back just as tightly and we stood there, frozen in the moment not wanting to move. I looked up to see Miss Crawly giving me the thumbs up and then my dad looking shocked, but then smiling at me, although a little sadly. We separated and smiled at each other and came back into reality and he excused himself to go practice as Miss Crawly went to the front and started advertising our new show.

"Jennifer I need a new act." My dad said as I sat down in the right wing, watching as everyone got ready. "Ok who are you going to ask? Do you think Meena will do it?" I asked as he took my hand and looked me in the eye. "I'm asking you honey." He said and I felt my eyes widen when he said this. "But dad, what about what people will think? What if they hate my look? What is the cops show up and--" I started asking when he hugged me. "I'm sorry for putting those thoughts into your head. I should never have restricted you or made you scared of the world. I never even thought about the other outcome, people loving you and you living a good life. I didn't think of it until I saw you and Johnny earlier." He said tears forming in his eyes and as he wiped them I hugged him one more time. "It's ok dad, I don't blame you. You were only trying to protect me." I said as I motioned him to start the concert. He smiled and waved at me as he got on the moon and started his introduction, only to realize he was backwards. When he turned around and addressed the audience properly, that's when the real fun began.

First up was Rosita and Gunther with their song "Shake it off" a personal favorite of mine! As they were dancing I noticed Johnny was pacing nervously, as his act was up next. I stood up and walked to him and lightly placed my hand on his back, watching as he jumped and turned around. "Hey you're going to do just fine, there's no need to worry." I said, smiling and grabbing his hand. Johnny smiled and breathed in and laughing, mumbling something under his breath. "What was that?" I asked, raising one of my eyebrows. "O-oh nothing, don't worry about it." Johnny said, rubbing his neck and looking away from me. When we heard the end of their song we clapped and cheered for our friends and laughed when all 25 of her children came on the stage, effectively knocking their mom and dad over and of course my dad. I looked up at Johnny and before backing out of my idea, I quickly kissed him on the cheek and wish him luck. He stood there, his hand lightly touching the spot I kissed him and smiled widely. He grabbed the piano and looked up at me and when I gave him the thumbs up he smiled and started. We started dancing and singing along with him as he did amazing on the stage, even the crowd was singing and dancing! When he finished everyone loudly cheered and I started jumping and screaming encouragements. Johnny came backstage afterwards and grabbed a towel and looked sad, making Rosita and I ask what was wrong, everyone loved him. "It's my dad, I just wish he were here to see it." He said solemnly, rubbing his head and looked at the floor. "It's alright Johnny I'm sure your dad is so proud of you right now." I said, wrapping my arm around his shoulders. We watched as Ash was starting to take the stage when Judith came up behind my dad, telling everyone that they were trespassing and that she would be calling the police. That's when Ash started playing her original song and the crowd eventually blocked in Judith and Ash played so amazingly! It was hardcore and her spikes started flying everywhere and when she finished it was like watching a rock star being born. I pulled out one of the spikes when I saw Mike walking up past us. "What're you doing here?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. "Don't worry honey I'm just here to show these bozos how it's done!" He said as he took the stage and started up singing his song. We all stood around watching him, when Johnny held my hand tightly and smiled down at me. When I noticed a pebble flying towards him, when it bumped him we both turned around and a very large male gorilla was standing there, arms out stretched. Johnny smiled widely and ran to hug him and I just knew it was his dad. I smiled and was about to turn around when Johnny motioned me to come over. I walked over and stood next to him as he introduced me to his dad. "Dad this is Jennifer, Jennifer this is my dad." Johnny said as his dad and I shook hands. "Ahhh so this is the girl you're always talking about huh?" Johnny's dad said laughing quietly and making Johnny blush. "What? I don't m-mention her all the time." He said stammering. I laughed and quickly it was time for his dad to head back to the prison. "I'll see you soon son, you'll visit me won't you?" He said looking at Johnny with wide eyes. When Johnny agreed his dad told me he'd like to see more of me later and I smiled as Johnny groaned in embarrassment. When he left I turned to Johnny and smiled. "You mention me a lot huh?" I asked laughing slightly. "Well, maybe a little bit." He said, scratching his head. Soon enough it was Meena's turn and it was hard at first to get her on the stage but when she did, it was like watching magic. She really was a natural, so fun and up beat! My dad came up to me before she was finished and asked if I was willing to go on stage and the other contestants started egging me to go one. "Dad I d-don't know." I said, feeling my nerves come on. "I think you'll do wonderful." Johnny said, smiling down at me. The butterflies were back and stronger than ever and finally I got the courage to say yes. I quickly ran to a closet and quickly a long light blue/green dress with 3/4 sleeves with some black flats and when I stepped out Johnny was standing there waiting for me, as everyone else watched the end of Meena's performance. "Oh wow... you look so beautiful." Johnny said softly, smiling to himself. I smiled up at him and thanked him, trying my best to shake off my nerves. "So Jennifer, I was wondering if you maybe wanted to--" Johnny started to say before he was cut off by the crowd cheering and shouting. I looked up at him confused when my dad came by and grabbed my hand and started to tell me that it was my time. I started to shake as my dad took the stage and started to introduce me. I quietly told Eddie which song I was going to do.

"Ladies and gentleman, our last performance of the night is someone very important to me, and although she may not look like me, she will forever and always be my little girl. It's an honor to introduce her tonight, Jennifer Moon!" My dad said as everyone clapped and cheered. Johnny nudged me forward and I grabbed the mic from my dad and started to walk to the middle of the stage. When everyone saw me, they gasped and started to whisper to themselves. I looked towards Johnny and he gave me the thumbs up and my music started to play softly through the speakers.

"Once there was a way
To get back homeward

Once there was a way
To get back home

Sleep, pretty darling
Do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby

Golden slumbers
Fill your eyes
Smiles await you when you rise
Sleep pretty darling
Do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby

Once there was a way
To get back homeward

Once there was a way
To get back home

Sleep, pretty darling
Do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby"

When I was finished, the crowd was quiet at first, then they erupted in a mass of cheering and clapping. I stared out into the crowd, shocked. That's when I heard a whistling and I saw Nana Noodleman clapping and waving to my dad and I. I bowed and thanked them profusely, walking off the stage where the crew was cheering me on. "You did amazing Jennifer!" Ash said, giving me a high five. "That was so awesome!" Meena said, gently hugging me. I thanked all of them and when my dad ran up to me, wiping his eyes and siming the biggest smile I had ever seen. "Oh honey you did amazing!" he said, motioning me to come down. I knelt down and we hugged each other and I thanked him for everything. We all got on the stage together and thanked the audience, as the gave us one final cheer.

Finally when everyone left, I was sitting on the stage alone, back in my regular clothing from before. I was looking up at the stars when Johnny came and sat down beside me. "You did amazing out there." He said, leaning back a bit on his hands. "Thank you, you did wonderful, I told you that song was right for you." I replied, laughing when he shook his head. "Yeah, yeah you sure were." He said, slipping his hand over mine. I blushed and flipped my hand over, gripping his tightly. "So I was wondering, what were you trying to ask me earlier?" I asked, looking into his chocolate brown eyes. He smiled and turned more towards me, taking both of my hands in his. "I was goin' to ask if you maybe wanted to go on a date sometime? With me?" He asked, stumbling over his words and smiling sheepishly. I stared at him, my chest fluttering and my face heating up, he was asking ME on a date? "Are you sure you want to ask me? Have you seen me? Don't you think I look... odd? Different?" I asked, looking down at my cream colored hands, feeling the disgust come on, when Johnny grabbed my chin softly and pulled my head to look up at him. "Yes I have seen you... and you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my entire life." He said, blushing. "I-- really?" I asked, moving myself forward a tiny bit. He nodded his head, also scooting forwards. "I'd love to go on a date with you." I said, placing my hand against his cheek, resting my forehead against his. Soon enough, his lips were on mine as we shared our first kiss together. His arm wrapped around my waist and my arms curled around his neck, pulling him in closer. When we parted, both of us were slightly out of breath and smiling. "So what time should I pick you up?" Johnny asked, rubbing my back gently. I replied with 5 o'clock and he agreed and as we were about to kiss again, someone cleared their throat behind us. We jumped apart and saw my dad standing there with Miss crawly, who was drying up some tears. "Now what do you two think you're doing?" He asked as we stammered to explain, he looked at Johnny and shook his head, chuckling. "You take care of my little girl, understand?" dad said, patting Johnny on the shoulder and told me it was time to go home. I nodded, bidding Johnny goodbye and headed with my dad to Miss Crawly's house, happier than ever.