the lucky one

first days of rehearsals

it was now the first day of rehearsals and i was very excited. i've been wanting to do something like this my whole life and it's finally happening.

about a week ago we had a meeting with taylor and im going to be staying with her when we travel. my parents are both surgeons so they on no way can take off work that much. but they did promise to make it to as many shows as they could and they'll be there for opening night.

luckily they were able to fly with me out to la because it was such a short flight, but they went back to seattle today because they couldn't stay. la is where we start rehearsals and then 10 days before the first show we will be rehearsing in the stadium in glendale. so we have about 3-4 weeks to do all of this.

"alright guys! gather in" mandy said. as soon as in went i saw the girl who was belittling me at the auditions.

"okay! first day of rehearsals! taylor is not here today and i'm not sure when she will so we will use this day to learn as many numbers as we can. i'm not expecting her to be here until maybe next week but that can all change. since she is not here the costume sizing will be pushed back a couple days just because we want everyone here when we do them." she explained.

"alright" she said clapping her hands together. "let's start with a good stretching warm up then we'll get started!" she said. everyone clapped their hands and dispersed to a part of the room to stretch and warm up.

"alright is everyone stretched?" mandy asked after about 15 minutes. we all nodded.

"okay so i think we're gonna start with the performances that everyone is in. so...let's start with willow first." she said.

willow?? i love willow! i'm so glad she's performing it. it's one of my favorite songs.

"oh i almost forgot! can everyone go around and say their name?" mandy asked.

"i'll go first. my name is kameron saunders, but you can call me kam." he said.

"my name is karen chuang"
"my name is victoria evans, but people call me tori" she said. it went down the line but one specific girl caught my eye.

"my name is amanda balen." she said. that was the girl who was belittling me. i saw the way she looked at me when i first walked into the studio. it haunts me. i'll never forget get it. then it got to me.

"my name is delilah ross." i said.

"and how old are you?" mandy asked. why did i only have to say my age.

"im 16" i said and people started to clap for me. except amanda.

"16 guys! she is incredible. we are all so proud of you" mandy said.

"thank you" i said while smiling shyly.

then we got to work. willow had a really cool concept and i enjoyed the choreography. i was very happy that i was finally getting a challenge with the choreo because at my dance studio its not that complex. this choreo was finally on my level.

"alright guys i think that's good for today's rehearsal. we're looking at wednesday for costume sizing so just keep that in your radar. get a good nights sleep and we'll see you tomorrow!" mandy said as she dismissed us.

i walked over to my bag and started to gather my stuff up. then someone was stood infront of me. it was amanda, great.

"oh...hi amanda" i said with a smile. even if i absolutely hate someone ill still be nice and respectful towards them.

"hey delilah. surprised to see you here. i think they just gave you the job because they felt bad for you. i mean a 16 year old audition for something like this? come on." she said laughing.

"well if that's what you think i'm not gonna stop you from having your own opinion." i said as i stood up.

"you know what?" she said firmly. "i don't know who you think you are. you are below everyone. notice how no one talks to you!? exactly because no one wants to be by someone like you. you should drop this and i don't know...maybe go back to dance competitions?? you can't keep up here anyway." she said turning around and walking away to leave the studio.

i just stood there. was she right? did i really deserve to be here? i quickly wiped the tears that fell from my eyes but it caught mandy's attention when she walked back into the room.

"oh hey delilah! you okay? you have a ride?" she said.

"huh? y-yeah i'm okay. and i think taylor is coming to pick me up. or one of her drivers i don't know." i said.

"are you sure you're okay?" she said walking up to me. "did something happen? i noticed how no one was really talking to you and they had their own little group." she said.

"yeah i'm sure i'm fine. and i get they don't wanna talk to me im like way younger than them so i understand." i said.

"i don't know i just feel bad. is there anything i can do?" she asked.

"no i'm okay. thanks though." i said turning around and walking out. "see you tomorrow" i called.

"bye sweetie!" she said.

"once i stepped out the cool air hit my face and i saw one of taylor's guards standing outside the car waiting for me.

"sorry to keep you waiting. thank you for picking me up." i said.

"it's not problem at all" he said giving me a smile. i got into the car and he drove me to taylor's house where i was staying. my stuff was already there because my parents dropped it off for me after dropping me off at rehearsals.

he walked me up to the door and unlocked it to let me in.

"is taylor here?" i asked.

"yes she just home a little while ago." he said.

"okay" i said walking in. her house was beautiful. i mean i thought my house was big but this was a whole nother level.

"oh delilah you're here!" she said walking over to me to give me a hug.

"hi taylor! sorry im a little sweaty" i said.

"oh no you're good! how was rehearsals?" she asked.

"oh they were okay." i said.

"what happened you look a little down?" she said.

"i'm okay. i promise. just tired. is there anyway i can take a shower?" i said.

"oh yeah! of course! follow me i'll show you where you'll be staying." she said.

"you have a really beautiful house. i mean i thought my house was big but this is huge" i said looking all around.

"hahah thanks! sometimes it gets a little lonely though. one person in this big of a house...it's just. you know." she said.

"yeah i get it." i said. "what about joe? does he usually stay with you? sorry i don't mean to intrude." i said taking it back.

"oh no it's okay. joe...he...he says he's busy." she said.

"oh." i said.

"yeah...well, here's your room!" she said as we walked in. "this door is the bathroom and this is the closet. you're parents put your bags over there...but i think that's it" she said.

"thank you again taylor. i really appreciate it." i said.

"oh it's not a problem! is there anything i need to know?? like allergies or anything else?" she asked.

"oh yeah, i'm allergic to tree nuts." i said.

"okay good to know." she said. "do you have epi pens just incase?" she asked.

"yeah i always have them with me." i said. she nodded.

"do you want pizza for dinner?" she asked.

"yeah that's fine thanks. i'm gonna get in the shower" i said.

"okay i'll get the food ordered." she said as she left the room.