Found

Storytelling

"Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Owwwww!" I moaned, slipping slowly into my splits besides Georgia and Diana in dance class. "I actually can't." With a thump, I pulled out of my splits and lay backward staring at the ceiling lights.

"Come on!" Georgia cried, tugging one of my arms.

Diana joined her in the tugging, grabbing my other arm. "Come on Grace, we need to get started. Mr. Eddison will kill us if we don't get this combo down!"

"Just leave me here to die," I groaned, still a slump on the floor.

Diana stopped tugging, placing her hands on her hips the way mum would when I was being stupid. "It can't be that bad!"

"Oh, it was!" I sat up flailing my arms. "I can't tell you how much I ache from rehearsals, but I can say I am surprised I can still walk. Or talk for that matter."

In unison, they both slid into their mid splits, edging me to continue on with the story of the rehearsal. "Fine! Fine, it started when I walked into the studio."

-.x.-

"Ah good morning Grace, how are you?" John asked, glancing up from his clipboard.

"Ready to get going!" I exclaimed.

Today was our first press day for fireflies, a camera was going to be following my every move, so I silently prayed to myself that I wouldn't slip up. I know I won't, I know this show back to front, I could perform it in my sleep if you wanted me to. Just, not in front of cameras. I wasn't ready for that kind of performance.

I followed John into the studio, wearily looking at the long row of cameras that would be recording and photographing everything in our run through today. Gulping, I made my way to the back corner where Sky was sat sipping from his water bottle.

"That is a lot of cameras." It was a low whisper, I did not want anyone to know how fearful I was today. I was tagged as the fearless child on the first day of full rehearsal, the kid who wasn't scared to throw herself into anything the director shot at me. I couldn't be defeated by a camera. I mean I know that I will be performing in front of crowds in no time, some of whom will probably be filming for a bootleg that I definitely won't watch.

"Eh," he shrugged, "I've seen worse. The Newsies film was worse."

"Gee thanks for your outstanding encouragement," I deadpanned, keeping as straight of face as possible as to not ruin the effect I was trying to push across. You know, utter joyfulness.

"No worries," he said cheerfully shrugging his shoulders. I stared at him, eyebrows raised waiting for him to realize I was being sarcastic. It only took him a few seconds of considering my face to realize his fatal mistake. "Oh, you are scared, aren't you."

"No kidding!" I whisper-yelled, "I have never been in front of this many cameras ever! Not even in Newsies!"

"Wait, but we had a press day. How were you not there?"

"Laryngitis, genius."

"Oh, yeah I remember now. Anywho, you should get changed into your dress, I think we're starting soon."

I simply nodded at him, pulling my dance bag strap further up my shoulder. I attempted to step over his legs but tripped up. He began to laugh hysterically, so I did the only thing you could possibly do. I flipped him off.

"Gracealyn Burrage- Cook! How dare you!" he cried dramatically, gasping and placing a hand over his heart.

I simply smirked at him before pushing open the door to the changing rooms to get changed.