The Royal Scandal | Prince William |

Opening Night

She picked up the sword on the ground drawing etches onto the stage, she inspected it until she finally poked herself with it. In earlier versions Giselle actually committed suicide with the sword. Instead she danced doing the moments from the pas de deux that she performed with Thomas, who came up beside her, but she didn't see him. It was sloppy and stiff and everything it needed to be.

The corps all rushed at her playing into the dramatics that she was in danger, and Jaclyn added to it. She ran about the stage her paces becoming faster wanting to feel her own heart exploding with pain.

In a burst of energy she surged at Thomas, and the second his hands connected on her waist she turned into a sack of potatoes collapsing against him. Jaclyn crumbled to the ground lying lifeless, and the audience gasped as Giselle died. Her heart unable to handle the pressures.

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After the show Jaclyn mingled around the front of house accepting single roses from the schools patrons, and stopping to thank them for all their support. She could see her family on the other end of the room patiently waiting until she was done, but ready to burst with excitement.

"Will I ever get tired of watching you?" Her grandma gushed, squeezing her so tightly Jaclyn worried she'd wrinkle her nice suit she had bought solely for the show. "I hope not, you guys help sell tickets."

"Trust me, not a single seat was empty tonight," Grandma Janet added coming up to kiss her granddaughter's cheek. Her dad, and grandpa came up too, and she had to pick her little brother up so his eyes would focus. He was always in his own little world.

"Did you think sissy did good?" Jaclyn asked pressing his nose to hers. He didn't respond, but he was a quiet and inquisitive child. She was simply charmed by his thin strands of blonde hair and baby blue eyes, no words were necessary.

Michelle came up resting her chin on Jaclyn's head as her hands ruffled Caleb's hair. It was nice to have her babies in the same place. She kissed her daughter's head, "I was crying sweetheart, it was so beautiful."

"I can concur," her dad mumbled, but his eyes smiled. "I will say though you better get all the offers."

They all laughed, and Jaclyn bounced Caleb a bit wanting to get a reaction, but he just kept staring at her. Quickly their moods dimmed as a slender brunette strode up to their group.

Emma was dressed to the nines, a glamorous red dress sucking in her waist while her hair had been sleeked straight, and a matching bouquet laid out in her arms clutched almost nervously.

"You were wonderful," Emma whispered voice almost unsure. The surprise that spread across Jaclyn's face couldn't be hidden, she half expected Emma to insult her, stab her with a flower stem, or anything really. When was the last time she had seen Emma unsure? Even when she had been mad about being expelled from RBS she still had flames in her eyes that said she knew what she was doing.

"Thanks..."

She glanced at her family who weren't even trying to hide the fact that they were eavesdropping, and gestured for Emma to follow her.

"I know this is weird, but I wanted to apologise," Emma whispered, "I thought I loved dance, really I loved the praise it got me. My parents could never be bothered with Thomas or I if we weren't succeeding, and with you coming you were all they could talk about. It's not an excuse, but it looked like you had everything, and I wanted you to feel something of the pain I did. It was unfair of me, and while I can't say I'm completely over everything that happened I'm trying to move on, and to start I knew I needed to apologize even if you can't accept it yet."

Jaclyn stared at Emma her eyes steel in their touch even making the brunette squirm. After all that had happened forgiveness seemed too easy and undeserved almost like Jaclyn was letting her win. It would be much easier to blame Emma for her problems, but she knew that would get her nowhere.

"I forgive you, but Emma," for a second the relief fled from the girls features, "I won't forget what you did."

In truth, Jaclyn didn't believe her words. Despite how callousing her words had been a part of Jaclyn knew eventually the memories would fade, or replaced by new greater ones. Emma's selfishness, the treatment she put her through stung, but in order to completely heal she had to release the past.

Even if she didn't believe the words yet perhaps saying them repetitively would eventually get her to a place where she did.

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Kind of a filler chapter, but still let me know what you think (don't worry William will be attending her closing night shoe in the next chapter!) I hope you all had a happy new year, and that this coming year is amazing for all you!