night,
my poor brain nearly suffered a meltdown trying to analyze the
complicated entity known as Jess Rivers.
Chapter Six
My jubilant mood lasted until Monday night.
I tried not to sit by the phone – well, figuratively since I
carried my cell everywhere – waiting for Jess to call.
Disappointment shrouded me like a low hanging cloud when I
reluctantly climbed into bed. They were still in town - the
schedule I had saved on my computer declared they were playing
Springfield Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and would travel
Thursday to Cincinnati for a three game series next weekend. All I
had to do was call him but I was tired of … well… wearing my heart
on my sleeve like he said I was doing. If he'd meant what he said
about still having feelings for me and about playing it by ear, he
could call me.
I called Gwen Tuesday morning, ready to
vent, but she was distracted and asked if we could talk later. I
agreed, very disappointed, but a little worried. Gwen always made
time for me. I would call her later and hopefully I could get some
answers out of her. And not only about Jess.
I worked with my mother longer than
necessary Tuesday which pleased her. She had me try on outfit after
outfit for Wednesday’s show. They all began to look the same and
even though she asked my opinion, I had a feeling it wouldn’t
matter.
Samantha and her tight group were their
usual irritating selves when I arrived at the studio Wednesday
morning. I was pretty irritable myself since I hadn’t heard a peep
from Jess. I'd complained rather loudly to Gwen Tuesday night but
she merely nodded, totally subdued. She'd uncharacteristically
agreed with each of my rants and hadn't offered a single theory or
solution. It had annoyed me, yes, but it worried me even more. I'd
wanted to ask what was going on with her – the words were on my
lips- but I'd forced them back instead. I figured she’d tell me if
she wanted me to know.
Grabbing my sweats and t-shirt from my
locker, I headed to the stage. We had to do a group number for that
evening’s show which meant I had to cooperate with Samantha. We
were positioned next to each other and she did her best to thwart
me. She sang louder than me, doing her best to outshine me. I
rolled my eyes; I’d seen it before. I let her continue and
concentrated only on myself. I hoped that my strategy would pay off
and later tonight, the judges would notice, counting it against her
instead of me.
And it worked. Richard and Marissa weren’t
the only ones to notice Samantha's behavior. Only sweet Chelsea
didn’t mention it. Samantha hit the stage for her solo performance
before me and when she had to face the judges, they berated her.
She fumed when she passed me in the hall backstage, brushing
roughly against me. Holding in my laughter, I composed myself as I
stepped out onto the stage. I chatted politely with the host before
he walked away, allowing me to do my thing.
After my argument with my
mother, I'd managed to choose my own music. I'd decided to make a
smooth transition and do Sheryl Crow’s version of Landslide. It went over
well with the judges though Richard and Marissa still mentioned my
stiffness.
“ You’re not having fun,”
Marissa complained. “Don’t you want to be here?”
“ Yes,” I whispered, trying
to digest her words without the aid of an antacid.
I fled backstage with my tail between my
legs. I hoped their attitudes would change tomorrow for the results
show or else I’d be back to square one with my mother.
Driving home, silence reigned.
She’s pondering the best
way to use this to her advantage , I
thought. I couldn’t wait to hear what she’d come up with
later.
As I lay on my bed that night, staring
blindly at my television, Jess finally called. My heart went into
overdrive as I scrambled to answer.
“ I have to agree with the
judges, Aubrey,” he said, not even greeting me. “What the hell is
the problem?”
“ Hello, Jess,” I groaned.
“Nice to talk to
my poor brain nearly suffered a meltdown trying to analyze the
complicated entity known as Jess Rivers.
Chapter Six
My jubilant mood lasted until Monday night.
I tried not to sit by the phone – well, figuratively since I
carried my cell everywhere – waiting for Jess to call.
Disappointment shrouded me like a low hanging cloud when I
reluctantly climbed into bed. They were still in town - the
schedule I had saved on my computer declared they were playing
Springfield Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and would travel
Thursday to Cincinnati for a three game series next weekend. All I
had to do was call him but I was tired of … well… wearing my heart
on my sleeve like he said I was doing. If he'd meant what he said
about still having feelings for me and about playing it by ear, he
could call me.
I called Gwen Tuesday morning, ready to
vent, but she was distracted and asked if we could talk later. I
agreed, very disappointed, but a little worried. Gwen always made
time for me. I would call her later and hopefully I could get some
answers out of her. And not only about Jess.
I worked with my mother longer than
necessary Tuesday which pleased her. She had me try on outfit after
outfit for Wednesday’s show. They all began to look the same and
even though she asked my opinion, I had a feeling it wouldn’t
matter.
Samantha and her tight group were their
usual irritating selves when I arrived at the studio Wednesday
morning. I was pretty irritable myself since I hadn’t heard a peep
from Jess. I'd complained rather loudly to Gwen Tuesday night but
she merely nodded, totally subdued. She'd uncharacteristically
agreed with each of my rants and hadn't offered a single theory or
solution. It had annoyed me, yes, but it worried me even more. I'd
wanted to ask what was going on with her – the words were on my
lips- but I'd forced them back instead. I figured she’d tell me if
she wanted me to know.
Grabbing my sweats and t-shirt from my
locker, I headed to the stage. We had to do a group number for that
evening’s show which meant I had to cooperate with Samantha. We
were positioned next to each other and she did her best to thwart
me. She sang louder than me, doing her best to outshine me. I
rolled my eyes; I’d seen it before. I let her continue and
concentrated only on myself. I hoped that my strategy would pay off
and later tonight, the judges would notice, counting it against her
instead of me.
And it worked. Richard and Marissa weren’t
the only ones to notice Samantha's behavior. Only sweet Chelsea
didn’t mention it. Samantha hit the stage for her solo performance
before me and when she had to face the judges, they berated her.
She fumed when she passed me in the hall backstage, brushing
roughly against me. Holding in my laughter, I composed myself as I
stepped out onto the stage. I chatted politely with the host before
he walked away, allowing me to do my thing.
After my argument with my
mother, I'd managed to choose my own music. I'd decided to make a
smooth transition and do Sheryl Crow’s version of Landslide. It went over
well with the judges though Richard and Marissa still mentioned my
stiffness.
“ You’re not having fun,”
Marissa complained. “Don’t you want to be here?”
“ Yes,” I whispered, trying
to digest her words without the aid of an antacid.
I fled backstage with my tail between my
legs. I hoped their attitudes would change tomorrow for the results
show or else I’d be back to square one with my mother.
Driving home, silence reigned.
She’s pondering the best
way to use this to her advantage , I
thought. I couldn’t wait to hear what she’d come up with
later.
As I lay on my bed that night, staring
blindly at my television, Jess finally called. My heart went into
overdrive as I scrambled to answer.
“ I have to agree with the
judges, Aubrey,” he said, not even greeting me. “What the hell is
the problem?”
“ Hello, Jess,” I groaned.
“Nice to talk to
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