For the next few months the girls worked harder then they had ever in their lives. Going for pretty much any job they could get their hands on�and each girl wound up working multiple jobs. They needed the money. But�they just hadn�t gotten around to telling their folks about their little trip. Alyssa came clean to her friends the first moment she could about her doubts. Family had always been important to her, but her parents completely controlled her life � even now. She felt obligated to put her future aside and stay with her family during �this time�. The other four already knew what had happened with her dad; they kept no secrets from each other. They were mates for life, and the truest to friendship you could find. And that�s why if one wasn�t going on their �trip� then the rest wouldn�t either, but the rest really wanted to go, even Ali. Deep down Alyssa really wanted to go too, but she felt chained. Her mates knew it all so well, but it was time to do something about it, but Alyssa had to figure that out on her own. And she had�she needed to leave the nest�the only question was�did Alyssa really have the guts to leave home and step into her future? No one was sure. Grandmum Vikki, (Lidia�s grandmother) was like family to them all, and she was the first to notice how hard the girl had been working. Their hard work, and what they were putting themselves through. She just couldn�t understand why the girls had so suddenly gotten themselves more work then she believed they could handle. She got together first with Jessica�s mother, Patricia Lauron to gang up on the girls, to find out what was going on, why they were working themselves so hard, and maybe put a stop to it. Then one night in July, the girls had a vocal gig in a pub in downtown Bonsall, one town over from home. While in the middle of singing and playing their song �I Quit� in walk, Vikki Madison, Patty Lauron, _____ Durkin, _____ Ferguson, ____ & ______ Hughs. Alyssa happened to be center stage at the mic at that given moment and was the first to notice them. Her eyes went wide and her voice almost faded out. She kept it strong and got to the end of the song, doing her best to ignore her mum, and the rest of the adults that she knew too well. The other girls hadn�t even noticed, just kept on playing till the end. After that song they were scheduled for a break, and another act was already coming up one set of steps to the small stage. The girls exited on the other set and headed across the room to their table, not noticing their parents. Once seated Alyssa spun around to face her mates great concern in her eyes and voice, �Our parents are here!� Each girls jaw dropped in shock that their parents had shown up at one of their gigs. When they had first started out none wanted to come, most hadn�t even shown up to see their children perform live as it was broadcasted all over the nation the year before. Amy was the first to speak. �Where?! Did anyone know they were coming?� The other four shook their heads �no�. Just then they all were startled by an elderly voice, who sounded displeased. �No one knew of our arrival. It was to be a surprise.� It was said so harshly and with such spite, that they all knew they were in trouble. Lidia looked at her grandmother; her face was so stern that it made Lidia hide behind Jess and Ali. �No, you come out of there, Lidia. You�re meant to hear this too.� Patty�s voice boomed from the back of the group. They were in for it. They all sat at the table the girls had reserved toward the back, and pulled up a few extra chairs. After a moment or so Ali�s dad - Hughs - piped up, loud enough to be heard over the band. �We are here tonight on the basis that we desire to know what is transpiring with you girls. You are scarcely ever home, always diligently working � too many hours, and jobs, for your own well being! Such young girls as yourselves should not be committed to such strenuous and gruelling labour at this time. Now, you are all going to inform us this instant what is going on.� He stated, barely to the girls understanding. Mr. Hugh�s was an English professor, and always spoke �properly� if not exceeding that point. The five looked at each other, and with only eye contact decided on Allison to tell their folks. As soon as she opened her mouth the other girls became slightly traumatised for the few moments that she spoke. �Father, Mother, parents residing. We have all decided � being of legal age � to pursue a reverie. We are at present making arrangements, and obtaining the money needed for this extravagance. We shall be leaving for America shortly, for the purpose of dance and vocal arts. We only desire to bring good kismet to our families and names, and�pardon my bluntness � but we wanna do what we love!� She finished as if pleading for her parents to spare her life and they were sending her off to the gelatine. The girls got smiles, shocked expressions, and Mrs. Ferguson had her hand on her chest as if she were to have a heart attack. �And I assume we have no say?� Mrs. Durkin, spat harshly, obviously not liking the idea. She glared strait at her daughter, and it took all of Alyssa�s willpower not to back out of it all then and there. Her parents had a lot of influence on her�that was partly the reason she was still living with them�because they decided that she should. She closed her eyes a moment, then opened them and looked at her best mates. She saw their eyes, pleading, urging, and telling her not to give up the fight. It was time for Alyssa to make some decisions in her life. She took to her feet, turned to her mother, her eyes cold, and spoke not only to her mother, but to the other parents as well. �No, you don�t. This is our decision�not yours, we need you�re support�not your disapprovals and tantrums that will end in harsh words. You�ve all seen us perform � we are good. And we have the opportunity to make something of ourselves, and if that means we have to work ourselves almost to nothing right now to get there�well, we�re prepared to do it. Now�are you with us, or against us? We need to know that now.� She looked at each parent at the table, the coldness not leaving her eyes. Her voice had not been small and fragile for once, but full of emotion�built up anger and hope jumbled into one. �Now who�s with us?� Jess asked as she stood up. Soon after Lidia stood up, followed by Allison and Amy. Their parents still sat, dumfounded. One by one slowly hands went up, one parent not even glancing at the rest�Jess�s mum�..Amy�s mum�.Ali�s dad�Lidia�s grandmum�.Ali�s mum�.but Alyssa�s mum�s hands staid firmly in her lap. �Aye, lass. I be with you on this one.� Her father�s voice came from behind the parents, and it made Alyssa�s head shoot up. Her mum turned around to look. �I tought you had a headayke. To bed off with you man, you be sloshed as always!� Mrs. Durkin yelled at her husband. Alyssa�s father on the other hand stood up strait. �I be pretendin� I didn�t hear you, ____. A�ym her Da, and I say she should go for it. I�ll even be addin� to the pot.� With that he threw about eight hundred pounds on the table. Mrs. Durkin�s jaw dropped as she yelled, and threw back her chair while standing up. �And where you be getting that, _____ ______ Durkin? From ye bum?! You be a borrowin�! And from wot we gonna be payin� dem folk back?!� Mr. Durkin waved a hand at is wife to hush her. �I�ve been savin� it, woman! For our young lass here, I had this feeling that she�d be a needin� it one day.� He turned to his daughter and her dearest mates, �I know this ain�t much, lassies�but take it. You need this if yer gonna be goin� off. And good luck to ye�.ye betta make us all proud.� He finished with a smile, and his daughter ran around the table to hug her father. �Oh Da! We don�t know how to thank you enough!� As Mrs. Durkin sat back down and grudgingly said she was with them Ms. Lauron (Jess�s mom) opened her purse and placed about three hundred and fifty pounds by the money Alyssa�s dad had already put on the table. �MUM! You don�t have to � and Mr. Durkin doesn�t have to either. We can do it on our own. Keep the money you have. You were supposed to go buy your new dress with that, mum!� Jess cried out concerned. Her mother glared at her as the rest of the parents, even Lidia�s grandmother began to put what they could on the table�considering that they didn�t carry much with them anyway. Allison was the only one who had a bag with her so she got put in charge of the holding until later. The moment she put the money away the bar tender came over to their table. �Lost Souls, correct?� The girls nodded and got weird looks from their parents. �Wow,� the young man continued, �I was wondering if I could get your autographs and if anyone here knew a Laydia Madeasin.� Jess burst out laughing and scolded the poor boy, �Sure you can, and yes we know her. But her name�s Lidia Madison, and you better learn that name well � or we�ll beat you. And the rest of our names, cos you�ll be hearing them often. Haha.� The man gave them a sheepish look that changed into a confused one and told Lidia that there was a phone call for her. Lidia got up and rushed to the bar, putting the receiver to her left ear and plugging her right with her finger. �Hello?� She yelled into the phone, to be heard over the racket of the current band on stage. �Care bear?� A male voice emerged from the phone, full of uncertainty. For a moment Lidia wasn�t sure who would call her here and a pet name for that matter. Then it hit her�the guy had called her �Care bear��only one person called her that. Her father�s brother. With excitement upon the realization she called enthusiastically into the phone. �Uncle Jack!� �Yes�you wouldn�t believe how difficult it is to find you on a Thursday night, young one.� �I can imagine. So what is up?� �First off say �what�s up�, no need for proper grammar�and�you�re in.� Not understanding what her uncle meant she inquired quickly. �What do you mean I�m in?� Her uncle laughed at himself for not being so clear on what he meant. �I mean I got you what you asked. You have a place to stay, employment � very nice if I may add, and an audition set up. You and you�re friends just better not let me down�I told them you five were EXCELLENT dancers.� �Oh my God! Uncle Jack, you are the absolute best! Oh we won�t, I promise we won�t, we�ll make you really proud, I promise. I hope it didn�t cause you too much trouble.� �Naw, I just had to call in a few favours�pull a few strings�but still I got what my Care bear asked for.� �Oh Uncle Jack�.� Lidia said, starting to feel guilty for her uncle going through so much trouble. But before she could continue he cut her off. �But hey! Nothing�s too good for my girls. Ok, now I�ve got to run, honey. I�ve got an important board meeting. Love you � give grams my love. And give me a call once you have your tickets settled so you�re new choreographer can pick you up.� Jack Horton said in a rush, and was about to hang up, but Lidia slipped in. �But wait! You�re not going to be coming for us?� �Aww, pumpkin...I might. I�ve been really busy lately, so it just depends on when you�re coming. I will try�but your choreographer will be there for sure. Ok, I�ve really got to get going. My partner�s pointing to his watch. I love you, Care bear. Take care of yourself.� Lidia said her good-bye and headed back over to the table. All her mates and their parents looked up at her as she stood in front of the table. She looked sad on purpose, then a grin suddenly spread on her face as she tried to stay calm taking in a deep breath. �Everyone�.that was my uncle in America�.WE�RE IN!!� She started out cool as a cucumber then finished yelling out enthusiastically. The table erupted in laughter and rejoicing, as Lidia walked back over to the bar and gave the bartender her autograph as he had asked earlier. This was it! They were finally moving along! Just then someone jumped on Lidia�s back and she let out a shriek, before a familiar voice said in her ear, �Are we really doing it, Liddy?� Lidia smiled big as she turned her head to the left to look at her mate. She wasn�t even upset with the younger girl for jumping onto her back, because she always had�since the days when Lidia used to be her babysitter. �Yup, Lyssy. This is truly�well it, mate. Don�t worry we�ll have heaps of fun, I promise you that. Oh, and maybe we�ll even find you a boyfriend. Huh huh?� Lidia finished poking Lyssa in the side, making the young girl jump off with a stream of giggles and head back to the table, soon followed by Lidia. Once all five girls were at the table someone yelled out that they wanted a photo, and the girls quickly posed. But if only they had known that, that would be the last picture of them taken before they went to America and started their new life, they would have taken many more for sure.
...DUDE! WHAT'S NEXT?!!!...
