After the clouds of anger were cleared up between the Hanson brothers, there once again was peace in the family's household. All the anger and the frustration that had occurred confused Jessie, Avie, and even, Mackie. Zoe, of course, was only 10 months old, and had no idea that any frustration had been aroused in the Hanson home. Jessica was the eldest daughter of the Hanson family. Along with her long beautiful, blond hair, beautiful smile, and bright eyes, she also had a wonderful talent with dancing. Jessica always tried her best, gave all her effort, and poured her heart and soul into her dancing. Who knew that one day, her dancing would become the key to her upcoming stardom?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gazing at the world passing by her through her window, Jessica Hanson was sitting in the back-seat of the van with her dance bag beside her. She was on her way to her dance class. Jessica loved to dance and though she was bursting with excitement inside, on the outside she was mute, and said nothing.
"Jess, you okay?" Mrs. Hanson asked, as she paused at a stop sign. "You're quiet today."
"Yeah, I'm fine, Mom," Jessica sighed. "I was just thinking."
The little Hanson knew that her older brother, Zac's thirteenth birthday was peeking just around the corner. It was in two weeks and she still had no gift for him. Even though she had been meaning to get him one for the past week and a half.
"About what, darling?" Mrs. Hanson inquired. She knew it must be something important to Jessica if it ceased her chatter on the way to dance.
"Zac. His birthday is in two weeks...and I still don't have a gift."
"Aww, how sweet," Mrs. Hanson thought to herself. Then, spoke aloud, "Well, Jess, do you have any money to buy a gift?"
Jessie answered quietly, "No."
"How about you make him something, then?" her mother suggested. "I'm sure he'd love it, as long as it was from you."
"I don't know, Mom..." little Jessica started, shaky about the idea.
"C'mon," provoked Mrs. Hanson. "I promise you he'll like it."
"You promise?" Jessica's eyes shined with a ray of hope.
Mrs. Hanson smiled, "Yep, I promise."
"Alright, alright. I'll think of something to make him..."
The Hanson family van pulled into the parking lot of the Dance Studio and parked in an open lot. Jessica threw her dance bag over her shoulder as she carefully stepped out of the van. She ran up to the Dance Studio doors after slamming shut the door to the van. Jessie turned, smiling and waved to her mom.
"I'll be back at 9:30 to pick you up, alright? Be ready!" yelled Mrs. Hanson from the van.
"Okay, Mom!" The 10-year old yelled back, she ran into the Dsnce Studio.
After her mom saw that she was safely inside and heading up the stairs, she left the parking lot to go back to the Hanson house.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jessica was just about overwhelmed at this point. Her dance instructor, Ms. Katherine re-informed the class that the Nutcracker tryouts were today. Jess had been waiting for this days for the past four weeks, and had fully dedicated herself to practicing the steps each day. She now had the rehearsed part down perfectly snd she really wanted to make the part of "Clare" for the Nutcracker.
"I hope I don't mess up," thought Jessica, anticipating her turn, "I've practiced so much for he past few weeks!"
She heard Ms. Katherine yell, "Katie Hall! Your turn!"
Jessica knew that she was up next, and all of sudden, she became nervous. Her heart raced faster than a hummingbird flaps it's wings, her stomach became knotted, and her mind rushed, quickly as it could, to go over the steps. Jessica knew she didn't have to go over it all, all she had was to trust in her herself to lead her through it.
"Jessica Hanson! You're up!"
Little Jessica slowly stepped into the room. All the faces were smiling at her, even the unfamiliar ones. Jess suddenly felt an urge of confidence and stepped farther into the room onto the dance floor.
A slender woman looked up at her, "Jessica Hanson?"
The young girl nodded.
"And what part will you be trying out for today, Jessica?" the woman asked.
"I will be trying out for the part of "Clare", miss," Jessica replied, trying to be as polite and respectful as possible.
"Alright, I will put the music on anytime you are ready to begin."
Jessica looked down at the floor, and took a deep breath. She finally looked back at the woman, saying, "I am ready to begin, miss."
After Jessica put herself into the beginning stance, the music began. The music seemed to flow through her veins and every step that she made was graceful.
As Jessica finished her performance with her last and final pirouette, the judges started clapping. They had decided, now on their new "Clare" for the upcoming Nutcracker. It was Jessica Hanson, all the way.
"That was a wonderful performance, Jessica. Thank you," said Ms. Katherine.
Jessica felt proud and she was sure that she had done extremely well on her dance performance. She left the room with a smile on her face and was excited to hear who had made the part of "Clare".
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"We're proud to to announce that we have found a "Clare" for the Nutcracker, this year," Ms. Katherine announced, happily.
All the girls in the room looked at Ms. Katherine, hoping and praying that she'd say that they had made the part.
"The new 'Clare' is..." she began, "...Jessica Hanson."
Jessica was overjoyed that she actually made the part. Her dedication to her dancing showed and she finally got the part in the Nutcracker she had been wanting since she was six-years old.
Every girl in the room looked at her in amazement. They had never expected Jess to get the part as "Clare". Maybe one of the older girls, who had been in dance a little longer or maybe even one of the more experienced girls her age, but...Jessica Hanson? How could this be?
Jessica's good friend, Leah stared at Jessica in disbelief, as Jessica walked over to her, "You actually got the part?"
"Yeah, I can't believe it!" the excitement in Jessica's voice couldn't be controlled.
Inside, Leah was burying herself in shock and jealousy of her friend, Jessica. In fact, she in a way resented the idea of her friend being "Clare" instead of herself. Like her friend, she was fully dedicated to dancing and was positive she was going to make the part of "Clare", but she lost it over her best friend.
"Do you want to come over today, Leah?" Jessica asked sweetly, she wanted to share her victory with her friend. She had no idea that her friend was angry.
"No, that's okay," Leah replied, with a sort of bitterness to he tone. "I have some stuff to do at home."
Jessica seemed disappointed, "Alright, call me tonight, then?"
"I don't know," her friend said, flatly.
Now, Jessica began to feel some uneasy vibes between her and Leah, "Leah, what's wrong?"
"Why would anything be wrong?" Lean simply stated, making no eye contact.
"Well, you seem..." Jessoca started, but was interrupted.
"I really wanted that part, you know that, Jess?!!" Leah randomly said, raising her voice to her friend.
"How would I..." Jess tried to explain.
"I don't know, and I don't wanna hear your little apology!" Leah stuffed he things into her dance bag and flung it over her shoulder. "Look, I gotta go...bye."
Jessica watched her friend walk away from her. Jessica's mind couldn't quite grasp the concept that was just thrown into her face. Her friend hated her out of plain and moral jealousy. She couldn't undestand how people, even the smart an talented ones, could become so stone-hearted and bitter.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"How's dance go?" Mr. Hanson inquired.
"Fine, Dad," Jessica answered, as she walked into the house. "Just fine."
Jessica sat on the couch, setting her dance things at her feet. All her hard work had paid off, but it cost her a friend. She didn't know what to do about it. Whether to be excited or sad, enthusiastic or glum, it confused her.
As she sat on the couch, lost in thought, Mr. Hanson got the idea that he should excuse himself from the room, and leave Jessica alone. He recognized that she was worried about something, and wanted some time to think it over.
Tay entered the room and sat down next to his little sister, "How'd dance go?"
"Dad just asked me the same thing. Fine, Tay. It was just fine," her voice rang with uneasiness, talking about dance.
"Well, you've been excited about going lately because you wanted to get the part of 'Clare' in the Nutcracker. I was just curious if you had gotten the part, that's all. You don't have to get all emotional on me, jeez," Tay said, kind of surprised by his younger sister's sharp reaction.
Jessica sighed, "I got the part alright..."
"Congratulations, then!" Tay congratulated his little sister, as he put his arm aroun her.
Jessica pushed Taylor's arm off of her, saying sharply, "Yeah, a real celebration."
"Jess, what is your problem?" Tay asked, with a little bitterness in his voice.
"Nothing at all, Tayles..." Jess's voice trailed off.
"...Leah hates me, now," she added.
"Huh? Why?" Jessica's random statement took Taylor by surprise.
"Because," explained Jessica, "I got the part of 'Clare' and she didn't. She yelled at me and stuff."
"I always told you she was a dork..." Tay snickered.
"TAY! You aren't helping!" little Jessica was beginning to get frustrated with her older brother.
"Okay, okay...I'll shut up," Tay backed off.
"What do you think I should do about it?"
"I think you should..." Tay paused for awhile, "...just start practicing for 'Clare' and do your best in the Nutcracker and let this problem fix itself. It's only a small case of jealousy. She'll get over it."
"You think?" inquired Jessica.
"Positive. You saw how me, Zac, and Ike fought a couple of weeks ago. We were all jealous of each other for weird reasons. It always blows over, though," Tay reminded his little sister.
She realized that her older brother, Taylor was right. Jealousy always blows over and fixes itself. She just had to wait until Leah cooled off and then, they would be the best of friends, again, just like always, "Thanks, Tay, you actually really helped a lot."
"Anytime, sis. Keep me updated on your little fight with Leah. Tell me how it works out," Tay made Jessica promise.
"Alright," agreed Jessica, as she got up off the couch and headed toward her room. "I'll tell ya how it works out."
Jessica deep in her heart, believed her brother. She knew that jealousy would fix itself, but wat if it didn't? She just had to keep faith and hope that Leah wasn't too upset with her. It was only a part in the Nutcracker, nothing big. But, was it bigger than that to Leah?
Main Page
Chapter 7- She's All That
Chapter 9-
Tulsa's Long Road Home
