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I stood in front of the this was just another audition Only, back then, I’d always had the confidence I would end up hatever principal part I wanted

This…

Yeah, I wasn’t sure of the outcome of this, but I knew that whatever happened, it would be life-changing Because if they didn’t approve of my plan, I didn’t have a Plan C

I guess I wasn’t likehad a hundred different contingency plans I only had the two, and now one was obsolete

Clearing ht everyone’s attention to“I know you are all very busy, and it means a lot that you would take time out of your day for me”

“Anything for you, princess,” Uncle Drake assured ht, no ot you”

“Mia, baby, what is this all about?” Momma asked, her face concerned “Youokay? Did you hear froery?”

A lump filled my throat, and I quickly sed it down “No, Mo like that We’ve already exhausted all those avenues Everyone always says the sa That second tear…” A shuddery breath left ht smile for thee”

Every hter, including my baby brother Their smiles dimmed, and I read the “no” already in their eyes Unable to accept that, I turned on the projector of my laptop, and my presentation appeared on the wall behind me

“Please don’t say anything until after you hear everything I have to say I’ll be happy to answer any and all questions after I’m finished”

They started to protest, their answers ready to tear out of them wit

hout even hearing my proposal

Mo any words fro the five ht into this Let’s hear her out”

I gave her a thankful s courage froe of round on the university I wanted to go to It was a small school, but not so small everyone would know everyone else I could blend in with the croithout being overwhelmed

“I also have an evening job lined up, contingent on my enrollrew huge, with the exception of my mother’s A hint of a smile teased at her lips that she tried to keep hidden as Daddy leaned forward in his chair

“What kind of job, Mia?”

I smiled, the one I’d learned and perfected froe smile, the one he used to charm tens of thousands of rock fans when he perfor the toddler-, preschool-, and kindergarten-aged kids at a small dance school just a few blocks off campus I’ll also teach a weekly adult class”

“Won’t that sting, sis?” Jagger asked with a frown “Your drea others to do the one thing you no longer can?”

My breath hitched, but I didn’t loseis my new dream And I can still dance, dummy I just can’t perform like I used to”

“I don’t know It seems like that would just be a slap in the face for you on a daily basis”

I gritted , I focused on the others “Maybe I should lay out oals You see, I don’t just want to teach Actually, I’d like to open my own school All these years, I’ve been able to travel each summer and learn different techniques and styles, and I’ve loved that time soIt’sDNA I knew a dancing career on its oouldn’t last long Eventually, I would have gotten tired of perfor else”

“Honey, you don’t have to go off to college to accoive you theyou want, then UCLA or any other college is right here I don’t see—”

“I don’t want yourus both Daddy blinked athard, I went on “Daddy, I don’t want your money I don’t want a handout or to be dependent on you and Moe is iree so I can run the school on my own”

“But why does it have to be so far away?” he de his brows