I stepped and kicked, practicing some of the steps with Mystaree after rehearsal a few days later. I clapped when she nailed a combo, striking a pose dramatically. I chuckled, picking up my water bottle and taking a swig. 

"Do you know when they're releasing the results of the understudy auditions?" my friend asked me. 

I shook my head. "No idea. Which only makes it all the more nerve racking. I wish they'd hurry up and tell us."

"Hey, it'll be okay. You were awesome, and if they don't give you the part, then they obviously can't see talent if it punched them in the face."

I laughed. "Thanks, Myst. I appreciate that."

"Anytime, (Y/nickname)."

Right as I was about to ask her how her sister was doing, one of the casting directors walked up to Mystaree and me. 

"Excuse me, (Y/N)?"

I turned around, a bit surprised. "Oh, hi! What can I help do for you?"

"I wanted to congratulate you; you got the part of understudy for Lydia!" she told me, smiling.

I nearly stopped breathing. 

I had done it? I had actually been better than other people at something? I had succeeded? 

My mind was whirring a million miles a minute when Mystaree elbowed me in the side. I snapped back to attention, grinning at the casting director. 

"Thank you so much! I'll do my best!"

She nodded in approval before briskly walking off, heading to God only knows where. 

I stood in shock, grinning like an idiot. Mystaree was smiling excitedly beside me. 

"Dude! That's amazing! I knew you'd get it!" she whooped, punching me in the shoulder lightly. 

I laughed. "Thanks, man. I cannot believe I actually got the part!" 

We chattered on for a while, all in a buzz about the recent news when I felt a light tap on my shoulder. I turned, trying to calm myself when I saw that it was Alex standing behind me. 

"Oh, hey!"

"Hey, I just wanted to congratulate you on getting the understudy part!" he said, smiling at me. 

I ignored my increased heart rate and just focused on steadying my breathing and the conversation at hand. 

"Thank you so much! I cannot believe I actually got the part," I gushed, grinning from ear to ear. 

"Aw, I knew you could do it. Besides, I'm looking forward to working with you sometime."

I fought for composure as I ignored Mystaree gave me a look out of my periphery. 

"Yeah! Me too! It'll be super fun!"

Alex nodded. "So, I didn't know if you'd be down to come eat with Sophia and me? I know it's been a little while since I've asked, so I wanted to make sure you still wanted to go."

I nodded. "Of course! It sounds super fun!"

He turned to my friend. "You're also welcome to join us, if you want."

She smiled. "As much as I appreciate the offer, I have company coming over tonight, so I'll have to take you up on that some other time," she responded. 

Alex nodded in understanding. "No problem."

"Well, on that note, I gotta go home and start straightening up. You guys have fun!" Mystaree said to us in parting, grabbing her bag and leaving. We both waved goodbye to her. 

Once she left, I turned back to Alex. "So. Where are we going?"

"Do you like sushi?"

I nodded. "Dear God I LOVE sushi. I haven't had it in a while, though," I replied as we slowly made our way down the hallway. 

"Well, then we should get some sushi," he responded, grinning at me. 

I smiled back. "That sounds great."

Right as we were rounding the corner, we ran into Sophia. 

"Hey, I don't think you two have actually met yet," Alex said to us both. 

I shook my head. "No, we haven't."

"Sophia, this is (Y/N); she's your new understudy."

She smiled at me. "It's really nice to meet you."

I returned her expression. "It's nice to finally meet you, too."

"Alright, well, I'm starving, so let's get our grub on," Alex said, and I laughed a bit when he said that. 

"I agree, I've been hungry all afternoon," Sophia said as we stepped out into the evening air. 

I nodded. "I forgot to pack a granola bar this morning, so I'm pretty hungry, too."

After turning the block, Sophia spoke up again. 

"So, (Y/N), where are you from?" 

"Oh, I'm from Alabama, actually."

"Alabama, huh? So you're a cowgirl?"

I laughed. "Not quite. Although I did ride horses when I was younger."

"How much you wanna bet she's got a cowboy hat?" she asked Alex jokingly. 

"Hey!" I said, smiling. 

"Mmmm.... I'd say it's extremely likely," Alex replied, pretending to think deeply about it for a moment. 

I gaped at him, smiling and feigning offense. "How dare you? I'm not some stereotypical southern belle, you know."

"Still doesn't answer our question, Twinkle Toes."

I fought for calm when he called me that and looked straight ahead. 

"Weeeeellllll?" Sophia said, bumping me lightly with her shoulder. 

I sighed. "Yeah, I have one."

She laughed. "I knew it!"

Alex chuckled. "You were saying?"

I crossed my arms. "It was a gift from my grandfather," I said, smiling a bit at the fond memory. "I had outgrown a smaller pink one that I had, so he bought me a nice cream-colored one."

Sophia smiled at me. "Seems like you and your grandfather are close."

I glanced at her and nodded. "We are. I miss him lots."

"You think he'll come see the show?" Alex asked me. 

I nodded. "Oh yeah. I don't think he'd miss it for the world."

Sophia chuckled a bit. "Sounds like a real supportive grandpa."

I grinned. "Yup."

We rounded the corner, and the restaurant was now in our sights. We crossed the street one more time before coming to the doors of Natsumi, the sushi place. 

Alex held the door for Sophia and me. 

"Thanks," I said as I moved past him into the restaurant, smiling. 

"No prob." 

We all three walked in, and apparently Alex had made reservations, because as soon as he confirmed his name with the hostess, we were seated and looking at menus. 

I looked up from my menu and smiled at my two companions. "Thank you guys."

Sophia met my gaze, puzzled. "For what?"

Alex joined her in looking at me questioningly.

"For making me not feel like a stranger. It's nice to have people who are so welcoming and kind. Makes me feel at home, you know?"

Sophia smiled. "Of course."

"I mean, we are a kind of family. As weird and different as everyone is, this show pulls us together," Alex said. "Whether you like it or not!" he added with a lopsided grin. 

I smiled, laughing a bit. "Yeah. Well, all the same, I appreciate it."

"Of course, (Y/N). We're glad you're here," Sophia told me warmly. 

"Welcome to a wacky family, kid."