Phillipa Soo finally reclined on the couch after a long day of rehearsal at the theatre. She sighed as she gladly kicked off her uncomfortable shoes and let them rest on the chair arm. Closing her eyes, she just let herself enjoy the peace and quiet. New York was a busy, noisy place. She relished this time at the end of the day when all was still and she could just be.

Life was going well for Pippa Soo. After enormous success playing Eliza in Hamilton, she'd gotten an enormous amount of offers for plays, musicals and TV spots. It was amazing, really, that she had only graduated from Juilliard a few years before. Most people had to wait years and have a ridiculous amount of rejection before success came.

She'd lucked out when Lin-Manuel Miranda saw her at Great Comet. She was invited to audition for his new musical about one of the founding fathers of America, Alexander Hamilton. It all seemed a bit far-fetched, but she latched onto any offers right out of school. The material had been amazing. So had Lin. During their year together starring as Alexander and Eliza Hamilton they had fallen in love. Now they were living together, in a serious relationship that might very well one day turn into marriage.

The front door creaked open and Pippa opened her eyes to see her dark-haired, handsome boyfriend walk in. He was dressed in his usual t-shirt, jeans and hoodie with a hat on his head. Since Hamilton, he got recognized much more often on the street. If he covered up, people were more likely to miss him. He smiled widely as he entered, seeing his beautiful girlfriend. After a long day filled with people who wanted things from him, it was nice to come home to Pippa. All she wanted from him was his love and he was glad to give it to her.

Pippa stood up and walked over to greet Lin. She draped her arms around his shoulders and they kissed softly, slowly.

"Hey," he said in his sweet, calming voice.

"Hey," she smirked back at him as they looked into each other's eyes. They both chuckled and leaned in for another kiss. It had been a long time since either of them had felt this way about someone. The mere sight of each other sent their hearts into flutters and they reflexively smiled. Life was good.

"Wine?" she offered as he pulled his messenger bag over his shoulder and placed it on the floor.

"Sure," he said, giving her hip a quick squeeze. "I'm just gonna change."

Pippa's phone had been left out on the counter and as she found the wine she heard it buzz. She got out two wine glasses and began pouring them both some Moscato. After she'd taken a sip, she grabbed her phone and took a look at the text message that had popped up from her younger sister, Evie.

Going to The Dance Awards tomorrow. Teacher says I have a chance to place top 3!! Wish me luck!!

Pippa smiled as she read her younger sister's text message. Evie was fifteen years old and had always loved dance. She was incredible at it. It had been a long time since Pippa had actually seen her perform since she was so busy. Also because she was basically estranged from their parents.

Break a leg, Evie! You're gonna rock it!

Pippa shut her phone off as Lin came back, freshly changed.

"Who was that from?" Lin asked her.

"My younger sister, Evie. She's going to a super big dance competition tomorrow." Lin nodded.

"Awesome. I bet she's super talented," Lin told her. He was wondering why he'd never met Evie, or Pippa's parents, but didn't question it.

"She is," Pippa confirmed, taking a gulp of wine.

In Libertyville, Illinois, far away from where Pippa and Lin were relaxing on the couch with wine, Evie Soo was working her butt off. She was downstairs, running her dances over and over. Evie's teacher had told her to relax the day before, but there was no chance of that happening. Her parents would never allow her to relax the day before the Dance Awards.

Evie hit her ending pose for her solo, and decide to take a quick water break. She'd been rehearsing since she got home from school, and it was nearly 9:30 at night.

"Evie!" Her dad came downstairs. Evie looked up from where she was pausing her music.

"Yeah?"

"You need to go to bed." Evie nodded, and gathered her shoes, water and phone into her arms. She followed her dad upstairs and headed straight to her bedroom. She went through her competition bag one last time, making sure she had everything she needed. After confirming that she did, Evie headed to her bathroom to brush her teeth. Picking up her phone, she saw a text from Pippa, wishing her luck. She smiled, and quickly responded.

Thanks Pippa!

Evie grabbed her charger, and plugged her phone in, before quickly brushing her teeth. After that, she head to bed. She was super nervous, and was having a hard time falling asleep. She wished Pippa could be coming with her, more than ever. Pippa had always calmed her down when she was younger. And Evie needed calming down more than ever.

Eventually, exhaustion overtook Evie, and she fell asleep. Even in her dreams, she was dancing.

Evie woke the next morning, feeling tired. It was only 6:15 in the morning. She took a quick shower, and then dressed into some comfy clothes for the plane. They were flying down to Orlando that day. The competition started at 6:00 that evening, with petite solos, duets, and groups. Evie wouldn't perform that day, but she had to be there to support her teammates. Evie's dances would start in a couple of days.

Evie checked her bag one last time, and then headed to the kitchen for breakfast. She saw her younger sister, Stella, already there, eating some cereal. She poured herself a bowl, and joined Stella at the table.

"Evie, what time do we leave?" Stella asked.

"In about fifteen minutes." Stella and Evie both ate their cereal quickly, and Evie dashed to her room, grabbing her competition and overnight bags. In 10 minutes, the entire Soo family was ready to go.

Evie kept her earbuds in on the way to the airport. Her solo competition music played on repeat and she kept mentally going through her routine. It's not like she didn't have it down cold but it helped calm her to visualize herself dancing perfectly.

They parked the car and caught the shuttle to the terminal. After checking their bags they found their way to the terminal. Evie was hoping to relax and just listen to music while they waited but her mother had different plans.

"You could do some stretching while we wait," she told her daughter when she saw her lounging.

Evie sighed. "Mom, I just want to relax."

"You can relax on the plane," she countered. "Go. Stretch."

Evie stood up and rolled her eyes when her back was turned to her parents. She knew better than to roll her eyes in front of them. Stella, ever the supportive younger sister, joined her. Stella danced as well but their parents wouldn't let her compete. Their parents wouldn't let her start competing until she was twelve.

They found an open space and began some stretches.

"Will they ever let me just relax?" She asked Stella. The ten year old just shrugged. She sat in a wide-legged split, resting her elbows on the floor in front of her. Both girls knew the answer to that. Their mom and dad were the definition of helicopter parents. Constantly monitoring their school work, dance, and lives in general. Their father was a doctor and expected all three of his daughters to excel in school. He still hadn't quite gotten over the shock of his oldest daughter choosing the arts over something more "practical" as he called it.

Pippa may have had the guts to stand up to their parents but Evie certainly wasn't there yet. She had learned not to question them. It was easier if she just did what they said. For now they were letting her continue with dance as long as she was the best. She knew they hoped she'd pick something else to major in college.

Evie had her eyes set on going to Juilliard like her big sister. That made all this worth it. If she got in they couldn't deny her. Well, they could, which is what happened with Pippa. That's how the whole estrangement started.

After a good twenty minutes of stretching Evie decided that was enough to keep her mother happy. They walked back over as the gate agent began preparing for boarding.

Evie was grateful to find her seat and put in her ear buds again. For two and a half hours she might finally have some peace.

Evie changed her music from her solo song into one of her duet songs, and began to envision that routine. That one was a really tricky dance, probably the one that Evie was most nervous about. Along with her solo, of course.

All too soon, Evie's plane was touching down in Orlando. Evie's parents would drop her and Stella off at the competition venue, before going to the hotel. They didn't feel the need to stay, since Evie wasn't competing that day. But Evie had to be there, and Stella was coming with her because Stella didn't want to be with her parents alone.

The competition venue was bustling with activity. There were people everywhere, preparing for the mini solos. Evie checked herself in, managed to find her way to her dance studios dressing room, where it was slightly calmer.

"Evie! You're here! And Stella," Mrs. Holland greeted them. "Can you help with Adrienne's makeup? She needs wings on the side of her face." Mrs. Holland showed Evie a picture of how Adrienne's makeup was supposed to look, and Evie got to work. Stella milled about, obviously wishing she could compete. To keep herself out of the way, she went and began to stretch. Stella watched her sister hard at work on Adrienne's makeup, other older students hard at work on other kids make-up, little kids wiggling into costumes and getting hair pieces sewn on. Stella felt a sense of longing. She wished more than ever she could be a part of the competition team. Two recitals a year wasn't enough for her.

Eventually, Mrs. Holland and the backstage workers began to escort the little kids backstage to perform their solos.

The little girls all performed well. Eventually, the night was over and Evie and Stella were allowed to head back to the hotel.

Back at the hotel, Evie and Stella went to the room the two of them would share. Their parents had wanted to be alone. They hadn't wanted to be around their kids. The two girls both chose a bed and flopped down on it. Evie was supposed to be practicing, but she was exhausted. It was 10:47 p.m. She needed sleep. Both girls quickly changed into their P.J.'s and brushed their teeth. They sooned flopped into bed and fell asleep.

Evie woke up the next day, a bundle of nerves. Today was the day she was to compete her solo. She began to run through some tough spots over and over, until she decided she had them down pat.

After eating breakfast, the Soos left for the competition venue. Upon arriving, Evie checked in and headed backstage, with Stella trailing her to help her get ready. Their parents headed out to the audience, to watch Evie perform.

Stella began getting Evie's makeup supplies out, along with finding her sisters costume while Evie was styling her hair. For her solo, her hair was in a braided crown around her hair, and she had natural makeup.

At last, Evie's hair and makeup was completed and she was slipping her costume on. She had a pretty lace costume, that was water colored.

"Evie, you need to go backstage," Mrs. Holland told her. Stella hugged her older sister.

"Good luck, Evie, you'll be great," Stella told her before going to sit with their parents.

"Thanks," Evie smiled, hugging her younger sister. Stella left, and Evie found her way backstage. She began to stretch, watching other girls warm-up.

"And now, entry number 136, Evie with Happiness Does Not Wait."

Evie took a deep breath, before walking onstage and going into her starting position.

She began to dance with all of her power, remembering to use her facial expressions and technique.

And then it happened. Evie was doing a side aerial, when she slipped. She landed hard with a thud but luckily didn't injure herself other than an ugly bruise that might pop up later. Evie had never fallen in competition before and it completely threw her off. This didn't happen to her. Her teachers had taught her well though. She knew she needed to get up and keep going like nothing had happened.

That would be easier said than done. As she pushed herself up she locked eyes with her father and saw pure disappointment.