"Em, is Ely there?" asks a woman with wispy red hair on her phone.

Copper-haired Em sighs and yells up the stairs, "Ely? Mom's asking for you!"

A girl comes running down the stairs. Her dark reddish brown hair flies around her face as she runs over to Em and takes the phone from him.

"Mom? What's up?" asks Ely, a little breathless.

"Nothing, I just wanted to talk to you..."

"Mom, I ran down four stories! Never mind..."

"Ely, when are you guys coming home?"

"Mom, the semester just started yesterday!"

"I know. I just miss you guys..."

"We miss you, too, Mom..."

"So, didn't you want to ask me something? Em told me you did."

"Oh, yeah. Mom, can I audition for the competition I was telling you about the other day?"

"Come back here and you can..."

"You're not asking me to leave college, are you?"

"'Course not, Ely. I was just joking!"

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, Ely! You can audition but don't pin your hopes too high..."

"That's a lot of inspiration..."

"Oh, and you're not going alone. Em is coming with you."

"Mom, I don't think Em wants to audition for a singing competition, that too this one," Ely says as Em makes a face.

"Let him, Ely. Give him the phone."

A laughing Ely hands Em the phone as she mouths "Good luck!"

Em shakes his head and takes the phone.

After a long discussion, Em finally agrees.

After the call is over, Em says, "Ely! Because of you, now I've got to audition for that show!"

"Sorry! But you'll be good!"

"I don't know. Anyways, Mom told me to wish you luck. Ely, you've got to help me. I don't know the first thing about singing this kind of stuff..."

"Don't worry, Em. I'll help you..." says Ely, rolling her eyes as she climbs back up to where her room is. She takes out her laptop bag and runs back downstairs.

"Come on, let's go to Elijah's house. Maybe we can get him to form a group with us..."

"No, you're not singing in a group! You sing too well and will just be overshadowed in a group!"

"Now, who doesn't know a thing about singing?"

"I'll admit I was lying, but please, Ely, audition as a solo artist. Please!"

"Okay, okay! What about you, though? We could audition as a duo!"

"Tempting, but no. I'm not going to stand in the way of you shining."

"But you won't be!"

"That's okay."

"Not for me!"

Em knows the only way she will agree. He says, "Ely, I want to audition as a solo artist!"

"Okay, then."

"Now, let's go back up to your room so we can try to practice, shall we?"

"Okay!"

Em and Ely walk up to Ely's room.

They help each other select songs, and practice a lot.

Soon, they are ready!

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