Elizabella moved to the audition room, where she found a group of people sitting while waiting their turn and another group who watched intently. Suddenly, Elizabella felt excited that she would get the chance to participate in the auditions. She led Walliams to two empty chairs near the front and began to watch the performances.
Although Elizabella had told her parents that she wanted to audition to join a group for a talent competition to perfect her acting, she had signed up for a dance group's audition. Jaded Luck consisted of a group of young men and women that were all street dancers. The auditionees were all showcasing their performances, mesmerizing Elizabella as she watched transfixed on the stage.
This would be the first time she watched people spinning on their backs and heads instead of their toes. She had never thought to spin on anything that was not her toes. The dances fascinated her as they moved their whole bodies to dance. It felt chaotic yet rhythmic as they moved to the music that she was not used to hearing.
As her number was getting closer to be called, Elizabella started to wonder if joining this group would be hard for her since everyone seemed to like to spin or do flips in the air. They did not do any other type of dance that she knew. She thought that doing flips would not be too hard, but spinning on anything that was not her feet sounded strange to her.
However, she did not feel scared or anything of the sort since she believed that they would like her if she was different. She felt confident that she would win.
She clenched her fists as the judges announced her number while she gracefully walked up to the stage. Walliams had headed backstage before her number was called to deliver the music she would be using to dance. She took her position on the stage and waited for the music to start.
The remaining candidates observed their competitor who waited on the stage to start her dance. The music began to play softly as she elegantly moved on the tip of her toes while it looked like she was gliding along. The judges and audience did not expect to watch a ballerina on stage, so they watched with wide eyes as they were in shock.
Elizabella performed Coppelia fluidly as she twirled around and ended her piece. The judges took a moment to react as they were unsure what to do after watching her performance. Finally, one of them broke their silence.
"That was… pretty… um… Do you perhaps know how to mix ballet in street dance?" asked the judge in the middle while the others nodded their heads in agreement to the question making Elizabella stunned to hear this question.
"I do not really understand the concept of street dance," replied Elizabella bashfully as they watched her and did not say anything.
"A pity. If we had more time, I think you would have been a great addition to our group. It would be interesting to see some fusion with ballet and street. At least we would stand out from the other dance groups. Or if you already knew any street dance, maybe we could incorporate it with your ballet somehow. But for now, we thank you for participating and showing us your dance moves," said the judge as they looked down at their clipboards and sat back in their chairs, giving a clear indication that they have already passed judgment on her. "Next!"
Elizabella felt shocked that she was not well received by her targeted audience as she quietly got off the stage to where Walliams was waiting. The other competitors looked at her as if she was no longer a threat to their chances of winning before turning away their gazes to the next audition. She did not bother to look at anyone as she continued to walk with her head held high while Walliams seemed to be worried for her.
"Are you alright?" Walliams, who could not help himself, asked her as they stopped before getting out of the room.
"I am fine. It is good to fail sometimes too. At least now I know that there are many more different types of dance out there," said Elizabella as she sighed while Walliams did not know how to cheer her up.
"For what it is worth, I think you danced a fabulous Coppelia rendition," said a male voice that they did not recognize, making them look up to see a young man sitting on the last row aisle seat, watching the current performance on the stage.
"Thanks. You know Coppelia?" asked Elizabella as she was sure that the judges up front did not even know the name of the piece she had performed.
"I have seen it before, as well as other ballet performances," said the young man as he continued to look at the front, making Elizabella realize that she had not seen his face since he spoke.
"You know ballet?" asked Elizabella as she realized that the world was not so strange to her anymore.
"I enjoy watching any dance performance as you get to meet different people that way. I do not dance ballet, but I do enjoy ballroom dancing myself. Watching all the street dancers on the stage makes me want to learn that as well," said the young man as he continued to watch up front, making Elizabella look to the stage and see the current performance before she sighed.
"I guess you are here to audition as well?" asked Elizabella as she stood watching the performance come to an end.
"Oh no. I already belong to a group. I just like to watch people dance. It is freeing," said the young man as he smiled softly as Elizabella looked at him.
"You belong to a dance group?" Elizbella asked as she found it easy to talk to this stranger.
"More like a variety group. We do everything, not just dance," said the young man as he stood up to leave but not before turning around to introduce himself to her. "My name is Leopold, but you can call me Leo."
"My name is Elizabella, but you can call me Bella," said Elizabella as she stared up at the tall young man to shake his hand when she noticed that he gave a graceful bow instead, making her give him an elegant curtsy in return. "This is my good friend, Walliams."
"How do you do, Walliams?" Leo bowed to Walliams as Walliams returned his bow with a graceful one of his own.
"How do you do, Leo?" Walliams said as he looked curiously at Leo before mumbling quietly. "Interesting."
"Back at you," Leo replied for only Walliams to hear as he straightened himself.
"Leo, you would not have an opening in your group, would you?" asked Elizabella, hopeful as her eyes glittered with excitement.
"Afraid not at this moment. If an opening comes along, I can let you know," smiled Leo as Elizabella felt a bit disappointed but kept a polite smile on her face.
"I understand. If an opening does come up soon, do think of me first," said Elizabella as she gave a polite curtsy before turning to leave. "I must be off. It was nice meeting you, Leo."
"Likewise," replied Leo with a polite bow as he watched Walliams leave behind Elizabella after he, too, gave a bow. "What an interesting pair. I wonder what they are doing here?"
Leo's CD began to vibrate as he checked to see who it was. He was stunned as he read a message before revealing a smile.
"Really interesting," he said to himself as he looked at the way where Elizabella and Walliams exited.
**********
Elizabella had walked with Walliams close behind before she plopped down on her sofa. Walliams noticed that she massaged her face as she sat on the sofa.
"My Lady, it will be alright. Maybe we can sign up for another group to join. I am sure that there is a group willing to let you perform with them," said Walliams as he tried to cheer her up. "In the meantime, would you like to eat something before your tutor starts his class?"
"I should eat something. I think mother nagged me so much because she could tell that I lost weight since I have been home. Ask Chef Yacub to prepare us something," said Elizabella as she dropped her hands to her side and stared at the ceiling.
"Right away, my Lady," nodded Walliams merrily as he turned to walk into the kitchen while he spoke. "It is a good thing that the Lord Marquess let you take his Head Chef with you on your journey. Otherwise, I am sure that you would lose more weight if they did not understand your eating habits."
"Yes. Then mother would have really been upset and demanded that I return home at once," said Elizabella playfully as she began to analyze her audition from before.
She concluded that her dance, even though she has not danced vigorously in a while, was at the very least acceptable level. Where she erred was not understanding what the group she auditioned for represented. If Elizabella had researched the group ahead of time, she would have understood that she was not what they wanted since she did not understand their art form. It would have saved her the embarrassment of dancing something that they did not want.
She sighed as she massaged her temples.
"You live and learn Bella," she told herself out loud as Walliams came back out with a plate of fruit.
Later that night, Elizabella received a call from her father. She was excited to know that he had found her group to join.
"Father, did you pull some strings to let me join? Or does money talk?" she asked as she wondered what sort of group she would be joining, and the sting from the earlier audition came back to haunt her. "How do you know I will fit in?"
"Bella, they are a variety group that does different performances. Considering how you have many talents in the performing arts, would this not appeal better to your taste?" asked her father as he smiled lovingly at her through the holograph.
Hearing his words made Elizabella remember her conversation with Leo and thought briefly that it was a coincidence.
"Leo's group is probably not the only variety group that will be auditioning in the talent competition. I am sure that there are other groups," Elizabella thought to herself as she looked serious, making her father misunderstand that she was unhappy with the arrangements.
"Bella, I think that this will be for the best if you want to join this competition. I already know that they will be expecting you tomorrow, so you can rest assured that you will at least get to join in on the fun," said the Marquess as he hoped Elizabella would not be too upset.
"I understand, father. I will report to them tomorrow, and I will tell you any updates," said Elizabella as she did not want to tell her father about her failed audition.
"That is good, and do keep me posted," the Marquess tells his daughter before talking some more with her and hanging up to let her rest.
The next day, Elizabella went to meet the group that she would be joining in a room where they would be rehearsing. She was surprised to see someone she recognized.
"Well, if it is not Bella and Walliams. How are you today?" said Leo with a polite smile and bow to the stunned duo.