Aunt Lynn, Uncle Rob, and I were going out for dinner. I was supposed to be returning in three weeks. We walked into a small restaurant, and were instantly seated in a booth. The seats were a dark maroon color. And the table was a dark mahogany. We ordered our drinks-cream soda, as usual-and then looked at the menu.
"Lina, we would like to speak with you." Aunt Lynn said. I looked at them, and slowly put the menu down.
"Yes?" I asked. They looked at each other, then at me. "Am I in trouble?" They shook their heads.
"No. We just..." She sighed.
"We want to talk to you about the Showcase." My heart sank. I was supposed to be performing with...Harry.
"We know its been hard, since he left. But, we believe you should still do the Showcase." I looked at the table. Mesmerized by the pattern of the wood. I stirred my drink with the straw. Not wanting to speak.
"Lina, we'll talk to your parents and see if they will stay to watch. We want your future to be bright. And not like, Marilyn's." I looked at them. Marilyn is my oldest sister. She was offered a full scholarship to some big scholarship. But, she turned it down to go runaway with some boy. I haven't seen her since I was eleven. I haven't heard her name since then. I looked at the table again. Then back at them. I looked at both of them. Then I took a deep breath.
"Fine." They smiled. And picked up the menu.
"Well, we better eat something. Before we starve!" Uncle Rob exclaimed.
"Um, can you order for me? I need to call someone." They smiled.
"Alright. But don't be long!" Aunt Lynn said. I nodded.
"Thanks." I grabbed my phone, and walked outside. The wind was cold. stinging my eyes. I tightened my coat around me, and scrolled through my contacts. I put the phone to my ear, and listened to the phone ring.
"Yeah?" Gem asked. I smiled
"You still want to go shopping for the Showcase?"

---

We rode up the escalator. We were at the mall.
"Hey! Let's go to London!" She said. I looked at her.
"We're already in London." I said. She rolled her eyes.
"No, the shop London." I nodded. We walked into a very London themed shop. I could smell One Direction's perfume, Our Moment, and sadness flowed through me. But, I shook it off. "Lina, try this on!" She handed me a dress that looked like a British Flag. I held it up.
"No." She sighed. And I placed it back on the rack. I looked at the other dresses.
"How about, this one?" It felt like a knife jabbed my back as she accidentally quoted one of Harry-or Marcel's-line in their music video, Best Song Ever. I turned to looked at her. She was holding up a black dress. I examined it. "Try it on!" She pulled me to a dressing room, and practically threw me in. I put on the dress. "Here's some heels." I grabbed them, and slipped them on my feet.
"How do I look?" I asked, stepping out. She gasped.
"That's the one. No question about it." I walked to the mirror. She wasn't joking.
"Wow." She smiled.
"Man, if your voice sounds as good as that, I know you'll win. No questions asked." I smiled. As long as I don't crack down first.

Notes