"1, 2, 3, 4," I yelled over the music. We were working on Seize the Day: Reprise. "Wait. Stop!" I yelled. "That was good everybody. Okay. Does anybody have any questions about any of the dance steps?"

"Yeah. How do you do the jumping spinning thing?" Dave Moscow asked.

"Kat, why don't you take this one?" Kenny said.

"Gee, thanks Kenny!" I said sarcastically. I got up onto the stage and started instructing. "So Davey. You want to know how to do the jumping spinning thing. Well, first I'll need a volunteer. How about," I did a turn on my toe, "you." I pointed to Dominic Lucero, who in my opinion was the best dancer out of the nineteen boys/men in front of me. I spent about half an hour teaching the step.

In his words, "I'm sorry, but my body doesn't want to bend and turn like your bodies."

And in my words, "No shit Sherlock."

Chapter 8

"Trey stop twitching! Or do you want me to call you by your real name?" I said between coughs. I wasn't feeling really great. We were at Universal Studios and I was trying to tie Trey's eye-patch on.

"No! Anything but that!" he said, stressing anything.

"Okay, there ya go. You're Kid Blink. Except for the fact that your shoes are untied," I said while looking him over.

"Geez! I forgot. Don't know what I'd do without you Flexakat." "Why do you have to use that name? You know I hate it," I said, this time between sneezes and coughs.

"'Cause I like to annoy you. Are you okay babe?"

"Yeah. Fantastic," I lied. I felt miserable. I sat down on a 'curb'.

"Hey Kat! I need your help with something!" Kenny yelled at me.

"Coming. Oh God. Trey I can't stand up."

"Kat!" Kenny yelled again.

"Kenny she can't stand up! She's sick!" Trey yelled back at him.

"Coming," Kenny jogged over to where we were. "Kat, are you alright?"

"No, I'm not. I feel like shit."

"Okay. Trey carry her into that building at the end of this street. Kat there's a bed in there and you're going to stay in that bed until your dad comes to pick you up. Got it?"

"Kenny I don't think she can argue with you right now. Come on kiddo," Trey said as he lifted me up into his arms.

"I think I'm gonna throw up," I mumbled.

"I think I'm gonna walk faster," he said speeding up. "Okay, here we are. We have about twenty more minutes so I'll stay here with you." He lay me on the bed and sat down . "Ya in the mood for chit-chat?"

I turned onto my side and said in a hoarse whisper, "Only if you do most of the talking."

"Okay. You really like Aaron don't you?" he smiled.

"Yeah, he's a sweetheart. Why?"

"No reason. I just want you to be happy. You're like my little sister."

"Aww, Trey. Come on, give me a hug," I said motioning with my hands for him to hug me. "You're my first real friend." I whispered in his ear. He pulled away, kissing me on the forehead.

"I'll make a deal with you. If you're always there for me, I will always be there for you. Deal?" he outstretched his hand.

"Deal," I said putting my hand in his. "Trey, I'm going to go to sleep."

"Okay. I gotta go make a movie anyway," he said giving me a soft pat on the back and grinning. "Sleep well Kat."

Chapter 9

"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Juls. Happy birthday to you," my dad, Brett, Aaron, and Trey sang as my dad carried my cake to the kitchen table.

"Make a wish," Dad said in a thick Australian accent. Brett and I had accents also, but not as strong as Dad's.

I though hard for a second, took in a deep breath, and blew out my sixteen candles.

"Now for the presents," I said while rubbing my hands together.

"Come on. Let's have the cake first. Okay Juls?" Brett said.

"Fine. But hurry up okay?"

Just to piss me off, Brett took at least fifteen minutes to eat his cake.

"Okay. Which present is first?" I asked.

"Leave Aaron's for last. How about you open Brett's first?" Trey asked.

"Okay Bretty boy. Where is it?" I asked grinning.

"You better like it. It took me almost a day's shopping to find it," he said while handing it over.

"Oh my God. I love it!" He had given me a silver watch with the Rhythmic Sportive Gymnastics logo on the face. "Thank you!" I hugged him tightly.

"Here sweetie." My dad came into the room carrying a long big box.

"Mr. O'Shea, I'll help you with that," Aaron offered.

"Thanks Aaron," Dad said as they got it on the counter. I walked over and started unwrapping it. When I got to the gift I couldn't believe it. "Dad! It's an electric guitar! A nice electric guitar! Thank you!" I hugged my dad fiercely, almost cracking some of his ribs.

"Okay sweetie. You can let go now," he said with very little breath.

"Okay Trey. Your turn."

"Here you go Kat," he said while giving me a average size box.

"Oh. That's the candle I told you I liked."

"There's more," he grinned.

"Where? Oh. Trey! Best friend necklaces...well they're kinda chokers. But, that's okay! Here ya go," I gave him one of the necklaces.

"Well, Aaron. You're last," I said smiling.

"Um, my gift's kinda private. Can you guys leave for a second?" he asked looking nervous.

"Sure. Come on guys," my dad said ushering Brett and Trey out of the kitchen.

"Well, what is it?" I asked getting excited.

"Kat, we've been going out for almost a year. Well, eight months. I was wondering will you be my steady?" he asked while handing me on of those brown velvet jewelry boxes. I opened it and inside was a silver ring on a black string.

"Yes! Aaron, I would love to be your steady. Could you help me put this on?" I said, hold my hair up.

"Yes. Sorry I made your dad, Brett and Trey leave. There you go."

"It's alright. I couldn't have done this if you hadn't," I kissed him.

"Kat?"

"Mmm-hmm?"

"I think I love you," he sad looking me straight in the eyes.

"I think I love you too," I said back to him.

All in all, it was the best birthday that I had had since I was five.