A Cinderella story - Chapter 16: Chapter 16

"UHM- IF YOU COULD JUST PUT THE SPEAKERS HERE" ANITA SPOKE AS SHE DIRECTED some people carrying in some more equipment for ryders competition that was tomorrow. She had offered to help Ryder with the last minute touch ups
"It looks amazing" ryder said jogging over to anita. His hands linked with hers and he leaned down to bring her into a kiss thankful that her sisters don't come to this area of the building
"Thank you so much for your help. I couldn't have been able to do any of this without you" Anita shrugged softly and smiled but she didn't notice how Ryder's eyes glanced over to the door. Adam, alexis, Reece and Caleb were all there, all of their friends. And they put their thumbs up making Ryder smile. They had done their part of the plan
"I figured it was the least i could do. Especially since.." Anita stopped and looked up to ryder apologetically
"Since what?" He asked confused
"Since i won't be in your show tomorrow" Ryder grew shocked at Anita's words
"what? You have to. We was doing this together"
"Ryder, you don't need me in your performance. You're amazing just like in all your songs. And i don't know.. maybe singing isn't my thing anymore"
"Is this because of you got denied? That's such bullshit anita. You deserve to go there and you shouldn't stop singing because of it" Anita bit her lip and leaned up to kiss Ryder's cheek, the feeling of her lips on his skin making him sigh in defeat
"You'll be great. You've practiced without me and you know my lines and cues. You've got this Ryder" She kissed his cheek again and ran her thumb along his cheek
"I have to go. But I'll see you tomorrow. I'll be there to watch you kill it out there" Ryder's head turned and he pressed a small kiss to Anita's lips before they parted and she walked away, not catching sight of her friends making their way over to Ryder
Once the group got with Ryder they started to speak
Alexis: "everythings done. Me and adam sent the email's. They're getting OUTED"
"Me and Reece also got the academy board there tomorrow so they'll see Anita perform" caleb said happily but their faces all deflated of happiness once they saw Ryder's
"She's not performing tomorrow" he spoke and their eyes all widened
"What? Why?"
"The rejection from manhattan got to her. She's not feeling it anymore" there was a small silence before Adam spoke up
"Thats okay. Shes gonna be there right?" Ryder nodded
"Good. Just make sure to call her up on stage. She wont be able to resist in front of everyone"
—
WHEN ADAM, ANITA AND ALEXIS FINALLY GOT TO THE COMPETETION REECE AND CALEB WERE BOTH on the stage ready to get it started
Anita: "Guys, why don't you sit down. I'm gonna hang back, okay?" Both Anita's friends nodded and she walked behind
Caleb: "I'd like to introduce you to the man that made this all possible, my boy, your boy. Ryder Caddel!" The screams intensified as Ryder made his way up on stage, doing a handshake with both of his friends
"All right! Thanks for coming out tonight!" I smiled as I watched him interact with his fans who were going crazy at the sight of him
"Check it out. I was just backstage. We got some ridiculously sick singers and dancers for you guys tonight. Here's how it's gonna work. At the end of the night you're all going to pick a winner on the app I had you download and whoever wins is gonna be featured in my next song. So now i'm gonna turn it over. I'll catch you guys in a minute" Ryder walked back off the stage
"All right. all right. Our first set of dancers go by the name of Angel and Derek. Make some noise for them. DJ, kick that!"
—
Throughout the night there was all different types of performances. Break dancers, ballet dancers, rock singers.
Currently everyone was booing Destiny and Cleo who were doing a terrible dance in stage and as they went on Caleb and Reece came up on stage laughing
"Did you guys see that? That was just terrible" Reece laughed and even Anita couldn't help but snicker from her place next to Adam and Alexis
Caleb: "thank god that's over"
"All right, were gonna continue this competition, keep it rolling. Go ahead and give it up for Amanda" Ryder glanced away from the screen as he saw a certain woman make her way up to the stands to sit down
Amanda walked up on stage and did a small singing routine. She was good Anita had to admit
"You're so much better than her" Adam said nudging his friend who couldn't help but want to go up there. But singing wasn't her thing anymore
Amanda's song ended, sending a blow kiss to Ryder before she was taken off stage. Anita looked over to Ryder who seemed to be already looking at her so she smiled at him, not realising he could see the sadness behind it
Reece: "It's getting hot in here. That's right. That was our last dancer of the night" all of a sudden the crowd started booing again
"What, what? What you guys saying? You guys want some more?" Caleb teased the crowd
"Okay well. We do have a special number for you guys. So check it out"
[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]
Adam and alexis had made their way closer to the front as it continued and by the end they both grabbed a mic again
Caleb: "We were just messing with y'all. That's not it"
Reece: "But what's in store.. is a lot crazy. Let's go, let's go" the lights went out and the whole place was dark, until it came back on, and on the stage was Ryder in the spotlight ready for his section
"It's become so hard
For me to be surprised
But you're bringing back the real me
No judgment in your eyes" Anita couldn't help but smile as Ryder glanced to her in the crowd. He really did sound amazing
"It's the way you make me feel
Like I'm finally something real
The words are hard to find
But I'm gonna get it right this time
Just come and take my hand
Let me lift you up
Take away my fear
And make me strong enough
It's when I dance with you
It's how I speak the truth
Was just classic when we met
And how you made me move" all of a sudden Ryder turned around to his backup dancers and DJ
"Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on, guys. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on a minute. You guys... I want this to be perfect" Anita's eyes widened as she realised what he was going to do
"It's not gonna be perfect until I have someone special... standing here right next to me." She quickly moved from her spot
"Do you guys all remember the masquerade ball?" The cheering increased
"The girl that sung that amazing song? She was amazing wasn't she?" It grew even louder
"Well she is the girl i've spent all my time trying to find. And I did" there was a mixture of gasps and cheers
"Anita? Anita, are you here? I know you're here" she tried to manoeuvre her way out of the crowd but people kept blocking her way
"Anita, baby, come on. I know you're out there. Come on" it was quiet for a few moments before
"Anita, Anita, Anita, Anita, Anita, Anita, Anita" everyone was chanting until there was suddenly a spotlight on her
"There she is. Sing with me"
"Ryder.." she sighed as she turned to face the stage
"But you're the most amazing singing partner I've ever had" 'awe's surrounded them both
"You know I can't" she frowned, her eyes meeting his
"Didn't you hear baby? I made it in" her eyes widened
"I made it into the school. It's not in Los Angeles. Nothing she can say or do can stop me going there" what he said made sense, Prism had no control over manhattan. She wouldn't be able to do anything to take away Ryders spot. So that means she has no leverage over her anymore
"Come on baby, sing with me" she bit her lip in contemplation before making her way up the stage, the cheering from both Ryder and the crowd making her smile. Once she got up to the stage she walked over to ryder
"Heres you're mic" she slowly took it out of his hands, her eyes glancing over to the crowd as the nerves set in her stomach
"Hey, woah" Ryder said turning her chin to face him
"Everyones heard you sing and everyone loves you're voice, okay? Give yourself some credit. You're the best i've heard" she nodded and he smiled turning back to the DJ with a nod
Ryder: "You're the new classic
You're the new P. Y.T.
Stands for paid, young
Taking on the world from the driver's seat" looking back from the crowd nervously missing her cue ryder took Anita's hand in his
Ryder:"I can't do this without you baby.
Look so classic, fantastic"
Both: "When you're on the floor
Bring the beat back once more
Let me see you do that"
Ryder: "Trying to do it right
Ain't no rehearsal It's your life
And you're doing this crazy dance
Because you're making these crazy plans"
Anita: "Because this is not a test
You put in work to be the best
It's a classic take On a brand-new game"
Both: "Before the needle drops
They will know your name"
Ryder: "You're the new classic
Anita: "You're the new P. Y.T."
Ryder: "Stands for paid, young"
Anita: "And try everything"
Both: "Just to touch your dreams"
Ryder: "You're the new classic"
Both: "Fantastic"
Anita: "Now you own this floor"
Ryder: "Bring the beat back once more"
Both: "Let me see you do that"
Anita: You're the new classic
Both: "You're the new P. Y.T."
Stands for paid, young
You take a chance to believe in me
You're the new classic, fantastic
Now you own this floor
Bring the beat back once more
And watch us while we do that
Yeah" once the song finished me and ryder stood centimeters apart as the crowd clapped and cheered, Anita could even hear their friends screaming louder than the rest
After the crowd had finally calmed down enough Ryder laughed
"Did you guys like that? How about one more?! I think Anita needs to give this to us since she kept her voice a secret for so long" Anita turned to Ryder with a dumbfounded expression as the crowd picked up again but he just laughed as he moved the mic away from his face
"They love you. Show em what you got"
"Without you?" The short girl asked shocked
"No way"
"Yes way. You killed it" he grabbed her hand and moved her to the back of the stage to the DJ
"What song?"
"I-uh..." Ryder raised his eyebrows, a smile teasing his festures
"Shameless" the DJ nodded and Ryder took her back up to the front
"You'll do amazing. Blow everyone away" he kissed Anita's cheek before jogging off the stage and it was then the song started
[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]
Once the song was over everyone cheered as ryder made his way onstage whilst she went off, hugging each of her friends
"You was so good!" They all started congratulating her over one another
"Thank you! I'm gonna let all of you put your votes in! And i'll be back in five short minutes with the name of our winner!" Ryder made his way back off the stage and pulled Anita into a hug
"My days Anita. You was amazing" she smiled as she wrapped her arms around him before pulling away
"So was you" they all continued talking around before a envolope was handed to Ryder who had to go back upstairs with Reece and Caleb
Ryder: "Everybody still here? No no. I can't hear you!" Reece held his mic up to the audience
Reece: "Everybody that came out tonight, dancers and singers. Thank you so much. You're amazing. We love you!"
Caleb: "But there can only be one winner!"
Ryder: "And I have that name in my hand" Ryder opened his envolope
"Here we go. The winner of the competition is... oh my gosh! Anita Miller!" Adam and Alexis both screamed beside the girl as they pulled her into hugs before they ushered her up on the stage hugging Caleb, Reece and Ryder
"You're amazing" around them everything ended as people started to leave
"Hey!" Amanda said making them all turn to her with Adam and Alexis coming up on stage too
"This isn't fair. I deserve this award" amanda started to tear up as she turned to Anita
"But you were really good Anita" confused, Anita looked to Ryder who shared the same expression before she was brought into more hugs by her friends
"Move it" prism said moving Alexis out of the way. Adam quickly caught her
"How dare you?" She spat at Anita
"How dare you embarrass me and your sisters? How do you think this makes us look huh? You, our maid, wins the Ryder Caddel competition? You have humiliated us in front of the entire Los Angeles metropolitan area" just as Anita went to speak a woman walked over, the same one Ryder had spotted in the crowd
"Miss Miller. My name is Regina Cretikos. I am with the Manhattan Academy. You sang spectacularly well for someone who has a damaged vocal cords" all of them furrowed their eyebrows except Prism
"Wait, what do you mean? Damaged vocal cords?" Anita questioned glancing over at prism who was facing the other way
"Don't look at me like that. We'll talk about this later" she went to walk away
"Uh- mayor" Reece said speaking up stopping her
"I hacked into your emails and sent every single one to the mayor system. I also saw you got one back from them this evening. I don't know whether I should tell you this now or let them, but either way.. they said you're fired" Anita's eyes widened in shock
"You what?!" Prism shouted before she pulled out her phone, her hand moving up to her face
"Girls!" She shouted to the step siblings standing not too far from tbem
"We need to go, now!" She walked off this time but as she got to the edge she dropped, not knowing the stage ended
She fell on top of three students and onto the floor
"Anyway.." Regina said ignoring Prism groaning on the floor
"We would be honoured if you would come and study with us. Full scolarship. Call me on Monday" she walked off without another word and Anita gasped as everyone else got exited
"You guys did all of this?" She questioned hearing their 'yeah' replys before bringing them all into hugs
—
2 MONTHS LATER
"CALL US EVERYDAY, OKAY?" ADAM AND ALEXIS MADE Anita promise as they put the last of her bags in the back of a van
"How are we gonna handle things without you?" Alexis groaned. it is the day Ryder and Anita were going to Manhattan. They had both got scolarships and were spending their college years there
"Awe don't worry, give it a few months and you'll be picking me up in your private jet
"And we'll go shopping in paris" adam added
"Okay" they all laughed and got into a group hug as Ryder also said goodbye to his friends
"I need my meds pronto!" They heard a shout and saw Prism wheeling herself up the street with her two broken legs with the twins behind her. She did end up getting fired from being mayor last month and had also been kicked out by Anita. Becuase it turns out her dad actually did make a will which was delivered to Anita on her 18th birthday. So she kicked her evil step family out and got everything
"Anita, do you hear me?" She got up out of her chair and walked on her boots
"Sorry Prism. I don't work for you anymore"
"Oh come on" Anita ignored her as Ryder stood in front of her
"I can't believe this is all happening" she smiled exitedly standing on her tip toes to kiss him and once he pulled away they said their last goodbyes before getting into the van
"Don't you dare get in that van Anita" they shut the doors and he leaned over to press his lips onto hers
"You ready?" Anita nodded and sat back in her seat as Ryder started up the van
—