Falling Stars (Shooting Stars 5)

said: No illusions are permitted except the ones we create on stage," he replied.

"Okay. You look like a slob." she replied. "Huh?"

"Fix your tie at least," Rose said and stepped up

to tighten it for him.

"And put your shirt tail in," I said, coming

around behind him to help him do it.

"Straighten out your jacket," Ice suggested. She

tugged on his right sleeve and buttoned the shirt cuff. We all stepped back and looked at him. "Well?" he asked, looking from one face to

another.

"I hope you play the piano really well."

Cinnamon said. "Otherwise..."

"What otherwise?"

"Otherwise, there isn't much hope." she

muttered. Rose and I laughed.

"Very funny. Geniuses don't need to look good.

Ever see a picture of Einstein?"

"He didn't perform in public." Cinnamon

replied.

We started for the stairs.

"Where's Howard?" Steven asked. following. "Probably stuck on his face in the mirror,"

Cinnamon said. Rose and Ice laughed louder than I

did.

We started down the steps.

"He's going to be late," Steven warned, looking

back toward Howard's room. He lagged a bit behind

us. "Maybe I should wait for him."

"Then you'll be late. too," Rose pointed out. I felt better with the girls around me. Rose and

Ice led, both of them looking so beautiful. Maybe we

really were an impressive group. Maybe Madame

Senetsky wasn't wrong about our being special. I