The second she appears, my phone is up.
I'm catching everything—every step, every gesture, every blink—because my girlfriend looks like she swallowed starlight and I'd like permanent evidence of that, thank you.
"Dude. Put the phone down for two seconds." Cody huffs a laugh. "This is peak embarrassing-boyfriend behavior, just so you know."
I flip him off and keep hitting record.
From there, the story doesn't just move — it flows. Seamless transitions, gorgeous choreography, every comedic beat landing so well people snort-laugh into their programs. I swear I haven't seen a single bored person in the room. Everyone's leaning forward, glowing in the warm light of the stage.
Everyone's hook with the story especially when the battle scene begins. The Mouse King storms in with his army — giant rodent heads, capes, the whole absurd terrifying Disney-villain vibe. Clara clutches the Nutcracker, stepping back as the mice swarm.
"Please—leave him alone!" she cries, voice trembling in that perfect Clara way that makes even me want to barrel down there and rescue her.
Nutcracker steps forward, raising his wooden sword with dramatic flair.
"Stay behind me, Clara! I'll protect you!"
He sounds ridiculous under that unmoving mask, but it somehow works.
The fight breaks out — swords clashing, mice hissing, the Nutcracker doing heroic spins he definitely practiced too many times. Clara watches in horror as the Mouse King gains the upper hand. Then—bam. The Mouse King stabs the Nutcracker in the gut.
The audience gasps.
The Mouse King raises his sword for the finishing blow when she yanks off her shoe and hurls it at the Mouse King - hitting his back.
"Hey! Leave him alone!"
The audience erupts in laughter.
The Mouse King wheels on her, stalking forward. She backpedals, taunting him. "Do you think I'm scared of you?" She scoffs, stepping back but keeping her chin high. "You're just an ugly, oversized mouse with a plastic crown."
She circles him slowly, keeping his attention on her.
"And honestly? I've seen dust bunnies scarier than you."
The Mouse King snarls, stumbling a little as he steps closer and closer. "So come on, Your... Rodent Majesty. Show me what you've got."
The audience laugh — and the Mouse King completely misses the Nutcracker rising behind him.
When the Mouse King finally raises his sword at Clara— the Nutcracker lunges and stabs him in the back.
The Mouse King collapses dramatically, cape flipping over his head. Dead.
The Nutcracker sways... then drops to the ground.
Clara falls to her knees beside him, cradling him in her arms.
"Oh no!" she sobs. "Why? How is this possible? You're made of wood," Clara whisper-sobs. "You shouldn't bleed... you shouldn't feel pain—this shouldn't be happening."
"The Mouse King's weapon... it was forged from the same dark magic that cursed me," he rasps, breath shallow.
"Anything touched by it—human or enchanted—bleeds. Even someone trapped in a wooden body."
She breaks down — beautifully, heartbreakingly — holding him closer.
The audience is silent, utterly hooked.
And then—she kisses his wooden cheek.
