A/N: Hey everyone! I'm going through Velma Kelly's life, starting from age 5. Please review cause I don't know if I'm going to continue. Hope you enjoy.

And All That Jazz

Chapter 1: Starting Out

September 12th, 1906

Velma looked out through the tinted windows of the rundown apartment in Chicago, IL. Her hair raven fell below her ears and draped onto her shoulders. A big whit bow was on her head to match her dress. Below a pair of dark, expressive eyebrows was a button nose and large, curious brown eyes, filled with wonder and joy.

Velma Elizabeth Kelly was 5 years old. Living with her mother, sister, and grandfather, she was a cheerful, outgoing child. If Velma thought something was wrong or just downright stupid, she wasn't afraid to let out her feelings. This character trait earned her a lot of bruises for when her teacher would smack her with a ruler as hard as she could. Her mother would scold her, saying if she wants, she could just as easily get a job to support the family. Meanwhile, her sister Veronica was never in trouble. Velma wasn't being mean, just honest. At least that's what Velma thought.

Velma wasn't exactly the nicest child. She actually had a bad reputation. At her school Velma stole other classmates' crayons and smart mouthed her teacher. She was a little bit of a tomboy. Outside Velma played sports with the other boys. She was well known for her rough play. The other boys always took note to toughen up whenever they faced Velma. By the end of the day both Velma and her opponents would come home in bruises and scars.

Veronica Rachel Kelly was 4 years older than Velma. Her hair was a little shorter than Velma's, but just as jet-black, dark, and thick. Her eyes were brown, but not wide and happy like Velma's. They were determined and focused, pretty and mysterious. Veronica loved performing more than anything. Her mother, Bridget, had her in dance and singing classes. She also had an interest in piano, so her mother had her take lessons. In Veronica's classes, she was always successful. A "little miss perfect" if you asked Velma. Bridget was always so proud of Veronica; she loved her so much.

Bridget wasn't the only one that admired Veronica. Velma, in fact, worshipped the ground she walked on. Velma had a passion for performing even at age 5, but Veronica was the favorite of Bridget's. Bridget signed Veronica up for everything she could, leaving her no money leftover to even think about letting Velma join anything. Velma went to all of Veronica's recitals and talent shows, astonished by every step she took or note she sang. Velma wanted to be just like Veronica when she grew up, which slightly annoyed her elder sister.

Bridget's father, Frank, lived in the apartment with them. He moved in after Bridget's husband moved out. Velma was very close to her grandfather. Frank was well aware of Bridget's favoritism, and felt awfully sorry for Velma. He just couldn't understand why Bridget gave Velma such a small amount of love. Frank and Velma had a close bond. Frank made sure not to favor one girl over another, but he and Velma did have a special connection.

Frank came over to Velma, who was still staring out the window, "What are you looking at?" he asked her.

"That girl over there." Velma replied, pointing at a small girl holding her father's hand.

"Oh I see."

"Grandpa, that girl has a daddy."

Frank nodded, "Yes, yes she does."

"How come I don't have a daddy?"

Frank sighed, unsure how to answer.

Velma was not an accident; Frank knew that for a fact. Bridget had married a man named Derek, who was married to Bridget "for fun". While he didn't want children, he agreed to sleep with her. After Veronica was born, Derek was angry but accepted it. However, after Velma was born, he was just too frustrated. He did not like children at all. So, a few months after Velma was born, Derek packed his bags and left. He didn't leave a note. He didn't let her know the evening before. One morning, he was just gone.

Veronica was 4 at the time, but years later Bridget felt Veronica was old enough to know why he left. Not long after she turned 9, Veronica knew the truth. She was furious; feeling it was all Velma's fault Velma left. Veronica treated Velma cruelly ever since.

Finally, Frank answered, "Well, sweetheart, allot of people don't have a father, but you know, some people don't have a mother, or a sister, or a grandpa, and you do."

Velma gave him a small smiled, even though he had not really answered her question.

Not long after, Veronica and her mother stepped in. Veronica had just gotten back from dance lessons.

"How'd your lesson go?" Frank asked.

"Good." Veronica answered, as she went to greet her grandfather, her shoes tapped with every step.

Veronica went to change. She was taking off her tap shoes when Velma stepped in.

"How many times have I told you to knock?" Veronica groaned. She wasn't mean to Velma just for the sake of being mean. She just never fully got over the way her father walked out on her and her family. Veronica wasn't always mean to Velma. Besides, she felt she deserved some privacy.

"It's my room too." Velma sneered. She hopped onto her bed and watched Velma change.

"What are you here for?" Veronica asked honestly.

"Can you teach me how to dance?"

"Later." Veronica said, which meant never even though Velma didn't know that.

"Can I try on your shoes now?" Velma asked. She reached her arm out to grab one of Veronica's shoes. Veronica slapped her hand, "No! Can't you go play outside with the boys or something?"

"Come on, Veronica. I want to learn how to dance."

"Look, I promise I'll teach you later. For now, keep your hands off my shoes!" Veronica ordered as she left.

Later that evening after dinner, Veronica was on the floor playing with dolls. Velma walked over to her, "Veronica, can you teach me how to dance now?"

"When I'm done playing." Veronica muttered.

Velma pouted her way to the room she shared with Veronica. She eyed Veronica's shoes. Living up to her reputation at school, Velma swiped her sisters tap shoes. She eagerly slipped off her own shoes and slipped on the other pair.

They were so beautiful in Velma's eyes, shiny and black. The strap even had a small ribbon on it. She had fallen in love with these shoes.

Velma stood up. She wanted so desperately to dance in them, but she didn't know how. She needed to hear them tap. Velma stomped her feet. Tap. She loved the sound. Velma began to alternate feet. Left foot, tap. Right foot, tap. Soon enough, her feet made up their own dance move and she was tapping away. She was so into it she was unaware of how much time had passed.

Veronica soon put her dolls away. She stretched herself across the couch comfortably when she heard something she really wished she didn't hear. Tap tap tap. That little brat! Veronica charged into her room.

"What did I tell you about taking me shoes you little thief?!" yelled Veronica. She didn't even let Velma answer. Charging after her, Veronica had her hands ready to strangle her sister, but Velma got out of the way just in time.

Soon it became a cat and mouse chase as Velma darted around the house. Their mother was in her room reading when she heard them both screaming.

"Girls what the hell is all this commotion for?" yelled Bridget.

"She stole my tap shoes!" cried Veronica.

"I didn't steal them. I borrowed them!" Velma replied.

"Velma, did you ask to use them?"

"Yes!" Veronica answered for her, "But I said no!"

"But I never get to dance!" Velma cried sadly.

Frank, who had been watching from the couch said, "Why don't we just let her learn to dance?"

"Dad, you know I can't afford to teach two girls. Honestly, sometimes I just don't know what to do with you, Velma. Give her back her shoes and lets all just drop this." Bridget said.

Velma sat down reluctantly removed the tap shoes. Too angry to hand them directly to Veronica, Velma just left them on the floor.

Velma stomped her way to the couch her grandfather was sitting on. Frank took a seat next to her.

"It's not fair!" cried Velma.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. I think one day you're going to grow up to be one of the best dancers I know."

"Really? As good as Veronica?"

Frank laughed, "Of course." He put his arm around Velma, and the two of them sat on the couch and talked for most of the evening.