Disclaimer: I don't own anything associated with The Nanny. Yet.
A/N I just wanted to do something really out there and different. I'm taking a lot of circumstances and just lumping them together in…High School…Let me know what you think!
High School Drama
Chapter 1
"Alright, class, settle down." Mr. Cannon was not what you'd call the typical 'Drama' teacher. He was married, had three boys and reminded some of Danny DeVito only slightly thinner and slightly taller. But everyone loved him and he always got the best 'teacher rating' scores. Granted he got just a few points more than the Music teacher, Mr. Eastman, but that's to be understood, he was kind of a hotty.
"Mr. Cannon?" The raven haired beauty in the first row stood up and spoke with a less than lovely nasal voice. "Can I help you with the roll call?"
Mr. Cannon smiled. "Fran, I'm sorry, I've already promised to let Chastity take care of roll call for today." Fran tossed a half grin half scowl at the girl to her right and sat down in a huff. Fran Fine had a 'stereotypical' New York accent. She had a free and easy smile; she was petite, genuine and very friendly.
"Thank you, Mr. Cannon." Chastity Babcock was tall, blonde, blue eyed and rich, everything Fran wasn't, not to mention she was painfully shy and came off as cold and snobbish. She had the voice of an angel and was their music teacher, the aforementioned Mr. Eastman's favorite, though he'd never admit it of course.
Chastity and Fran were both seniors and the dearest of friends, despite their vastly different backgrounds. Fran was everyone's favorite friend and confidante. Chastity, because of her background, had a very difficult time making friends. Fran took to her aid instantly and they've been inseparable since freshman orientation.
Chastity stood just in front of Fran and started the roll call. "Wow, Mr. C…looks like everyone from last year is back. I only see two names I don't recognize." Chastity easily made her way through the list of the students she knew and only read off the two she didn't. "Maxwell Sheffield?" Chastity called. No answer. "Okay…let's see…Niles Brightmore?" Again there was no response. "I guess the new guys didn't show, Mr. C." Chastity turned and handed the roll sheet to her teacher as the knock came to the door.
"Come in!" Mr. Cannon called. The door opened revealing a tall and ominous looking man with a nearly bald head and crispy demeanor. "Mr. Edwards, what can I do for you?"
"Mr. Cannon I wanted to escort these two young men to class personally. They're Seniors, just transferred here from England and had some paperwork to finish up in the office. I'm sorry they're late. Mr. Sheffield and Mr. Brightmore, this is Mr. Cannon, your Drama teacher." Mr. Edwards had no place in his educational heart for the 'arts' as he waved them off.
Fran and Chastity didn't sit in the front row for nothing. They always wanted to be the first to see everything and these two 'young men from England' were no different. Chastity started back to her desk when Fran stuck her foot out causing Chastity to stumble slightly into the arms of the closer of the two boys.
"Is there a problem, Ms. Babcock?" Mr. Edwards scowled at her.
"No, Sir, Mr. Edwards. I'm sorry," Chastity said in her most contrite voice. "Then looking up into the boys blue eyes briefly she whispered. "Thanks." She turned and glared at her friend as she returned to her seat.
"Have a seat gentlemen." Mr. Edwards instructed and Maxwell and Niles found two empty seats right behind our two favorite ladies.
Maxwell Sheffield was tall and slender with dark brown curly hair and green eyes. He was what some would call classically handsome and had a broad and endearing smile. He noticed Fran right away as he carefully slipped into the seat behind her. "Hi" He whispered softly.
Niles Brightmore was the far more mischievous of the two; it was written all over his face. He was just a tad shorter than Maxwell and more muscularly built. He had dark slightly reddish blonde hair and piercing blue eyes that only added to his handsome features. He noticed Chastity the minute he stepped into the room and nudged her lightly as he slipped into the empty desk behind her and whispered, "I'll just die if your name is Grace."
"Mr. Cannon, I'll leave you to it, then." Mr. Edwards left and closed the door.
Mr. Cannon turned to face his class. "Well, gang it's another year in junior/senior drama and I've decided to do something a little different. We are even matched for the first year since this class was added to the curriculum."
Scott Bristol raised his hand. "Mr. Cannon, what exactly does that mean?"
"Well, Scott; that means for the first time is six years, there are a matching number of boy to girls in class." Mr. Cannon waited for the 'requisite' whoops and hollers from his students.
I've selected two of my favorite love scenes…" This too brought whoops and hollers from the class. "…from classical literature and I've already set up the pairs." This time there was an audible groan. "Relax, like I don't know what I'm doing…" Mr. Cannon knew he class well and knew the students preferences and…needs. "Since Fran and Chastity have the most seniority in class I'll give them to the new boys. Max, you'll team up with Fran and Niles, I'll leave you in Chastity 's more than capable hands."
"Thank you, Sir," Niles said to his new teacher more for the benefit of Chastity than anything else.
Mr. Cannon read off the remainder of the pairings. "They're both balcony scenes so we'll be on stage for the next few weeks. 'Romeo and Juliet, you're all familiar with I'm sure, and Cyrano De Bergerac is the other. Get together with your partners and let me know in class tomorrow what scene you'll be doing." Mr. Cannon finished just as the bell rang. "Class dismissed."
The students made their way out of the class room and into the hall leaving the 'fab four' standing in a small clump in the front of the room.
"I'm Fran Fine, and this is Chastity Babcock. So you boys are from England?" Fran usually did the talking for her and Chastity.
Max took the lead in this conversation, which was out of the norm for him. In England it was Niles that usually had to handle the girls; Max was the shyer of the two. Niles, however, hadn't taken his eyes off the blonde beauty since they all stood up. There was another bell and it shook them all. "Uhh…Max. I think you have a study hall now." Niles kept his eyes on Chastity who refused to meet his gaze.
"I can take you, Max. I have to head that way. I have concert choir now." Chastity found herself saying.
Max's eyes didn't leave Fran's deep brown eyes. "Where do you have to go, Fran?"
"Fran usually heads to the…" Chastity started.
Fran cut her off. "Chas…I can take Max here to study hall, I have study hall this period, too." Fran nudged Chas who was only slightly grumbling. "What about you, Niles…what class do you have now?" Fran asked still not looking away from Max's gaze.
"Concert choir." Niles dropped flatly.
When they reached their destinations, Fran introduced Max to Mrs. Fink, a biology teacher normally, but the study hall monitor for this period. "Well, Max, it's a pleasure to meet you. What other classes do you have?"
Max answered politely explaining that for the most part he'd be taking advantage of the artistic nature of American High Schools. He detailed his schedule which varied only slightly from Fran's. "Well I have Drama, then study hall which I hope to use to work on my writing, then after homeroom I have Show choir, English, American History, Shop and Gym."
"That's almost identical to my schedule Max." Fran gushed and they took two seats in the back of the class room. "I'm not too much of a singer, at least in a group. My voice sticks out. I can hold my own alone though. I have Home Economics after homeroom."
Chastity and Niles arrived in the auditorium just after the bell and at the same time as Mr. Eastman. "Chastity, you're late. That's not like you."
"Sorry, Mr. Eastman, I'd like you to meet a new student, Niles Brightmore, he's here from England." Chastity tried her very best to be polite to this boy she didn't think she liked very much, especially after that 'is your name Grace' remark in drama class.
Mr. Eastman, sized Niles up for a minute and Chastity took her place on the riser. "I guess a baritone with a slightly expanded range."
"Yes, Sir." Niles smiled at the man he knew he liked already. "Would you like me to sing something?"
Mr. Eastman was impressed with this young man and looked first at him then up at Chastity who was chatting quietly with one of the other girls. "Chastity, could you go get Niles here a baritone book, please." Chastity nodded and headed into the music room. "Do you have any music with you?" Niles nodded and handed the man his music. "Excellent choice, alright, Niles…let's see what you can do."
Mr. Eastman started to play and Chastity immediately looked up. "Dulcinea..." She whispered as she returned from the music room with the music. Chastity was mesmerized. She loved 'Man of LaMancha' and there he stood this new and amazing boy, his reddish blonde hair just picking up the light from the stage. She was frozen not ten feet to his left just behind the piano. Niles faced the empty auditorium and his strong, rich voice rang out and echoed in the openness of the grand room.
"I have dreamed thee too long,
Never seen thee or touched thee."
Niles turned slightly to see Chastity.
But known thee with all of my heart."
Niles turned back to the empty auditorium.
"Half a prayer, half a song,"
Thou hast always been with me,
Though we have been always apart.
Dulcinea... Dulcinea...
I see heaven when I see thee, Dulcinea,
And thy name is like a prayer
An angel whispers... Dulcinea... Dulcinea!"
Niles reached out toward Chastity and her heart leapt in her chest as he sang to her.
"If I reach out to thee,
Do not tremble and shrink
From the touch of my hand on thy hair.
Niles turned back to the auditorium and finished his song.
"Let my fingers but see
Thou art warm and alive,
And no phantom to fade in the air.
Dulcinea... Dulcinea...
I have sought thee, sung thee,
Dreamed thee, Dulcinea!
Now I've found thee,
And the world shall know thy glory,
Dulcinea... Dulcinea!"
"Well, Niles…I think it goes without saying that was quite good." Mr. Eastman wasn't a 'gusher' by any means and he did have the other students and singers to consider.
Niles blushed a little and glanced down toward the floor. "Thank you, Sir."
Chastity, finally regaining her ability to move, brought the music to the piano. "Here, Mr. Eastman." She put the music down and took her place on the risers.
"Niles, since you know Chastity already you can stand behind her. Here's your music book." Mr. Eastman grinned and called his student piano player to the bench so he could conduct the choir.
When Niles took his place he nudged Chastity lightly. "Not bad, Little Lord Fauntleroy." Chastity nudged him back.
When the bell rang dismissing classes to homeroom Max offered Fran his hand to help her stand. "Well, Fran…I suppose I'm on my own to find homeroom? I don't imagine Fine and Sheffield go to the same place."
"It's ok, Max. All the senior homerooms are in the same wing. I'll walk there with you and then Chastity can walk you to Show Choir. I guess that Niles has that class too?" Fran started up the main hall toward the 'senior wing'.
"Actually, no. Niles has Home Economics, so you can show him the way there. I think we're all going to be great friends." Max offered.
Fran frowned at Max. "Niles is really takin' Home Ec? That will at least make if fun for me."
"I wouldn't sell Niles too short, Fran. He comes from a long line of excellent cooks. His mother's French cuisine is known all over England." Max warned her.
Fran nudged his middle. "Then I guess I found my Home Ec. partner." Fran stopped in front of the door marked with the correct range of letters for Max's last name. "Here ya go, Mr. Sheffield. I'll see you in English. Don't let Mr. Eastman freak ya out. Chastity's his favorite."
"Thank you, Ms. Fine. I'll meet you in English class. Save me a seat, will you?" Max lingered outside the door and watched Fran move up the hall to her own homeroom assignment. Max sighed lightly as he entered the room. "I love America."
Niles and CC turned the corner to the 'senior wing'. "Well, Babs, where do we go from here?"
"I'd love to tell you where to go, Faunty, but since we're in the same homeroom, I guess I'll just drag you along." Chastity couldn't understand why she didn't fell as shy around Niles. He's so confidant and self assured. That's usually what drives her to silence, but not with him. "Are you in Show choir, too, Niles?" Chastity asked trying to be polite…for a change.
Niles sighed. "No, unfortunately as part of my agreement, I have to take Home Economics." Niles rolled his eyes.
"Agreement? What agreement?" Chastity asked confused. "Home Ec. and Show Choir are both electives, they count the same toward your credits."
Niles, realizing what he'd let slip, had to recover quickly. "Oh…it's an agreement with the…uh Board of Student Exchange. "In order for me to be accepted into the program I had to choose electives from different categories. Since I'm more of a classical dancer, I thought Concert Choir would be a better choice for me. To please my mother, I took Home Ec. instead of a study hall, idle hands and all."
Chastity laughed as they entered their homeroom. "Classical dancer?"
"Ballroom dance. Another thing I did at the insistance of my mother." Niles offered.
"You can't handle a little 'jazz hands?" Chastity did a little jazz hand shake making him laugh. "What's the rest of your schedule like?"
"After Home Ec. I have English, American History, Shop and finally Gym." Niles rolled his eyes again. "I figured if I'm going to get sweaty it's better at the end of the day then the beginning."
Chastity smiled at him. "Fran and I have almost the same schedule. At least after Show Choir, Fran can walk you to the Home Ec. room…in case you didn't guess; she's not much of a singer." They shared a laugh as the teacher started taking roll.
The homeroom bell rang releasing hundreds of teenagers into the halls of Andrew Jackson High School. "Fran!" Chastity called across the hall to the room she knew her friend would be popping out of at any minute.
"Shouldn't we have gotten locker assignments or something?" Niles asked.
Fran joined Niles and Chastity in the center of the senior wing. "Niles," Fran started. "We'll show you and Max the best lockers after gym. That way you'll have all your junk…books from the day." Fran grabbed his arm and Chastity's. Niles looked at her oddly. "Trust me; this is the only way the three of us will get down the hall together to pick up Max."
When they reached Max's homeroom, Chastity grabbed his arm and the foursome continued, locked together and laughing at the sight of themselves, out of the senior wing and into the main hall where the student body thinned out a bit and they released arms. "Well, Fran. Where do we go now?" Max asked.
"Chas…you and Max both have Show Choir and me and Niles have Home Ec. So, we'll meet you in Mrs. Stanley's room for English. 'K?" Fran was definitely a leader of sorts.
Chastity smiled at Fran. "Okay, Frannie. Take good care of Faunty for me." Chastity winked at Niles before she even realized it and left Fran standing in near shock at her friend's new found confidence and bravado.
"Well, have I got a few questions for you." Fran took his arm and they headed up the hall to the Home Economics room.
Niles raised his eyebrow. "Fire away, Fran."
"Well, first of all who is that girl and what did you do with my best friend?" Fran waited and admired the genuine smile she received from him. "And secondly, why is she callin' you Faunty?"
Niles laughed. "I suppose the 'Faunty' bit is due in large part to the accent and my habit of calling everyone Sir, or Ma'am; like 'Little Lord Fauntleroy'. Chastity called me that after my audition for Mr. Eastman." Niles stopped when he realized they were in front of the room marked 'Home Economics' and allowed Fran to enter before him.
"Ooooohhh…you sang for Mr. Eastman?" Niles nodded. "What'd he say?"
Niles wrinkled his brow remembering. In his best 'American Mr. Eastman impersonation Niles said, "Well, Niles…I think it goes without saying that was quite good."
"Wow! Are you serious?" Niles nodded confused. "That's a huge deal comin' from Mr. Eastman, Niles. I haven't heard him be so flattering since Chas had the lead in 'Oklahoma' last year."
Fran started to go in the room. "So…now tell me what you did to Chastity?" Niles smiled and followed Fran into the room.
Chastity and Max walked at an easy pace back to the music room where they would have Show Choir together. After hearing Niles' sing, she couldn't wait to hear Max sing. She didn't know if she wanted him to be better or worse than Niles. Or why it mattered to her either way.
They stepped into the large room and Chastity introduced Max to Mr. Eastman. "Max, this is Mr. Eastman the music teacher. Mr. Eastman, this is Maxwell Sheffield, he's a friend of Niles' from England."
"Well, Chastity, it would seem you're the good will ambassador for the day, eh?" Mr. Eastman grinned at her. "Start warming up and I'll see what this boy from England has to offer us. Max do you have a song or anything prepared?"
Max looked a little sheepishly at Mr. Eastman, and stepped closer to him. "I'm not the singer that Niles' is Mr. Eastman. But I'm familiar with a lot of musicals, is there something you'd like to hear?"
Mr. Eastman sized up Max as he'd done with Niles. "A lot of musicals you say?" Max nodded. "Alright, Max, how about you sing a little of 'Yesterday I Loved You." Mr. Eastman started playing the song from 'Once Upon A Mattress' expecting Max to stop him and ask for the music or something.
Max's voice while not as strong or rich as Niles' voice was still good and handled the piece well enough.
"Yesterday I loved you as never before,
but please don't think me strange,
I've undergone a change
and today I love you even more!
My heart cannot be trusted,
I give you fair warning:
I openly confess tonight I love you less
than I will tomorrow morning!"
"Ok, Max, very nice go stand with the guys, they'll show you what to do for your warm up." Mr. Eastman offered a smile to Max and he did as instructed.
Fran and Niles were waiting for Chastity and Max outside of Mrs. Stanley's fourth period English. "I wonda what's takin' them so long." Fran kept checking the opening of the wing where it met the main hall that Max and Chastity would be coming down from the music room.
"Are you worried, Fran?" Niles chided his new friend.
Fran looked at him sideways. "And what do I have to be worried about, Niles?"
"That Max will fancy Chastity more than he already fancies you?" Niles dropped smugly.
Fran rolled her eyes. "No offense, 'Faunty'," Fran started kidding him. "But I think it's you that's worried. I've known Chastity since our first day freshman year and I have never had to worry about her stealin' a boy from me. Because she wouldn't, she values my friendship more than any boyfriend." Just then Max and Chastity rounded the corner from the main hall and headed up the hallway to their English class. Chastity had Max's arm and he was obviously carrying her books. They were laughing and smiling.
"Really?" Niles nodded in their direction.
Fran just stood in shock and looked at the pair as they approached them. "Well, I never woulda thought…"
"Hey, Frannie, did you and Niles have fun in Home Ec.?" Chastity released Max's arm and took her books from him.
Fran looked from Chastity to Max and back to Chastity. "Well not as much as you two I guess." Fran turned and went into the class room followed closely by Max.
"What's the matter with her?" Chastity asked the grinning Niles.
Niles took Chastity's books. "Tell me, Chas…are you…interested in Max?"
"What?" Chastity was suddenly feeling very shy. "Why do you ask, Faunty? Jealous?" Chastity found herself flirting with him again.
Niles smirked. "Maybe…but not as much as Fran." Niles stepped aside so Chastity could enter the room and they took their place in the desks that Fran and Max had save behind them.