"Shawn. You're not going to mess this one up, are you?" It was Celeste. She normally wouldn't really be awake at this time of the day, but she had to win this. The Glee Club actually had pull at this school. She was already a cheerleader, but being the lead singer in the club certainly wouldn't damage her image. He gave her a disbelieving look. "Please. I'm a professional. I don't make mistakes." "That's nice, considering you were probably one yourself," she was mumbling to herself. She really had to stop doing that. Crazy people are rarely popular, but popular people were allowed to be crazy. All the same. "What was that?" He was looking at her again. "What?" She gave him his best 'it wasn't me sir' look, hoping he would fall for it. The kid might have annoyed her to no end, with his endless 'slight adjustments' and 'one more times', but he could actually sing. He grinned at her. "Perfect. Right, if we run this one more time before-"
He never finished his sentence, which was just as well, because Celeste's temper had started to fray. It was Skyler, her fingers glued to the latest smart phone. "Oh. How cute. You two are so eager to please the beast that you've actually bothered to dress in this year's clothing, Celeste! I'm so proud of you." "Shove it, Sky. Wasn't it you who asked me where I found the latest clothing?" Skyler flushed. "Why. I thought you were smart enough to know sarcasm when you heard it, Celeste!" Celeste growled at the other, ready to jump at her. "I wonder if you're smart enough to feel my fist when it connects with you face, Sky." Shawn grabbed Celeste, pinning her arms to her sides as best he could. The situation would have been bad, had the Doctor not chosen that exact moment to arrive. "I trust you have your song ready, Thing one and two?" Celeste shook Shawn off, shooting Skyler a dirty look before giving the Doctor her sweetest smile. "Naturally. Now, I, that is, we, have selected to sing a song we find very…" She searched for a word.
"Yes. Very emotional. You were complaining that none of the other students' were quite in touch with the emotions and feelings in their song. We picked a song we felt would best describe emotions of a teenager, to best convey-" The Doctor waved her hand at him. "Already bored. If you're smart, you'll start singing now, before I fall asleep listening to the drone of your voice." Shawn flushed a rather unpleasant colour, as Celeste once again shot the Doctor a sunny smile. "I am Celeste, and this is Shawn, and we will be singing 'Untitled' by Simple Plan." She motioned to Russell, who had stolen her father's violin, and to Natty. Using Shawn's connection to them, she had managed to procure a backing band of sorts.
"I open my eyes." Celeste closed her eyes, sighing as the music washed over her. She tried to think of all the bad memories in her life, all the hurt, all the petty insults and back stabbings. It made the words come easier.
"I try to see, but I'm blinded by the white light." She missed childhood. The sweet smiles of the others, when she knew who and what she was; and what she liked. She opened her eyes, surprised, as a light hand rested itself on her shoulder. It was Shawn, and he was frowning lightly, as if trying to search for the mood he could not quite feel.
"I can't remember how." He wondered if Celeste knew exactly how pretty she was. Objectively, naturally. She was a Plastic, a cheerleader. Somebody you couldn't trust, even if they begged you to.
"I can't remember why." Why was he looking at her like that? She didn't understand. She didn't want to understand. She hadn't seen that look before, and she didn't quite like it. It unsettled her, made her think that he actually cared about somebody. It was ridiculous. Shawn didn't make friends with humans. Humans' weren't perfect.
"I'm lying here tonight." Their voices both reached out, connecting in the dark, in the silence of the dawn filled choir room. She was a cheerleader, she would lie. He was a perfectionist, he needed regulation. They couldn't be friends.
The song continued, full of doubt, and unadulterated teenage confusion. It was something you could touch, something you could taste. Something you would never forget, no matter how hard you tried. It was everything teenaged, placed in words, the light touch of a shoulder. The song finished with a slight dance. One of the other choir members, probably Skyler, had picked up an electric guitar, and as noise slowly pushed the uncertainty from the room, they began a light two step around the room. The music faded after a while, and they were left, staring at one another; the confusion remained in Celeste's eyes, whilst the fear was still present in Shawn's. Louis grinned again, and began to clap. Elle laughed, and joined in on the applause. Natty quietly shut the piano lid, and smirking as if she knew something about the song the others didn't, too began to clap. Soon the room was filled with the sound of clapping hands. The only one left still was Skyler, who was glaring at Celeste with nothing but the deepest jealousy. She wasn't that good, really. She just had a better partner. And time to prepare. "That's not fair." The Doctor turned around, an eyebrow raised. "Talent never is. They have it, clearly. I have yet to see you prove yours. If you two continue you with such wonderful songs, I believe we might have our ballad performers for sectionals. Naturally, the song will be a better choice, and the dancing will have been polished, but you have more potential than the other children at this point. You didn't completely bore me. Congratulations." Shawn smiled. Whilst he had stumbled, stepped on Celeste's feet a few times, he had received the Doctor's approval. Celeste was frowning slightly. There was something wrong with this, but she couldn't put her finger on it. It wasn't that she was uncomfortable. It was the fact that she didn't feel uncomfortable. The fact that she felt nothing. She let go of him, and went back to her spot on the risers. She was still trying to put her finger on what was wrong when the bell rung, a good half hour later.
Cheerleading tryouts. In a school such as Mt. Caramel, it was these sorts of affairs that could make or break your high school career. The cheerleaders would be able to have their pick of almost any 'worthy' guy, have the perfect dress, have the best lockers, and have the best underclassmen or nerds to do their homework. There were two top contenders for the lead part in the high school charade. The first of which was Skyler, athletic, with a slim figure and blonde hair that fell in slight waves to her shoulder. She was without a doubt, beautiful. She was also undoubtedly a bitch, and worse yet, a bitch without a cause. She had transferred from a smaller private school last year, after cheerleading season was over; and assumed that she would remain being the head-cheerleader, that she would get the quarterback, and all the attention. That role was sadly taken from her by Leanne; last year's captain and worse yet, a freshman. Skyler was bitter still, and would do anything to get the role; save actual physical injury. Skyler wasn't crazy, and whilst she was strong, Leanne was a good inch taller, and with quite a bit of muscle behind her punch. The title would be one of theirs; if one of the underdogs did not receive it. Stranger things had happened as of late.
"Yo. Bitch. You ready to gets your cheer on?" Celeste tilted her head, looking at Mary as if she'd started speaking French. Mary giggled. "Celeste? You alive. We're at cheer tryouts. You need to be conscious to have a chance to make it on the squad. Not that I mind. That hunk might get in then." Mary flicked her head towards a rather muscle-y and attractive feature. "He's trying out. Something about his sister's wishes, and the fact that she broke her legs. Also, he's apparently not into women." She shrugged. Celeste frowned at her friend. "Doesn't that make you not his type?" Mary gave her friend a look. "So? That's never stopped us before. What's up with you today, Cele? You'd normally get my hint. Who's the she-male in the monkey suit?" The Doctor had just walked into the gym, her nose wrinkling up slightly at the permanent smell, the wooden floors. "That's Dr. Frey. She runs the Glee Club. You know, I told you. Forced to do it, on the account that I'm only the most-" "The most amazing singer. You've told me. But what's she doing here? She's talking to the coach." Mary casually honed her sights, strutting a little closer. "Celeste! Come here. Listen."
"This is cheer tryouts! Vocals have no place on the cheering field." The Doctor was clearly not impressed with this reasoning "You foolish woman! Do you realize how much of your cheer money comes from the past wins the Glee Club has procured? Your cheerleaders shout instructions to one another. They flip. Good lungs and a strong voice are vital." The coach completely ignored the rest, rather focusing on the front bit. "I've seen the figures, but-" "Exactly. So, if you will." The Doctor grabbed the microphone from the Coach's hand, raising it to her mouth with another distaining look. "Attention, all cheerleader hopefuls. If you cannot sing, you might as well not bother, but for all of you who can, it is required this year for the cheer captain. If you cannot sing, you may go to try out with Coach Kieller as normal, on the west side of the gym. If you can sing, you will report to me." Celeste was already making her way to the Doctor when she shook her head. "You need to lead the Call-back kids." Celeste looked at her. "The what?" "The glee club. Its name is no longer Vocal Adrenaline. It is the Callback kids. It suits your situation much better, as you will be winning after a year of 'silence'. As one of the two team captains, it would be unwise for you to head the cheer squad as well." "But you just said-" "We need more back up singers, you idiotic girl. Now go, try out with the rest of the tumblers and tricksters." Celeste sighed, realizing that argument at this point would be unwise. She smiled at Mary. "Don't let those bitches beat you. Your voice is almost as amazing as mine. You go get that position. Or else." Mary nodded. "Uh. Duh?"
There was laughter from behind. "Her? Don't make me laugh." It was Leanne. "Let's see you do better." Celeste grinned, as she walked off. Mary would have fun with this on her own. "I don't know why you three are even bothering. We all know I have-" "No." The Doctor was looking at Skyler, shaking her head. "I have heard your voice. Whilst it is good, you aren't what they need as a leader. You will go to audition with Thing one." "But-" The Doctor matched Skyler's glare with a cool disinterest. "One more word, and I will disqualify you from the Cheerleaders, and the Glee club." Skyler spun on her foot, storming off to join the rest of the girls. "D-doctor?" The Doctor looked down, with cool surprise. "Yes, child? What do you want?" "If we can sing, but don't want to be the cheer captain, will we still have to audition with you?" The Doctor nodded. "I don't give a damn about the cheer squad. What I want is singers. What's your name, child?" Russell smiled slightly at the Doctor. "Russell. I can sing Alice by Avril Lavigne now, if you'd like." The Doctor nodded. "Very well." Leanne and Mary were sizing each other up with practiced eyes. "Oh. Hell no. You're going to be way too easy to beat." Mary winked one green eye at her. "All though, you could probably make a guy happier faster than I could. After all, you've had so much practice."
Leanne took a step towards Mary. "And what the hell does that mean, Bitch?" "Exactly what it sounds like. You're much more interested than getting it on than getting somewhere." "Says the slut of the year." "Hey. I might do it quite a bit, but at least there's protection. And I have other plan in life. Sex is just fun. And it helps me keep my figure. Something it hasn't helped you with at all." "Are you calling me Fat?" Mary shrugged. "You can figure that one out without me. You're a big girl."
Leanne took a step forward, but was interrupted by the Doctor. " Mary Fields. What will you be singing?" Mary smirked at Leanne. "I'd love to beat your ass into the ground, but I have to go perform. Catch you later, if you survive the embarrassment you're about to feel." She spun lightly on the balls of her feet, strutting towards the Doctor. "I'll be singing the Drumming song by Florence + the Machine." She was about to start when she noticed Celeste was giving her the thumbs up from the bleachers. She winked again, and half shouted. "This one's for you." Celeste giggled. Her best friend really was awesome." Mary got into the starting position. She wouldn't just sing this, she would perform it.
"There's a drumming noise inside my head, that starts when you're around." She glanced for the slightest second at Celeste before she began to move her body to the beating of bleachers. She had obviously texted the drumline when she'd heard the announcement. Percussionists really knew how to bang, and they'd always return the favor.
"I swear that you could hear it, it makes such an all mighty sound." One more glance at Celeste. She really shouldn't, but she couldn't help herself. This would be her last, however, before the music consumed her heart and mind, her body moving, the sway of hips to the beat of the feet, the drumming noise. It never stopped. She lost herself in the words, and barely heard herself finish the lyrics.
"Louder than Sirens." That was her heartbeat. "Louder than bells." She swore she heard Celeste's voice join hers. "Sweeter than heaven." One touch, that's all it would take. One sweet touch. "And hotter than hell." She held the last note, her head raising up high, to the sky. She snapped her neck down, and finished in a small ball on the floor. She held the position for a second or two, before jumping up.
"So, watcha think?" She directed the question at the Doctor, though her eyes were on Celeste again. "It had life. I think we've found a cheer captain." Leanne sneered. "But, Doctor, what about me?" The Doctor examined her. "If you think you can follow that act, be my guest." Leanne swallowed, but nodded, smirking. "Drum boys, you're not going to leave yet, are you? I was about to sing S and M, and I know you know it, so I thought you could help me out." Mary sighed dramatically. "Always using my sloppy seconds, aren't you?" Leanne face turned ugly, but she let that one slide. She could always put Mary back in her place, once she'd won the cheer captain position. "See you when you lift me on your back." "Oh, honey, I could never do that. You're too heavy for little old me, I might drop you." Leanne spun around, her back to Mary, one hip popped. A crowd that had gathered to watch Mary now stood, watching. Leanne grinned. This was just her scene.
"Hey, na-na-na-na cummon'." Every boy's eye in the room would soon her on her.
"Hey na-na-na-na cummon' cummon' cummon'." They would be as puppets on her string. So easy to control. Powerless under the spell of estrogen.
"It feels so good being bad." Some of the girls had fallen under her power, too. She could just hear the heavy breathing, see the sweat starting to drip.
She made it halfway through before the Doctor yelled. "That was incredibly crude, and there was no talent in it. Just lust. I will see you at Glee club tomorrow afternoon, as we might be able to salvage your voice. You! The Latina one. The position is yours."
Unless one of the underdogs got it. Nobody had expected it to be Mary. She was Celeste's best friend, the perfect second in command. But Celeste was smiling. She grabbed Mary, squeezing the air out of her lungs. "You've made me proud." Mary began to laugh, and hugged back. In the background, Leanne and Skyler locked eyes. They hated each other, but they needed the power more. They needed to find something to destroy the new Queens.