Chapter 4- Rehersal Day 3- Unrealized attraction

Julie's POV
I love my sister to death. She is my best friend, my partner in crime and the one person I know I can count on. She tells me all the time I saved her life. I'm not sure if that is true, but I know that I had to do something because I was watching my sister fade away to nothing before my eyes. But she can be so clueless sometimes! I'm watching her and Michael perform The Way You Make Me Feel, and I can literally see her glowing. She doesn't even realize the attraction going on between them. Neither does he, or he just doesn't want to say anything. I'm not too sure about him, he really keeps to himself most of the time, except when Leigh is around. She can get anything out of him, and she doesn't even realize the effect she has on him. All she has to do is smile, and his entire mood changes. I wish sometimes I could just grab her by the shoulders and shake her. But she's gotta figure it out for herself I suppose. We have plenty of time, its only March. We're not due to leave for London until the beginning of May. She had better figure out what is going on by then, or my big sister is ditzier than I thought.

"Ok. Lets run through Billie Jean now." Michael says, sounding a bit breathless. Leigh drops to a sitting position on the edge of the stage, swinging her legs a bit as she watches us perform. I grin and put everything I have into my dancing, now that I am past the nervous stage. He smiles and hugs me as the song ends and him and Kenny start talking about I Just Can't Stop Loving You.
"Judith is still sick? Wow…She's never stayed sick for this long. Is it Bronchitus?" Michael asks and Kenny nods.
"Damn…she could be out for awhile then. Should we try to run through the song anyway?" He asks and Kenny shrugs.
"Who do we have that can sing Judith's part" This is where I make my sister's day.
"Leigh can sing it Michael" I call out and he looks back at me.
"Julz is right. Remember the first day? Leigh has an amazing voice" Michael says. I shoot a look at my sister and she is looking completely stunned.
"I…Uh….What?" She stammers and I giggle.
"You need to help Michael. Sing I just can't stop loving you with him. He needs the practice." I tell her, and she blushes brightly.
"I can't sing that!" She exclaims, her face going redder by the minute.
"Of course you can!" I tell her. She's looking down at the floor, the blush spreading beneath her pink cotton tee shirt.
"I can't sing with Michael" She mumbles. "He's amazing. I'll sound like a dying cat beside that!" She looks at me and she really does look scared.
"Leigh…I have faith in you. You can do this. You'll be amazing!" I tell her and she takes a deep breath.
"Leigh. Would you be willing to stand in for Judith?" Kenny asks. I can see her hesitating and I run over and whisper in Kenny's ear.
"Have Michael ask her. She won't tell him no!" He smiles and leans over, whispering in Michael's ear. Leigh isn't even paying any attention, she is pacing nervously.
"Leigh" Michael says softly, and Leigh's face cringes. She knows its coming, and she knows she won't be able to tell him no.
"Yeah?" She answers.
"Will you sing it with me? Please?" He asks in that soft pleading voice, and I can see her fighting with herself. She knows she can't tell him no. She sighs loudly and looks up at him, losing all resistance when she sees the pleading look in his eyes.
"Of course I will Michael" She says softly and I grin. My sister has it bad, and she doesn't even know it. How cute is that??
Leigh begins to pace across the stage, humming the song to herself and warming up her voice. I walk over and grab her hand.
"Your going to be amazing sis. You've sung the song before. Just lose yourself in it like you always do and you'll be fine" I say, pep talking her. She takes a deep breath and smiles, hugging me tightly.
"I love you Julie" She says softly.
The other dancers, Amber and Travis all line up in front of the stage, smiling in anticipation. Even Judith is down there, sucking on a cough drop and smiling at Leigh.
"Rock it out girl!" Amber calls and Leigh laughs nervously.
The music starts and Leigh bites her lip, her eyes fluttering closed when Michael starts to sing. Hearing that man sing in person is truly an experience, and one I am proud to say I have witnessed.

Each Time The Wind Blows
I Hear Your Voice So
I Call Your Name . . .
Whispers At Morning
Our Love Is Dawning
Heaven's Glad You Came . . .

You Know How I Feel
This Thing Can't Go Wrong
I'm So Proud To Say
I Love You
Your Love's Got Me High
I Long To Get By
This Time Is Forever
Love Is The Answer

Leigh takes a deep breath and starts to sing, her voice sweet and perfect as the love for the song takes over. Michael crooks his finger at her, beckoning her closer and she swallows hard at the look in his eyes and begins to walk closer to him.

I Hear Your Voice Now
You Are My Choice Now
The Love You Bring
Heaven's In My Heart
At Your Call
I Hear Harps,
And Angels Sing

You Know How I Feel
This Thing Can't Go Wrong
I Can't Live My Life
Without You

The dancers and I, along with Amber and Travis all start cheering and whistling. They sound amazing together especially when they sing the part where their voices blend. They are in perfect harmony. I've never heard something more beautiful in my life. They sing through the chorus together, Leigh throwing her own little Adlibs in there as she really gets into the song. They move on to the second verse.

At Night When The
Stars Shine
I Pray In You I'll Find
A Love So True . . .

Leigh smiles and reaches for his arm, getting into it a lot now and sings her part.

When Morning Awakes Me
Will You Come And Take Me
I'll Wait For You

He smiles at her, sliding his arms around her waist and pulling her close, pressing their foreheads together as Michael sings the next part.

You Know How I Feel
I Won't Stop Until
I Hear Your Voice Saying
"I Do"

Leigh sings out "I do" They sing the chorus together again, pulling each other close for the last part of the chorus. You would swear they were a couple, singing a love song to each other as they finish the song. Their eyes are just shining like crazy and Leigh is smiling now. They finish the song, standing close together, and smiling. I stand corrected, they both have it bad. I just wish they would figure it out already.