A/N: The show was AWESOME! The only messups were stuff nobody noticed (Zazu's hat fell off in 'Just Can't Wait To Be King', and adult Simba tripped over the steps for the upstage platform during curtain call), Timon had a great save when they started the Hakuna Matata track too soon, everyone told me I was great as Rafiki, I've never hugged so many people in my life, and I got to do two boys' makeup (I'm crushing on both of them) and some other people's makeup. So yeah! I LOVE performing and it was so fun and so awesome!
Rehearsal Six; SFIT Performance; The Lion King
(Hiro's POV)
The first five minutes of rehearsal were fine.
Then it all went to hell.
We started out doing the scenes we hadn't blocked yet, and blocked them. Erica coached everybody on how to move, what to say, how to say it. None of that was too bad.
Then came the dancing. Erica wanted to change a few things in 'Just Can't Wait To Be King', which meant I had to perform. I was determined to look like everything was fine, when really it wasn't. My shoulder ached steadily and I felt a little light-headed.
But I put everything I had into my dancing, fighting away the pain. A new fierceness seeped through my veins and pulsed through my performance, which was praised by Erica countless times. Nick also stopped to tell me how great I was doing, which made Tadashi literally bare his teeth like an angry tiger.
After a runthrough of the new dance, black spots were swimming into my vision and sweat was pouring down my face. I shook my head periodically, trying to clear away the blotches how I would clear away specks of dirt.
"You okay?" With Tadashi's hands on my shoulders, I felt steadier.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Could I maybe have some water or something?"
"Of course!" Tadashi started to leave to get his water bottle from the empty audience seats, but before he could, Nick stepped in front of me and handed me his own.
"Thanks." I tipped my head back and waterfalled from Nick's bottle, smiling with satisfaction as I handed it back. The black spots swam away.
Tadashi made a growling sound as Nick departed. "Why'd you drink that!?" He grabbed my upper arms. "What if he has a disease that got in the water? Or what if he poisoned it?"
"Relax, Tadashi." I blinked away the few dark spots that were left in my vision. "It's fine."
My big brother opened his mouth to say something else, but just then, Erica announced that we were going to run through the new dance once more, then we were going to run the entire hour-long adaptation. Oh boy.
"Are you gonna be alright?" Tadashi pushed away his annoyance.
"Yep. As long as I can drink water while I'm backstage." I was confident now. And, okay, maybe a little too cocky.
"Well, okay. Good luck, little brother." He brushed his hand over my hair, smoothing it back, once, then smiled and headed for the wings.
Before Erica called for the start of the number, Calliope grasped my hand at stage right. "You okay? You seemed a little off out there."
"I'm going to be okay." That one sip of water from Nick's bottle made my nausea melt away. I knew I'd be alright. I had to be.
"Just checking." Callie gave my hand a squeeze before returning her own hand to her side.
"Okay, 'Just Can't Wait To Be King' 2.0, take number eleventeen. Action!" Erica clapped both hands and hit play on the track.
"'Step lively. The sooner we get to the water hole, the sooner we can leave.'" Henry rolled his eyes, fitting for the scene.
Callie and I said our lines and began the number as we'd just learned. I gave it my all, relieved that I at least wasn't dizzy anymore. My shoulder still hurt, but the pain didn't drive me crazy anymore. The dance looked great and felt even better, and of course my singing was as surprisingly not-awful as usual.
Sweat darkened my collar and the back of my shirt by the time the song ended. I had to literally gasp for breath, determined not to pass out.
Tadashi caught up with me backstage and pressed a bottle of water to my lips, which I drank from greedily and gratefully.
"Alright, everyone! Take a five-minute break, then set for 'Circle of Life'!" Erica yelled.
Tadashi and I traded smiles. It was funny how Erica's peppiness had pretty much been replaced by a demanding, tough nature. It just meant that our show was going to be that much better.
"Good luck to you, Hiro. I am sure you will do a lovely job." Nick, coming up behind me, lay his hand on my shoulder blade and began to run it slowly down my back. The touch of his fingertips almost made me keel over and start throwing up the water I'd just drank.
Before I could slap his wrist away, someone did it for me. I turned to see my brother glaring at Nick.
"Get away from my baby brother," Tadashi snarled. Then he grabbed my arm and pulled me away.
"Why do you hate him so much?" I asked Tadashi once we were out of earshot.
"Like you don't?"
"True." I definitely did not enjoy Nick's constant harassment. His touches made me want to run away and hide somewhere where he'd never find me. Why was he so obsessed with me anyway?
"WHOLE SHOW, PEOPLE! THIS IS IT!"
Erica's yell made me jump. I hurried out onstage as if she'd chastise me for not being the first one on.
'Circle of Life' was particularly spectacular today; Gogo sang with a new confidence and strength. I almost wished I was in the audience just so I could see the performance how the people out there in those seats would on opening night.
The scene after 'Circle of Life' featured Gogo- well, Rafiki- asking the gods of a baby-naming website for a good name to call the new prince. The gods of said baby-naming website make the pitch for Simba, which Rafiki agrees with wholeheartedly. Well, that's not exactly what happened in the scene, but it's pretty much the gist.
'Grasslands Chant' happened next, and Nick and I came out onstage with ensemble. This number actually didn't fail terribly; there were no train wrecks, and neither Nick nor I forgot any one of our lines.
After that, Nick ran offstage and Daniel, flanked by Zara, Matt, and James, took his place. I skipped up to the lounging Daniel, actually spinning around once to accentuate my happy-go-lucky vibe. "'Hey, Uncle Scar, guess what?" I was putting everything I had into my performance.
"'I despise guessing games.'" Daniel rolled his eyes.
"'I'm gonna be king of Pride Rock!'"
None of us fumbled once on any of our lines. We all hurried offstage and on came the female ensemble members, Calliope, and Katherine, for 'Lioness Hunt'. Though I wasn't watching, I knew it had to be good, because all of Erica's yelling was praise.
I ran out onstage at the end for the scene where Callie and I ask Katherine (we changed it to Sarabi instead of Sarafina for the show because no one found Nala's mother necessary, apparently) if we can go to the "water hole", and she says yes, as long as "Zazu" comes along with us.
"'Step lively. The sooner we get to the water hole, the sooner we can leave.'"
Here it was again; the beginning of my solo number, that one that I'd practiced for countless hours. I gave it absolutely everything I had, knowing that I'd be allowed a long rest after 'Hakuna Matata', when I didn't have to return to the stage until 'He Lives In You'.
I was thoroughly exhausted after 'Just Can't Wait To Be King', but I tried hard not to show it. Calliope, Henry, Matt, Zara, James, and I had our scene now, where the hyenas threaten to eat the trio. Nick showed up to rescue us sooner than in the Broadway show (because we cut 'Chow Down', the song that would happen here but wasn't in our adaptation). Everyone but Nick and I left the stage. Nick and I said our lines, giving exposition to 'They Live In You', which came next. As much as Nick annoyed me, his voice was really beautiful when he sang this song.
After, we left the stage (since we'd also cut the Zazu-and-Mufasa scene that usually comes after that song) and were replaced by Daniel, Zara, Matt, James, and the ensemble for 'Be Prepared' and the scene leading up to it. The number sounded great from where I sat backstage beside Tadashi on an old costume chest. The outfits inside had to be from Fiddler On The Roof or something.
"You were great. I could see you through there." Tadashi pointed to the crack between the curtain's edge and the wall, a window through which the entire down section of the stage could be viewed.
I blushed, swinging my dangling legs. "Thank you," I whispered.
We silently watched until I had to run out for the stampede scene.
I acted terrified, saying my lines perfectly. Erica praised me loudly from the audience seats.
'The Stampede' music started, and the ensemble flooded the stage with ribbons and cloth to look like a stampede. Well, a theatrical stampede anyway.
When Nick died, I had to fight back a smile. Ha! You're dead, I thought. When Daniel- Scar- told me to run away and never return, I hurried to up center, where I started 'Hakuna Matata'. I fought away my exhaustion; I knew I'd be able to rest backstage after this.
Fred and Wasabi said their lines (while I held in inevitable laughter). When I had to say my lines, I said them with misery burning in my throat and zeal pumping through my blood.
The entire 'Hakuna Matata' number looked fantastic; everyone in the ensemble held up their "leaves" (which were made of green poster board and marker) and did the entire routine without a hitch. The Big Reveal ran smoothly and looked perfect; I scraped Tadashi's shoulder with mine as he passed me backstage, a silent way to say Good luck. He smiled at me before briefly parting the curtains enough to climb through and pop up on top of the platform.
"'It means no worries!'" my brother sang, throwing up his arms. He made his way down the platform steps, everyone fanning out to their previous positions for the rest of the song.
I watched the show with delight through the crack I could see from atop the costume chest. When I moved to where Tadashi had been sitting, I got an even better view of the stage; I could see everything except for the up section. Tadashi joined me on the chest to watch the next number, 'The Madness of King Scar'.
This one looked and sounded wonderful; Daniel was totally killing it. Zara, Matt, and James played their parts in the song perfectly, and Henry did an even better job than they, which was saying something. When Honey Lemon came onstage for her part of the song, she did a flawless job; I loved seeing this fierce side of Honey when she played her part. Playing the role of Nala allowed Honey an outlet to show everyone that she could be strong and fierce. The alternative to her normal gentle, cutesy manner was welcomed with open arms.
The hyenas, Zazu, and Scar were replaced by the ensemble for 'Shadowland', which Honey sang beautifully. The entire number looked breathtakingly lovely even from here and sounded tears-worthy. Gogo came out on stage to bless Honey, which looked amazing. That part really got me going, and I held back tears.
Tadashi went on for 'Endless Night' and the scene before it (since we were cutting the scene where Timon is stuck hanging from a branch above the river, the play jumped right to the scene where Timon, Pumbaa, and Simba are gazing up at the stars). As Honey came to the wing where I sat, I mouthed 'nice job' to her. She smiled at me, mouthing 'thank you' before joining Gogo on a nearby bench prop that must have been from a different show.
Instead of watching 'Endless Night', I squeezed my eyes shut and leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees, just listening to Tadashi's gorgeous voice. It sounded so perfect, so sheerly gorgeous, thick with emotion. Brilliant.
After 'Endless Night', Honey, Fred, and Wasabi went on for the scene where Nala and Simba are reunited and 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight'. The ensemble for this song had learned this dance over the weekend from a series of YouTube videos Erica put out and emailed them the links to, and this was actually the first time we were running the full song with ensemble input and everything. It looked fabulous, and nobody messed up too badly. There was a brief moment of panic where everyone messed up the same exact line and forgot not only the moves but also the words, and so looked totally clueless, but that wasn't too bad.
'Can You Feel The Love Tonight' came to an end, and Honey stepped up to center to join Tadashi and tell him about the destruction of the Pridelands. Their dialogue ended with Tadashi yelling at her, "LEAVE ME ALONE!", which I found totally hilarious.
Gogo skipped onstage, chanting, "WEEBANNA QUASH BANANA, WEEBANNA QUASH BANANA!" when she came upon Tadashi, she spun around, letting out a "WEEE!"
"'Creepy monkey. Will you stop following me?'" Tadashi turned his back on Gogo and took a few steps in the other direction. Gogo followed him, halting immediately when he turned around again. They continued the scene, and I didn't know if I was supposed to laugh or feel the edge that came with waiting for something big to happen.
Then, I had to go onstage for 'He Lives In You'. I joined Nick, Katherine, and Calliope on the platform, singing the background, which I actually liked a lot. It really added to the song. The entire thing was so moving and gorgeous that I had to blink back tears. No one messed up any of their lines, thank goodness.
The final scenes were all well-executed, and nobody failed too badly. I grinned, watching everything unfold. When Tadashi got up on the platform and roared to close the show, I laughed to myself, even as I was going onstage for the finale, which was 'Circle of Life (Reprise)'. It was one of my favorite moments in the whole show, when everyone came together at the end.
We ran through curtain call, and I gave a sweeping bow with Tadashi. I couldn't stop grinning. The entire show already looked amazing, and we already had it down even at rehearsal number six. And that was incredible.
Erica was applauding as she climbed the stairs to the stage and hurried over to us. "Wonderful, wonderful job, everyone!" She gathered us all in a massive group hug. "That was great! With a bit more polishing and practice, this is going to be unbelievably spectacular!"
We all put our hands in.
"We should say 'Unbelievably spectacular'," Calliope offered.
"Sounds good." Daniel nodded in agreement.
We all put our hands in and cheered "UNBELIEVABLY SPECTACULAR!"
Erica beamed at her wonderful cast of nerds. "Okay, you're all free to go. See you tomorrow."
We flooded into the audience. I gathered my stuff, sticking my script into my bag.
"Hey, Hiro!"
I looked up. Callie stood beside me, smiling, her black backpack slung over one shoulder.
"Oh, hey, Cal." I shouldered my own bag.
"You were amazing today. Who knew you could be so good?" Giggling, she gave me a little shove. I smiled, giving her a gentle push back.
"You were great too," I told her. "Nerdy girls sure know how to sing."
"Not all of them." Callie pulled her phone and headphones out of her pocket. "Want to come over after rehearsal tomorrow?"
"Sure, I'll see if I can." I smiled at her.
"Cool." She started to say something else, but was cut off by someone yelling for her from the doorway. "Mom's here. Gotta go." She waved to me as she left. I waved back, wondering where my brother was. We had to go home too.
I looked around the auditorium for five minutes and found no one but Erica.
Heading out into the now-empty lobby, I opened my mouth to call for Tadashi when I heard someone screaming from around the corner. The sound of Tadashi's name died in my throat.
Oh, no.
"Please no, please no, please no-" I repeated in a whisper over and over as I turned the corner into the dim side hallway leading off of the lobby.
Just as I feared.
Nick and Tadashi were engaged in a full-on fistfight. Blood streamed from my brother's nose and Nick had a black eye. They were screaming and yelling, a tangle of fists and sweat, oblivious to me as I stood, paralyzed. As sick as it was to watch, I couldn't stop. I'd never seen my brother look so angry, so ferocious, as he threw punch after wild punch into Nick's ribs, his chest, every part of him. They yelled profanities at each other and I knew if they kept this up they'd either be in huge trouble or get seriously hurt.
"STOP!" My piercing shriek made both boys cover their ears and glance up at me.
I hurried to get between them before they could start grappling again. "WHAT is going on here!?" I roared best I could. "Tell me. NOW."
"I was making my way to the exit, minding my own business, when Tadashi swooped in out of nowhere and assaulted me." Nick crossed both arms.
I rolled my eyes at him. My brother? Attack someone? Not a chance.
But Tadashi lowered his head, shoulders slumping. "He's not lying, Hiro. I pulled him over here and punched him. And then it blew up into a huge fight."
"You're lucky I'm not going to tell Erica. But, guys. I want to know what's been going on with you two over the past few weeks. Talk it out. Explain." I put my hands on my hips, adamant about wanting to know. I wasn't about to leave.
"It is my fault," Nick said casually, with no emotions at all. No guilt, no sadness. It made me sick, and hate for him coursed through my veins. "I want to be your big brother for the two months we are spending working on the play together. I do play the role of your father, after all. But your real big brother does not think that is such a good idea."
Tadashi nodded. "I'll always be your big brother, Hiro. He never will be." My brother's eyes snapped and he clenched both fists stiffly by his sides. "Don't ever let him."
"Tadashi, please." Nick stepped forward and placed both hands on my shoulders. "It is your choice to make, Hiro."
I yanked myself free of Nick. "Hold up just a second. WHY did you want to be my big brother?"
"I wanted to be your big brother because I think you are simply the cutest thing." It was weird to hear him say that in his monotonous voice. "I find you attractive."
I suddenly had the urge to puke. "Ugh!" I took a visible step away from Nick. "I choose Tadashi. My real big brother." I pinched Tadashi's arm with my thumb and forefinger. "This conversation isn't over yet. Don't think I forgive you." I turned then to Nick. "And you'd better stay away from me. Don't even look my way again until we have to for rehearsal. Okay?"
"You have my word." And with that, Nick took his leave.
"Hiro-" Tadashi began.
"Shut up." I didn't want to hear him explain. Not yet.
At home, I slammed our bedroom door behind us and pushed Tadashi onto my bed, not even bothering to turn the lights on. I snatched my flashlight from off my desk and lit it up right in Tadashi's face, illuminating a pained expression.
"Why would you ever think it's okay to start a random fight with someone!?" I gave him a little slap across his face, but not hard enough to seriously hurt him or cause his nosebleed to start up again.
"He was insulting me, and you, and our brotherhood!" Tadashi defended himself.
"That's no excuse to go around starting fights! Why did you even let it bother you?"
"Because I hate when people try to steal you away from me! I love you too much!"
I fell abruptly silent, shocked, my jaw set. What Tadashi had just said made my chest grow warm.
He slapped a hand over his mouth. "Did I really just say that out loud?" The sounds were muffled by his palm.
"Tadashi!" And suddenly I was crying, hiding in Tadashi's chest, while he stroked my hair and cried too. We let go of all the tension, all the pain we'd been hiding ever since the first time Tadashi shot Nick a glare.
I guess I had no choice but to forgive my big brother. Because, in the end, he loved me and I loved him very much. And we wanted what was best for each other.
Tadashi pressed his lips into the top of my head. "I love you, Hiro. Don't ever stop being my baby brother."
"I love you too, Tadashi. And don't ever stop being my big brother."
I looked up into his shining eyes and knew it was my turn to kiss him somewhere. I pecked his cheek. Then I started laughing. I didn't even know why; the whole thing just seemed so funny now, and my emotions were even more confused. Tadashi laughed too. We laughed harder and harder until we were crying again. I draped myself over Tadashi and cried myself to sleep.
A/N: So I found out the other day that we're performing the show again- twice! YAY! These two shows are for the students at my school. Also, sorry I didn't update this sooner. I had so much going on- the play, then I had a party that was more like an EVENT (so it took a LOT of preparation), and then I had three friends sleep over, and then I was overly exhausted for days, so I had like no time to write or post anything. Sorry and I hope you're not mad! I hope you guys liked this chapter! Also, I'm changing this story to rated T instead of K+, just to be safe., because of the fighting in this chapter, some language and possibly mild Hamadacest later on, and some⦠upcoming things. I hope that's okay. Thanks for sticking with me, your reviews are so sweet! Love you XOXO
