I sat in my bedroom, thinking about Sarah. No, not in that way, I mean on how to help her. I need to find someway to do something, but I'm too small and weak compared to Chase to do anything. I feel like I'm stuck in a hole and can't get out. I mean, the only things I'm good at doing are playing guitar and singing...wait. Maybe I can do something with that? I mean, the talent show is coming up, and Sarah's going to be there, I should sing a song for her! But which song? I tapped my foot, trying to think. Suddenly, the perfect song dawned on me.
"That's perfect!" I practically screamed. I picked up my phone, writing the name of the song in the notes app. My phone buzzed in my hand, meaning that I got a text. I opened up my messages and saw it was from Sans.
Sans: wanna go to Grillby's?
I quickly texted yeah and sent it. Not even a minute later, Sans teleported into my room, which still startled me.
"Cmon kid, I didn't even try to rattle your bones that time." He smirked at me, which only made me roll my eyes. "Ready to go?" I nodded and was about to grab his hand when I remembered something.
"Wait, I almost forgot something." I ran over to my desk, opening a drawer. I grabbed my wallet from the rectangular compartment, shoving it in my pocket. I closed it and walked back over to Sans.
"Alright now I'm ready." He grabbed my hand and we were teleported to the front of Grillby's, the red neon sign glowing brightly in the darkness of the night. We entered the bar/restaurant and took our usual seats at the bar, waiting for Grillby to come over to us.
"Yo, Grillbz! Can we have some burgers here?" Sans yelled over to the fire monster, who was cleaning some wine classes. Grillby nodded and walked through the door that was behind the bar, to where I presumed was the kitchen.
"So kiddo, anything going on lately?" Sans asked me, trying to start a conversation. I'm not good at starting conversations, so I'm glad he did.
"Not much, but there is the talent show tomorrow." I told him, which made is eyes widen slightly.
"You're gonna be in the talent show?" He asked, to which I nodded. "Well, I'm sure you'll knock 'em dead," Sans chuckled a little, while I tried to hold back a laugh.
"Thanks, Sans. I'm pretty confident too, I've never seen anyone else sing at my school, so I'm pretty sure I'll do good." I told him as Grillby brought our food. He was about to walk away when I stopped him.
"Hey, Grillby. Here's the money I owe you." I pulled a twenty out of my wallet and gave it to the flaming man. "Keep the change. Maybe you could put some of it on Sans' tab. We all know he's not going to pay it." I gave the short skeleton a smirk and I heard Grillby chuckle.
"Hey I'm going to!" Sans said defensively, taking a bite of his burger, downing a bottle of ketchup with it.
"Then do it then." I gave him a smug look, knowing that he wouldn't.
"I..uh, well..." Sans stuttered, making me laugh a little.
"Use some of that money on his tab, Grillbz." I told him, and he nodded. I looked back over to Sans, who was glaring at me jokingly.
"You like messing with me, don't you?" I smiled and nodded, grabbing my burger and taking a bite. "So, that talent show is tomorrow? When is it?" Sans asked me.
"At 1 o'clock I think. Why?" I was curious on why he wanted to know.
"I want to come watch you, obviously. I'm pretty sure Paps would want to see you too." Sans explained to me, which made my eyes light up with excitement. They wanted to hear me sing, willingly. It gave me the greatest feeling. I had a big smile on my face for the rest of the night.
...
Today was the day, Friday. The rest of the school day seemed to drag on for an eternity, each class feeling like it was getting longer and more boring. I was in my English class, trying not to fall asleep from the monotonous voice of the teacher. I would be more excited to sing, but if I looked too excited in class, the teacher would call on me more often. I don't like getting called on in the first place, so getting called on more would annoy me. Then, as if someone heard me, the intercom turned on.
'Will all students participating in the talent show please report to the auditorium at this time, thank you.' I sat up from my seat, picking up my stuff off the desk. Some of the kids looked at me in shock, as if they weren't expecting me to be in the talent show. I ignored them, walking out the door and heading towards the gym. Glancing at some of the clocks on the walls of the hallways, it was about 20 minutes to 1, so it was almost time for the show to start. When I reached the auditorium, I saw about 17 other kids there. I put my books down where the other kids' stuff was and walked over to the others. A woman, who looked to be in her late 40s, with short brown hair, a green sweater and black pants, walked up to me.
"Steven Durkin?" She asked me.
"Yes, that's me." I told her, and she looked at her clipboard that she was holding, looking for what I assumed was my name.
"Ah, here we are. You'll be performing last." She told me, going on to the students who were just coming in. After all of us were told when we were performing, parents started coming in, as well as students from whatever class they had. I spotted my mom and Jacob, who was with Sans and Papyrus, and Frisk and Toriel, AND two more monsters that I never saw before. Geez.
"Hey Steven!" My mom greeted me, giving me a hug, along with my brother.
"Hi guys." I greeted everyone. "Sans, I thought only you and Papyrus were coming. Not that I don't appreciate you guys coming, I'm just surprised."
"Well, I told Paps, and he told Toriel, who told Frisk, who told Undyne and Alphys." Sans explained to me, gesturing to the people behind him. A short, reptilian monster came up to me, along with a fish woman.
"Hi, I'm Steven." I introduced myself to the two monsters, holding out my hand for the fish woman to shake. She grabbed it and shook it hard, almost seeming like she would rip it off.
"So, your the little punk Sarah's been tellin' me about!" She let go of my hand, and I looked at her in shock.
"Oh, so you're Sarah's friend, she told me about you too." She gave me a toothy grin, revealing sharp, piranha-like teeth.
"Yeah, I'm Undyne, and this is Alphys!" She motioned to the small monster next to her.
"O-oh, uh h-hi." She gave a small wave to me, to which I waved back.
"Anyway, I gotta go backstage and prepare. I'll see you guys after the show." I told them. I received 'good lucks' from them all before walking over to the stage, I went backstage and found where we were supposed to sit. I sat down, trying to calm down my nerves.
"Welcome students and parents to Ebott High's Eighth Annual Talent Show!" I heard the announcer say. "We ask everyone to keep quiet during the performances, we do not want to distract the performers. Thank you." After this, kids started to go up on stage, doing their act. Some kids did magic, others danced, and one kid even was able to walk around the stage on his hands. But, I didn't see anyone singing. That gave me a bit more confidence. After a while, it was my time to go on stage.
"Alright, ladies and gentlemen. We have our final performer of the day. Give it up for Steven Durkin!" I walked out on stage, and I heard some people clapping, mostly my family and friends. I approached the microphone, adjusting it so I could use it. I scanned the crowd, spotting Sarah towards the front. She still had a black eye, which still bothered me.
"I'll be singing Face Down by the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. This is dedicated to one of my friends." I said, looking at Sarah, who had a confused look on her face. I walked to a speaker, which all the other students had used before me, and plugged my phone into it, and played the karaoke version of Face Down. (not the acoustic version, if you're wondering) I ran back to the microphone, the song starting. I nodded my head to the beat before starting.
'Hey girl you know you drive me crazy One look puts the rhythm in my hand Still I'll never understand why you hang around I see what's going down.
Cover up with make up in the mirror Tell yourself it's never gonna happen again You cry alone and then he swears he loves you.
Do you feel like a man When you push her around? Do you feel better now, as she falls to the ground? Well I'll tell you my friend, one day this world's got to end As your lies crumble down, a new life she has found.
A pebble in the water makes a ripple effect Every action in this world will bear a consequence If you wait around forever you will surely drown I see what's going down.
I see the way you go and say you're right again, Say you're right again, Heed my lecture.
Do you feel like a man When you push her around? Do you feel better now, as she falls to the ground? Well I'll tell you my friend, one day this world's got to end As your lies crumble down, a new life she has found.
Face down in the dirt She said "This doesn't hurt!" She said "I finally had enough!"
Face down in the dirt She said "This doesn't hurt!" She said "I finally had enough!"
One day she will tell you that she has had enough It's coming round again
Do you feel like a man When you push her around? Do you feel better now, as she falls to the ground? Well I'll tell you my friend, one day this world's got to end As your lies crumble down, a new life she has found.
Do you feel like a man When you push her around? Do you feel better now, as she falls to the ground? Well I'll tell you my friend, one day this world's got to end As your lies crumble down, a new life she has found.
Face down in the dirt She said "This doesn't hurt!" She said "I finally had enough!"
I took a couple breaths, exhausted from singing. I never sang the loud and powerful before, all of the anger I felt towards Chase came out of me when I sang. I looked down at Sarah, who was smiling at me, tears rolling down her cheeks. I could tell that they were happy tears. All of a sudden, the entire crowd erupted in cheers and clapping, even those who hated me before. Everyone standing up, cheering. The loudest was obviously Papyrus and Undyne, practically screaming from the back.
"I KNOW HIM! HE IS MY FRIEND!" I clearly heard Papyrus scream.
"NICE JOB PUNK!" Undyne yelled, and I gave her a smile. Sans gave me a thumbs up, and my mom and Jacob were cheering as well. Alphys, who seemed scared by the sudden noise, still smiled and cheered softly as well. I saw the announcer walk up, heading towards the microphone. I backed up to let him use it.
"Well, judging by that reaction, I proudly announce the winner of Ebott High's Eighth Annual Talent Show is Steven Durkin!" He said, and I couldn't believe it! I won! I couldn't help but jump up with joy. The announcer handed me an envelope, which I assumed had the $100 dollars the winner gets. I was so happy, happy that I finally accomplished something. Everyone still cheered for me, and after the cheers died down, I walked off the stage, only to be met by someone almost tackling me.
"Steven! That was amazing!" It was Sarah. I turned around to see her, she still had tears in her eyes. I hugged her back, smiling the whole time.
"Really? Thanks. I kinda wanted to help you, but I obviously can't take on Chase by myself. So, I sang." I said sheepishly, which made her smile.
"That's so sweet, thank you. I gotta go before Chase catches me." Sarah said, her smile faltering.
"Oh, okay. I'll see you around then, I guess." I waved goodbye and went over to my family and friends. My mom immediately ran up to me, squeezing me in a tight hug.
"Steven, you did amazing! I told you you'd do great!"
"Mom, I can't breathe!" I tried to gasp for air, which made her put me down.
"I'm sorry, I'm just so proud." She told me, starting to tear up.
"Yeah, you did great kiddo." Sans me a pat on the back.
"NYEH HEH! I SAY, THIS OCCASION DESERVES SOME OF MY EXQUISITE SPAGHETTI!" Papyrus beamed with excitement.
"That was awesome, Steven!" Jacob told me, Undyne and Alphys agreeing with him.
"Wait, Jacob, Frisk, why aren't you guys at school?" I asked the two sixth graders, who exchanged nervous looks.
"We totally didn't fake being sick to come here, if that's what you're thinking," Frisk said, nervously laughing.
"Yeah, heheh." Jacob nervously laughed as well. I rolled my eyes and ruffled Jacob's hair, much to his dismay. The group of eight said their farewell, my mom giving me another hug. I still had another hour at school, which I didn't like. Before Jacob could leave, I stopped him.
"Hey bro." I said, making him look at me. "You gonna ask Frisk out?" He immediately blushed like crazy.
"N-now? Are you sure?" Jacob stuttered, seeming unsure.
"Yeah! Just ask her if she'd want to see a movie with you sometime, and remember, be calm, and be yourself, okay?" I told him, which he nodded in response.
"Okay, got it." I smiled at him, seeing the determination in him.
"Alright, go get 'er!" I told him, and he literally flew down the hall like a rocket, catching up with the group. I let out a sigh of happiness. I sang in the talent show and won, made Sarah's day, made family and friends proud, and helped Jacob with his whole crush ordeal.
"Best. Day. Ever!"
...
~hey guys! Hope you enjoy this chapter! Now, if this chapter doesn't seem rushed, I don't know what would. I literally wrote all of this today. As always, feedback is always appreciated. Thanks!