A/N: This was fun! Sorry if the song is bad. So…second-to-last chapter. Don't worry; there's a Christmas special coming! And yes, the rival ballerina was named after the character in Ghost World. Ain't I a stinker? *chews carrot*
[Setting: PCJH auditorium...]
Edd carried Sage backstage. She was still out cold.
"Double D!" Roxie panted, running in with Tai. "Is she okay?"
"I don't know." He shook his head. "She's still unconscious."
"Oh, no...Tai, I'm going to go get the nurse! Double D, come with me!"
As they ran off, Tai looked after them. "What if I wanted to go to the nurse?" She scowled. "It's always Roxie, Roxie, Roxie! What if I want to be the leader?"
"Calm down, woman!"
She turned around. "Who said that?"
A light flashed from the sky...and standing there was Plank.
"Your story's sad to tell
A young redheaded belle
A very sad and confused unicorn
The future's so unclear now
For ones you hold so dear now
How will you ever earn your golden horn?"
"Plank..." Tai gasped, "...are you talking?" She shook her head. "I need to lay off the Pixi Stix."
"Redheaded knockout
No presidential day for you
Redheaded knockout
Trying so hard to not feel blue
Well at least you could have taken time to make sure the nurse shows up
Cause you're taking time to make sure Roxie's temper never blows up
Baby get moving
What does it mean to be alive?
They're disapproving
You can't perfect your sad hand jive
If you study hard and practice, onstage you'll look real cool
Turn in your feeble hopes and stay in middle school
Redhead knockout
Hanging around the candy store
Redheaded knockout
Roxie has left you wanting more
Well, you're very optimistic, girl
You won't think of the grim, though
But you're constantly denying facts:
All you are is a bimbo."
"Hey!"
"Baby, don't sweat it
You're not cut out to lead the crowd
But don't you bet it
All of us know you can be loud
Now your hair is curled, your plans unfurled, but still the world is cruel
Why don't you just calm down and stay in middle school?
Baby, don't blow it
Someday, the world will know your name
Trust me, I know it
The world will be changed; you'll be to blame
You're put on the spot, prepared you're not, but it can't hurt to try
Now I'll be going to that forest in the sky
Redheaded knockout
Stay in middle school
Redheaded knockout
Stay in middle school
Redheaded knockout
Stay in middle school..."
"What just happened?" Tai asked herself as Plank disappeared into the sky.
[Setting: PCJH nurse's office...]
"What brought this on?" Edd asked.
"It all started the day we first met, actually." Roxie sighed. "It was at her dance recital a long time ago..."
[Flashback: A stage at the place Sage used to live...]
Sage was hyperventilating backstage.
"My sweethearts!" The dance teacher called. "Tonight is the big night. None of you are going to do badly! If you do, don't worry. But rest assured, there will be consequences."
As the other young ballerinas worried, the teacher pulled aside Sage and another girl, Melorra Hutchinson. "My stars...do well. Don't screw up the show." She patted them on their heads, smiling brightly.
"Break a leg, Sage." Melorra hissed at her.
"Mel, I know that's good luck in theater," Sage argued, "but you don't tell dancers to break a leg! It's the last thing I want to do. But I hope you have a good dance."
"Dancers!" The dance teacher clapped. "Onstage!"
As they fell into line, Melorra whispered, "Oh, yeah? Then how about I do it for you?!"
They walked onstage, Sage tripping over her rival's extended leg, tumbling into everyone in front of her.
"Ow! My leg!" She howled. "I think I broke my leg!"
[Setting: PCJH nurse's office...]
"What happened after that?" Edd frowned. The thought of anything like that happening to Sage made him unhappy.
"The dance teacher kicked her out." Roxie sighed. "'No klutzes in my class,' she said. Then Tai and I found her crying and we took her in. The rest, as they say, is history. That's also the reason why we're here. Melorra just magically showed up to take piano lessons in the slot after her and promptly began to terrorize her."
"That's terrible."
"Huh?" Sage slowly stirred. "What's terrible?"
"Sage..." Roxie smiled warmly.
"Roxie...what are you doing here?"
"Oh, Sage, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean any of what I said!"
"I'm sorry too, Roxie. I really want you to move back in. So much that I finally told my parents."
"You told your parents?" She gasped.
"Yeah. After the play, I'm grounded for two weeks, but it's all worth it to have you guys stay! By the way, where'd you go?"
"Next to the Kankers." She groaned. "Tai will be glad to know that we're getting out of there! Oh, I'm sorry, Sage. You'll be perfect in the play."
"Thanks." She locked eyes with Edd. "Double D...what are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see if you were okay." He smiled back at her.
"You're so sweet."
"Sage...I think you're beautiful, even when you're not moving."
She laughed.
"Guys!" Tai ran in, slightly sliding on the floor. "I just had an epiphany!"
"Tai?"
"Sage? Oh, thank God, you're up!"
"And we've got some good news." Roxie grinned.