"You know, I could see myself doing this, if I didn't get on glee." Ollie comments as the group make their way into their dressing rooms, a collective buzz bouncing off the walls. This was their work, their idea, their vision, and it felt good to see it all coming together.
"What?" Jack asked as he walked a little behind him.
"Directing, writing, being in control, I love it" Ollie admits, shrugging his shoulders as they walk through the entrance, swarming around the various coat hangers which specified who's costume was who's.
"I love this!" Jaia squeals, holding the hanger up to her body and checking herself out in the mirror.
"I'm guessing you think redand grey might be my colours" West jokes sarcastically, slipping a red flannel shirt over his shirt and adjusting the sleeves.
"Right, once you're changed, come out here and we'll do your make up," Penny announces, and everyone does as they're told and closes their cubicle doors, trying to think up something to make this video really special.
"Lights, camera, action!" West shouted from his directors chair, before Ace pressed 'play' on the camera he was carrying. The track began and the group got into their positions, and the party began.
"So how are we going to do this?" Ollie asks the two boys on either side of her, as they're huddled around the camera, instructions and sheets of paper sprawled out in front of them. West pinches the bridge of his nose as he thinks, glancing around the room cluelessly for inspiration. Chesney's head lent on his elbow, his eyes staring at the ceiling. Ollie paces back and forth, rubbing his palms together. Suddenly, Chesney's eyes light up and she leapt to her feet, grabbing the camera.
"We could do it almost like 1D's one way or another video, or How we do (party) in Rita Ora's vid. So we'd be filming it ourselves, which will make it more real. Handheld, moving it around and turning it, which'll look great on Jack's 'spinning round' bit, cause he can turn the camera to face him. We'd be switching it round and most people would get a hold of the camera at some point, I think that'd be more effective than putting it on a stand or tripod." As Chesney gushes, the boys nod. Just... the passion in her voice, the drive, it's inspiring and fresh.
"I think we have ourselves a lead cameramen, or should I say women!" Ace announces, clapping Chesney on the back. A smile spreads across Chesney's face. The only way to describe it is: Being a part of something special makes you feel special.
"I'm sorry!" West apologises as the camera hits the floor and bounces onto it's side. The music cuts out and Pierce sighs, picking up the camera before handing it back to West. West wipes the sweat from his neck, brow furrowed and tears forming in his eyes. No. I won't cry. I CAN'T cry.
"Uh... how about we take five, West, I'll touch up your make-up" Cindy insists, outstretching a hand.
"Cc, are you-" Penny starts, jumping to her feet and trying to catch up with the pair.
"I got this, don't worry." Cindy reassures her, linking arms with West and leading him into the dressing room. She directs him to his make-up chair and he slouches down into it, putting his head in his hands. West then lifts his head up and his hands run down his face, stretching out the creases of frustration.
"I can't believe this, I'm messing up so bad." West groans, speaking more to himself than Cindy, who is trying to get a grip of the different make up palletes.
"So am I, we can be fools together." She jokes, trying to sound calm and composed, but West distinguishes the shake in her voice.
"Hey," West says, his voice soft with affection. Cindy looks down at his hand which is lying on hers and she pulls it away to grab a make up brush. "You know you're better than everyone else out there." He countinues, calling to her. Cindy chuckles quietly, shaking her head.
"No I'm not, not compared to Jack or Jaia or Ollie or Pierce or anyone, as a matter of fact." Cindy replies, leaning over West, the blusher blush stroking his cheekbones. West just pushed the brush away, standing to his feet firmly. As Cindy turned to get something else, West grabbed her arm, turning her round to face him.
"Why don't you believe that you're perfect?"
"Because there is no such thing as perfect, and I only believe in things I think are real. Like I believe that you need to get out there and kick butt." Cindy responded, shaking her hand out of his grasp, feeling her stomach leap for a mere moment. She placed her other hand where there was a slight mark where he grabbed her with such passion she felt like she would explode. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and spun round to look at him.
"You're right, I guess I'm just so used to being in the background, being a wingman. I need to stand up and be me." Cindy nodded, giving him a sweet kiss on the cheek before skipping in the direction of Emily who was calling them over to continue shooting.
"This is so interesting to watch, to see who's fufiilling their roles." Robert comments, staring at the little handheld camera they had, watching as Jack directed each person into their position.
"I think the people who have shocked me the most are Ace and Chesney. They've really stepped up their game and become more confident." Nikki remarked, and Zach, Robert and Erik murmured their agreements.
"Jack's doing a great job as the director, don't you think?" Robert directed to Erik, who nodded.
"Definitely, I think West isn't quite as... forceful though."
"We'll see, we'll see..." Zach teased mysteriously, tapping his chin and turning back to the screen to continue watching.
"Right, so what's going to happen is on your solo Cindy, you'll sing to camera which Chesney'll be holding before opening the cupboard there," West explains, gesturing to the cupboard on Cindy's right. "Where you'll find Jack and Emily will be kissing. You'll cringe and close the cupboard again." Cindy nodded, but Jack wasn't so accepting.
"West, West, West..." Jack laughs, putting an arm around West's shoulders and turning him around so their backs are to the rest of the group. "I thought we agreed that Pierce and Jaia were going to be in the closet,"
"No, no, no dear Jacky, YOU thought that's what we should do. I however, think it's about time you got a taste of your own medicine." Jack sighs, running a hand through his hair, hesitating.
"Fine. Emily," He calls, and Emily spins round to face Jack. "You, me, closet, now." Emily nods half-heartedly, crossing her arms. She feels a stab of guilt as her gaze lands on Jenna. Their eyes lock, both filled with pain, hurt and remorse.
"I'm sorry," She whispers sadly, and slips into the cupboard, Jack close behind.
"I've never been this close to a guy before," Emily comments, her back presse against one wall, Jack's lips a few centimeters away from hers.
"Huh, really?" Emily nods, her thick brown locks shaking. They wait in silence, breathing heavily, beads of sweat running down their faces. Jack faintly hears West yell 'Action!' and he feels his heart skip a beat before going into double time, pounding so much he suspects Emily can see it reaching out of his chest by the look on her face.
"Here we go," he remarked, letting out a long breath and leaning in. Their lips collide and Jack sees fireworks, as does Emily's. But somehow, something's not right, and kissing him is like stabbing Jenna at the same time, right in the heart.
"That's a wrap Mother F*****s!" Pierce bellows, and the group applaud appreciatively. The room fills with chatter as everyone changes, clambers into their cars, and makes their way back to campus, feeling very proud of themselves.
