Big break

"Claudine, Lauren, Jez, can I see you for a minute." Mr Nugent said stepping out of his office as the three friends walked past. The nodded and followed him in, Jez shutting the door hind them. "Sit down he" he said gesturing to three empty chairs. He sat down in his own chair and leaned forward. "Now, as you know, the end of school performance is in three days and I have some big news. A producer from Leopard Records contacted us saying they would like to offer one of our second year students a one million dollar recording contract. They have asked to see three of our best students and myself, Anna and Eric have chosen you three…"

"Why?" Jez interrupted.

"Because we feel not only have you three improved immensely this year, we also feel you three are some of the most committed students. Anyway, as I was saying, we have chosen to compete for the record contract and the producer will announce who it is going to at the end of the performance. So good luck to all three of you, work hard, try your best and don't loose your nerve! Remember, this could be your big break!" Jez, Lauren and Claudine nodded their heads and made their way out of Mr Nugent's office.

"Oh my god!" Lauren said as the door shut sitting down on a near by chair. She clutched her head and looked up at Jez and Claudine "Oh my god!" she repeated weakly this time.

"What's wrong Lauren?" Jez said worriedly as he sat down next to her.

"One… one of us could be getting a… a recording contract! It's going to change like… everything! Oh my god!!" the other two nodded and Jez gave her a hug reassuring her that she'd be ok. She finally stood up and the three went to find the others to tell them the news.

The school canteen

"Oh my god!! That's brilliant!!" Lola said jumping up and hugging Lauren, then Claudine and finally Jez.

"That's amazing bro!" BB said grinning at Jez. They were all (bar Ronnie of course) sitting around a table in the Britannia High canteen talking and joking. Danny was more quiet than usual, barely saying a word to any one, just sitting and staring at a blank wall.

"You all right mate?" BB said finally noticing Danny's silence.

"No. I'm not. I miss Ronnie. I miss my baby. I miss my baby boy. I miss my baby boy Brendon!!" he said bursting into tears as he said it. Jez slid an arm around him and gave him a comforting glance. Lola gave him a squeeze around his middle and he smiled wiping a tear from under his eye. But this smile did not last long and he was soon crying again.

"Look, Danny babe, if you miss Ronnie and Brendon that much just go home!!" Claudine said. Danny gave her a oh-my-god-I-can't-believe-I-didn't-think-of-that look and suddenly stood up rushing out of the canteen grabbing his bag as he went. "Aww! He's so sweet!" Claudine said taking a French fry from Jez's plate.

"Hey!" Jez said playfully slapping her hand away "Eat your own fries! Gosh!" he smiled at Claudine and she blushed and giggled. Popping the fry into her mouth then sticking her tongue out at Jez. BB gave them both a suspicious look. Jez and Claudine continued to talk between them selves for the rest of lunch. Lola, BB and Lauren talked quietly, sharing ideas as to why the two were so close. Lola and Lauren both believed that the two were dating but BB was dead set against the idea.

"No they aren't!" He said incredulously "He's gay for heavens sake!"

"Well he went out with Lauren didn't he?" Lola said and Lauren nodded.

"Yeah but everyone knows he fancies that Jonas guy. Anyway he said to me that he just didn't feel right dating you Lauren!" BB said taking a quick glance at Jez and Claudine to make sure they weren't listening.

"I think we should ask him" Lauren said

"No. It's his life we should stay out of it!" BB said starting to get a little annoyed.

"But…" Lola started.

"No buts! Stay. Out. Of. It. Both of you!!!" BB got up and tapped Jez on the shoulder. "Come on mate. We need to work on our routine." Jez whispered something to Claudine who laughed and nodded. Waving good bye the two walked out of the canteen.

"So." Lola said getting up and sitting in the seat next to Claudine. "What were you two talking about?"

"Oh well, nothing much really…" she said trailing of. Lauren raised her eyebrows at Claudine who began to tell the two other girls about what Jez had been saying. "Well I told him how I felt at the hospital and he was just explaining that even though he went out with you Lauren he wouldn't go back to girls because it just didn't feel right. That killed it really did! I love him so much! But he made me realise that nothing could ever happen and that I have to move on. Once we'd cleared that up we were just gossiping and such. Did you know that that girl over there is having an affair with him" she said pointing to two people over the other side of then canteen. Lauren rolled her eyes and shook her head at Claudine.

"You have not changed at all you know that!?"

"Come on you two." Claudine said getting up "We have a routine to go through as well and we have to get it perfect. I need that recording contract!" she flounced out of the canteen followed by Lola and Lauren. They spent the rest of lunch working through their routines. Claudine and Lola spun and jumped and did various other fancy dance steps, Lauren tried her best but her nerves were getting the better of her. She couldn't stop thinking about the final performance and with this wait on her mind she couldn't dance properly and this just made her more nervous. Finally it got to much and she stormed into the girls bathroom. She stood with her head against the wall, crying hysterically. After a while she calmed down and was intending to go back to the dance studio to try again but before she could get to the door she collapsed to the ground.