CB tempts fate at the talent show.

~.~

For the remainder of the day, CB went about his usual Saturday routine. He ate Cookie Crisp cereal with milk for breakfast. He shaved. He watched his favorite Saturday morning cartoons. He went for a ride on his unicycle in the park. He even offered to walk his elderly neighbor's dog, though the tiny Yorkshire terrier had never really taken a liking to him. He did every activity he could remember doing from that fateful day, hoping that he wouldn't ruin his chances with Lainey later that evening by setting off another chain of events.

As the time for the talent show rapidly approached, CB donned his light yellow oxford shirt and a red tie decorated with little cartoon musicians and rolled up the bottom of his sleeves. He pulled on his jeans and belt, giving himself one last glance in the mirror before taking a deep breath. He mentally prepared himself for the night ahead, going over the details of his strategy for how he would approach the moment with Lainey after the talent show.

CB would park outside the rear of the building and ask Lainey out on a date prior to them leaving the auditorium. That way, they could exit the building out the back way instead of the front to avoid running into Barry. It was a simple plan, but one sure to bring about the results he desired.

CB was so confident in his plan that he swaggered out to his Jetta and sang along to the radio the entire car ride to the talent show - even to that horrendous "Tubthumping" song, which had become increasingly impossible to rid out of one's head.

As the night went on, CB quickly remembered something else about that evening that he'd forgotten - the absolute torture he had to face sitting through eleven acts of middle and high schoolers performing whatever talents they thought they possessed. However, he didn't let it faze him; he happily smiled and applauded Philip Streiger's rendition of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" on his out-of-tune violin as well as Jeff Ryan's Irish dance routine. No matter how terrible the students sounded or performed, he knew that once Anna McCormack was finished singing Alanis Morissette's "Ironic," his plan would soon be put into action. Luckily, he'd managed to avoid Susan Cinoman and whatever devious scheme she had up her sleeve - for now at least.

The time had finally come for Anna to perform her song, and as she walked anxiously out to the microphone on stage, CB glanced around the auditorium, looking for Lainey. He knew that she was about to appear and surprise her student with the encouragement she so desperately needed, but he didn't see her anywhere amongst the crowd. He then gave Anna an enthusiastic two-thumbs up, waiting with bated breath to see if everything would pan out the same as it did one year prior.

"An old man turned ninety-eight…" Anna began, somewhat uneasily, strumming her guitar.

"Louder!" Ronnie Mund rudely yelled from the audience, and CB scoffed at him, turning back to Anna as she continued.

"It's a black fly in your Chardonnay…" she barely squeaked out, obviously shaken by Ronnie's outburst.

"It's a death row pardon two minutes too late," Lainey sang softly as she walked out in front of the audience and knelt in front of Anna.

CB's heart fluttered as his eyes fell upon Lainey. Well, all he could see was the back of her head, her long blond locks flowing down her back, but the sight of her nearly took his breath away. He sighed and smiled at her, more proud of her than ever; he could even smell the familiar scent of her floral perfume wafting toward him.

"Bring it home, baby," Lainey finally said, watching her student belt out the rest of the lyrics with renewed confidence.

Lainey glanced back at CB and smiled, and he returned her gaze, the smile growing wider across his face. His heart almost leapt out of his chest; she was just as beautiful as he remembered.

As Anna continued to sing, Lainey took her place beside him, and CB knew it was time for him to start up the conversation they'd had that night.

Taking a deep breath, he turned to her.

"What happened to your gig?"

"Turns out I already got one. God help me," she answered, looking over at him.

"It's nice to see you showed up for Anna."

"And for you, dummy…" Oh, how he loved it when she called him that. He'd come to regard it as a term of endearment. "I just didn't want you thinking I don't want to be a teacher even though I'm shockingly good at it."

"Isn't it ironic?"

"I'm not sure anymore," Lainey admitted.

"Me neither."

Then, they shared a look. THE look. The look that had sent his heart sailing over the moon one year ago. The look after which he knew he'd never be the same again. It was just as magical as the first time.

CB smiled at her and then turned back to watch the remainder of Anna's performance. He and Lainey both sang along to the tune, and he didn't think he could ever be more elated in his life. He finally had his chance to set things on the right path, to finally be with Lainey, the woman he loved with all his heart and soul.

~.~

After the talent show came to a close, CB waited for Lainey to congratulate Anna on a spectacular performance, just as he had before. He watched as she hugged her student and said goodbye before finally walking toward him.

"Well, goodnight, CB," Lainey said, adjusting her shoulder bag. "Thanks for being a great friend this week."

"No worries," he replied.

This was it - his chance to ask her out before they headed outside. He gathered up his courage.

"I'll see you tomorrow… unless you wanna grab that cup of coffee."

He cursed himself for saying "tomorrow" since the next day was Sunday. However, he'd said it a year ago and he didn't want to screw anything up by saying something different.

"It's ten at night, dude," she answered, and everything seemed to be flowing perfectly just as he remembered.

"Right," CB answered, giving her a solemn look.

"Hello, let's go drink, dummy." She rolled her eyes.

"Yes! Better!" He exclaimed, and she grinned at his enthusiasm, turning to head toward the main entrance.

"Hey, why don't we head out the back?" CB ran in front of her, holding out his arms to block her path. "My car's parked out that way… you know, in case you wanted to ride to the bar together."

"Sure," Lainey said with a surprised look on her face, but then smiled. "Yeah, that's actually perfect. My car's low on gas anyway. I spent an hour driving circles around the school trying to decide whether to go in or haul ass back to the TLA tonight."

CB chuckled as they walked toward the rear entrance of the auditorium.

"I think you made the right choice in the end," he said, the irony of his words not lost on him.

"I think so too." Lainey smiled shyly at him, and CB forgot to breathe, feeling almost lightheaded.

Had she actually liked him in that way a year ago? Did Barry showing up that night only distract her from feeling something deeply for CB? He couldn't be sure, but desperately wanted to find out if his theory was correct.

They walked in silence the rest of the way to his Jetta, and as CB opened the car door for her, his eyes darted around his surroundings. No sign of Barry or that obnoxiously-large station wagon in sight.

CB sighed and, despite his contentment, felt a pang tearing through his heart.

He hoped with all he had within him that he had made the right choice as well.

~.~

I've always thought that Lainey had some sort of feelings for CB that night, judging from her actions, but quickly forgot about them when Barry showed up. I still hate the fact that she never followed up with CB after that night. Clearly, he was a choice then and she just completely shut him out. Anyway, hope you liked this chapter and what do you think will happen at the bar? ~ Dazzy xxoo