Chapter 26: Take me or Leave me.

19 years old

New York City.

"What is this?" Sebastian said bringing the letter from NYADA to the loft where Rachel and the others lives. The NYADA crew were watching Sebastian freak. "Who the hell is Carmen Tibideaux?"

"She's from NYADA." Rachel said. "She's the Dean of Vocal Performance and Song Interpretation."

"Okay, then what does hat have to do with me?" Sebastian demanded. "Is this a joke?"

"Come on, Sebastian." Blaine said. "It's not that bad. What does the letter say?"

Kurt opened the letter and read "Dear Mr. Smythe, We, the faculty of the New York Academy of Performing Arts, request your presence at the NYADA Auditorium..."

"Just saying this sounds a lot more like an order than a request." Sebastian noted. "It's got a date and time, and some bull that I have to go and under no circumstances should I miss this like it's some once in a life time opportunity."

"It could be." Blaine pointed out "Madam Tibideaux isn't the kind of person who'd send a personal invitation. It's even signed by her personally. That's like only one step below getting the Winter Showcase Invitation. This is a big thing, Sebastian."

"So I should just go?" Sebastian asked. "This could be some sick joke that Santana's partner put up for being stood up and out performed by an even more amazing stud who just so happens to be studying law instead of a performance arts program."

"Nice to know even with all this going on your ego is still intact." Kurt commented. "Who knows this may be your one-way ticket back to performing."

"And why would I take this one-way ticket. I already have college to think of."

"Oh please, Your breezing through Pre-Law." Blaine said.

"Ain't that the truth." Santana said causing them to look at the door. "What's this little meeting about?"

"Sebastian got an invitation from NYADA." Rachel said. "And he's thinking of blowing it."

"Why did you get an invite from NYADA?" Santana asked.

"The hell do I know?" Sebastian said. "How do I know this isn't some elaborate plan that your stupid wanna-be partner did to humiliate me after I out performed him. A Pre-Law Student doesn't need a rap sheet and you know better than I do that I'd end up fighting him."

"Calm down. It could be nothing." Santana said wrapping her arms around Sebastian. "Come on, I am hungry and I need some alone time with my boyfriend for a while."

"Cuz you miss me too much." Sebastian said with a smile.

"Yes, I did." Santana said giving him a kiss.

"Whoa. When did that happen?" Kurt asked

"Not that it's any of your business, but I'll tell you about it later." Santana said. "Me and my boyfriend are going to have an impromptu date."

"Well, her wish is my command." Sebastian said with a smile as Santana dragged him out of the apartment.

~()~

One week Later, Sebastian found himself in the NYADA Campus on his way to one of the NYADA Auditorium. He opened the door that lead him backstage where a bunch of kids were assembled.

"May we help you?" A black-haired girl asked.

"I was asked to come." Sebastian said. He pulled out a letter from his pocket and showed it to the girl.

She opened the letter. When she finally finished the letter, she looked at him with suspicion.

"Come with me." She said "Everyone better be ready when I get back."

The girl lead Sebastian through the hallways of NYADA they stopped outside of an office with a placard embedded on the door. Dean Carmen Tibideaux.

She knocked on the door

"Come in."

"Madam, we have a problem." She said grasping Sebastian's arm and dragging him in as well. "This wanna-be forged a letter and showed up in our auditorium demanding a part."

"I am as much as a wanna-be as you are Barbra Streisand, and if I have no business here I would be on my way."

"Just look at this." She said showing the letter to Madam Tibideaux.

"Yes, Mr. Smythe. Such promising talent. I do hope you consider joining our production."

"What?" both the girl and Sebastian demanded simultaneously.

"I never agreed to join a production and why am I here?"

"I do keep an eye on some promising talent. And I watch some of our side courses to spot some misplaced talent. And I saw your performance in our dance studio."

"That was nothing." Sebastian said. "That was just a favor for a friend."

"Mr. Smythe, here in NYADA look for talent. And you have it. I wouldn't want it to go to waste." She handed the letter back to Sebastian. "You will join our Winter Production. I believe you have rehearsal to get to."

~()~

"What the hell, Smythe." The black-haired girl, Maeve, exclaimed. "You're off key, uncoordinated and you're never at rehearsal. Get your act together or we'll never…"

"Never what?" Sebastian demanded standing up right at her toes. After weeks of torment from this girl, he has had enough. He isn't as quick-tempered as he was when he was younger, but his patience can only last so long. "Never get this done? You're quick to decide all my flaws when you fail to see your own. You can't spot talent even as it dances naked in front of you. You placed anyone with a smidge of talent into extras and crew while placing your own lackeys who don't even have enough talent to perform on the streets on the main roles."

The rest of the case and crew were watching them argue. Maeve looked at all the others nervously but glared at Sebastian angrily.

"Just look here…"

"Oh, and I haven't even begun to talk about you." Sebastian said with a familiar malicious smirk. "I don't even know how you were elected to lead this production. You have terrible choreography. You can't hold a single note to save your life. I question how you were even able to get into a school of this high standard…"

"I'll have you know I come from a family…"

"Oh, so that's what it is." Sebastian said realizing the situation. "Nepotism at its finest. Did dear old Mommy or Daddy get you a spot in NYADA. Aww, you couldn't even find a way to a higher education without their help."

"You don't know anything about me."

"I don't." Sebastian said. "But I can read you like a book. You probably had a hard time back in high school. The bottom of the food chain even. Failing through school…"

"Stop it."

"Barely graduating."

"Shut up."

"But you managed to scrape through."

"Quit it."

"and after that you swore you would never be that person again. Creating a façade. A persona. This bitchy, entitled girl who thinks she knows everything and everyone. But the truth is you don't know anything and you've been faking it. Until today."

"Get out."

Everyone gasped as she glared at Sebastian both of them ignoring everyone around them.

"No." Sebastian stood his ground. "I'm not quitting. Not when I know you will only mess this up. You need me."

"You think you can do a better job?"

"I don't only think. I know I can do a better job."

"You're not a performer." She said. "You're only a theater wannabe."

"Oh you know nothing about me." Sebastian said.

"Really?" she asked. "I've heard of you. Sebastian Smythe. Honor student in Dalton Academy. Head Warbler of 2012-2014. The Warblers didn't win a single competition under you term. What makes you more qualified."

"Unlike you, I actually performed since I was nine years old. I performed in multiple productions. I choreographed a team of unqualified and unexperienced science majors and lead them to a win against an actual arts school production."

"And you think some mediocre direction would make you more qualified. You don't know the first thing about theater. You don't have the dedication, the stomach."

"I know more than you ever will."

"Prove it."

"I don't have to." Sebastian said with a smirk. He looked to the band. "Because you're about to be out performed."

They started to play some of the other people dispersed knowing this will be entertaining.

Sebastian stepped in front of him as he started to sing.

You can't stop an avalanche
As it races down the hill
You can try to stop the seasons girl,
But you know you never will
And you can try to stop my dancin' feet
But I just cannot stand still

A few of her lackeys started to attempt to drag her away. But they were as angry as she was but only she had a stubborn look on her face. The rest of the cast and crew who didn't know what the hell was going on started to show up and watch.

Cause the world keeps spinnin'
Round and round
And my heart's keeping time
To the speed of sound
I was lost till I heard the drums
Then I found my way
Cause you can't stop the beat

Ever since this old world began
A woman found out if she shook it
She could shake up a man
And so I'm gonna shake and shimmy it
The best that I can today
Cause you can't stop
The motion of the ocean
Or the sun in the sky
You can wonder if you wanna
But I never ask why
If you try to hold me down
I'm gonna spit in your eye and say
That you can't stop the beat!

Maeve started turning red with anger. The rest of the cast and crew started to dance blocking her path as she tried to get away. One of the girls, Kim, who have had enough of her bullying ways started to get into her face as well.

You can't stop a river
As it rushes to the sea
You can try to stop the hands of time
But you know it just can't be
And if they try to stop us,
I'll call the N Double A C P

Cause the world keeps spinning
Round and round
And my heart's keeping time
To the speed of sound
I was lost til I heard the drums
Then I found my way
Cause you can't stop the beat

Ever since we first saw the light
A man and woman liked to shake it
On a Saturday night
So I'm gonna shake and shimmy it
With all my might today
'Cause you can't stop
The motion of the ocean
Or the rain from above
You can try to stop the paradise
We're dreamin' of
But you cannot stop the rhythm
Of two hearts in love to stay
Cause you can't stop the beat!

You can't stop the beat!
You can't stop the beat!
You can't stop the beat!
You can't stop the beat!

"Well, I can see where I am not needed." Maeve said with a glare. "Good luck performing without Mimi."

She and her friends stormed out of the auditorium and the cast and crew cheered for her departure.

"Good Riddance." Sebastian said.

"She's right though." Kim said. "Who's going to direct? And She was the only one that could play the part. And she's the only one who looks remotely Latina."

The cast and crew were starting to argue amongst each other.

"Hey, Hey, Hey!" Sebastian exclaimed "I know someone who could play Mimi. As for direction, if you all allow me, I will be honored to direct this team into the best play NYADA has done for the Winter Production."

"Well, anyone will be better than Maeve." A boy from behind said. "But are you sure you are qualified. I don't doubt you, Madam Tibideaux has confidence in your skill enough to invite an outsider. But are you willing to dedicate your time. To you this may be an extracurricular. But to us this is our life, our future."

"I may not have chosen Theater as my program for college." Sebastian said. "But I know the dedication and the work needed behind it. I am willing to take some of my time for you. The question is, are you?"

~()~

Sebastian couldn't help the smile off his face when they finally finished the last song. The crowd cheered as the cast started the curtain call.

Names were being called one by one.

"Sebastian Smythe as Mark Cohen."

Sebastian took a step forward and both the cast and the crowd started to cheer. He bowed and went to the side.

"Santana Lopez as Mimi Marquez."

Santana made her great entrance and took a bow. She stood beside Sebastian gave him a smile and held his hand. They started calling the names of all the crew who had helped make the production possible.

Santana squeezed Sebastian's hand. "Congratulations, Bas."

"What for?"

"You managed to single handedly out do any production that the bitch could ever do." Santana said. "And quite possibly make the best audition in NYADA history."

"This wasn't an audition."

"We'll see."

Sebastian was about to ask when Kim motioned for Sebastian to listen.

"And finally, the person that made this Winter Production Possible. Let's give a hand to our Theatrical Producer Director and Co-Choreographer. Sebastian Smythe."

Sebastian froze but Santana pushed him towards Center Stage. The crowd cheered enthusiastically. He shook it off and took a bow center stage. He motioned for the whole cast and crew for the final bow.

~()~

Sebastian started to feel a sense of normalcy after the musical. He hasn't felt so alive in so long. It was a nice. But he felt better getting back to studying again. He just got home from school.

He took a stop at their mail slot and grabbed all their mail. Both he and Barry have recently discovered online shopping and tends to buy the most absurd things online.

He looked through the packages. Barry, Barry, Barry, Sebastian…NYADA?

Dear Mr. Smythe,

We would like to invite you to join us in the New York Academy of Performing Arts this Spring Semester

We would like to discuss more this Saturday, November 22nd, at the convention room at Deans office of the Directing Arts department.

Sincerely,

Carmen Tibideaux.

Song: You Can't Stop the Beat from Hairspray