Chapter 23: We Got The Beat

"Where have you've been?" Ashley wrote down on her notepad as Ellie came into the living room.

"Would you hate me if I said I couldn't make it tonight." Ellie said while holding her head down." My mom's not feeling well and I wouldn't feel right if I didn't stay home with her.

Ashley was disappointed but she didn't want to make Ellie feel any worse so she put up a brave front. "It's OK Ellie I understand. I hope your mom feels better." Ashely wrote down on her notepad.

"Thanks, Ash." Ellie said before walking to the door. Just as she was getting ready to say good bye she turned back around."You know I could walk with you to the school it's right on my way home."

"Great." Ashley wrote down before getting her purse and leaving out with Ellie.

"Can you see them?" J.T. peeked through the curtains.

"No I can't see a thing." Danny said while peeking through the curtains also."Maybe they're going to be a little late."

"Maybe you guys should be getting ready for the start of the show instead of looking out into the audience." Liberty interrupted while pointing to her watch. "We only have approximately fifteen minutes until the opening act."

"Fine, I'm leaving." Danny closed the curtain.

J.T. pulled onto Danny's shirt. "Wait tell me what you see right there?"

Liberty and Danny peeked through the curtains. "Where?" They both said simultaneously.

"There?" J.T. pointed out in the crowd. "See that guy in the front with the camera."

"So, It's probably just a overzealous parent trying to record their kid." Liberty answered.

"Maybe, but I think it's one of the directors camera guys setting up for the taping." J.T. closed the curtain while jumping up and down. "Were going to be famous guys. Goodbye Degrassi, hello Hollywood."

"That color would look so much better on you if you added just a little more." Paige pointed out to Hazel as she was applying eyeshadow on her eyelids. " Let me do it, huns."

"You still haven't told me why you're here. It's not like I can't apply makeup on my own and your not in DD."

"I just thought you needed some help." Paige applied a little bit of blush on Hazel's cheek" I'm here to support you on your opening night."

"I don't know, couldn't you have done this before the show or watched the show in the audience instead of backstage."

"Maybe but I feel more comfortable watching it here." Paige said while watching Heather Sinclair pass by. "Hey Heather, break a leg." Paige smirked while Heather snarled. "What's her problem?"

"Your guess is as good as mine." Hazel replied. I'm still not too sure how J.T., Liberty, Ms Kwan or Ms H will feel about you hanging out backstage. It's a wonder they haven't notice you're not part of the cast or even part of the backstage crew."

"No one will notice." Paige looked around before seeing Manny, Darcy, Chante and Emma chatting in a corner. "Be right back Haze." Paige walked over to the chatting girls. "Hey guys I hope you're ready and not too scared for tonights show."

"As a matter of fact we aren't." Emma said. "Paige why are you here you aren't in the show."

"Didn't you hear there's been a change of plans I'm the.." Paige remembered that she was still holding a makeup brush. "Makeup artist" Paige held up the brush. "Any of you guys need a hand with applying makeup. The girls shook their heads. "Oh well I'm here if you need me."

"OK guys places everyone." Ms Kwan shouted. " Ms H is already starting here speech so we don't have much time. Jimmy, Danny and Heather are you ready to start?"

"Ready as I'll ever be." Jimmy said while rolling out to his stage position behind the curtain.

"Danny stay right here by the stage." Ms Kwan said. "And remember to go out after Jimmy calls you not before. Heather." Ms Kwan looked around. "Where's Heather?"

Everyone backstage looked around and shook their heads.

"I'm right here." Heather ran out. "Sorry I was in the bath..." Heather said before falling flat on her face.

"Oh my God." Ms Kwan ran to Heather's side.Heather was holding her ankle and screaming out in pain. "Oh no this doesn't look good.

"Why aren't we starting?" Ms H asked before noticing a large crowd circling around Heather and Ms Kwan. "What is this all about?"

"It's not good." Ms Kwan stated while examining Heathers ankle. "I think it's sprained."

"What!" J.T. yelled. "We don't have a replacement for Heather."

"Well the part is small and there's no singing." Ms H replied. "What if Liberty took over the part."

"No can do." Liberty said. "I already have a part as nymph number three."

"We're doomed!" J.T. exclaimed.

"What if we give the part to someone who doesn't have a part in the play." Hazel suggested.

"Like who everyone has a part except the stage hands." J.T. stated.

"Paige doesn't." Hazel pointed out. "She knows all the lines by heart after helping me practice for them when I was Venus."

"Paige, what is she doing here?" Liberty asked.

"We don't have time to wonder." J.T. grabbed Paige by the arm and handed her a costume. "Paige can you get ready in two minutes."

"I guess." Paige grabbed the costume.

"Good." J.T. answered. "Ms H can you stall for a few minutes."