A/N: I know that a high school wouldn't normally have their spring band and choir concerts at the end of April, but for story purposes, they do.

CHAPTER 8: April—Jason

It was the last Friday in April. I'd seen the all-school and senior class plays earlier in the month. I'd auditioned for Ponyboy in The Outsiders, but lost the part to Austin Bentley, so I decided to try again next year.

"You nervous?" Mum asked as I put on my tux jacket.

I shook my head. You see, the reason why she'd asked me that is because I would be singing a solo during the concert, "Music of the Night" from Phantom of the Opera. I personally thought it was a coincidence, since I'd dressed up as the Phantom for the last two Halloween dances. I'd seen the show in New York the summer before we'd moved to Stoneybrook, and it was the most awesome one I'd ever seen. Also, I'd asked Mr. Metz if I could wear my Phantom mask during my solo, and he not only said no, but he also said that when I was the choir director, he didn't care if I let all my students sing an aria from The Barber of Seville in the key of M while baking an upside-down cake in hoop skirts they hooped themselves. Until then, it was his choir, his call. Oh, well, at least I'd asked.

"Ready?" Steve asked when I came into the living room.

"Aye," I answered. The four of us got in the SUV and went to the school.

When we got to the school, I gave Mum a kiss as I got out of the SUV. "See you later," I said.

"See you," she answered.

I went inside to join the others. Mr. Metz was organizing us according to height. I was placed in the third row, which was the second one from the back. There would still be a space for me to squeeze through when it came time for my solo, though.

About half an hour later, after vocal warm-ups and everything else, we filed into the auditorium and took our places on the stage.

"Welcome to the spring concert," Mr. Metz addressed the audience, which mostly consisted of our families and friends, as well as a few BSC clients. "We have a wonderful program for you this evening."

The opening number was "Summer Nights" from Grease. Pete Black and a girl named Marie Headley sang the solos on that one. And to answer your question, yes, Pete sang the last few lines like John Travolta.

The next number was "I Feel Pretty" from West Side Story, and it was sung by Marie, Cokie Mason, Grace Blume, and a girl named Beth Smith. (At least it was four girls, because if it had been four guys, one of them would probably be singing falsetto the whole time, and almost kill his voice from the high notes.) Kristy once told me that was Cokie's kind of song, because she's such a narcissistic snob.

Finally, it was my turn. I had asked Beth to be the Christine to my Phantom, which meant that she was to stand there, look pretty, and react while I was singing.

After I finished, I got a standing ovation. I guessed that I'd finally been accepted, not only in Stoneybrook, but America in general. Well, it's about bloody time, I thought as I returned to my place.

The concert pressed on. Some of the other songs we did were a Lion King medley: "Circle of Life", "Hakuna Matata", and "Can You Feel The Love Tonight?" In fact, when Mr. Metz was reminding us about the plot line for that movie, Alan Gray actually said, "Is it a good story?"

Anyway, Erica Blumberg sang the solo on "Circle of Life", and Austin Bentley and Sarah Roberts sang the solos on "Can You Feel The Love Tonight?", as well as "Beauty and the Beast", "A Whole New World" from Aladdin (Rick Chow and Grace Blume sang the solos on that one); "Go The Distance" from Hercules; "Sunrise, Sunset" from Fiddler on the Roof; and "Suddenly Seymour" from Little Shop of Horrors, which was performed by Jeff Cummings and Shawna Riverson, but the girls sang back-up toward the end of the song.

Soon, it was time for the finale, which was "Friends" by Michael W. Smith, and has been a spring choir concert tradition for the past ten years, or so I'm told. Before the number, Mr. Metz introduced the seniors who were graduating this year. I knew that in just two years, I'd be in their position. It wouldn't surprise me if we sang "Friends" at the graduation this year, or at my own graduation.

After the concert, Mum, Steve, and Bebe approached me. "That was great!" Bebe said.

"Thanks," I said.

"Wonderful," Mum said, giving me a kiss.

"Good show," Steve added.

As the four of us returned home, I was glad that all had gone well.