Halloween
Tina
Tina was fresh out of the South Bronx, being an only girl in a family of 6 children, she toughened up quickly, because of that school was a war zone for her, she didn't fit in with the boys, but she sure as hell didn't want to know about the girls, she'd never worn a skirt since she'd known there was a different between how women in skirts, in her neighbourhood, got treated. She'd grown up for the first 10 years of her life, thinking everyone outside of their family circle was the enemy, wore a chip on her shoulder after listening to folk tales about yester year, and lost a lot of respect from her peers because of it.
She'd been fortunate enough to be the youngest in the family and had watched brother after brother finish school and move straight into marriage and the family business, she loved her bespoke shoes but not enough to dedicate her life to making them. Education got real for her at 16, she wasn't getting caught in that marriage and job trap, she was getting the hell out of there, she buckled down and surprised the hell out of herself when she made the grades to get into NYADA to pursue her singing, she had other choices, but nothing appealed as much as leaving home, she jumped at it
"Just go" she waved at her eldest brother, stood looking out her front window at some girl that was the age of his own daughter "You're freaking me out" she pushed him to leave her bedroom
"A man can look, can't he?"
"Not at a girl the same age as his own little daughter" she followed him down the stairs
"Okay" he held his hands up "Remember, behave yourself" he pointed at her
"When didn't I?"
"And call" he backed out of the front door, taking another look down the street at the girl "I'm gone" he smiled at her stood with her hand on her hip shaking her head in disgust "Love you squirt"
She stood looking back at the house "Song" she smiled imagining the orchestra standing behind her playing as she sang 'Standing On My Own' by Jenna Ushkowitz
I'm standing on my own for the first time, in a lifetime I'll face this world alone, I'll try and find my way, walls are falling all around me, I won't be made to stay
Cause I've hit the ground, but I got back up, and I heard the sound of the truth rise up, and I see the road, I need to take for home, for home …
She looked around happy "I'm going to do this" she told herself walking back into the house
Rachel
Rachel had grown up in Medina down the road from some very famous and well to do individuals, her family weren't billionaires but they were pretty damn close to it, and she'd grown up with all the privileges afforded from parents rubbing shoulders with such people. Schooling in the area was of the best quality, so it was inevitable that she would have the pick of educational advancement.
By the time Rachel got to middle school, she was dabbling in things she had no idea about, compensating for the attention she wasn't getting from her always busy parents. A pull on a spliff soon turned into rolling her own, hiding her stash and then suddenly there was white powder stuck on the end of her nose, she was falling in a compromising situation and then she was out.
They told her she'd stopped breathing for nearly a minute, she had no recollection, the only thing she knew was whatever that was her so called friend had given her it wasn't what she'd asked for. She had a stern talk with herself, accepted the help that was being offered and went in another direction, every day was hard, but as she moved away from that life it got easier.
She'd been clean for two years, somehow managing to scrape through having missed a years study, but she was happy she was getting out from under all these false people she'd been ignoring for two years and maybe make some new, sensible friends in NYADA she was going to be a diva of another kind, she'd been given a second chance and she wasn't going to waste it
She got in the cab and felt the new found freedom, she was humming at first but then she looked around thinking why should she the words poured out her mouth and into the air, she sang 'Cannonball' by Lea Michele
And now I will start living today, today, today, I close the door, I got this new beginning and I will fly
I'll fly like a cannonball, like a cannonball, like a cannonball, I'll fly, I'll fly, I'll fly like a cannonball
"Are you serious?" she stopped singing to ask the cab driver "Can you not just bring them to my room?"
"No little miss" he laughed "It's called living on your own" he jumped back in the cab, laughing as he watched her slamming her angry butt down onto the pile of cases
Quinn
Quinn was as cold as the winters get in Minnesota, where she came from, her parents were very well to do, making their fortune in the sugar cane industry, it provided ample jobs to most of the local community, and business had been good for a long while. Quinn had been fortunate in that her Mother had never worked she was always at home, pondering to her every need, call it what it was she was a truly spoilt child.
At a very early age it became evident that Quinn was educated well beyond her age, she was playing the piano to a very professional standard by the time she was 10 years old, without sheet music. By the time she got to Junior year her life had taken a totally different turn, she'd found herself a boyfriend, they were planning on running away together and making life in some city that didn't expect anything of them.
One night she'd had an argument with her Mother about this boy that wasn't any good for her, she'd charged out the house to meet him anyway vowing she wasn't coming back. That night Nate's car went off the road, somehow, she escaped with bruises and a slight concussion, Nate wasn't so lucky he died at the scene. She was devastated, walked around lost for a long while, her boyfriend of nearly two years was gone and there was no meaning to her life, eventually her parents took her back to school and she started the task of getting back on top. She completed her forms and was past delighted when she was offered a place at NYADA, it was more than an hour away from home, but the change of venue was just what she needed, now she was standing looking at the great hall and getting excited about starting her new life
"So, you'll be alright from here?" her Mom asked
"Yes Mom" she rolled her eyes "I don't need my hand holding to grab a timetable and some keys"
"Okay darling, you have our numbers" she kissed her forehead and moved out the way for her Dad to get to her, watching the man ready to burst into tears for his only child growing up
"Dad" she wiped a stray tear "Go, before you show me up" she giggled
"Call" he pointed at her "Every day"
"I will" she watched them walk out, waving before they went out of sight, looking around as she realised she really was on her own
She walked onto campus and smiled at the eyes on her, she was attractive she knew that, she laughed out loud at the song playing over the antenna, this was here right now, she sang along with it, teasingly sending the looks back, so much for keeping Nate's memory alive 'Oh You Beautiful Doll' by Dianna Oregon
Oh, you beautiful doll!, you great, big, beautiful doll!, let me put my arms about you, I could never live without you.
Oh, you beautiful doll!, you great, big, beautiful doll..
Mercy
Mercy came from a place where talent was everyone's middle name, born in California she wasn't chasing it, she was born with it and to her that made her special. It was a place of dreams and boy did she have some big ones, the good thing about having dreams in California was the possibility of them coming true was more than likely, there was always a man that knew a man, to get you where you needed to be, her Father was in the business. She didn't need alcohol, drugs or anything else to suddenly become the life and soul of any party, she had no problem with grabbing a microphone standing in the middle of the room and singing a song to a loud crowd, it was a challenge she often set herself, to quieten a room felt like she'd arrived.
NYADA had been her dream since she'd been a junior, her Mother, a leader of the church choir, had gone there and as far as she was concerned there was nowhere else she was ever going to feel at home at, so when she worked her ass off in school and got the acceptance letter, she knew she'd worked for it. Her best friend was like her older brother, he'd sat her down the night before, threatened to beat any guy she thought she was going to be loose with and sent her off with a secret bank card, he was a NFL player and he never let her forget it.
"Enjoy your freedom little Miss" her Mom whispered in her ear as they walked her to check in
"Not too much freedom" her almost brother warned
"I still think we should have drove you" her Dad fussed
"I'll be fine" she smiled, even though she was scared, she wasn't about to let them know that. She arrived at NYADA and smiled, three years of pure unadulterated fun, with a bit of learning is just what the doctor ordered "Let's do this" she shouted, not caring that everyone was looking at her, they needed to get used to her fine ass. She walked off singing her go to song of her first summer of love 'Fill A Heart' by Amber Riley
We can change the outcome, if we join in, reach out a hand
All it takes is someone, stepping forward and making a stand
You and I is where it start, you and I can be a part, feed a soul, fill a heart, feed a soul, fill a heart
NYADA
"You're in The Sisterhood House" the woman told Quinn handing her some keys and a timetable "You're sharing"
"Are they all there already?" Quinn asked
"No" she smiled, dropping the keys in her hand "There are only four of you, it's the smallest house"
"The smallest?" she looked at the keys before walking off, she'd chosen her house way before today, it sounded like a great house, guaranteed to only be open to the elite few exceptional talents, she wasn't about to disgrace Nate by sleeping around, and she'd grown up knowing she was exceptional, so it went without question, she wanted a respectable house.
She made her way across campus to the row of houses some small some big, some loud, some with no sign of life, checking the names until she came to The Sisterhood. There were lights on, the house looked homely, like it was destined to be in some happy ending movie, the wood clad walls painted pink, a balcony above the very red front door with Sisterhood melted into the metal bars windows on both side and just three steps leading up to the front door of the two story building
"Hi" the door flew open and a South Asian girl stood looking at her with a wide smile on her face "I'm Tina" she walked towards her to help with her bags
"Thanks" Quinn smiled at the help "I'm Quinn"
"Welcome to Sisterhood, home for the next three years" she walked across the hall and up the stairs "There are four empty rooms upstairs, I'd say pick one but they're all the same"
"Exactly the same?"
"Exactly" Tina laughed "I guess they sort of tried to cut out the competition stuff"
"That's half the fun" Quinn laughed "I'll take a room at the front" she followed Tina up the stairs and round to a room on the front
"Oh" she looked out the window seeing some more girls coming towards the house "More housemates" she walked off quickly to go greet them "Hi" she opened the door to see a black girl and a dark haired Italian looking girl walking towards them
"Don't just stand there, help me" the Italian looking girl shouted, Tina wasn't up for that, she stood where she was, fighting against her helpful character
"Sorry I have weak wrists" she called back, smiling at the black girl giggling at her response "I'm Tina" she told her when their eyes met
"Mercedes but call me Mercy, I like your style" she laughed while they stood at the door watching the girl struggling with her bags "And you are?" she looked into the girls eyes asking
"Rachel" she dragged one of her two large cases up the steps telling them "Not much by way of sisterhood going on here" she noted
"Sister those bags look like you could afford to pay someone to bring those damn things upstairs" Mercy told her
"There are stairs?" Rachel asked concerned
"I'm afraid there are" Tina smiled, grabbing one of Mercy's bags to show them upstairs
"I'll unpack later" Rachel dropped the bags in the hall to follow them upstairs
"The rooms at the back are still available just take your pick, they're all exactly the same" Tina told them stopping outside the first empty room
"I'll take this one" Mercy told her opening the door and throwing her bags on the floor
They spent the rest of the afternoon unpacking, sitting watching Rachel unpack her cases downstairs and bringing things up one at a time, smiling at each other at her foolishness and eventually decided to order dinner "Everyone eats Pizza yeah?" Quinn asked, when they finally all sat in the main room, taking out her phone
"I'm a vegetarian" Rachel told everyone
"I'm guessing everyone's found the study?" Tina asked
"Yeah" Mercy laughed "I love the little studio thing they've got going on back there"
"That will come in handy for recitals" Rachel stated the obvious
"Yeah" Mercy sat up "Look Rachel" she huffed "That's the third stupid thing you've said since we've been here and it's day fucking one, please, stop it" she snapped at her "Shit like that just irritates the hell out of me"
"Me too actually" Tina added "And I might be a minority but I'm not your fucking slave"
"What?" Rachel gasped at Tina's comment "I wasn't being racist, I genuinely needed help" she told her "And I'm not stupid" she told Mercy
"Sisterhood rules" Quinn held her hand up seeing the argument coming
"They were on your bed didn't you get them?"
"They were rules, but I think we need more" Quinn laughed "And I guess this is a good time to sort it out" she laughed "I guess the first one is, don't allow anyone, including ourselves, to talk bad about any of us"
"But you need to tell a sister if you think she's wrong" Rachel quickly added
"Constructively yes" Quinn agreed
"Miss on the fence" Tina smiled "Strict no sharing boyfriends code, and don't hate on each other's choices"
"Who does that?" Mercy asked "Bedrooms are personal spaces" she held her hand up
"And last but not least I guess, what happens in the house..." Rachel warned
"Stays in the house" everyone agreed
"Pinkie swear" Tina put her pinkie in the middle, laughing as everyone did the same
"I guess we could get the cleaning rota set up too" Quinn added
"We need to get some cleaning stuff, we could grab dinner while we're out if we all go" Tina suggested "I've got my car in the garage"
"You drove here?"
"No, one of my Brother's drove it down for me a few days ago"
"What are we waiting for, lets go" Mercy jumped up eager to see what else was on campus
"Has anyone found out yet, why we're the smallest house on campus?" Rachel asked as they jumped in the Ford Focus
"I don't know" Mercy laughed "But by the time we've finished with it, trust me, it's going to be the biggest"
The four girls from the four corners of America drove through the streets of New York, without fear windows down, wind blowing through their hair as they sang at the top of their lungs to the song coming out the car radio
"We'd be crazy as a group" Rachel laughed at the harmonies coming out the car
"I sing for fun" Quinn told them "I'm here for piano"
"Whatever" Rachel looked at her "But you still have a beautiful voice"
"Thank you" she smiled
"A store" Mercy shouted, everyone holding onto their seat as Tina swerved, to not miss the entrance
"Sorry guys" she laughed "It's under control, don't worry"
They hit the store, it was a typical student store, everything study you'd ever need, notepads, laptops, mobile phones and even printers. Everyone set about buying their favourite things, shocked when they got back to the till, at the amount of food they'd purchased between them "Maybe a list next time, and we do all this together?" Mercy suggested
"Good idea" Quinn laughed, her pile being the biggest
29th October
Halloween was already on them, they'd dressed their little coven ready for their evening, because nobody had invited any of them to a party. They intended on munching on snacks while binging on horror movies, so after fixing the house, they went on a shopping trip, to get the snacks and anything else they fancied
"Freshers?" a voice from behind them asked, they were used to seeing this boy in the shops it was like he lived there, but today was the first time he was actually, talking to them
"Yes" Tina smiled at him
"Joe" he smiled offering his hand, listening as the girls introduced themselves "What house are you ladies in?"
"We're in Sisterhood" Rachel told him
"Great" he half smiled "There's a Halloween party at The House tonight, everyone's invited, stops when it stops"
"Is that where you are?" Rachel asked, the others looking at her wondering what was going on
"Yeah" he looked at the cashier "I think she's waiting" they all looked back at the till to see the lady rolling her eyes
"Sorry" Quinn laughed, putting their items on the belt for scanning
That afternoon they'd cleaned and eaten before Tina mentioned the party again "To be honest I've had my fill of parties from back home" Rachel told them "Two years clean and I want to keep it that way"
"You have to keep it that way, we can't have sex or drink any alcohol for a month" Mercy told her "And to be honest I'm a party animal" she laughed
"If family parties count, I'm an animal too" Tina laughed
"I just don't need a man in my life right now, I came here to be alone" Quinn told them
"A party doesn't mean sleeping around does it?" Mercy asked
"For some of us, it seems like that's all it means" Tina looked at Rachel and Quinn's faces
"Come on, we're not talking about hooking up, getting high or dancing with our relatives, just a night out to get to know some of the locals, we've got three years in this place" Mercy told them "Please don't let it be all doom and gloom"
"I know but it's not that easy" Quinn told her
"What could be easier than jumping in a cab and checking out a party, that we can't drink or smoke at and then coming home?" Tina asked
"Look, I'm not asking for us to share life stories or anything like that, but we need to get the hell on with life, shit starts here for us, it's make or break, it's a tough fucking world out there, and if we can't even face up to our competition here, what chance do we have of making it out there?" Mercy asked, she was using one of her Dad's speeches, but they didn't need to know that
"An hour" Quinn suggested looking at Rachel, they all looked at her for approval
"Okay" she rolled her eyes, defeated "An hour"
Less than half an hour later they'd all arrived back at the living room, having achieved their best attempts Mercy dressed as a fierce Morticia, Quinn looking like a super sexy Goldilocks, Tina finally decided to go with a Lydia look while Rachel played safe with the pale Bella look all with heels, hair out and curled, dramatic make up and purse under arm
"Not so different" Rachel smiled at them all rocking their sexy
"Ready?" Tina asked waving her key "I thought I'd drive, we can't drink anyway, it's wasting money"
"Ready" Quinn smiled, grabbing Mercy's arm, leaving the house in high spirits
The Party
"Wow" Rachel popped her head out the car window as they pulled up to the property "This is a posh house" the four of them got out the car and approached the gate, pulling back when it swung open automatically, they looked at each other and walked in.
The house was hard to explain, it was like a three story building but the ground floor was set beneath the ground level of the house, the white balcony type doors covered in balloons and streamers, the middle one currently open inviting them in. They walked towards it taking in the people on the grass frolicking, empty bottles laying around and people wobbling about
"Didn't this party start an hour ago?" Mercy asked
"Looks like a day and an hour ago" Tina laughed
"Come on sisters, lets party" Rachel's voice excited as she walked them towards the opening, they stood at the door looking on in shock
The room was jam-packed with students, the reeking smell of sweat exiting the room and filling their nostrils like steam. Just inside the door, a couple cuddled together on a lazy boy, Tina gasped at the definite grinding action going on, across the room there was a girl in some tiger shorts dancing in the middle of a table, obviously thinking she's the hottest thing since sliced bread. Some of the boys looked barely old enough to have finished kindergarten let alone high school, half wearing badly put together costumes and skimpy shorts, some holding warm kegs of beer, while others held keys. The latest hits playing in the basement, girls dancing while boys stood around sulking for their failed attempts to pick one of them up.
Quinn excitedly stepped in looking at the floor when her foot stuck to it "This place is disgusting" she turned to tell them "Don't you dare take off your shoes"
"Welcome to our first frat party" Rachel laughed stepping past her
"Rachel" she grabbed her arm
"We don't want to look like amateurs" Rachel hissed "Come on we can vomit when we get home"
"Only drink out of cartons" Mercy hissed as they walked through picking their feet up higher than they were used to, ensuring nothing was sticking to them
They'd walked into what was obviously the recreational room, guys playing pool, bottles full and empty scattered at the sides of it, a TV with women dancing to a beat they couldn't hear, while the music pumped out of the system that had pride of place on the football table and a makeshift bar on some lined up tables, all very student life stuff
"Come on" Quinn dragged Mercy off with her "We don't want to look like a freaking possie" she told her "Grab some Drinks, we'll be over here" she waved at Tina and Rachel, blending into the crowd of costumes
"What's your poison?" a girl dressed as a witch asked as they approached the table
"Any carton of juice?" Rachel asked
"Juice?" she asked shocked "Which house are you in?"
"Sisterhood" Rachel told her
"Oh" she took a box of juice from under the table and handed it to her
"I need four" she smiled "Rachel" she introduced herself
"Brittany" she smiled "Have a safe night"
They brought the drinks back to Mercy and Quinn, then decided to split up and walk around to see what was happening
"Rachel is it" Quinn and Mercy heard a voice behind them turning to see Brody from one of her classes standing there
"Close" Quinn smiled "It's Quinn, and this is Mercy" she told him
"Sorry, glad you could make it" he smiled "Are you two an item?"
"No we're not, but we could be, do you want us to be?" Quinn asked, Mercy stood thinking, for someone who wasn't looking for a relationship, she was quick at getting her flirt on
"Really?" he laughed
"No not really" Quinn frowned, giggling
Mercy stood feeling awkward, suddenly she was a real-life gooseberry, with nowhere to go. She looked around the room trying to find Tina and Rachel, maybe she could wonder off and find them somewhere, looking around she felt the task of walking through the thickening crowd too taxing, she stood half listening
Her eye catching a crowd of guys near the pool out back, there were quite a few jumping in, drinking and pulling people in, but Joe she recognised sat watching everyone. He wasn't drinking, rocking to the music or even checking out the girls, he was just sat shaking his head, in disgust, she smiled, that was somewhere near where she felt right now
His head suddenly turned, and she set about fiddling with the carton in her hand trying to get it open before the liquid got hot enough to explode, by the time she looked up again he was minding his business. She stood taking sips of her drink, listening to the, not so private, conversation and wishing Quinn would remember that there were two of them there, and bin this freaking Brody guy
"Hey" Rachel walked up to them with Tina at her side "It's time to go"
"Has it been an hour already?" Quinn looked at her shocked
"Yeah come on" Mercy nudged her, taking the opportunity to look over Quinn's shoulder at Joe sitting at the pool, he'd gone, and for whatever reason she felt sad about that
"Come on" Rachel rushed them on
"What's up with you?" Quinn asked, turning to speak to Brody before Rachel could answer "We'll see each other again, I'm sure" she smiled, grabbing Mercy's arm "Bye"
"Bye Quinn, Bye Mercy" he called after them, Mercy turned to look at him, giving a different look to the one Quinn gave him, that was the first time he was actually acknowledging the fact that she was there, since they'd started talking
They fought through the crowd and out the door before Rachel burst into shout "That boy was so out of fucking order" she rubbed her lips "I didn't give permission for that did I?" she looked at Tina
"What happened?" Mercy asked concerned
"That… That animal in there kissed me" she yelled
"His name is Mike" Tina told them "And to be fair Rachel, you were coming on a bit strong"
"I still didn't give him permission to touch me, let alone kiss me"
"She slapped his face" Tina told them "And he fell face first into the pool"
"Shit Rachel" Mercy laughed
"Just get in the damn car before he gets out the pool and comes for our asses" Tina rushed off towards her car, they jumped in the car and sat waiting to calm down "Was that Brody from Art class you two were talking to?" she looked in the back of the car at Mercy and Quinn
"She was talking, I was listening" Mercy told them "She who's off guys for the next three years" she laughed "If you get to three more weeks I'll be impressed"
"He's in a band actually, they're looking for a singer, auditions are tomorrow at noon, I thought I'd pass by" Quinn told them
"I've always wanted to be in a band" Rachel told them excitedly
"And there's another party tomorrow night, here, Brody's invited us" Quinn told them "It would be rude, favouritism even, to go to one and not the rest"
"Another damn party?" Tina huffed
"Swimwear this time" Quinn laughed
"To a Halloween party?" Mercy asked
"Apparently the pools the biggest feature" Quinn replied "But we can do our faces"
"What if that Mike's there?" Rachel asked
"You'll either apologise or we'll run" Quinn told her
Back at the Party
"What the…" Mike shook unevenly on his feet watching the scene play out as he splashed into the pool to cheers and laughter
"Shit" Sam stood watching the girl walk off
"Tina" Rachel shouted, Tina had been trying to grab Sam's attention, so when he finally looked at her, she smiled at him, before she walked away quickly
"Dude" Joe called across from the other side of the pool where he'd been watching, jumping up at seeing what had happened, to help his friend
"What's going on" Brody walked out to the pool at all the excitement, making his way over to his friend, when he realised it was one of their own
"What happened?" Joe asked when he got over to them
"He made a move without asking" Sam told him
"Idiot" Joe hissed "I thought we agreed before the party started" Brody and he walked towards Mike floating in the pool, stretching their hands out to get him out "Dude what happened?" he asked watching Mike squeeze water out his clothes
"It was my fault" Mike laughed, taking all the cheers from around the pool "I just had to take the chance"
"Dude" Brody laughed, walking towards them "Who did you mess with this time?"
"I stole a kiss" Mike laughed
"I can't trust you guys to have a trouble free night" Joe hissed "Come on" he took the key out his pocket, to open the gate leading to the first floor which was their private apartment
"Who was that girl you were talking to?" Joe asked Brody as they went upstairs
"Oh, Quinn "We have a few classes together" he smiled "We were having a good conversation too"
"It looked cosy" Joe smiled "You'll catch your death" he told Mike
"Sorry guys but we've got to get ready for a party tomorrow" Brody announced
"What?" Sam asked pissed
"I invited Quinn to try out for the band tomorrow afternoon, and then I sort of told her we were like a Brotherhood, and we were having a Halloween two pool party"
"Try outs for a damn band?" Sam asked shaking his head
"A freaking pool party for Halloween two?" Joe asked, laughing
"And she believed that crap?" Mike asked shocked, pulling his top over his wet head
"We'll see if she turns up tomorrow" Brody laughed
"So, who are the brotherhood?" Sam asked
"We are" Brody told him
"Dude" Sam laughed looking at his phone "Have you read about the Brotherhood?"
"No" he laughed "It don't exist"
"It does" Sam told him "Abstain from sex, it doesn't say how long for, no alcohol, and the shit goes on"
"Fuck off" Brody laughed, grabbing Sam's phone to read for himself "Guys" he looked at each of them "This is really important for me, I'm begging you, just play along with it, just for the party and then I'll come clean, or figure something else out?"
"No way" Sam laughed
"What's got into you?" Mike asked
"That Quinn girl, there's something about her" Brody told them
"I know what you mean, if I ever see that Rachel girl again" Mike smiled
"Rachel?" Brody asked, "Long dark hair, Jewish looking?"
"Please don't tell me you've been there already" Mike rolled his eyes
"No" Brody laughed "She hangs with Quinn, Mercy and that other girl oriental looking"
"She was with Rachel I didn't get her name though" Sam told them
"What was the Mercy one like?" Mike asked
"Like you'd be begging for it if she got hold of you" Joe told them, everyone going quiet as his comment "What?" he looked at Mike asking "I looked at her because I was checking on Brody"
"Too bad you weren't checking on me seconds before Rachel threw me in the pool" Mike told him, putting dry clothes on
"You brought that shit on yourself" Sam told him
"So" Mike stopped the conversation "Are we planning for a party and an audition tomorrow or what?"
"Yes" Joe and Brody answered
"No" Sam said at the same time
"You're the decider" Joe looked at Mike
"I'm going to say yes, I need to see that Rachel again" he told them
"Remember to turn the other cheek" Sam laughed
The four of them had done a house share together for College, it was only five weeks in and already there were signs that they weren't characteristically compatible, they all had different goals in life, but when they played music together, they had something. Sam had come up with the idea of starting up a band to play at local events, impress the girls and do something they all have in common and enjoyed at the same time, they weren't all on board yet, but it was promising
Mike
Florida would never have been Mike's place of choice to grow up, he guessed people always saw the theme parks, golf courses and even beaches as a lucky plus for anyone who lived there, but they were all minuses for him. His grandparents had come to America and jumped on the tourist bandwagon along with many others, setting up their bouncing castle business initially, but that soon moved on to being a holiday village, a legacy in which his father were born into, eventually marrying his Mom and they took it over when his grandparents passed.
Compared to most he'd had a privileged life, the best schools, clothes and opportunities, dancing had been his life from an early age, his Mother was a well-known ballet dancer, he'd followed her everywhere as a child and it just seemed one day he woke up and it was in his blood.
Went without say that he always knew he was getting out of Florida, he was destined for the stages his Mother no longer danced on, her life had been consumed with sick parents and then business, that wasn't for him. He'd done as she'd asked for his audition for NYADA and danced Clara's Dance from the famous Nutcracker, his take on it being he was actually dancing with Clara, it caught hearts and he was offered the place on the spot
Brody
His Dad was in the military, so they'd moved around when he was younger, there weren't many secrets between him and his Dad. Oregon was his home now, not just because of it being an affluent rural area, but the fact that they'd finally settled down meant he, like every other child, now had a home. There was also the fact that he'd quickly become a man of the world, so it was beneficial that there were plenty of stops along his way, when he was taking some of his Dad's tricks home, so he could stop and get down and dirty himself for free.
His Mom was in the military too and had met with a blast in Afghanistan nearly 10 years ago, he was used to waking up to find some random girl in their house, half naked and his Dad feeling all over her, shouting for him to get to school, outside or something. When he reached 13 years old that stopped, he lay in his bed at night listening to his Dad and whoever the random was getting real dirty, knowing that on the ride home, it would be his turn.
His preference was older women in general, but if the opportunity came along, he'd show off his skills with a younger chick, for brag factor. He wasn't even looking for the opportunity when it came about, he heard at school that there was someone looking for talent and he walked right in and sung his take on 'If You Don't Mean It' by Dean Geyer
Don't say you love me, I don't believe it, don't say the words, if you don't mean it, don't wanna hear it
Out in the open, keep it inside, if you don't mean it, don't even wanna talk about it
I know that I could live without it
It took a few weeks, but he heard back and it was positive, if he'd got into the best performance school without even practicing just imagine where he would be after three years of solid learning. He really needed this, his Dad was getting reckless, he'd added even more drink into the mix, he was going down a whole and soon Brody could see their relationship going south, he was doing this to save his relationship with his Dad too
Joe
His Grandfather on his Mother's side moved to Maine because he was a fisherman, the area is very well known for its fresh lobster, he'd grown up appreciating the smell of pine needles, moss, wood fires depending on the season, he knew nothing else.
He was around 16 years old when he finally realised that, all his friends on social media, he saw every day, his ex's all knew each other and the chances were he was going to marry one of them and never see anything outside of Maine. It came to something when every picture he looked at with an ex they were wearing Bean Boots and Fisherman's sweaters, he was finding it difficult to know who was who "Time for a change" he told himself going downstairs to speak to his parents
"I knew you were never going to be a fisherman" his Dad laughed "But you need to find a path"
"I think I want to do music, not a group or anything just music"
"Well do music son" his Mom told him "We'll support you in whatever you choose to do"
Weeks later he was stood in the kitchen looking at them with a NYADA application form on the table and his guitar in the other hand, about to prove to them that his playing could take him places, singing 'Blue' by Samuel Larsen
Colder in the sun, bleeding into summer, we swear that this is love, but we keep feeling smaller
and you got me so blue
And I'll never be the same, cause you know I got the fever, but I don't know what it takes, to make you a believer
Cause I just keep turning those hazel eyes blue
"So, what do you think?" he asked for their opinion, knowing they were going to be honest, they weren't about to waste money
"I think you're really good" his Mom smiled clasping her hands together
"I think she's right" his Dad smiled signing the application, the auditions of course, went well and he made his way to NYADA leaving his secluded world behind
Sam
Music was never his first choice, he'd always wanted to stay on the ranch and tend to his beloved horses, follow in his Dad's footsteps, marry the girl next door and live happily ever after, just like his Dad. Right up until he was 13 that was all very much still happening, until the girl next door moved and a tyrant moved in, some blond that thought she was put on earth for men, he was fed up of hearing visitors horns beeping. The carryings on at their neighbour's house became the talk of the town, and of course, the family broke up, now the house laid dormant, so no girl next door, no happy ever after
Added to that, just a year before he was due to go off to college, his Dad passed, they were, unbeknown to him, already in financial difficulties. His Mother sold the ranch, it seemed like days after his Dad passed, and they moved to his Aunt's house in Houston, it was a lot different to Dallas somewhat slower, and it took him a long while to make friends, but he got used to it.
He learned to play the guitar as a pastime, he was forgotten most of the time, everyone seemed to forget that he'd lost a Dad as well as his Mother losing a husband. Music became his place, it was pleasure in one sense, but his songs depicted so much of the pain he was feeling at that time, his family would sit listening to him singing give him compliments on his songs and not realise he was crying out for help, love and in pain.
He didn't get into the music program he wanted, but he did get an apprenticeship in Stage Management, his plan was to get himself a part time job that would fit around his apprenticeship, and maybe sign up for a guitar class one evening per week, to keep, his toes in. By whatever miracle his Mother had paid for his accommodation for the first year and told him the rest was up to him, he was determined to make it work.
He was lucky enough to find himself a job when he went for his induction into his apprenticeship, earning enough to pay part of the rent on a five bed house, he snapped the front facing room up and paid the full 6 months rent on the spot. After his first wage it was apparent, he could afford the guitar lessons, so he auditioned for a spot singing his rendition of 'Beautiful Girl' by Chord Overstreet
I'm a mess, I'm wrecked, no one makes me feel like this, beautiful girl, can you see me falling, all I want is you
Make this a beautiful world, now my heart is calling, so caught up in you
I wish I could carry you away, and I don't even know your name, do you even know, you're a beautiful girl
Of course he blew them away, two weeks into the course he realised he wanted to sing and play his guitar more than he wanted to know about stage management, but the financial road was going to be hard, so when he met the other housemates and found out they all had music in common, of course he put the band idea to them
30th October
The Audition
Less than 9 hours later, they'd been shopping for swimwear, and now Quinn was clucking "Come on" she shouted at Mercy taking her time to get ready "We're going to miss our spot"
"We?" Mercy came downstairs asking "This is all you"
"There may be more than one spot, we might get lucky"
"You mean you might get lucky with that Brody" Mercy corrected her
"Come on" Quinn giggled, grabbing Rachel's arm, today they were allies in arms
They got to the house, this time going through the front door, shocked to see for guys sat waiting for them "Rachel, I mean Quinn" Brody shot up walking towards her, Joe, Sam and Mike looked at each other "Ready?" he asked grabbing her hand
"We are" she looked back at her friends "What is it with you, constantly calling me Rachel?"
"I really don't know" he looked back at Rachel smiling "Guys this is Quinn, Mercy..." he looked at the other two for assistance, pretending he didn't know names
"Rachel" she told them smiling at Mike, sheepishly "Sorry for yesterday"
"It's fine, I deserved it, I took a liberty, I'm sorry" he laughed, his eyes meeting Tina's with the smile still on his face
"And Tina" she told the guys, zoning in on Mike, the masks were off, and daylight was showing that Mike was directly her cup of tea, so if Rachel thought she was going to give up without a fight on this one, she was kidding herself
The afternoon went strangely, they sang a chorus repeatedly, listening to the guys show off their talent for most of the day. At the end of the audition there was no decision made, just a confusing electrical vibe in the room, everyone seemed to be sharing looks with one person while talking to another.
The girls walked home in silence, and were sat eating before Mercy broached the situation "Tina" she huffed "I know Sam's giving you all the go, and seriously, I would never have dreamt him to be my type, but I really like him" she looked at her with sad eyes "I'm sorry but I'm going to make a play for him"
"I noticed he was giving you the eye this afternoon, it's fine, Mike's been taking my attention all day, so sorry Rachel"
"Fine by me, I gave my number to Brody, he's so funny and sweet" Rachel told her laughing
"Bitch" Quinn hissed at her "I was smitten after the duet with Joe, I think we fit"
"So" Tina looked at her sisters "How are we going to let them know they like someone else?"
"Surely you mean we like them" Rachel told her
"No" she laughed "I know what I mean, they need to like us, I give no man that advantage"
"Hold up, let's think this through, we live here, we know the rules, we signed up for this and I know I started it, but we're making plans about taking on significant others, what are we doing?"
"We're breaking the rules, have you never broken the rules?" Rachel asked
"Where I come from you break rules, you die" Mercy told her
"Well here, you break rules, you get laid" Quinn laughed
"What if you don't want to get laid?" Tina asked
"Then don't" Rachel told her "Don't feel forced into anything you don't want to do"
"Joe's into singing" Mercy told Quinn "That's all he talked about was my vocals, Keep the conversation on that he'll be hooked"
"Brody's interested in dreams, so tell him about those big dreams of yours, but make sure you can back that shit up" Quinn told Rachel
"I think Sam wants to tame his partner, he's totally sweet, but brutally honest, and I guess he likes honesty from his one" Tina told Mercy
"Mike" Rachel huffed "Is all about dancing, it runs in his family, so just pretend you can't dance, get him to be your teacher and he'll fall"
"Listen to us" Mercy laughed "We sound like we're choosing life partners or something"
"I don't know about life partners, but I'm not looking for someone to mess me about" Tina told them
"Nate was it for me, if Joe even comes close, it would be a miracle"
"One crazy night in the distant future will do me" Rachel smiled
"My heart is safe, I can't mess about like that, this is college fun" Mercy told them
"Come on let's get changed and get over there, grab these guys" Tina suggested
"They won't know what hit them" Mercy laughed, all wearing swimwear as they left the house
The Party
"There are no car's, we're fucking early" Tina stopped the car the same place as the night before "They did say 8pm start, didn't they?"
"I'm sure that's what Brody said" Quinn looked out the window concerned
"Come on we can get our claws in before everyone else turns up" Rachel opened the car door to get out
"Take you coat just in case" Mercy told them
"In case?" Rachel asked
"In case all this is to get you back for yesterday, it's not a coincidence that you push Mike in a pool yesterday, and then we get invited to a freaking pool party tonight" Mercy told her
"You might be right" Quinn grabbed her jacket out the car, while Tina brought a coat for Rachel and herself
"Remember whatever the shame we walk out of there with respect" Mercy reminded them as they slowly walked towards the house
"There's music" Quinn told them the obvious, everyone could hear it
"Ladies" Brody opened the front door before they got there, obviously waiting for their arrival "Welcome" he stepped aside and let them in "Go straight through" Brody fanned them through "We're already in the pool" he smiled walking in front to open the doors through the house "You ladies are on juice, right?"
"Yes" Rachel answered him, catching his attention, and earning herself a smile
"Here we are, I'll be back" he'd walked them through the house instead of around it, it was pretty impressive before he disappeared to get the drinks
They stood looking at the lit pool, the coloured lights hung on the posts dotted around, sunbeds scattered along the one side of the pool, but the side they stood at, had two tables with four chairs around each, it looked romantic tonight
"Let the games begin" Mercy smiled walking off to do her best "Time to be tamed" she smiled at Tina as she passed her
Tina and Quinn looked at each other and started in on their game, while Rachel stood waiting for Brody to get back with the drinks. The guys were already in the pool, playing about with a ball and quickly invited them in, stopping the game when the girls dropped their coats to show their swimwear, costumes, Bikini's, shorts and bra's all in the mix
"Where is everyone?" Mercy asked looking directly at Sam
"Brody did the invites" he replied looking at his friends, turning back to see Brody entering the room, this was his fuck up, he could explain it "Brody" he called "Mercy wants to know where everyone else is"
"Oh, we couldn't get the drinks in bulk again, so we actually cancelled the party, but we thought we could hang out" he smiled at Rachel waiting for him, looking around for Quinn
"Was there even an opening for the band?" Mercy asked, still looking at Sam
"No" he laughed "There isn't even really a band" he told her
"Dude" Brody called to him "Regroup" he told him, the girls stood watching the guys get out the pool to follow Brody into the house
Brody's Conversation
"What the fuck?" he looked at Sam asking
"What?" Sam laughed
"You've just made me look like the biggest fucking liar out there" Brody snapped
"You are the biggest liar" Sam snapped back "Look" he rolled his eyes "She was looking into my eyes, you guys know honesty is my thing, I couldn't look into her eyes and lie, she asked me a direct question, what was I supposed to do?"
"Refer back to me" Brody told him
"Look" Joe piped up "If you want to get close to Quinn, I suggest you come clean, nothing good ever comes of a relationship that's built on lies"
"Just tell him" Mike looked at Joe smiling
"Tell me what?" Brody asked
"That I sort of like Quinn" Joe told him, rolling his eyes for the messed up feeling he had just then
"You know that's a dud move?" Brody told him, stood wondering what to do about that, if there was one thing they'd agreed, it was not to argue about girls, at this stage in life nothing was that serious "So what are you going to say to Mercy?"
"Like?"
"I don't know, you've been talking to her, haven't you?"
"Not really" Sam responded, cutting his eye at Joe
"No" Joe laughed "Well we've been talking, but not like that"
"Look they're just on the other side of that damn door" Sam stopped the conversation "How about we let them choose, before they leave"
"I'm with Sam" Mike added
"Come on" Joe rolled his eyes, walking back to the door "They'll get suspicious"
The Party
"Sorry about that" Brody walked back to the pool "Housekeeping"
"Don't bull shit" Mercy snapped "I hate bull shit"
"Me too" Sam smiled happy to find someone that thought like him
"Take no notice of her" Rachel looked at Brody "It's like tourette's or something" she grabbed his arm and walked into the pool
"Did I say sorry about my friend pushing you into the pool yesterday?" Tina watched Mike walking around the pool
"I think that's down to her isn't it?" he looked across the pool at Rachel getting comfortable with Brody "She doesn't look very sorry" he laughed, watching them deep in intellectual conversation
"So" Quinn held her hand up, stopping Joe from walking past her "Who would have got through for the auditions, had there really been a spot?"
"I…" he stopped and sat dangling his feet into the pool "I love Mercy's voice" he looked across at her and Sam deep in conversation "But in all honesty, you all have your own styles"
So what style are you looking for?"
"As Sam said earlier, we need to agree the band first, and we're all into different genre" he laughed lowering himself into the pool "Fancy some volleyball?" he put his drink on the side and stepped off "Volleyball guys?"
"Do you want to be on my team?" Sam asked Mercy walking across to pull the net over
"Sure" she followed him to the middle of the pool, joined by Tina and Mike, while Rachel, Brody, Quinn and Joe made up the other side. Spending just under an hour in competition, eventually losing scores as the fun escalated, eventually Brody and Rachel claimed victory, of course everyone else disputed it, and settled for food, Mike made the order
They sat around the pool, eating, talking, and listening to music for a while before Sam suggested they watch a movie upstairs. The conversation stopped as they walked through the metal gate, they hadn't even noticed it at the party, up the stairs to find themselves in a large space decked out with couches, large wall mounted television, gaming chairs, a full equip kitchenette behind them, dining table, pool table and duke box, with more stairs to the second floor at the centre of the room, they assumed led to bedrooms
"Wow" Tina gasped "This is a massive space" she looked around the room taking everything in
"What do you want to watch?" Mike asked Tina, showing her the seat they were going to occupy, everyone getting comfortable and familiar, they'd moved into their natural couples without argument, and everyone seemed pleased with their choice, snuggling in to watch a classic horror film everyone laughing at the police turning up after an hour and a half of terror.
"What do you want to do now?" Sam whispered in Mercy's ear, his arm draped around her neck as she leaned on his chest "Do you want to go to my room, get some alone time?"
"You keep bragging about that place, I'd love to" she laughed, getting up to let him lead the way, he grabbed her hand Quin and Joe followed and Rachel and Brody shortly after them, leaving Tina and Mike downstairs
Mike & Tina
"I never thought I'd like you this much" Mike sat looking into Tina's eyes, their hands touching as she spoke
"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" she laughed
"Yeah" he smiled "But mostly the truth" he grabbed her hand pulled her to him and danced her around he room
"I like truth, I've been thinking about you since we met this afternoon too" she moved with him humming some random song
"I think we could do the perfect dance together"
"I'm more than willing to learn it" she leaned in and kissed him quickly "More than willing" he pulled her back in and kissed her deep
Brody & Rachel
"I didn't expect this" Rachel walked into the very red room, lots of cushions on the king sized bed, built in wardrobe and lights all around the headboard, with a single chair near the bed with a pod on it, the small wall covered in books
"Sorry there's no TV, I only have music in here, I need dark to sleep"
"I need music to sleep too" she bounced on his bed for how hard she sat down
"We have so much in common" he sat next to her
"The dark, bedrooms, music, beds" she looked at his bed "Is it usually this clean or was this the plan?" she sat looking teasingly perfect, humming to the music coming from his pod
"The only thing unusual about this situation is that there's a beautiful girl in my room" he leaned in and kissed her, smiling when she pulled him to lay on the bed
Joe & Quinn
"I know you picked me, why?" Joe asked as he shut his bedroom door behind them, his grey and white room had his king size bed as it's centre piece, a bedside lamp on one side of the bed and a bookcase on the other with two books on the table nearby, everything neat
"I think your quiet side is cute" she laughed "You do have a quiet side?" she threw her purse on his bed
"All sides are quiet" he laughed "And everyone has a dream"
"I know they do" she laughed, watching him walk towards her
"You were mine" he grabbed her hand "I didn't think I had a chance, I noticed you that first day in the shop" he pulled her to him and kissed her lips, moving around the room him humming a familiar song
Sam & Mercy
"Sam" she moaned looking at the clothes littering the floor "This is a mess"
"I know where everything is" he laughed, watching her walking around picking things up
"I know you're going to tell me to leave it, but I can't sit in this" she threw clothes on the nearby chair
"I love the way you know what I'm going to say before I say it" he laughed, putting the TV on before he sat on the bed "Leave it" he rolled his eyes laughing at himself
"Are you expecting me to listen to you?" she stopped to look at him "I can't be in here with it like this" he got up and started helping her clean up
"Some guys wait a lifetime for a woman like you" he took the last hanger off her and put it away "Better?" he stood looking around the room
"Much better" she smiled up at him
"I saw you this afternoon and I thought, damn she's perfect" he moved her hair off her face "Then tonight you called bull shit and let me know you weren't perfect" he stroked her face "And that made me want to get to know you even more" he pulled her face to his and kissed her
Party
"Hey" Tina shouted up the stairs "Time to go" it was way past 3am, surely everyone had talked themselves to sleep "Rachel"
"I'm coming" Tina smiled at Rachel's response
Slowly everyone came down the stairs, hand in hand, much more familiar than they were four hours ago, their goodnights lingered, making promises for another meeting soon
Sisters
They finally got in Tina's car "That was a good night?" Quinn asked, but told her sisters
"Absolutely" Mercy grinned to herself "First base was cool for us"
"We danced" Tina told them
"Rolled around the bed kissing" Rachel added
"Tidied up" Mercy laughed "But happy" they all looked back at the house as the car moved off
"9am" the guys shouted as they drove past
"9am" they called back, waving
Brothers
"Wow" Sam raked his hands through his hair "That was a fucking night"
"I've found my equal" Joe stood waving at the car telling his brothers
"I don't even know what the fuck was wrong with me tonight, I had a girl in my room for nearly four hours, and all we did was talk and kiss" Brody laughed
"It's called self control, it's a great asset to have, turns the women on" Mike slapped his back telling him
"I wonder what the plan is for tomorrow" Sam asked, walking back into the house now the car had disappeared
31st October
"This is it" Mike pointed at the house, all four of them paying attention as Brody brought the van to a standstill
"What do you think they have in store for us?" Sam asked smiling
"Well Quinn said we can't go in, so it's definitely outdoors" Joe told them
"I hope so, after you guys talked me into driving this monster" Brody laughed
"They're coming out" Mike jumped out the van smiling at Tina coming into view, the others quickly following "Happy Halloween" he grabbed her hand pulling her to him for a kiss
"Hi" Sam moved in, kissing Mercy "Did you get back to sleep?" his arm finding her shoulders
"Morning" Rachel and Quinn smiled at Brody and Joe taking their kisses
"So what's in store?" Mike asked
"We thought we'd go to the park this morning, there's a festival going on" Quinn told them
"Later this afternoon we thought we'd hit the Halloween fair, and watch the fireworks" Rachel told them
"And tonight we've booked for a real haunted house visit" Mercy told them wide eyed
"I guess you get end of night choice" Tina looked at Mike smiling
"Okay jump in let's get this day started" Mike clapped his hands, watching everyone get in the van, everything went to plan, the day was full of fun, screams and romance. The drive home was quiet, it was clear no one wanted it to end
"Okay so, it's midnight, Halloween's officially over" Brody suddenly announced
"So I guess I can officially ask for a date" Sam looked at Mercy
"He's made it sound like he was the only one who wanted to ask that" Mike laughed
"Well we all say yes" Mercy giggled, resting her head back on Sam's chest, Rachel humming a familiar song before Sam and Mercy took it away
Sam & Mercy Full moon, late night conversations, taught me true love, taught me patience, your lips, your smile, perfect painting, need me, tell me, I'll be waiting
Tina: Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, Ooh-ooh, Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
Brody & Rachel: You know I love you, I see a halo above you, Planets align when I touch you, stare at the stars in the sky, in the sky
Quinn & Joe: Said I complete you, do you need me like I need you, all that I want is to keep you, here with me right by my side, by my side
All: I'll be running back, I'll be running back, you're my medicine, you take my pain away, baby love me back, give me something back cause I'm drowning in you, like a tidal wave... "Stars In The Sky by Phora & Jhené Aiko
"NYADA is going to be fucking brilliant" Tina confirmed
"Did you just hear those harmonies?" Sam asked "Our group is going to be awesome"
"Enough with the band stuff" Brody rolled his eyes
"No" Quinn sat up "I think it's a brilliant idea"