Sing Chapter 6
Okay, this was definitely an interrogation.
Abigail started having suspicions right about the time they first entered the diner. She had tried to turn the conversation onto someone else, only to have a short and simple answer given before the conversation immediately turned back onto her.
Now that they were settled with their meals, there was no doubt left in her mind. The three grilled her on everything. Her likes, achievements, and future goals. It was surreal the questions that came out, every time they asked something they made it out like it was a common conversation piece. The one that caught her completely by surprise was when Ash asked if she was seeing anyone.
The gyro that was halfway to her mouth hung in midair as she processed the question. Clearing her throat, she opted to take the polite road.
"Nah, too busy with school." Is what she left it at.
Focusing on finally taking a bite of her lunch, she barely noticed the looks that the three girls exchanged silently.
She was wondering what the reason was, they seemed nice enough, she wasn't detecting any hidden animosity coming from them. But what was with all the questions? Did they think she was too immature for the job she was assigned? Would they not take her seriously?
Rosita immediately started to notice her anxiety. She shared the side of the booth with Abigail and put a reassuring hoof on her arm.
"Sorry about all the questions, we're just a nosey group and the faster we get to know you, the faster we can become friends."
Abigail could tell she wasn't telling the entire truth, but she also knew what she said wasn't a lie either. Nodding at Rosita, she did relax herself a little. The questions didn't stop though, no, of course they wouldn't of.
She barely finished her lunch when a quick time check confirmed they were due back at the theatre. Despite the obvious prodding, Abigail had to admit she enjoyed the company. She was still wary to call the three females her friends, at least until she figured out what they were planning with the information about her. For now, she at least made some acquaintances, and was hopeful about their future relationship.
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"Where are those three?" Buster tapped his foot on the smooth wooden stage in a quick rhythm.
Johnny didn't answer, he was patiently playing the piano in the orchestra pit while they waited. Buster had wanted all of the major roles to meet up on stage in a little meet and greet powwow. The only actors missing were the only three he actually knew. So, biding his time, he decided to play. If anything it helped to cushion the wait time for him and everyone else.
"Well it's about time!" Buster chastised.
Johnny took that as meaning the females finally made it back. Closing the piano carefully he rose to a stand.
Oh for sanity's sake. He immediately deflated once he looked their way. Of course they had to make friends with her. He quietly groaned.
"We're here!" Rosita came trotting forward, "just lost track of time!"
"Oh, there you are Abigail." Buster immediately shifted back to his usual perky self. "Perfect, I wanted you here too. We're doing some introductions. Come on up!"
Johnny let the group pass before following them from the pit, staring at the floor the entire time. He was mentally preparing himself for the introduction that was about to happen. Deep breath, back straight, you can do this, he prepped internally. Once he climbed onto the stage, he was at least able to now lift his gaze up and onto the gathering of actors.
"Welcome my stars, to week one! It's great to have such an interest in our musical interpretation of Beauty and the Beast. All of you were especially picked for the roles you are cast in, and I know that each and every one of you will nail it. Right now, let's introduce yourselves...Abby, why don't you start? Tell us a little about yourself."
"Oh, alright. Cool. My name is Abigail, you can call me any nickname you'd like, I'm not picky. I'm the dance choreographer, I grew up with this theatre so I'm happy to be back and excited to start working with everyone. Don't hesitate to seek me out if you need any further classes than what we have been scheduled for."
Johnny barely could restrain the question plaguing his thoughts from escaping. Grew up at New Moon, what did that mean?
"Great, thanks. Uh, Chris, why don't you go next?"
A very muscular bull cleared his throat. "Alright. Well, hey everyone, I'm Chris. I'll be playing Gaston. I have around 5 years of theatre experience and have played this specific part on three other occasions. When I'm not performing I've got a yearling at home that keeps me busy and I enjoy traveling with my wife and him whenever we can."
It went like that around the room as such. Besides Chris, there was also Stephen (a hog) casted for LeFou, Richard (an old badger) for Maurice, Matthew (a polecat) for Cogsworth, Brianna (a beautiful antelope) for Babette, Simon (a young piglet) was Chip, and Sean (a blonde porcupine) was going to play as Prince Adam.
When Johnny introduced himself, his ears burned. He wasn't quite sure what to say outside of how he has been with the theatre since last year, so he decided to go with saying that he enjoyed working in the family garage. It was lame, but his mind was drawing a complete blank otherwise, especially since he felt the eyes of another gorilla on him. One whose gaze he refused to meet.
"Alright this is great!" Buster said when everyone was finished. "I hope you all mesh well and get to know each other better. I was thinking right now about splitting into groups based on your roles. So Rosita and Simon in one group, Gunter, Meena, Matthew and Briana in another. Johnny, why don't you pair with Sean so Ash and Richard can work with each other for now. Chris and Stephen of course to close it all up. How about trying some lines and studying each acting style to see how to best work off of one another?"
While the group broke off, Buster went over to chat with Abigail. Johnny was trying to listen in, but Sean was quickly over by his side and introduced himself.
"So, you're my alter ego." He stated.
"Yeah, that's right."
"Nervous?"
"Little bit, you?"
"Ah, it's normal. You look great for the part though. Want to start running some lines to see how we sound off of each other?"
"Yeah, sounds great."
As the two were finding a spot on the stage, Johnny saw Abigail and Buster go and sit in the arena to watch them work.
Fabulous.
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"Pretty great cast, right?" Buster probed her thoughts.
Abigail smiled softly before answering. Although she answered him, she kept her gazed fixed on the stage. "Yeah, can't say I disagree with any choice you've made."
"I mean, Ash has that spark and spunk for Belle, Rosita has the motherly instinct, and Gunter has the pizazz."
"What's Meena like? She looked terrified on tv before she started singing. At lunch she seemed much more comfortable."
"Her crutch is stage fright. I think this is a great starting role for her, she gets the aria in the beginning and the end, but otherwise has a pretty mild role. We need a powerhouse singer like her."
Abigail nodded in understanding but didn't add anything, so Buster continued.
"And Johnny...such a tough guy appearance but he's got a heart of gold. Perfect for our misunderstood protagonist."
Abigail involuntarily clenched her jaw and hoped Buster didn't notice her rigid posture. "I...wouldn't know." She muttered.
"As for much of a disaster as that singing competition was, I will never regret it. I got such a great group of animals."
That helped Abigail relax again. "You did the wrong things for the right reasons, Mr. Moon."
"Here's hoping to hopefully get rid of rest of my ghosts."
That gave Abigail pause. She looked over to him, but he was looking at the stage now, a small smile on his face. He didn't look over to her, and let her process what he was actually trying to say. It took another moment before she realized: he was talking about her mother. Pursing her lips in neither a scowl nor a smile, she turned her focus back to the stage.
She tried to focus on all the actors on stage, but it was hard to divest her attention away from one male in particular. It was literally 4 hours since they first locked gazes, and Abigail still hadn't recovered fully. She almost wished tomorrow afternoon to be here so she could get over these first meeting jitters.
She was anxious for the day to end so she could tell her best friend all about it. Knowing she was three hours ahead than Hilde was torture. Deciding to ensure she would be ready for her, Abigail pulled out her phone and sent a quick text:
'Emergency discussion. Text me when you are home tonight. WWHD.'
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At promptly 9:10 Abigail's phone rang. Surprised to be getting a call and not a text, she fumbled with the device until she was able to answer.
"Emergencies are not for texting Abigail Rae." Hilde spat before Abigail could even get out a greeting.
"I'm not sure how to get out what I need to say." Abigail groaned.
"Tough break - now spill."
Abigail sighed and threw herself on the bed. Staring at the ceiling, she racked her brain before answering. "He's trying to apologize to me."
"Buster? He better do nothing less than grovel at your feet." Abigail heard her friend snort.
"Ugh, 6 years of thinking he was a horrible greedy individual and now he's back and practically begging. What am I supposed to do?"
"You, my empath friend, are going to tie your grown up shoes and walk all over those apologies for at least a month. If he's still focused on trying to make amends as much as he's trying now, maybe we can revisit this conversation. A month, nothing sooner, got it?"
Abigail chewed on her words for a moment, then sighed with a smile. "What would I do without you?"
"Be halfway back to emotionally scarred boulevard with no brakes. Trust me, males say all the pretty things in the beginning, until time weeds out the jerks and false sentiments. I'm not saying to never forgive. Trust me, you need to make these scars smaller, I'm just saying to tread lightly in the land of monsters."
"Okay." Abigail closed her eyes as her thoughts began to settle slightly. On that matter at least.
"So what's really weighing heavily on your thoughts?"
Abigail's eyes shot back open. "Stop that." She said sternly.
"Reading your mind? Don't think so. Keep talking."
She thought for a moment. How to confess without telling the whole story? Grinding her teeth, she started. "Buster decided to cast all the artists we saw during that broadcast I needed to pay for, do you remember the singers?"
"Including the gorilla you couldn't stop staring at?" Hilde's answer was so dry and monotone Abigail almost giggled if she wasn't taken so aback.
"Hilde!" She hissed.
"Answer the question Abigail."
Abigail groaned and covered her eyes. "I was watching intently for the entire program, it was expensive."
"So that's a yes."
"I liked his performance!"
"That wasn't all that you liked."
"He was a great pianist."
"Right. The panting was just because you liked his playing."
"I was NOT panting!"
"Let me guess, you've enjoyed his 'playing' in person, too and don't know how to handle yourself."
"I admire his talent!"
"Oh, my sweet innocent friend. It's been a while since you've been in a relationship, hasn't it?"
"Four years, and that was James." She admitted.
"Oh, James. I remember James. And you seriously haven't dated since?"
"He kind of turned me away from dating for a while." She grumbled then added, "a long while."
"Fair enough." She heard Hilde gag to drive her message across. "What's his name again?"
"Johnny." She focused on the ceiling.
"Ugh, another J-name. Bad juju there."
"So you think I should just suppress these emotions and get over it?" She said sarcastically, but laced with a speck of truth nonetheless.
"Hush, grashopper, and listen." Hilde changed her tone to be more soothing. "In all seriousness, your whole body language changed when he came on the TV - and that's not a bad thing!" She added when she heard Abigail sigh. "But just like with Buster, take it one day at a time. What part is he cast as?"
"The Beast."
She heard Hilde laugh at that. "That is too perfect. So you'll be working closely with him. Well then, I suppose it's inevitable that the two of you will start talking and you won't end up ignoring my advice...again."
"I think he hates me."
"Oh here we go. What happened?"
"He looked horrified when we first met and then refused to make eye contact or acknowledge that I was even there for the rest of the day."
"Hmm," Hilde chewed on a thought. "Well, it's only been one day. How about you get some sleep and see what happens tomorrow. When do you start teaching him?"
"Tomorrow - And it's one-on-one, Buster says the two leads have no dancing experience."
Another laugh from Hilde. "Well you are certainly up the creek aren't you?" She teased.
"Help me Hilde Wan, you're my only hope." Abigail quoted with a hint of humor.
"Like I said dear, just remember to take a breath, take it one day at a time. And prepare for my calls daily so I can get updated. I'm kind of liking playing matchmaker."
"You're helping alright." Abigail was dry.
"Get some sleep dear. Love you."
"Love you, too." Abigail muttered before disconnecting.
Plugging in her phone, she didn't even bother to change before tucking herself into the bed and curled herself into a small ball. As she was getting comfortable she heard a soft knocking at the door.
"You alright in there?"
"Fine mum, just tired."
"Can I ask a question?"
Abigail perked up at that. "Sure, what's up?"
"What did Hilde have to say about Johnny?"
Abigails face flamed. "You are the nosiest mother, do you know that?"
"May I come in?" She chuckled behind the door.
"Sure, my privacy isn't invaded enough. Come on in."
Abigail turned towards the door just as it clicked open and her mother glided inside.
"Ah, I was worried you would be sulking." She came over to her bedside and put a hand onto her head in comfort.
"I'm a grownup you know."
"Not right now, you're not. You're pouting like a grade schooler who just broke up with their boyfriend."
"Doing great on the bedside manor there, mother."
"How was your first day otherwise?"
"Really good, actually. Buster gave me access to a huge booth as well as the stage whenever I need. I couldn't of asked for a nicer setup."
"That's great news - so training officially starts tomorrow with the cast?"
"Yup - bright and early."
"Alright, I'll let you rest up then. Goodnight my dove."
"Night mom."
As her mother rolled back out of her room, she looked back and made eye contact with her one more time.
"Yes?" Abigail asked.
"Nothing, just nothing. You're adorable when your flustered."
"Mother!"
A laugh was her only reply as the door clicked shut.