The chapter you have all been waiting for! Some of you may hate me but there is a reason I have done what I've done. It will make sense later on.
... ... ...
Chapter 5: The Show
All the students taking part in the showarrived at the school at five o'clock that afternoon, to set up the hall and to get ready etc. Phoebe was no different. In fact, she had to be there early as she was telling everyone where to put everything. Just like her father, taking charge of the situation.
"Hey, Phoebe? Where do you want this?" Nicky shouted holding a large piece of fabric with a painting that looked like a forest.
"Oh that needs to be pinned up at the back of the stage. It's for Julie's song, which is first." She said. She stood on the edge of the stage and gave orders to everyone. Tonight was going to be perfect. She thought.
... ... ...
"Guys, come on, we're going to be late," Ana said to her sons.
"But mum. Dad's not back yet." Teddy said.
"I've text him telling him to meet us there, Ted. We're not going to be late to your sister's show, now come on." She said, ushering them all out of the door. They all got into the Audi SUV's. Ana went in one with James and Ashley while Teddy and Nick went in the other. Ten minutes later, they were all at the school where they met with Kate and Elliot. To Ana's surprise, Grace, Carrick and even Mia were there, but no Christian. She hugged them all and checked Mia was ok. "Mia, are you ok being here? You don't have to be," she asked concerned.
"I'll be fine, Ana. I couldn't miss my nieces for the world. Unlike my brother, it seems. Where is Christian anyway?"
"I don't know. He went to the office so he might be running late. But he'll be here I'm sure."
They all walked in and sat in the front row, where a student was setting up a laptop on a desk in front of the stage. There was a door to the right of the table that led into the backstage area.
Phoebe was standing on the stage giving orders to those setting the props up. Just like her father Ana thought. She didn't turn as she walked backwards and nearly fell off the stage, only to be pulled on stage by some blonde guy. There was music playing in the background and she and Ava were dancing funny along with it, laughing as they did so. When the song ended they went backstage as their teacher walked along the stage.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen and thank you for coming. If you could please take your seats the show is about to begin," she said.
Ana sat down next to Grace glancing at her BlackBerry. Christian must've been running late and it was starting to worry her. He promised he wouldn't miss this one. She turned to look at the back of the hall to see the door had been closed. He was officially late, and he didn't do late, if he was going to bother turning up at all. Teddy was sitting behind her with Nick, James and Ashley, as they could all fit into one row, and smiled reassuringly at her. He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. "Don't worry mum. He'll make it." Ana wasn't convinced and gradually grew angry as Miss Song finished her introduction, handing the show over to the students who would take over everything.
Phoebe was sitting at the desk right in front of them with the laptop on it, the PowerPoint with their pictures already up on the giant screen at the back of the stage. She still hadn't looked at them yet so she didn't know that Christian wasn't there. She was too engaged in the task she was doing. Ava appeared in the doorway to her right- the one right next to the desk- and whispered something in her ear. Phoebe nodded and followed her backstage, not noticing their family in the front row.
Ana glanced at her BlackBerry again, hoping Christian text or e-mailed her, letting her know he was on his way or just outside. Just something would be nice. But, as she looked, she saw there was nothing from her husband. She was getting angrier. He promised. He had never broken a promise before.
The students who had gotten on the stage were exchanging friendly banter to entertain the parents during the changeover of performances. Ana wasn't really paying attention, due to being pissed off at Christian. She only tuned in when she heard them talking about Phoebe. "By the way, if the copper-haired girl, aka Phoebe, gets up and keeps falling over. Don't worry about it and just laugh, she's quite clumsy. Also, if anyone finds a left, black, dolly shoe under their seats, please do not, under any circumstances, give it back to her," Phoebe shouted something from backstage.
"Hey, I wondered where that went. I was beginning to think I only left with one shoe on!" the whole room burst into laughter. "I want that back, you know!"
"Keep dreaming, Phoebe," the blonde boy said. He was standing with a blonde girl who looked like his twin sister, which is why Ana thought they looked alike. "Anyway, without any further interruptions, and by that I mean Phoebe, please welcome Julie, who'll be singing 'Touch the Sky.'" The twins walked off the stage as another blonde girl walked across it while the audience applauded in welcome. Phoebe took her seat at the desk in front of the stage and started the PowerPoint, with the lyrics to the song and pictures from the rehearsals.
It was at that moment she happened to look up and see her family. From left to right she saw Mia, Carrick, Grace, Ana, empty chair Kate and Elliot. Phoebe realised that her father wasn't there and just stared at the gap between her mother and her aunt. He broke his promise she thought. She felt the tears form in her eyes and suddenly didn't feel like having fun with her friends anymore. She just wanted to go home and curl up on her bed. Dad has missed another night. She suddenly stood up, asking Whitney if she could do the PowerPoint for a while.
She went outside for some air. Nicky and Ava followed but wisely said nothing. She could only think one thing toward her dad. I hate him!
... ... ...
Meanwhile...
"Yes, that sounds good. I'm afraid I'm going to have to call this meeting short now. I've got somewhere I need to be." Christian said to Mr Reynolds, a dear friend and business partner. He smiled and enquired as to why Mr Grey had to leave so early. "It's my daughters show at school tonight. I promised her that I would go and support her and I'm already running late. But it was good to see you again."
"Same here, Grey. How is your family?"
"They are all very well thanks. Ros will see you out and I'm sorry I can't stay longer." Christian grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair and nearly sprinted out of his office and towards to elevator. Taylor was waiting for him in reception.
"Sir, I've just received a call from Mac. There's a problem on The Grace and he was wondering if you could quickly go over there?" he said. Christian sighed and looked at his watch. Phoebes show was due to start in half hour, but she was one of the last acts apparently.
"Is it important?" Taylor nodded and, reluctantly, Christian agreed. What on earth could be wrong that would need him to go over there tonight to sort out? They got in the car and Taylor drove towards the mariner, driving faster than usual, as he knew Christian had to get back. When they arrived, Christian jumped out of the car and ran towards his yacht. Mac was waiting for him although Christian couldn't see anything wrong. "What's wrong, Mac? I need to be somewhere," Christian asked. His friend led him to the front of the yacht and he realised that the barrier to stop people falling overboard was destroyed. Christian sighed, although his anger was starting to boil. "This is why you called me?"
"I thought you would have wanted to know that someone broke onto your yacht, Mr Grey," Mac said simply.
"I thought you meant that something serious had happened. I wasn't expecting this. Look, its Ashley's birthday tomorrow is there a chance we can get this repaired tonight?"
"It's quite late now sir, but I can try. If not I will see about getting it done first thing in the morning before you and your family head out," Mac said simply. Christian agreed.
"Ok then, fine. Now if you'll excuse me, I have my daughters show to get to and I'm already late. I just hope I can make it in time to see her perform," he said the last sentence more to himself. With that he turned and got back in the car, calling Welch as they drove.
"Welch, I need you to hack into the security cameras at the mariner where my yacht is and have a look at any suspicious activity from the last couple of days," he said angrily. "And also see if anyone tried or succeeded to get on board. The front barriers have been removed and I'm fucking pissed." He snapped. Welch said he could e-mail the footage to him by the end of the tomorrow night at the earliest.
Christian glanced at his watch. He was hoping he would make it. He had to make it. He promised he would make it. He looked out of the window and saw that they were slowing down, due to a red light and heavy traffic on the road. "Shit,"
... ... ...
"Phoebe, come back inside." Ava pleaded. She was shivering in her blue dress as the temperature had dropped for the evening.
"Why? What's the point Ava?" Phoebe said moving out of Nicky's arms and walking toward her cousin.
"Because you've put so much effort into this show and I don't want to see you give everything you've done up just before Uncle Christian's too damn stupid to not show up. He's the one missing out, so why not make it amazing so the whole family can tell him he missed something amazing?"
"Because that's not the bloody point Ava!" Phoebe nearly shouted. "He made me a promise and he's broken it. Yet again, something good where I'm concerned is happening and he doesn't bloody well show up." Nicky decided maybe he should leave the girls alone and disappeared inside.
"Phoebe, what is this thing you have with your dad? It's like all you want to do is please him and have him tell you how proud he is."
"You don't understand Ava. You're an only child, you don't have to fight for your parent's attention. I have four brothers and another sibling on the way that my parents have to spend time with as well. But he can't even come on a family outing for one of his children because he's got to finish some business deal or something or other. Your dad tells you he's proud of you and my dad mostly tells me that I will have to get better. He never tells me he's proud." Ava sighed.
"You're right, Bee. I am an only child and I don't have to fight for their attention. But that means that I get to take advantage of it, I dont value the time I get with my parents, like you do. I would love to have a baby brother or sister. But Phoebe, don't get all upset because your dads an asshole," Ava joked, Phoebe giggled. "He's the one missing out, not you. You have the whole family here to see what you've put together. And the way I see it, at our age, we should be able to rebel. Trying to get out of spending time with our parents and they should be working hard to spend time with us, not the other way around. Cheer up, babes. You're just going to make yourself more upset." Phoebe smiled. Ava always managed to make her feel better even when she's upset. "You gonna come back inside before our mothers come out?" After a few seconds, the cousins went back inside the building and Phoebe went to wash her face in the toilets before going over to her laptop at the desk in front of the stage, letting Whitney go and finish getting ready.
Nicky's group was up second and they were singing a song called 'Hey Whatever' a catchy song with an annoying tune. Nicky poked his head out the door and told her to wish him luck, which she did so, smiling sweetly. She looked at her mother and saw her glance at her BlackBerry and sighs. Christian hadn't contacted her, not even with an 'on my way'. Ana shook her head and looked up at her daughter. Phoebe just sighed and looked at her boyfriend on the stage behind her, grinning as he knelt down right behind her to sing in her ear. Ava was right. Christian was the one missing out and Phoebe was going to put on an awesome show that everyone's going love in order to prove to him that life is not all about business and money. It's about having fun.
At the seventh song the 'hosts' of the show announced that Celine was ill and, therefore, someone was going to sing her song for her. "But luckily for you, we're gonna stay up here and talk while they finish getting ready," the blonde boy, Dave, said.
"We are?" his sister, Deana, asked.
"Of course, D. We can't expect our parents to sit here without some sort of entertainment do you?"
"Well, why not just get Phoebe to stand up here and look at everyone? That'll make 'em laugh," with that the whole room started to laugh again. Phoebe just smiled and joined her friends on the stage.
"Ok, then. Where do I stand?" she asked, looking at the audience. The was a sudden scream and the students laughed when they realised it was Ava. "Ava Grey, you should be getting ready!"
"And you should get off my stage," Dave said, playfully kicking her away. "Anyway, Deana-"
"Dave you are aware that this isn't a comedy show. And if it was we're doing a rubbish job of it?"
"Of course I know that. Anyway, Selena's ready now so we'd better hand it over to her." he said leading his sister off the stage as a girl with the blackest hair took their place. The music started and instead of lyrics, Phoebe played a video on the projector at the back of the stage, before she disappeared backstage herself.
Selena started singing 'It's All Coming Back to me', her voice projecting loudly and quietly, hitting every single note. Little did the audience know that Selena wasn't actually singing, she was miming it. It was a difficult song to sing and Celine was the only student, apart from one other that managed to pull it off. Phoebe stood at the side of the stage, out of sight, and sang. She didn't want to go onto the stage yet as her moment was later.
She glanced up to the screen and watched the video while singing. It was clips of Celine and Phoebe working together on the song, while dancing like professionals with male partners, who picked them up, spun them around and all sorts. It then moved onto a clip of Celine standing alone while her 'boyfriend' walked away from her. The video was telling a story of a break-up and before she knew it, Phoebe was finishing the song and moving back to her desk.
After that Nicky's group got on the stage again singing 'Uptown Girl' although they decided to replace the phrase 'Uptown Girl' to 'Phoebe Grey' making her cheeks turn red at all the attention. She risked a glance at her family and they were all smiling widely, all forgetting about Christian Grey and his sudden lack of promptness.
Finally it was Ava's turn. She was joining in with Rebecca and Susan's song, even though she and Phoebe were doing one together soon anyway. They were singing 'Help! I'm a Fish' and Ava used her sweet innocent voice when doing her part. Phoebe couldn't help but laugh. After a while, she joined in with the chorus. "I'm a little yellow fish in the dee blue sea!" she sang. No one could hear her but she felt her mother watching her. When the song finished, Miss Song got on stage to announce that they were taking a short break to in order to set up the next set of props and offered the parents refreshments at the back of the hall. Phoebe avoided her family and went to mess around backstage for a song. When they finished singing, they all went to set up again. Phoebe, yet again took control.
"Nicky can you and Matt take down the forest backdrop? Selena go and stack those chairs to the side so we can get them easily again later. Taylor, can you bring the door set forward and set it up down the middle. Carly, make yourself useful and get the giant heart for Carmen. King Charles? Make sure that your painting is really to go up when it's your turn." Phoebe took a few steps back and watched her friends do the work while she 'supervised'. There was 'Hampton the Hamster' playing in the background making everyone dance like loonies while working. Phoebe took another step back but it was one to far as she fell back off the stage. She waited for the pain from her fall but instead, felt arms and looked up into Kenny's eyes. He caught her just in time.
"You ok?" he asked. She nodded and mumbled her thanks. He helped her stand properly but she'd hurt her ankle and therefore sat back down at her desk. She looked up and saw Teddy standing in front of her.
"Hey, Bumble Bee. You alright?"
"What do you want, Ted? I'm busy."
"Well we just saw you fall off the stage and mum asked me to make sure you were ok."
"Yes, I'm fine. Kenny caught me so don't worry about it."
"Phoebe, grandma wants to look at your ankle. We all saw you limping over here so she went to get some things form her car."
"Teddy, I'm fine. Stop worrying. Anyway, I'm going to stand up now and finish setting up for the second half." She said standing up and limping away. Teddy sighed and went back over to his mother and brothers. The others had gone to get refreshments. He told her what he said and what Phoebe said.
"Thanks Ted. I'm gonna stand outside and ring your father. Fine out where the hell he is!" she said as she stood and walked outside. The cool air hit her face and she realised for the first time how warm it was in the hall. She dialled his number and it went straight to voicemail. She sighed and dialled Taylor's number. He picked up almost immediately.
"Mrs Grey?" he sounded surprised.
"Taylor. Is my husband with you?" she asked sternly.
"Yes, Mrs Grey. I'll just give him the phone, ma'am." He said. After some shuffling Christian spoke.
"Hey baby,"
"Don't you 'hey baby' me, Christian Grey!" she almost shouted. "Where are you? Why haven't called me? Why aren't you answering your phone?"
"Ana, calm down. I'm on my way, we're stuck in traffic and my phones died."
"Why didn't you call me on Taylor's phone?"
"I didn't think about that," he said simply. Teddy called Ana to alert her that the show was starting again.
"That's your problem Christian. You never think about how your actions affect us. As long as Mr Control Freak is happy, it's fine. This conversation isn't over, I've got to go." She hung up before he could respond.
She couldn't wait to get her hands on him.
... ... ...
"Taylor, I'm in trouble. Take the shortest route possible and put your foot down!" Christian snapped. He didn't know why he was snapping at Taylor, it was his fault they were late and the traffic was bad.
"Yes sir, but the traffic is pretty bad today. I will try and get you there before Phoebe is due for her performance." He replied speeding up slightly, although there were cars everywhere, blocking their way. "Is Mrs Grey alright, sir?" he asked referring to the phone call.
"She's sounds fucking pissed off at me. Can't say I blame her really. I shouldn't have gone to check on the yacht." Christian sounded like he'd given up. He knew there would be an argument over this and in all honesty, he was starting to feel bad about missing something important to his baby girl. All the other times he felt guilty but this time he felt worse that guilty. He was ashamed of himself.
"They'll get over it, sir. Although you will need to give them some time." Taylor said. He and Christian had been more like friends since Christian met Ana and he knew them all well. Christian didn't even care that he had spoken about something the personal. He just nodded and continued to gaze out of the window. Come on traffic. Move out of the fucking way! He screamed in his head. He looked at his watch and felt like he might just make it, even if he missed most of it he was hoping to see his Cupcake. He had to see his Cupcake.
... ... ...
"Ladies and Gentleman. The time has come for you to start panicking. For after this next performance, done by our lovely girl group 'B*Witched', Phoebe will be getting on this stage. And I think we all know that will be a recipe for disaster!" Dave said. The room laughed, yet again. Even Ana was giving out a little giggle. She was partly glad Christian wasn't there as he would probably be red faced with fury by now.
"Dave, you're just jealous that I can sing better than you!" Phoebe shouted from her spot again.
"Dave, why this sudden need to pick on Phoebe tonight? She was fine when she was with Ava," Deana asked and he shrugged.
"Yeah, but Ava was supporting her. Wait until she's on her own. That's the recipe for disaster." She rolled her eyes and they moved to the side, allowing the group of four to take centre stage. The music started and before Phoebe knew it, she was standing up, next to Ava doing the dance to 'C'est La Vie' (AN: You should totally listen to this song and watch the video, it's amazing). When it finished, she was giggling like mad, and made her way back stage to get her microphone put on. Dave and Deana were making more jokes and before she knew it, she was on the stage singing, "I'm only me when I'm with you."
Friday night beneath the stars,
in a field behind your yard, you and I are paintin' pictures in the sky.
And sometimes we don't say a thing; just listen to the crickets sing.
Everything I need is right here by my side.
And I know everything about you
I don't wanna live without you.
I'm only up when you're not down.
Don't wanna fly if you're still on the ground.
It's like no matter what I do.
Well you drive me crazy half the time;
the other half I'm only trying to let you know that what I feel is true.
And I'm only me when I'm with you.
She listened to this song and it always reminded her of how she felt around Nicky, before the awkwardness of him being with Carly came around. With her friends helping her out on the stage with the dancing, she found herself having so much fun. It was incredible and she had completely stopped caring about Christian. She was spinning and jumping and at one point, even done a ballroom move with Nicky. He wasn't very good but then again the music was too fast for him. Her grey dress moved perfectly with her. She looked so elegant, considering she was singing such an upbeat song.
"Wow, Phoebe Grey managed not to fall over, that time, Deana." Dave said as he and his sister walked back across the stage.
"She fell over once in rehearsal, Dave, and you've teased her about it ever since. And since she done that so well, do you think we can give her back her shoe now?"
"Yes, I agree with Deana," Phoebe said, still standing on the stage. Dave eventually nodded and Ava came running down the aisle holding her shoe. They all laughed for a minute, parents and friends joining in too. "Ava, you're supposed to be on my side!" Ava shrugged and ran off the stage again, Phoebe following closely behind.
"Ok, now we have one more surprise for you, before we end this wonderful evening of fun music and laughter caused by bad comedy," Deana said.
"Yes, now we are going to invite the whole class on stage for one more performance as a group," Dave said as the whole class made their way onto the stage again, some sitting on the edge of the stage, others kneeling behind, all in a boy/girl arrangement, and two groups of girls on either side of the stage. Phoebe stood at her desk, played the background music and turned on a music video of the class through the year. Some of her classmates were playing an instrument.
They were singing 'Sing' and the video showed clips of students smiling and messing around while in rehearsals for this show. Someone in the front row started to sing:
Some words they can't be spoken only sung,
So hear a thousand voices shouting love.
Some girls from the side joined in:
There's a place, there's a time in this life when you sing what you are feeling,
Find your feet, stand your ground, don't you see right now the world is listening to what we say?
In the video, there were photos of them all as one big group, individual shots, them outside the classroom, at lunch and just chilling.
Sing it louder, sing it clearer, knowing everyone will hear you,
Make some noise, find your voice tonight.
Sing it stronger, sing together, make this moment last forever,
Old and young shouting love tonight.
Phoebe had joined everyone on the stage and gone straight to the piano to start playing the tune and started to sing with Ava, each taking a line to sing solo:
To sing we've had a lifetime to wait (wait, wait, wait)
And see a thousand faces celebrate (together celebrate)
You brought hope, you brought life, conquer fear, no it wasn't always easy,
Stood your ground, kept your faith, don't you see right now the world is listening to what we say?
The whole class was starting to sway from side to side listening to the music and letting it take them away. The video was playing some of them dancing funny, as if they'd rehearsed this dancing to the music especially for the video. The whole class joined in with the singing:
Sing it louder, sing it clearer, knowing everyone will hear you,
Make some noise, find your voice tonight.
Sing it stronger, sing together, make this moment last forever,
Old and young shouting love tonight.
The first person sang on their own again, and then was joined by Phoebe:
Some words they can't be spoken only sung,
To hear a thousand voices shouting love and life and hope.
Just sing; just sing; just sing; just sing.
Sing it louder, sing it clearer, knowing everyone will hear you,
Make some noise, find your voice tonight.
Sing it stronger, sing together, make this moment last forever,
Old and young shouting love tonight.
Hear a thousand voices shouting love.
The song finished, and every parent, grandparents, aunt, uncle and friend stood up and applauded the class. Kate and Ana had tears in their eyes, they were so proud of their daughters and Grace handed them a tissue, letting her tears fall. Miss Song went up on the stage, thanked everyone for attending, and asked them all to leave in an orderly fashion, and parents to wait outside for their children. Some of the students were staying behind to pack up some of the props but the majority was going home with their parents. Phoebe was going to leave but she thought she might help. It was at this point that Christian burst through the doors of the hall. The disappointment on his face was obvious and as soon as his family saw him, he knew he was in trouble and there would be an argument.
... ... ...
Phoebe saw her father burst through the hall as they started to pack up. She was glad he didn't try to talk to her but allowed their family to take him outside. Someone put more music on as they packed up. As she was trying to take down one of the backdrops, Nicky snuck up behind her and made her jump, causing it to fall, and the bar the fabric was folded over fell with it. She was standing too close as he bumped her head slightly.
"Ow! Nicky what was that for?" she snapped.
"Sorry babe didn't mean for that to happen. Are you ok?"
"I'll be fine, just finish put all the chairs away will you?" she snapped. He left and she smiled slightly. Nicky will always be immature. She walked to the front of the stage and started giving orders like she has done the entire time she had been sorting this show out. After a few minutes, everyone was doing as they were told. She turned and saw Kenny next to her smiling slightly.
"Hey, you ok?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine thanks. It's just a small bump on the head," she replied.
"I wasn't talking about that bar falling, although you should get your head looked at. It looked like it you hard. No, I was talking about your dad," she sighed.
"My dad made a promise and he broke it. I'm pissed off at him but I'll be ok in the end. We always make up." She smiled at him. They stood where they were for a while before she started to feel a little dizzy. Kenny took her arm and led her outside to get some air. She sat down on the bench next to the door and he looked at her head.
"Well good news is, it's not bleeding but you may have a lump there for a while and a slight bruise." He stated.
"Since when were you an expert in medical needs?" she grinned. He shrugged.
"My dad's a doctor and he taught me a few things while he was stitching me up from one of my mum's attacks," he looked sad. She felt guilty.
"Kenny, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."
"Phoebe do me a favour? Stop apologizing. You can't know what you're saying may remind me of my mum. How can you, you haven't been there and I'm glad. I would hate for something to happen to you," he sat down next to her. She smiled and rested her head on his shoulder, surprising both of them.
"Kenny can I ask you something?" she asked and he nodded. She sat up and looked at him. "Why did you let Ava speak to you the way she did in Starbucks earlier?" he looked vaguely surprised but answered anyway.
"Well, I work there and she's a customer. Rule number one of working in a place like that is don't be rude to customers. Also, the woman was there. I couldn't say anything while her mum was there. That was her mum right? It's just they look so alike," Phoebe laughed.
"Yes, that's my Aunt Kate. My mum and she are best friends. Have been since college apparently. That's why Ava and I are so close. We grew up together. Anyway, back to Starbucks. I don't want to make you uncomfortable, but why are you working there? Surely it's awkward when our year turns up?"
"It is a bit, yeah, but I need to earn money Phoebe. We don't all come from a wealthy background. Ava was right. I'm poor."
"I didn't mean it like that Kenny. It was just a shock to me that's all. I always thought you looked quite well-off like most the guys at school."
"Yeah, well. Dad didn't want me to look scruffy so he bought me expensive looking clothes. Anyway, enough about me. I don't want to talk about my life anymore. How long have you played piano?" he sounded really surprised. She laughed at his tone.
"I must have started when I was about five, I think." She said the started mumbling to herself, "Let's see, I'd just gotten out of the hospital and I heard dad playing and I wanted to be like him," she counted on her fingers. "Yeah, about twelve years. I started not long after I started school. I heard my dad playing one evening and I wanted to learn too. He taught me the basics before hiring a teacher. He also taught me how to dance for when we go to formal events."
"Really? What kind of dance?"
"Ballroom, mainly. He hired me a teacher for dancing and now I can do the Foxtrot, Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Quickstep. All sorts. I'd love to learn the Rumba though, it's so romantic." She laughed and he joined in, neither of them sure what they were laughing at but still. They were having fun. Never mind the fact that their parents were looking for them and they were supposed to helping clear up the hall.
"Phoebe, what did you mean by 'I'd just gotten out of hospital'?" he asked suddenly. She froze. Shit! I hoped I'd distracted him with the dancing conversation.
"Erm, it doesn't matter. It's insignificant now." She replied.
"Is it anything to do with you not being able to hear properly?" he asked suddenly. How did he know?
"How did you know I can't hear properly?" she asked.
"I've only known you for four days, but in that time I've noticed that you only talk to people if they're on your right side, you look like your straining to hear them and you hardly heard me when I tried calling to you yesterday."
"You were talking to me? I'm so sorry; you must think I'm a total bitch." He laughed gently.
"Come on, Bee. I told you about Starbucks." She sighed.
"Well, I don't remember much about it. But, I was about five years old and it was my first day at school. I was feeling a bit warm and my arm was really itchy so I kept scratching it. I think it was bleeding as my parents freaked out. My dad sent Teddy and Nick to school, my mum had to go to work, and my grandma came to look after me and told dad I need to go to the hospital. She mentioned the measles or something. But, I don't remember being in hospital, being looked after by the doctors or anything. A week of my life and I don't even remember it. The only thing I know and remember is not being allowed to see my mum, as she was pregnant, and my dad holding my hand. He read me my favourite book and occasionally he would hold me. One day I woke up and everything was significantly quieter. That's all there is to know." He nodded, her eyes widened. "But Kenny, you can't tell anyone. Not my parents, Nicky, your dad, anyone at school, not even Ava."
"Ava doesn't know? I thought you two told each other everything?"
"I don't want Ava to know. I don't want anyone to know. I just dont want to be the sick or odd one again. I can't have everyone treating me differently."
"Hey, it's ok. I hear you; your secret is safe with me. I promise."
"Don't."
"Don't what?"
"Don't make any promises to me. I don't want any more false hope."
"Sorry. But, honestly. I won't say anything,"
"Thanks Kenny. You know, you're so easy to talk to. I feel like I can tell you anything."
"Maybe you can tell him why you two are leaving your parents to worry about where you are?" a cold voice said from behind them. Phoebe turned and saw her father standing in the doorway of the main school building. Normally she would have been frightened at this tone, knowing he was angry but right now, she didn't care. She was just as angry. Although she did wonder how long he had been standing there.
"How long have you been standing there?"
"Only to hear your last sentence. Why, were you having a private conversation?"
"As a matter of fact we were. And, it's one you're not invited to join. So thank you for checking on us. You can go now." Kenny looked at her, utterly shocked at the tone she was using with her parent. She was shocked herself but she needed him to leave her alone. When she saw her father's face getting red and angry she knew they were about to argue.
"Don't you dare talk to me like that young lady!" he snapped.
"Or what? Nothing you can do will make me feel bad about talking to you like this!" they were raising their voices, which grabbed the attention of Ana and the rest of the Greys. In two minutes, the eleven members of the Grey family appeared outside.
"I am your father and you will show me some respect!" he shouted back.
"I'll show you some respect when you show me some. You like deals dad. There's one right there for ya!" she shouted with plenty of attitude.
"Alright, you two this isn't helping anyone," Ana said stepping between them, placing her hands on her husband's chest, looking into his eyes.
"Stay out of this, Ana!"
"Christian! Don't you dare speak to your wife like that." Grace scolded and she looked at her grandchildren. "Teddy, can you take your brothers to the car and have Sawyer drive you home. Only take one car, I have a feeling Phoebe and Christian will need to take a different one to each other."
"But, Gran, we won't all fit."
"You'll have to sit in the front Ted. Ryan and Barrell will go in the other car and I'm sure Taylor will drive Christian. Go, now please." She replied with authority. "Kate, Elliot, there's no need for you to be here. Why don't you go home? I'll sort them out if I have to bang their heads together." Kate was reluctant to leave but did anyway, taking Ava with them. Mia looked exhausted as Carrick wrapped his arm around her. "Carrick, take Mia home. I'll get a lift."
"Are you sure?" he asked. He would normally stay and help but he needed to look after his daughter. Grace nodded and told him to go. That only left Kenny standing awkwardly listening to mother, father and daughter arguing. He looked at her for help and she just gestured for him to leave, which he gratefully did.
"Christian, stop shouting at your daughter and sit down!" she said. Christian looked at her and sat down on the bench. "Now then shall we discuss this calmly?"
... ... ...
So sorry. I know you all hate me but this is a while other chapter!
Thank you so much for the reviews:
loves4paws
Emmaaver
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Gaums30
LostInADream11
Crissy-Fenix-Prime
kie1993
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StepToFar
Charlotte-Renesmee-Cullen: Don't worry about your review, I plan on it
I love the fact that you are all enjoying this and leaving me reviews. Thank you for the constructive criticism, regarding certain things (e.g. one review would like to see a more rebellious Phoebe). Unfortunately, though I like to please, I can't make everyone happy in the sense that their suggestion won't work for the future of the story.
I'm glad most of you like the father daughter relationship and thank you so much for commenting that I have written it well. I've been in seventh heaven ever since. One review asked if I thought about spankings as punishment as the children. I have thought about it, but I feel I haven't had one of them misbehave enough to deserve one, although I feel like Ashley's becoming a bit of a troublemaker. But I'm nervous because I don't believe in that kind of punishment for children (I was never punished that way) so it's an uncertainty for me. I knew that Christian thinks differently though.
There was one concern about Teddy's age. He's 19 but I still have him in school with Phoebe. As I have mentioned I don't know the schooling system in America as I live in England, which is slightly different, I believe. So you'll just have to pretend that they're still in school at that age, sorry.
Finally, I am sorry about how some of you are 'haten how u making me hang like that sooo not cool' ;)
Please continue to review! I really want to make this something you'll enjoy