It was audition day. I stood behind the curtain along with 20 or so other hopefuls for a place in an acapella group. Four acapella groups sat in front of the stage, as I peeked through the gaps of the curtains. It was obvious to tell how they segregated into their own little sections, whispering amongst each other. I could see the Barden Bellas were much outnumbered by the other groups, having only the two girls I had met at the Activities Fair sitting next to each other, holding each auditioning person's application. I moved my stare to the other group sitting just a few rows behind them, the Treblemakers. I could see Bumper being obnoxious and arrogant, trying to provoke the two Bellas into giving up on succeeding. Donald was sitting amongst the boys, shaking his head as Bumper proclaimed his superiority towards all the groups. I stood back in my place and smiled at a girl next to me awkwardly as I calmed my racing heart. I took deep breaths and took out my phone to text Jesse.

'dude where are you? auditions are starting in 10 mins'

I looked over at Benji and asked him the same thing, "Hey Benji, do you know where Jesse is? I swear he told me he would be here auditioning as well."

"Oh I actually have no clue," Benji smiled politely, "I was the first to arrive here this morning."

"You came here at 10am?" I asked, bewildered at why he would want to be the first one at the auditorium.

"No, 8," He smiled sheepishly. I only raised my eyebrows with a forced laugh. His obsession with acapella was no joke.

"8am, wow," I nodded, not sure if I was impressed by this feat. "I sure hope you get into an acapella group then."

"The Treblemakers are the only ones for me," Benji nodded along, his enthusiastic aura seeping into mine. Somehow, watching Benji pump himself up had taken an effect on me too. I was starting to get excited. Then, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

"Lucy, Benji," Jesse panted, resting his hands on his knees as he caught his breath, "I overslept."

I smacked him behind the head and sighed, "I've been texting you all morning, I had half a mind to come up to your dorm."

He flinched as he rubbed the back of his head and mumbled, "My phone alarm didn't go off."

I rolled my eyes as I went back to my phone, now texting Beca, 'hey beca, im at the auditions right now, it starts in like 10 mins. are you coming or are you ditching me? :('

She texted almost right away, which I appreciated considering not everyone takes the time to reply back quickly. I read her text, 'hey, I'm actually not totally sure if I want to audition...'

'WHAT?! but you promised me we would audition together!' I grimaced as I typed up those words, seething slightly at the idea that Beca would abandon me like that.

'I'm sorry! Idk yet, I'm still mulling it over'

'Beca if you do not show up to this audition I swear to god I am never sharing any takeout food with you ever again'

'I doubt that, lucy'

'DONT TEMPT ME!'

The auditions began before I could see what she texted me back with and people started lining up to have their moment on the stage. We had to sing 16 bars of 'Since U Been Gone' by Kelly Clarkson, each person showing their abilities to perform every role in an acapella group. Each group watching would then judge what role you would best be suited to, then contacting you directly if they chose to have you in their little clique. Jesse and I smiled at Benji as he walked onto the stage, giving him some moral support before he began his sample of the song. After Benji, it was Jesse. After Jesse, it was a petite Asian girl who I barely heard speak. After her, it was me.

I walked onto the stage and gave the pair of Bellas a smile, and introduced myself, "Hi, my name is Lucy, I'm a freshman here at Barden and... I do literature." My inner self cringed as I failed to impress them with any interesting facts about me. I was bound to be unnoticed with an introduction like that. I glanced at Donald and he was smiling, eyes hardly leaving me, and I blushed.

I quickly looked away and focused my attention on the two girls in front. I smiled nervously and began my sample.

She began singing. Her small lips opened as she took a deep breath and began to let out her voice. It was impressive at first, seeing as she was on beat and rhythm with each percussion and melody role that was given, if not slightly quiet, but that was probably because she was nervous. Then she began to sing the lyrics. Everyone had heard this song before, it was an old pop classic, but the way she sang it, it was as if I was suddenly listening to a bird hum sweetly in its nest. If I were to materialise her voice into something, it would be that. A nightingale.

"Donald, you're not watching the video," Greg nudged me as he positioned his phone closer to my face. I moved away from him, showing my annoyance at his persistence.

"Dude, this girl has got a great voice," I glared at Greg. "You should take some notes."

He scoffed, "To sound like a chick?"

"To be a good performer," I rolled my eyes. I ignored him from there on out as I listened to Lucy perform.

Like most girls, she could sing high notes, but I felt like she was on another level. Maybe it was because I had a form of attraction towards her that made me biased, but I wanted her to sing more than just 16 bars. I wanted to hear her sing 16 songs and more. I smiled, catching her glance every now and then and she almost stumbled on her words when she did. I chuckled quietly as she made mistakes here and there, probably because she had noticed me staring her down. I hoped she would be nervous with me watching her... It made me feel good. Regardless, I was thoroughly enjoying her performance. If only the Treblemakers allowed girls to join. I applauded her as she walked off the stage, receiving a strange look from Bumper as he rolled his eyes at me.

"We don't clap, Donald," He sighed.

"She was good, Bumper," I replied, eyes still watching her leave. "How about being a good musician and appreciating other people's talents?"

"I'll appreciate her only if she and I get some private time alone," Bumper sniggered, hitting a nerve of mine. I chose to let it go, knowing he was just being his obnoxious self. No doubt, I was in the same boat as him most days.

I walked off the centre of the stage, taking more deep breaths than I ever had in my life once I reached behind the curtain. Jesse bear-hugged me with a big grin as Benji congratulated me on going through with the audition.

"That was great! You did awesome Luce!" Jesse smiled.

"You're definitely getting into the Bellas, Lucy," Benji agreed.

"Thanks," I breathed, heart still racing from adrenaline. "That was scary."

"You'll learn to love it," Benji assured me, "Performing will give you the rush it gives me."

There were a few more auditions, the event was over. The hosts of the event began closing it off until I saw Beca walk through the back door, awkwardly glancing around. I gasped and ran over to her, pulling her towards the stage.

"No time to argue about how late you are!" I said as I pushed her past the curtains and onto the stage, despite her stumbling on her words of protest.

She managed to do her audition, even if she didn't sing the same song as the rest of us, and furthermore used a cup as an instrument. I peered over at the Bellas, and the redhead was impressed. I felt that was enough to get her in. Interpretive risk taking was definitely going to get her points. I just hoped the blonde would agree too.

Once the hosts ended the auditions, Jesse, Beca, Benji and I planned on getting lunch together, since we didn't really eat breakfast... Except for Benji. He was always freakishly prepared for everything, I thought maybe I should ask him for some advice on how to be so ready for each day. God knows I wake up without any food in me until midday. We decided to go to a small bistro that served lunch near our campus. As we began heading out the back door, I heard my name being called out.

"Lucy," Donald walked backstage to where I was from where he was sitting. "Can I talk to you for a sec?"

"Um..." I could see Jesse in my peripheral vision saying 'no'. I rolled my eyes at him and said, "You guys go ahead, I'll be right behind you."

Jesse sighed as Beca and Benji ushered him out of the auditorium before he could protest. I returned my attention to Donald, asking him, "What's up?"

"You planning on heading out somewhere?" He asked, watching the three exit the auditorium.

"Yeah, actually," I nodded, stuffing my hands in my pocket. "We're going out to lunch."

"Damn," Donald half smiled, "I was planning on taking you to another lunch."

"Hmm, well I don't know, will you actually eat this time?" I giggled as I added, "and will you be uncovering another big secret? Are you a transvestite?" I raised my eyebrow and pointed at him accusingly.

He laughed and adjusted his eye glasses, "I'm sure you'd love that. I'll take you to a nice place, come on."

I sighed, shaking my head with my smile still in place, "Donald, I'm not going to ditch my friends whom I've already made plans with, besides, you know we are just friends."

"That's a bummer," He tried to hide his frown, but it was obvious that he was disappointed with the outcome. Awkwardly, I waved goodbye as I started heading out the door.

"I'm gonna win you over, you know," He called out before I turned the knob. "You're gonna have to come to the dark side eventually!"

"Hilarious," I laughed as I left the auditorium, not sure if it was a pun on his skin tone. I could hear his voice through the shut door yelling, "You've got a great voice!" It made me grin and my heart was beating out of my chest. I was trying my best to calm down as I headed towards the cafe, attempting to convince myself that what I felt for Donald was purely platonic... But damn, I was beginning to enjoy the attention...

Hello lovely readers! You're looking fabulous today! Thank you so much for the reviews! It's part of the reason why I worked on this chapter as fast as I could! Please continue to review, it really pumps me up to write the next chapters!

Replies:

M. Jackson Potter: Thank you so much for loving Lucy! I'm so happy she is being well received. I definitely agree with the Mary Sue thing, I have read my fair share of Mary Sue fics and it is always paaaainful! I definitely plan on expanding her friendship with Jesse and Beca, and of course, every chapter will progress the relationship with Donald :)

padfoottnprongs, SilverSwagxX and LaceyLeanne1997: Thank you all for supporting the story! I'm sure if Lucy were real she would blush real hard at the love she's getting :)