"Dad," Penny breathed. "I guess I have a lot to explain."

Michael nodded, looking puzzled but not angry. He sat down on the couch, near the place where they'd been practicing, to set down his now-full briefcase. Obviously, he was just returning from work.

"You know the show Seaweed and my friends are on, the Corny Collins Show?" Penny asked, gently.

"Yeah," Michael said. "Sure, I know it."

"Well, they're going on tour. And I plan on going with them."

"Oh," Michael said, slowly.

He looked from Penny to Seaweed, who was standing silently at her side, with his hand protectively placed on her back. His face was expressionless as Michael searched it.

"Dad, please let me go," Penny said. "I've never been outside of Baltimore."

"Oh, Penny, I wasn't going to stop you! I'm just… going to miss you when you're gone, that's all." He smiled and stood to hug her.

Gladly, Penny accepted the hug.

"So, when are you leaving?" he wondered.

"A week and a half," Penny announced.

"A week and a third," Seaweed corrected her, with a grin.

"All right then," Michael said.

"We'd better start practicing," Seaweed decided. "Uh, if you don't mind, Mr. Pingleton, we have a singing competition to get ready for. I was thinking we could just go up and practice up in Penny's room, or something, if I've got your permission 'n' all…"

"No, no, stay. Practice away. I wouldn't miss it," Michael said.

Everyone smiled.

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"You ready, baby?" Seaweed asked.

"BORN ready," Penny replied, smiling.

They stood backstage, readying themselves for the competition as Corny introduced them. "Now auditioning is one of our multitalented head dancers and his girlfriend. Give it up for Seaweed Stubbs and his partner, Penny Pingleton!"

Maybelle swelled with pride as they came onto the stage.

Penny and Seaweed sang a slow, soft, romantic song that he had written himself. The crowd seemed hypnotized, and when the couple finished their song, the crowd just sat there for a moment before erupting into wild applause. Seaweed and Penny grinned, bowed, and headed backstage together.

"They loved us," Seaweed grinned, breathless.

"And I love you," she breathed.

Pushing him up against a wall, she began to make out with him, feeling all of her limitations leaving her as she let all of her emotions into the kiss. She wanted Seaweed to know how much she loved him.

As the other acts ended, they sat on the bench backstage. The winners would be announced soon, and Penny shivered with anticipation. Seaweed squeezed her hand to reassure her.

"Could our couples auditioning for the singers' spots please come to the stage?" Corny said into his mic.

Penny noticed with nervousness how crowded the stage was. Since she and Seaweed were auditioning for guest spots, there were even more people who they had to compete with. The girls around her were giggling nervously, and fluffing their hair or smoothing down their skirts. Only one of us is going, she thought. Oh, God, please let it be me.

"Well, our judges had quite a bit of trouble deciding who our guest singers would be," Maybelle announced, looking around at the people on the stage. "But one couple in particular caught their attention."

"The guest couple who will be singing on the first-ever Corny Collins Show tour and on the show for the next six months is…" he paused for suspense… "Seaweed J. Stubbs and Penny Pingleton!"

"We did it!" Penny screamed, grabbing Seaweed by the shoulders and dancing him around in a circle.

Seaweed just grinned.

"I knew we could do it, baby," he said, giving her a light kiss. His lips still tingled.

"Congrats, kids!" Maybelle beamed.

"Now, the next portion of our competition is our guest dancers," Corny began. "Then, following a short commercial break, we'll hold a competition for our own singin' and swingin' council kids." He talked on, but Seaweed and Penny weren't listening.

Walking Penny out of the studio, Seaweed looked at her with a grin.

"We'd better get you home,' he said, as they settled into his car. "'Cause it's time for you to start packin'!"

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A/N: Hey, hope you guys liked PART ONE of HAIRSPRAY: The Unauthorized Sequel. If you did, PART TWO is coming soon! Please review; I love you all!

xoxo,

hairsprayheart