The next day, Jesse and Rachel walked into camp in their matching Wicked outfits, and everyone 'oohed and aahed' over how cute a couple they were. Jesse proudly showed her off as his girlfriend, and Rachel was smiling from ear to ear.
Shelby and Tamara walked into the room and settled the group down.
"Ok, guys! During the day we are going to start some work on the song 'Popular' with Galinda and Elphaba. I know you are all excited to start working on it, right?"
Tamara received a loud cheer from the group in response. Shelby raised her hand for silence, then continued.
"Then later tonight, we are going to go out to Central Park and have a surprise All-Camp Activity. It is a secret, so don't bother pestering myself and Tamara about it. Ok everyone-let's go!"
She and Tamara led the group out of the meeting room and into the auditorium theater, where they had everyone but Caroline and Rachel go up on stage for work on one of the all-cast numbers with Tamara. Meanwhile, Shelby, Rachel, and Caroline went into one of the smaller room off to the side to begin work on the vocals.
They had done a bit on the song, however Shelby wanted to make sure that the vocals were note perfect before beginning any of the choreography.
Finally she was satisfied, though, and took the girls to one of the dance studios to start practicing. As a show-choir director, Shelby was well versed in the workings of basic choreography and marking, so for the less intense work in this particular number, Tamara had left the blocking up to her.
Popular is a very fun song with lots of twirling, hair-flipping and joking around between two girls in a newly discovered friendship, so Shelby wanted to keep the light feel while enhancing the choreography to make it a challenging number that looked polished. Both girls were great dancers and were able to comply with her rather difficult goals, so they made good progress on the song.
They ran through the basic blocking about ten times, then Shelby was ready to add some vocals in. Although she was nervous about inserting music when the dance was not entirely nailed down, she realized the girls were ready to try it and wanted them to take some control over what they thought they could handle.
The first run-through was slightly sloppy off-sync with the dance moves, by the fourth or fifth try they were able to complete the entire number with few noticeable mistakes and Shelby was pretty happy with where they had gotten and sent the girls off to have a late lunch with their friends before coming back for another quick practice where Caroline and Rachel would perform the new number for the group.
The friends eagerly ran off to find Kendall, Mitchell and Jesse for lunch. The girls found them sitting on the steps leading to the main building on campus waiting for them. Jesse stood up when he saw Rachel, who ran towards him and kissed him quickly, before wrapping his arm around her and waiting impatiently for the others. Mitchell received a similar, if slightly more shy greeting from Kendall, and Caroline grabbed Rachel and Kendall's arms, walking in-between them.
Rachel looked at her and noticed she was the only one without a boyfriend and decided she would have to do something about that.
"Hey Caroline, where's that Foster boy you sat at rehearsal with?" she asked in a teasing voice.
"He's out with his friends, I saw him leave in a group-but guess what? He said he wanted to go out with me Friday or Saturday on a date! I'm so excited! You guys have to help me pick out what to wear, okay?"
The girls nodded in agreement. They were really excited for Caroline to find someone-then they could all go out on triple dates!
The five of them chatted about anything and everything;the Ice Queen, their show, and seeing Wicked and meeting the cast. Kendall, Mitchell and Jesse tried to get Caroline and Rachel to talk about their new number, but they refused, instead telling them that they would have to wait a bit until afternoon rehearsal started as they would be performing it there.
"Shelby did the choreographing herself and its really, really good! That's all I'm saying though," said Rachel. "you guys will see the rest in just a little while. Don't worry!"
They ate lunch and grabbed ice creams before heading back to the campus. They definitely did not want to be late since Rachel and Caroline were going to be performing. The other were really excited to see.
They walked into the auditorium with about ten minutes to spare and sat down in the front row seats, waiting for the rest of the campers to come in and get ready. Caroline and Rachel went into the dance studio to run through the choreography once more and make sure everything was as it was supposed to be.
Shelby walked back to join the girls in the studio and watch them practice.
"You guys have five minutes until we need to be out on that stage. Are you both ready?" she asked them.
"Yeah, we're good." Caroline replied, and Rachel nodded in agreement.
"Okay. Do some vocal warm-ups and get out there!" Shelby walked back to the auditorium and took her seat with Tamara and the other counselors to watch. Tamara leaned over and squeezed her arm, knowing she was going to be impressed.
The girls walked out on stage. Instead of the actual costumes they were going to wear in the show, Rachel had opted for her black 'Wicked' tee and some black yoga pants. Caroline was wearing a bright pink tank top and a pink frilly tutu they had put on her a moment ago as a joke over her white shorts.
The audience chuckled at Caroline's appearance, then settled down to watch. They were all ready to see the newest number in their play.
The music came on and the curtain rose to reveal Rachel sitting on one of the boxes that was set in lieu of the actual beds that would be on stage when the set was built.
Caroline opens her mouth to speak, "Elphie - now that we're friends, I've decided to make you my new project."
"You really don't have to do that."
Caroline walked across the stage, then glanced back at Rachel
"I know. That's what makes me so nice!
Whenever I see someone
Less fortunate than I
(And let's face it - who isn't
Less fortunate than I?)
My tender heart
Tends to start to bleed
She put her hands over her hearth and frowned, then jumped up excitedly and cartwheeled over to Rachel. This was going to be a bit more difficult in her dress, however Shelby was sure it would work out alright.
And when someone needs a makeover
I simply have to take over
I know I know exactly what they need
And even in your case
Caroline put her hands on Rachel's shoulders, who had yet to move from the bed.
Tho' it's the toughest case I've yet to face
Don't worry - I'm determined to succeed
Follow my lead
She twirled dramatically down to front-and-center.
And yes, indeed
You will be:
She pointed at Rachel and sank down to her knees.
Popular!
You're gonna be popular!
I'll teach you the proper ploys
When you talk to boys
Little ways to flirt and flounce (Ooh!)
I'll show you what shoes to wear
How to fix your hair
Everything that really counts
She grabbed Rachel's hands and the two of them twirled around the stage and danced to the song with much spinning, flipping and lifts.
Tamara leaned over and whispered quietly, "Wow, Shelby! You really have outdone yourself this time! The girls learned this just this morning?"
Shelby nodded in confirmation. "Yes. They are extremely talented. The girls should be proud of themselves. Actually, the whole cast should be! I'm very happy with what they've done."
To be popular
I'll help you be popular!
You'll hang with the right cohorts
You'll be good at sports
Know the slang you've got to know
So let's start
'Cause you've got an awfully long way to go:
Rachel made a big show of being offended and plopped back down on the bed. Caroline jumped up behind her and put her head on her shoulder, forcing Rachel to look at her.
Don't be offended by my frank analysis
Think of it as personality dialysis
Now that I've chosen to be come a pal, a
Sister and adviser
Caroline shook Rachel's shoulders and jumped up again, proudly dancing and skipping around the stage.
There's nobody wiser
Not when it comes to popular -
I know about popular
And with an assist from me
To be who you'll be
Instead of dreary who-you-were:are:
There's nothing that can stop you
From becoming popu-
Ler: lar:
La la la la
We're gonna make
You popular
Caroline came and stood to the side of Rachel, who turned to look at her expectantly.
When I see depressing creatures
With unprepossessing features
I remind them on their own behalf
To think of
Celebrated heads of state or
Specially great communicators
Did they have brains or knowledge?
Don't make me laugh!Hah!
They were popular! Please -
It's all about popular!
It's not about aptitude
It's the way you're viewed
So it's very shrewd to be
Very very popular
Like me!
Why, Miss Elphaba, look at you. You're beautiful."
Caroline handed Rachel an imaginary mirror and the girl proceeded to gasp at her 'appearance.' Then she stood up suddenly.
"I - I have to go:"
She ran off the stage.
"You're welcome!
And though you protest
Your disinterest
I know clandestinely
You're gonna grin and bear it
Your new found popularity
La la la la
Caroline looked in the 'mirror.'
You'll be popular -
Just not quite as popular
As me!"
Holding out the last note superbly, she held out the soon-to-be-mirror and froze, looking into the glass.
The auditorium burst into applause, with Kendall, Jesse, Mitchell and Foster leading them. Caroline blushed and bowed as Rachel came back onstage and smiled and bowed proudly.
Shelby and Tamara walked up and stood onstage with the girls as the rest of the kids quieted down.
Tamara grabbed the mic. "Now that, my dears, was gorgeous. Thank you to Shelby for choreographing the number and girls, you were simply fantastic. We are going to meet in Central Park in three hours, so take a shower, grab something to eat or hang out until then. We're going to have some fun tonight!"
Everyone cheered and stood up, congratulating Caroline and Rachel as they walked out.
This chapter was written by aglee123.
Thanks for reading please review.