Chapter 9

Shun

Shun's estimate was almost right. Kyoya went up on stage, proudly "sang" a few "lalalas", and then bounded off the stage happily. Chazz walked on stage, opened his mouth to sing, and 'fainted' just to make the others work. Miss Raven, Robbie, and the keyboardist, Alexi, helped carry him off the stage.

Then it was Shun's turn.

"You'll be fine," Grace whispered. She grabbed Shun's hand and gave it a quick squeeze. Shun nodded.

"Yeah, I already told you that doing well doesn't matter to me," Shun whispered back. He squeezed back half-heartedly. "I don't even know what to sing! I'm not prepared at all."

"Try something you like," Grace suggested, blushing slightly when Shun squeezed her hand. "Like gothic metal."

"I can't even HUM gothic metal right," Shun admitted. "I've tried."

"How about some slow song?" Grace continued.

"Oh, wonderful!" Shun exclaimed sarcastically. "What a way to further ruin my reputation. Brilliant, Grace. Simply brilliant."

"In between?" Grace tipped her head, blushing a little more, realizing that Shun hadn't let go of her hand.

Shun squeezed a little harder. "You've got to help me. What do I do?"

"Try 'I'm Yours', by Jason Mraz," Grace prompted. "I've been thinking about your voice singing multiple songs, and I think that one fits you."

Shun grunted. "Oh boy, love songs."

"You have a better idea?" Grace snapped. Shun sighed, admitting defeat.

"Nope, I guess not. Any other ones?"

Grace shrugged. "Um...well, there's...hm, let's see..."

"Next up..." Miss Raven began. Shun swallowed hard.

"Help me," he mouthed. Grace giggled.

"You'll do great! It'll be fine," she insisted, turning to face Shun. Shun stared back evenly, meeting her eyes.

"Man, I hope you're right," he muttered.

"Shun Kazami, come on up," Miss Raven finished.

Shun took a deep breath. "Here goes nothing."

Grace stood up. Shun stood next to her. "Should I walk you to the stage?" Grace asked.

"Sure, Mom," Shun joked. "Oh, and while you're at it..."

Grace whacked his arm. "Stop it!" she laughed. "Now, go on. And don't forget a change of clothes!" she teased.

Shun smiled grimly. "Wish me luck," he whispered.

"Already have," Grace whispered back. "Too many times to count."

Shun walked over to the stage and stepped on. He cleared his throat. "Uh...hi."

Miss Raven smiled and stepped down.

"Are you actually singing?" Alexi asked. He tipped his head, green eyes full of question. Robbie blinked his dull blue eyes and shook his head, black curls bouncing around, unsure of where to land.

"No way," he said, almost laughing. "Not him. Not Shun Kazami."

Shun took another deep breath. "'I'm Yours'," he said quietly. "'I'm Yours', by Jason Mraz. That's what I'm doing."

Alexi gave him a knowing glance. He'd been the too-cool kid when he'd been in Miss Raven's. He also had sung to impress the girl of his dreams, the female back-up singer, Kathleen.

Robbie made the mistake of laughing out loud. Shun blushed. Robbie noticed his mistake and forced himself to stop laughing.

"You're really going to do it?" he gasped. "That takes a lot of nerve. You're a brave kid."

Shun sighed. "Yeah, I know. Don't make this harder then it really is."

"If it helps," Alexi said suddenly, "I can totally see you singing this song. You'll be fine."

I don't care about doing well! Shun wanted to scream, but then he noticed the gleam of understanding in Alexi's eye.

"She'll love it," Alexi whispered. "Kathleen did."

Kathleen nodded, smiling. "I loved it, Lexi. I really did," she said, turning to Alexi. Alexi smiled at her and looked at Robbie.

"So, Robbie? Are you ready?" he asked.

Robbie laughed. "This is gonna be great!"

Shun blushed harder. "It's not funny!"

"It's hysterical!"

"Stop it, Rob," Alexi scolded. "It's hard enough already! The poor guy."

Shun frowned. "Please just help me get it over with."

Robbie chuckled one more time. "Alright, alright. Let's do it." He chuckled again. "Wow, I'm looking forward to this..."

"Cut it out! It's not funny!" Shun protested. He turned around, blushing madly, completely embarrassed. Alexi stood and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Calm down," he whispered. "Robbie's just teasing you. It'll be okay." Then he sat back down at his place. Shun's heart began to slow and his breathing became calmer. Robbie started to play. Alexi scooted his instrument closer and positioned himself in a good spot to give occasional whispered pep talks. Shun closed his eyes.

"What if nobody exists?" Grace asked. "Would you sing then?"

"Grace! That's impossible!"

"Only if you BELIEVE it's impossible!

There's no one here, Shun told himself. No one else exists. Just me...and Alexi. I need encouragement.

He took one last deep breath, opened his mouth, concentrated as hard as he could on just getting the notes right and remembering the words, and started to sing.

Time passed quicker then Shun expected. He was so intent on sounding good and pretending that no one but Alexi and himself was around that he forgot to listen to see if Irene was harmonizing. When he finally stopped, then, and only then, did he dare open even one eye. He turned to Robbie. His mouth was hanging open in shock. Alexi was grinning from ear to ear. The audience was silent. Miss Raven was gaping at him.

Shun blushed. "Uh...I'm done," he said awkwardly. Slowly, he stood.

"You were great!" Alexi hissed from his place by the keyboard. "I mean great. You did really well. And I heard someone harmonize." He gave a quick wink that made Shun blush even more.

Shun quickly hustled off stage, taking the steps three at a time. No one moved. Everyone was perfectly still and totally silent.

"YEAH!" someone shouted. "WOOOOO! YEAH! YAHOO!"

Shun realized it was Grace. She was cheering and clapping and laughing like a maniac. Suddenly, the whole audience erupted in roaring applause. Shun ran quickly over to his spot, where he was greeted by Grace, arms open wide.

"You were AMAZING!" she cried, hugging Shun close. "I thought you couldn't sing! Everyone was SO shocked!"

Shun smiled awkwardly. "Uh...thanks. Hey, did Irene harmonize?"

"I didn't care!" Grace shouted. "I was paying too much attention to you. That song was great for you, and you even remembered to substitute the language. I'm so proud of you!"

Shun pulled away from Grace's hug and collapsed into his seat. "I wasn't that good," he muttered, uncomfortable.

"For not wanting to do anything, you were. And for your first time ever you were," Grace pointed out. "Everyone loved it."

"Stop it," Shun ordered. "You're embarrassing me!"

"That's what friends do, right?" Grace laughed.

Friends? Shun had never exactly considered his spunky roommate with all her crazy quirks as a friend. But then he realized that no matter how hard he was on her, no matter how rude he acted, Grace had always been a loyal companion, by his side for support when he needed it most. He smiled.

"Yeah," he said finally. "That's what friends do."

"Honey!" someone cried, rushing over to Shun and giggling gleefully. Irene pushed past Grace to stand in front of Shun. He looked up at her.

"I didn't know you could sing!" Irene squeaked.

"Neither did I," Shun admitted.

"Did you hear me harmonizing?"

Shun almost fell out of his chair. "W-What?!"

"I harmonized almost the whole song." Irene blinked her big, blue eyes. "Was that wrong?"

"No," Shun said softly. "No, it was...perfect. Just perfect."

(Author's Note: GYAAH

JUST IMAGINE ZACHARY BENNET SINGING I'M YOURS

IT'S ACTUALLY REALLY PRETTY

I actually liked this chapter a lot despite all the random ooc-ness and stuff, but hey, it's an alternate universe. Anything can happen.)