Hey guys, it's me again with a new chapter. Just want to say thanks for all the reviews. They never fail to make me smile. I'm glad you're all liking the story so far. Here we go, let's start chapter six. Anticipate a cute Ryley moment.
CHAPTER SIX
"Yo, that was awesome!" Puck comments through the microphone. "You ever heard a Rihanna song done on a guitar like that? Come on, that was genius! Give it up one more time for Sam Evans and Mike Chang!"
The auditorium explodes with applause. Sam had sung Rihanna's Disturbia with only his acoustic guitar, accompanied by Mike's dance moves, and the crowd is still crazy about it. Marley can see several kids hoisting banners with We love you white chocolate! written on them. Okay. That's pretty creepy.
"We're up," Tina reminds a nervous-looking Marley. "Remember, positions. You turned Sugar's microphone off?" She turns to Kitty.
"Wrenched it off her ear and plunged it into the water closet," Kitty says, giving her a thumbs-up.
Marley starts to shiver. Whenever she's going to perform in front of a crowd, she finds herself hyperventilating. She doesn't want to be nervous; everyone keeps telling her how good and talented of a performer she is. But whenever it's show time, she just feels like a lost little girl, sacrificing herself to a crowd of strangers who only wants to see her trip and fall. Her hands start to shake. Her lips tremble. Cold sweat drips off her chin.
"Marley, you all right?" Ryder comes to stand next to her.
The sight of him calms her down, even for the tiniest bit. "Yeah," she lies. "I'm… I'm just… nervous." She finally relents. "Look at that crowd, Ryder. I'm going to make a fool out of myself again, just like Sectionals."
"Hey, look at me," Ryder takes her hands, and she feels a jolt inside of her as his skin touches hers. She stares deep into Ryder's bright brown eyes. "Remember what I told you before Grease? You're amazing. And you still are. Forget everyone else. Just sing, sing, and sing. Sing and dance your heart out. Make them feel your love for music and the stage. Make them feel it, Marley, and they will love you. One look at you and I'm sure they'll be mesmerized. The spotlight always follows you around. Believe me."
Marley bites her lips as she processes what Ryder is telling her. Her heart feels like it's going to burst. Why? Why must Ryder be so kind to her, so sweet, so charming?
"You coming, humpback whale? We're starting in thirty seconds," Kitty interrupts, eyeballing her and Ryder's interlocking hands.
"In a minute," Marley says. She returns to Ryder. "You'll be watching?" It sounds more like a request than a question.
"Of course I will," Ryder nods. "Now get out there before Puck goes all crazy onstage." He hesitates, his hands still on Marley's. Then, with one quick movement, he plants a kiss on Marley's cheek. He runs away before Marley even has time to process what just happened.
The auditorium lights are dimmed as the girls step out onto the stage and gets into positions. Each of them wear tap shoes, black pants, black vests over white blouses, black bowties, and black bowler hats. Their backs are to the audience. Fogs made out of dry ice fills the floor. The music starts playing.
Baby, baby, just a lil' bit,
Baby, baby, just a lil' more
Baby, baby, let me see ya
Walk to me, talk to me, hear me right
The girls whirl around to face the eager crowd, their feet moving to the rhythm of Gia Farrell's song, Hit Me Up. They form a V formation as they dance, with Brittany on the front, Marley and Unique on the second row, Tina and Kitty on the third, and Sugar and Gina on the fourth. They sing solos off the song in takes on the first verse.
I did cause a commotion, I can't help but make a scene
I ain't looking for something permanent to get at me
The crowd cheers as the girls start to tap dance. Some, like Tina, Brittany, and Kitty, do it with ease. The other girls are trying their best to follow the rather complicated choreography and to step up their performance.
Say hey, what's it gonna be tonight?
Come hit me up, come hit me up
Say hey, you comin' with me tonight
Come hit me up, come hit me up
Say hey, we'll be running all lights
Come hit me up, come hit me up
The girls laugh at one another as they keep on dancing. They start to spot happy faces in the audience in front of them. Brittany winks at Sam; Tina gives Blaine a playful smile and Mike a happy grin. Kitty blows air kisses to Artie, who blushes as he records the performance with his handycam. Jake and Ryder are on their feet, side by side, cheering at them. Marley's smile breaks and she waves at… who? Who is it she's waving at? Jake, of course. Jake, right? But why did her eyes find Ryder first…?
Gina, well… she was looking for Ryder, and she'd found him, but now her eyes have also found somebody else. Nick. Nick the Warbler. He is on his feet too, clapping, shouting and cheering at them. When he catches Gina's eyes, he winks and points a finger at her. It's you I'm cheering for!
Gina can't help but feel a little giddy as she and the girls complete the last part of the song.
Baby, baby, just a lil' bit,
Baby, baby, just a lil' more,
Baby, baby, let me see ya
Walk to me, talk to me, hear me right
The girls stand still, heads bowed down, arms on their sides, as the auditorium lights dim one more time. The crowd roars; they are on their feet, clapping, shouting praises. The girls take in the glory of their performance, bowing and curtsying and thanking everyone as they hug one another.
"Give it up for the girls of McKinley High!" Puck bellows, and the audience gives another round of applause in agreement. "That was the bomb, ladies!"
"We did it!" Marley says in excitement. Her eyes instinctively move over the audience, and once again, she finds herself locking eyes with Ryder. He gives her a thumbs-up, and a sense of warmth wells up in Marley's cheeks. She feels like she had really made him proud, and that is something she really wants to do.
Marley stops herself. Why? Shouldn't I be impressing Jake instead?
Gina, on the other hand, finds herself looking back at Nick. She watches him for a moment, her face expressionless. He's still grinning at her, still pointing at her, looking impressed and happy at the same time. You rule, girl!
Slowly, Gina smiles.
Uh-oh, looks like something is up with Marley and Ryder! And Gina might be falling for Mr. Nick the Warbler! What do you think, guys? Should they or shouldn't they? Oh and, you guys should listen to this song, Hit Me Up by Gia Farell. It's so good. :)