Ciel's mouth dropped open as she heard Arran sing. Sebastian also seemed to have frozen in shock even though nothing usually fazed the demon. Alois had slipped off his chair in shock. Ciel looked around at the rest if the seniors and read the shocked looks on their faces.
And can you feel the love tonight
It is where we are
It's enough for this wide-eyed wanderer
That we got this far
And can you feel the love tonight
How it's laid to rest
It's enough to make kings and vagabonds
Believe the very best
Ciel smiled as she let the lyrics wash over her. The song had been one of her favorites since she was a kid. Alois settled back in his chair and Ciel cuddled into his side. Alois chuckled and then wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"The song reminds you of Sebastian, right?" Alois whispered.
"Just like the way it reminds you of Claude" Ciel whispered back.
Arran finished the song to tumultuous applause. He bowed low and then searched the audience for Ciel. His face fell when he saw her cuddled right into Alois's side with a happy smile on her face.
"Thank you, Arran. Next from the juniors we have Ciel Phantomhive" Sebastian said.
Ciel got up and then smoothed down her skirt. She had changed out of her school uniform and into a little black satin dress with heels. She stood up on the stage and took deep breaths.
"And cue music" Sebastian said. The music began and Ciel began to sing.
Don't tell me not to live,
Just sit and putter,
Life's candy and the sun's
A ball of butter.
Don't bring around a cloud
To rain on my parade!
Sebastian leaned back in surprise as Ciel began walking around the stage.
Don't tell me not to fly-
I've simply got to.
If someone takes a spill,
It's me and not you.
Who told you you're allowed
To rain on my parade!
Ciel grinned and continued singing. Sebastian smiled as she sang as strongly as she could. The song was rather difficult to sing but Ciel seemed to sing it just fine. The only difficulty was belting out her voice at the end.
At least I didn't fake it.
Hat, sir, I guess I didn't make it.
Get ready for me, love,
'cause I'm a commer,
I simply gotta march,
My heart's a drummer.
Nobody, no, nobody
Is gonna rain on my parade!
Sebastian stood up to applaud along with half the student body present in the theatre. Ciel bowed and then went off the stage. She changed and then went to sit with Alois to watch the seniors' belt it out onstage.
"That was amazing, especially the end" Alois said.
"My throat hurts a little" Ciel admitted and Alois handed her a bottle of water.
The competition went on and on until everyone was done.
"The results for each category will be posted tomorrow. Thank you to everyone who put in their very last efforts into this" Sebastian dismissed them.
Ciel and Alois walked out of the auditorium and then to the Dance classroom. They would have lunch there when Sebastian wasn't busy. They sat down on the wooden floor and then began eating.
"I didn't know students could have lunch here" Arran commented as he walked into the dance classroom.
"Mr. Michaelis lets us eat here as long as we don't leave a mess and clean up after ourselves" Ciel said taking a bite of her sandwich.
"Do you mind if I join you guys?" Arran asked.
"Hey Parker! Ms. Yvonne's asking for you!" a male student ran past the door of the dance classroom.
"I guess I'll join you guys tomorrow" Arran said.
He left the room and Ciel breathed a sigh of relief. Alois chuckled and Ciel stuck her tongue out at him.
"Ciel, you have to see this" Sebastian walked into the dance classroom and then held out an iPad.
Ciel took the iPad and began reading the article. Alois read over her shoulder.
"The Queen is coming for the music competition?" Ciel asked as she handed the iPad back.
"It's a rumor but it is true that the Queen enjoys classical music" Sebastian replied.
"Then if she is coming why haven't I been notified about this? We are supposed to be the Queen's Dog and Spider. We should know whether this rumor is true or not" Ciel asked.
"Maybe it is just a rumor. Anyway, we'll see if it's true or not at the competition" Alois said.
"I'll let you two get back to your lunches" Sebastian bowed and then left.
A week later the list was posted up. Alois grabbed Ciel's hand and dragged her all the way to the music room notice boy where lots of other students had gathered.
"Are we in?" Ciel asked and Alois leaned up to check the list.
"You're in vocals. Piano's taken by Helena but you're understudy. I didn't get anything but I'm the understudy for cello" Alois replied.
"What about Arran?" Ciel asked.
"He's understudy in male vocals" Alois replied.
He disentangled himself from the crowd and then they moved a little ways away to discuss the results.
"Arran was amazing. How come he didn't get the vocals?" Ciel asked.
"Because I told Mr. Michaelis I wasn't ready" Arran spoke up as he came up to them.
"You weren't ready? Mate, you sounded fantastic" Alois said.
"I nearly fumbled a lot of the notes when I was singing" Arran said.
"The Queen will be there, Arran. It would be an honor if she heard you sing" Ciel said.
"It doesn't matter. Good luck Ciel. Congrats to both of you" Arran walked away and Ciel watched him go.
"We have to meet in the auditorium for rehearsals after school until the competition" Alois said.
The day of the competition was nerve wracking. Since the cellos were up first, Alois had rushed to rehearsal. Ciel was rather nervous herself but kept a confident front. She could hear applause coming from the theatre and the morning passed quickly. Then three o'clock arrived. She took deep breaths to calm herself and then saw Darren, the male vocal head to the stage.
"Good luck" she said and he nodded.
He walked out to the stage and then took a deep breath as the applause died down.
He was about to sing when the theatre doors flew open. The MC of the day appeared on the stage.
"Our mother, Queen Elizabeth has decided to grace us with her presence!"
Ciel's eyes widened and she caught Alois's eye who was seated in the audience between Sebastian and Claude.
After the national anthem, the Queen was seated. Darren finished his solo and then it was Ciel's turn.
"Next for female vocals from St Rudolph Academy, Ciel Phantomhive" The MC said.
Applause rang out as Ciel walked onto the stage dressed it a beautiful blue floor length gown. She calmed herself and then curtsied to the Queen. The music began and Ciel began to sing. She had chosen Don't Rain On My Parade again and soon enough had the entire theatre on their feet. She grinned as she sang, truly feeling the moment.
She finished to a standing ovation and then left the stage.
"That was amazing, Ciel!" Arran exclaimed.
Ciel grinned and threw herself into Arran's arms.
"That was the best time I've ever had" Ciel hugged Arran tight and then pulled away from him.
Then she turned and spotted Sebastian with a frown on his face. Her eyes widened as she realized what he had just witnessed. Sebastian shook his head sadly and then turned around.
"Why is he so disappointed? You were great!" Arran said.
"I don't know but I'm going to find out" Ciel took off at a run.
She ran until she reached the outside of the theatre. Sebastian was nowhere to be seen.
