AN: Hey! So this is chapter 29. By the way, I'm still loving the reviews! They never fail to make me feel all fuzzy inside. Anyway, enjoy!
Chapter 29
The rest of the visit with the team went smoothly. Lots of joking, lots of chatter. It was overall pleasant.
On Sunday my hip was feeling much better, sore mostly. A massive bruise stretched across my right side and a descended down the top half of my leg. Its hue of black, blue, and purple was a vicious combination. It was just as ugly as it was enticing.
Spencer acted like the teams concerns they shared with him were nonexistent. Either he didn't think it was a valid issue, or he didn't want to address it right away. I wasn't sure which one I preferred honestly: denial or hesitation.
He watched over me on Sunday to make sure I didn't aggravate the pain, bringing me anything I needed. I stayed in my room doing school work for a majority of the day, which was less than thrilling.
Monday rolled around, meaning another day back at school and the buzzing gossip of the cast results. Most of what I heard was positive, I even received a few 'congratulations' from people I had never spoken to, but would have to get to know sooner or later through rehearsals and such. Everyone seemed contents, with one exception.
"I don't get it! She's been here for all of two weeks and already got a lead role. There are people who have been waiting years to get a part and she gets one after fourteen days." I overheard a girl named Rachel ranting to her friends while I was putting my books in my locker before class. She clearly wasn't the brightest bulb on the tree if she was bad mouthing me when I was five feet away, although it didn't exactly feel great that people were talking about me in a negative fashion. I knew it came with the territory, but it didn't change things.
"Don't worry about her, she's all talk" Matthew crept up behind me as Rachel and her social magnets journeyed off.
"Easier said than done, Valjean" I shot back in a mockingly-stern voice, reciprocating a smile from Matthew.
"Linda wants to see all of the leads first period" Matthew informed me, but it would have helped if I knew who Linda was.
"W-who's Linda?" I asked skeptically.
"Oh- Mrs. Bates. During the musical- she's Linda"
I knew Garfield had its quirks, but that was just weird.
"Linda? It feels too strange addressing a teacher by their first name" I replied as we made our way to the choir room.
"Don't worry, it'll catch on" Matthew smirked.
We arrived at the choir doors and ended up being two of the first people there. Mrs. Bates was sitting in her office typing away at her desk top computer.
"Hey Mrs. Bates, you wanted to see us?" Matthew and I popped our heads in.
"Yes, come in! And since we are now on a 'professional level', please, call me Linda. Just not during class" Mrs. Bates replied excitedly, or shall I say Linda. That would definitely take some getting used to. Matthew gave me an 'I told you so' stare, and I shot back a stubborn glare.
"So, while we wait Jenna, tell me about yourself. You're the only cast member I don't know a thing about. What brings you to Garfield?" Mrs. Bates asked as we stood awkwardly in her office.
"Oh, um, I just moved here from Baltimore" I was hoping she wouldn't ask for details.
"Wow that must be quite the change up. What brings you to Virginia? Did your parents get a job transfer?" There it was, the question I dreaded.
"A-actually I moved in with my older brother Spencer" I said with hesitance. Mrs. Bates looked slightly surprised.
"Oh- that must be fun. How old is your brother?"
"He's 26" I repeated.
"26? There must be some crazy parties going on at your house" Mrs. Bates joked. I laughed at the thought of Spencer at a party.
"Quite the opposite" I chuckled.
"What does your brother do for a living?"
This was one curious woman.
I was cautious to answer. Spencer didn't exactly have a normal job.
"Oh-um, he works for the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit. He studies human behavior and h-helps catch serial killers and other criminals" I said as perky as possible, trying to totally change the mood. Mrs. Bates' face looked half shocked and half intrigued. I took that as a good thing.
"That is deliciously horrifying" She responded, earning giggles out of Matthew and I. The longer I was with Mrs. Bates, the more I realized she was a lot like Garcia.
Before any more questions could be asked, the rest of the principal roles filed in.
"Ah! There you are!" Mrs. Bates commented on their arrival.
A wave of eagerness rushed over me when I saw the group of people who I would be working with for the next four months. Javert was to be portrayed by a senior named John, whose ego was bigger than the production itself. Eponine was soon to be depicted by a shy senior by the name of Emily. Marius was given to a junior named Ryan, who was apparently near impossible to work with. Enjolras was granted to a sophomore named Tom. Monsieur Thenardier and Madame Thenardier would quickly be taken on by two seniors, David and Sarah. Another senior, by the name of Brandon, was given the part of the Bishop. And of course, Ari, Matthew, and I, three sophomores would soon take on the profound roles of Cosette, Jean Valjean, and Fantine. Frightening? Yes. Would I have it any other way? Not a chance.
"Okay everyone, I would like to chat with you before I talk to the cast as a hole. I have chosen each and every one of you with careful consideration, and asked you to fill the shoes of some of the most controversial characters this music department has ever seen. I put you in these roles because I feel you fit them best, not because of any bias I may have. Now you have to understand, these parts are not an easy thing to read into. You must utilize your acting skills to sink into your character. I'm presenting you with heavy, heavy material, and I trust you to deliver it passed your best ability." Mrs. Bates explained.
No pressure or anything.
"Now, for the next four months, you will eat, sleep, and breathe this play. I will most likely need you at least three or four days during the week, and as curtain approaches, every Saturday. Here are your scripts, and I will hand out your sheet music as needed. There will be no rehearsal today, but I will need all of you tomorrow after school until the 4 o'clock bus. Alright, I'll see you in class!" Mrs. Bates apparently had a knack for delivering all information in speech form, and slipping in some additional intimidation.
I was anxious about starting rehearsal. I still didn't know a majority of my cast members, and it's hard to put trust into people who are basically strangers. Aside from that, I couldn't possibly be more excited.