A/N: Welcome back. I want to once again thank everybody who has stuck with this for their support. And I want to give an extra thanks to those who have reviewed, it means a lot to me. There should be at least one chapter in April to look forwards to.
Enjoy
"You look like you are about to shit yourself," Shay commented, getting a few dirty looks from her teammates.
Anya, who had already look like she was going to throw up before Shay had approached her, paled even further. "Oh, um, I am just nervous, that is all," she stuttered out under her breath. For some reason when she was around Shay she always had more trouble forming words than usual. Perhaps it was the nerves. All of her English went out the window once her heart rate got above 80 beats per minute, and the pounding of the organ against her chest told her that she was already way above that threshold.
"I am okay, though," Anya lied, hoping to be left alone to try and cope with her stage fright.
Shay scoffed. "Yeah, sure you are," she replied sarcastically. "And I'm Ms. Rodgers favourite student," she continued with a roll of her eyes. Settling beside Anya, she bumped her with her shoulder. "You're not going to throw up on me, are you?" she asked.
Anya blushed at the reminder of her public vomiting. How embarrassing. She looked down at her feet, thankful that leggings were a part of their costume. "No, no throwing up," she promised quietly.
"Good to know," Shay commented, though she didn't look convinced. They sat there in silence for a long moment before Shay spoke up again. "Don't worry, I'm sure no body will notice if you mess up," she said.
Anya paled slightly at the thought. "W-what?" she stuttered out.
"Just saying. All the people in the audience probably will be watching the others anyways," Shay continued with a shrug. "So if you mess up I'm sure only one of the couple hundred people will notice," she said.
Anya was not sure if Shay was trying to be kind or mean, but she nodded nevertheless. "Thank you," she murmured softly, looking down at her feet as she spoke. She did not want to look up in fear of being met with a teasing smirk for the other girl.
Ahead of them, the rest of the Glee Club mobilized. "That's our cue," Shay said, straightening. She glanced back at Anya once more, rolling her eyes at how pale the other girl looked. "You aren't going to screw up," she assured, voice almost calm. "Now come on, I didn't put this dress on just to lose."
The lights went down, the crowd hushed. On stage, the shuffling of feet could be heard. The lights went up.
Standing at centre stage was Sabrina and Levi. Sabrina faced the crowd, her hair done up with a feather to top off her look. In front of her and just slightly to the left stood Levi, his back to the audience. The music began to play, Sabrina stalked around Levi and towards the crowd as she sung.
Come on babe, why don't we paint the town?
Hip left, right, left.
And all that Jazz
Sabrina danced across the stage, winking at the audience as she did so.
I'm gonna rouge my knees and roll my stockings down
And all that Jazz
Levi stepped up. He grabbed Sabrina by the hand and spun her into his arms. They danced together, both singing the next lines.
Start the car, I know a whoopee spot
Where the gin is cold and the piano's hot
It's just a noisy hall where there's a nightly brawl
And all – that – Ja-yazz
Sabrina and Levi were the perfect pair. It was clear that Sabrina was meant to be on stage. Her voice commanded the audience. She had just enough smirk and sass to pull off the part, and she looked to be having fun while doing it. Levi, for all his grumbling, kept up with her easily. They looked as if they had been dancing together for years.
The rest of the glee club danced onto stage as the two sung, in pairs or trios or alone. Most of them looked significantly less practiced than Sabrina and Levi, but the music built and their voices all joined and it was almost enough to forget about the sub-par dancing.
Find the flask we're playin' fast and loose
(Oh, you're gonna see a shiver-shimmy-shake)
And all that jazz, and all that jazz
Right up here is where I store the juice
(Oh I'm gonna shimmy till my garters break)
Cause in the stratosphere, how could he lend an ear
(If she'd hear her baby's queer)
To all that Ja-yazz
Sabrina surged forwards as she sung her last lines, laughing along with the music.
No I'm no one's wife, but oh I love my life
And all…that…Ja-yazz
She spun back into Levi's arms. Everyone took their poses.
That Jazz
Sunny took the stage next. On one side of her and just a bit behind was Shay, arms crossed over her chest. Evan flanked Sunny's other side, looking very much in character. Footsteps and voices could be heard shuffling about backstage, but the noise was drowned out as the music began to play. Lights went up on the front half of the stage.
Superboy and the Invisible Girl
Son of Steel and Daughter of Air
He's a hero, a lover, a prince
She's not there
Superboy and the Invisible Girl
Everything a kid oughtta be
He's immortal, forever alive
Then there's me
I wish I could fly
And magically appear and disappear
I wish I could fly
I'd fly far away from here
Sunny's voice rung clear and true throughout the whole auditorium. She looked nervous, but as the song continued, her voice grew, swooning out from the stage.
Superboy and the Invisible Girl
He's the one you wish would appear
He's your hero, forever your son
He's not here
I am here
Shay stepped into the light. Her face did not match the words she was singing, in fact, she looked rather annoyed instead of apologetic. Her voice, however, was as strong as always.
You know that's not true
You're our little pride and joy, our perfect plan
You know I love you
I love you as much as I can
Once done her part, Shay stepped back into the darkness and then stalked off stage. Sunny continued to sing.
Take a look at the Invisible Girl
Here she is, clear as the day
Please look closely and find her before she fades away
Hopping into the stage lights, Evan joined in singing the final part, his strong voice nearly drowning Sunny's out. The circled each other on stage as they sung.
Superboy and the Invisible Girl
Son of Steel and Daughter of Air
He's a hero, a lover, a prince
She's not there
She's not there
She's not there
She's not there
"Yeah, I know, I wish you could be here too baby," Perry said, phone pressed to her ear.
Liz leaned against the wall as she watched Perry, a scowl on her face. The lobby of the theatre was fairly empty, except for herself and Perry, and half of their glee club. Ashleigh and Dylan were situated at the other entrances on either side of them. The others were backstage, and everybody else had gone back into the auditorium for the next performance, which happened to be their own.
They were due on any minute now, Liz could hear Sunny's voice through the doors, and yet Perry was busy talking to her elusive girlfriend on the phone. Ashleigh was glaring at them from down the hall. Liz pouted as she watched the other senior, arms crossed over her chest.
"Next time, alright?" Perry chuckled. "Alright, love you too. See you tonight," she said, hanging up and tucking her phone away. She turned around to face Liz, brows furrowing. "What?" she questioned.
Liz shook her head, shrugging. "Nothing," she answered simply.
"Come on, Elizabeth," Perry said. "You've been pissed at me all week, why?"
Liz resisted an eyeroll. "Whatever, why don't you talk to your girlfriend about it."
Perry furrowed her brows. "My girlfriend?" she repeated.
"Yeah," Liz confirmed. "You know, the one that you ditched me for last week. And when we were doing duets. And when you left practice early the other day. "Something came up"," she mocked. "As if. You know, you could've told me before being all extra nice and stuff, making me think that-" she cut herself off, stepping back and taking a breath.
"Think what?"
"Nothing," Liz snapped quickly.
Perry rolled her eyes. "You are acting like a child, Elizabeth," she accused.
Liz scoffed. "Whatever Perry."
Perry sighed, looking uncomfortable as she straightened out her dress. "Do you wanted to know who I was talking to on the phone?" she questioned sharply, continuing when Liz didn't respond. "My little brother, he's nine. He really wanted to be here today, but he's at school, and I couldn't get him. That's who I was talking to," she explained.
Liz's mouth fell open as understand flooded through her, quickly followed by painful guilt. She opened her mouth to apologize, but Perry wasn't finished.
"And when we were doing duets?" Perry continued. "That was him too. I was late on Halloween because I took them out for candy. And I left practice so quickly the other day because I had to go pick him and my sister up because they needed me. I never lied to you Elizabeth, and I never had a girlfriend," she finished, exhaling.
Liz flushed, gaping. She fidgeted with her hands, not knowing what to say. "I, um, I-I'm so sorry, I didn't know," she stuttered. "I-I just, I was just..."
"Jealous?" Perry filled in.
Completely mortified, Liz nodded. She has never been so wrong in her life, never with something like this, nor had she ever had such and outburst. And now she had embarrassed herself tenfold, in front of Perry of all people. Just when she was starting to make friends. "Yeah...jealous," she managed, looking up at Perry. "I'm sorry," she said again, taking a few steps back.
Perry followed her, shoulder's back. "It's fine," she assured.
"N-no, it's not," Liz argued, looking away once more. "I was wrong, and I totally get it if you don't want to hang out with me anymore or anything. I don't know what came over me, I ju-" she stopped, cut off by Perry's chuckle.
"Stop being an idiot," Perry said fondly, then stepped forwards. She leaned down, took Liz's face in her hands, and kissed her.
Holy shit, Liz's mind screamed, heart speeding up. She froze for a moment before coming to her senses and kissing Perry back and holy crap this was really happening. She melted into the other girl, eyes fluttering closed, and then groaned softly in disappointment as Perry pulled away.
Liz took a moment to relish in the happiness that had built in her stomach before opening her eyes. When she did, Perry's were sparkling above her.
"So," Liz murmured. "Does this mean you still wanna hang out with me?"
Perry chuckled. "You are adorable," she said with a grin, pausing to tilt her head to the side and listen to the applause coming from inside the theater. "And we can talk about it later. Right now, we have a competition to win."
The lights still up, Emilio switched places with Sunny and Evan, then music beginning in the background as he stopped at centre stage.
One day more!
Another day, another destiny.
This never-ending road to Calvary;
These men who seem to know my crime
Will surely come a second time.
One day more!
Dylan immerged into the auditorium from the lobby, walking slowly up the aisle.
I did not live until today.
How can I live when we are parted?
Ashleigh appeared on the opposite side of the auditorium, staring at her boyfriend as they sung together.
Tomorrow you'll be worlds away
And yet with you, my world has started!
Perry walked into the centre aisle, her voice singing opposite from Dylan and Ashleigh, the lines overlapping.
One more day all on my own.
Will we ever meet again?
One more day with him not caring.
I was born to be with you.
What a life I might have known.
And I swear I will be true!
But he never saw me there!
Once Perry was about halfway down the aisle, Elizabeth stepped out into the auditorium behind her. She sung opposite Dylan as him and Ashleigh climbed onto stage.
One more day before the storm!
Do I follow where she goes?
At the barricades of freedom.
Shall I join my brothers there?
When our ranks begin to form
Do I stay; and do I dare?
Will you take your place with me?
Perry and Elizabeth ran up onto stage as EJ belted out his line to the crowd.
One day more!
Evan stepped out from behind the curtains, his strong voice easily holding the next verse.
One day more to revolution,
We will nip it in the bud!
We'll be ready for these schoolboys,
They will wet themselves with blood!
EJ and Evan shared a smile as they got into formation.
One day more!
Speedy and Jordan hopped out onto stage, dancing around each other as they sung.
Watch 'em run amuck,
Catch 'em as they fall,
Never know your luck
When there's a free for all,
Here's a little 'dip'
There a little 'touch'
Most of them are goners
So they won't miss much!
The rest of the students entered the stage, singing over one another as they went.
One day to a new beginning
Raise the flag of freedom high!
Every man will be a king
Every man will be a king
There's a new world for the winning
There's a new world to be won
Do you hear the people sing?
Dylan stepped forwards, followed by EJ.
My place is here, I fight with you
One day more!
Everyone launched into song as the music sped. There voices overlapped perfectly, showing the hours of practice that had been put into the number. Even Shay was smiling. They maneuvered around stage with grace and precision, before arranging in a line that spanned the whole stage.
Tomorrow we'll be far away,
Tomorrow is the judgement day
Tomorrow we'll discover
What our God in Heaven has in store!
One more dawn
One more day
One day more!
They all raised a fist in the air. The crowd burst into applause.
Speedy stood on stage with the rest of his teammates, squinting against the bright stage lights. He didn't understand why they had to be on if no one was performing. It wasn't like the audience really needed to see the look on their faces when they won, or at least, hopefully won.
He rocked back and forth in his place as the head judge talked endlessly about the importance of show choir. She was the owner of a dance school in town or something, but Speedy hadn't been paying attention during the introductions so he wasn't exactly sure what she did. Though, if her passion for show choir was any indication then it had to be something to do with that. In front of him, Ms. Rodgers was clenching and unclenching her fists. She looked like she was about to puke.
Speedy zoned out completely, staring up at a stage light that was swinging back and forth in the rafters. He only refocused when Greg bumped him against the shoulder. As he opened his ears once again, his team shuffled nervously around him.
"And now, for the third place winner," the head judge began, struggling to open a small envelope with her chubby fingers. Behind them, the band gave a drum roll. Speedy could feel everyone holding their breath around him.
"The Holy Cross Harmonizers!"
Polite clapping echoed through the auditorium. Around him his team breathed a sigh of relief. In front of him, Sabrina and Ashleigh clasped hands. To his right, Liz leaned against Perry, eyes on the judge. He could hear Shay and Levi snickering from the back of the pack. Rodgers shushed all of them.
The judge raised her arms after the third place team was lead off stage. "Aright, and now the big one," she began. "Our first place winner is…"
"Mom," Ashleigh called as she entered her house, Sabrina and Dylan following closely behind her. She kicked off her shoes, unbuttoning her coat. "Mom?"
It was Ashleigh's step father Jackson that appeared first, ushering the three inside. "Your mother is in the kitchen," he informed his daughter, closing the door behind Sabrina. "How did you kids do?"
Ashleigh was already headed to the kitchen, but she paused to turn back to Jackson, her eyes bright. "We won."
Grabbing Dylan by the hand, Ashleigh pulled him into the kitchen, Sabrina shuffling in behind them. Ashleigh's mother Briar was just where Jackson had said, stirring a pot of what looked to be pasta sauce. She looked up as the three entered the kitchen. "Ashleigh!" she exclaimed.
Before her mother could get any words out Ashleigh blurted out the good news. "We won," she declared happily.
Briar clapped her hands together. "That's wonderful," she said sincerely. "Dinner is almost ready. Would you two like to stay?"
"I could eat," Sabrina responded immediately, smiling.
Dylan shook his head. "I actually gotta go," he said, pressing a quick kiss to Ashleigh's cheek. "See you later babe."
Briar looked almost relieved as the boy exited the kitchen. Ashleigh saw her boyfriend to the door, and upon returning to the kitchen fixed her mother with a glare. "Don't make that face," she snapped, running a hand through her hair.
"What face?' Briar asked.
Ashleigh scoffed. "The face you made at Dylan. I know you don't like him, but you don't have to be that obvious," she replied. "You think you'd get used to him after all these years."
"You are right, I don't like him," she responded. "And I have every right to that opinion."
Sabrina cleared her throat, looking like she wished to be anywhere else but caught in the middle of this argument. "Your mom's got a point, Ash," she admitted, tucking a piece of blonde hair behind her hair. "I mean, he's nice to you and all, but he's kind of a jerk…plus, he's bad for your image."
"What's that even supposed to mean?" Ashleigh snapped just as her mother said "Thank you, Sabrina."
Ashleigh rolled her eyes, trying to not show how hurt she was. A minute ago she had been on cloud nine, excited about their win today, and now she felt like she had just been kicked repeatedly. "Whatever," she said, turning and moving to the dining room. "Let's just eat."
Songs:
All That Jazz from Chicago
Superboy and the Invisible Girl from Next to Normal
One Day More from Les Miserables