Hollywood Arts was buzzing with even more energy than normal. Students filled every inch of the courtyar; the End of Year Showcase was in full swing. There was always only 2 weeks between final classes and the showcase, and somehow every year it still looked like there had been months of planning behind it.
Backstage, the performers moved like a swarm of bees, each one radiating a mix of nerves and excitement. Most were in costumes, decked out in everything from sparkly streetwear to vintage-inspired Grease outfits, all adding to the vibrant chaos behind the curtain. The stage crew was busy with headsets and clipboards, managing microphones and instruments while performers warmed up, stretching or doing last-minute vocal exercises.
Out front, the freshmen had finished their opening acts. They'd kicked off the night with a group street dance routine, full of sharp, dynamic moves and formations that lit up the stage. Though their nervousness was evident in a few missed beats and stumbles, their enthusiasm was contagious, and the audience rewarded them with loud applause.
After the dancers bowed, they were followed by a series of pop song covers from various other Freshmen. Throughout there was continous cheering to the youngest of the school. The ones who performed Freshman year were often the most likely to be the future Hollywood Arts stars- as it took a lot of guts to perform at the Big Showcase without ever attending one before.
The energy in the theatre began to shift as the Sophomores took the stage. This year's Sophomore class was full of confidence, and their acts showed it. The dancers were stronger, sharper, and more polished, moving with a collective poise that captivated the audience. The highlight was a charismatic duo who took on "We Go Together" from Grease, their dance moves so perfectly in sync it was like they'd stepped right out of the movie. The audience cheered loudly, giving them one of the loudest ovations of the night so far.
As the final Sophomores left the stage, there was a tangible excitement in the air; everyone knew that the Juniors were up next, and with them came the first of the original songs of the night. There was always something special about hearing a song written and performed by a student, and the Juniors didn't disappoint. A singer-songwriter took the stage with just a guitar and her voice, performing a soulful ballad that brought the crowd to a hush. When she hit the final note, the crowd erupted in applause.
They brought their own show-stopping dance routines too, incorporating lighting effects and elaborate costume changes that heightened the drama. One group wowed the crowd with a contemporary piece that involved daring lifts and stunning choreography. The dancers moved so fluidly, and by the time they ended, the audience was on its feet.
Then, finally, came the Senior acts. The whole atmosphere shifted as the Seniors prepared to make their final performances on the Hollywood Arts stage. A mix of nostalgia and excitement filled the air, and in the wings, the graduating class exchanged nervous but excited glances, knowing these performances were their last.
Cat and Andre were backstage among them, nervously watching the second Senior act of the night—Jade and Tori. The two girls stood centre stage, poised and ready, dressed in coordinating black and silver outfits with a glam-rock edge. The stage lights dimmed, and a two spotlights focused on them. Tori seemed calm and confident as she looked out over the crowd. Jade, standing beside her with her usual intense gaze, seemed completely in her element, her eyes glittering with anticipation.
Their performance was a powerhouse duet, of 'So What' by Pink (Jade's song choice of course). It was the kind of song Tori would never normally sing, but she was loving it- it was one of those 'raise the roof' kinda songs that you had to commit to fully with angry passion.
As the song swelled to the chorus, Tori and Jade's voices blended in a powerful harmony that sent chills through the audience. They were perfectly in sync, exchanging knowing glances as they harmonised. It was a testament to their growth and the unlikely friendship that had blossomed between them over the years. The chemistry on stage was electric, and it was clear that they had poured their hearts into every line.
At the song's bridge, Tori stepped back, allowing Jade to take the lead, her voice reaching a powerful crescendo as she belted out the lyrics. The crowd cheered wildly, caught up in the intensity of the moment. By the time the final chorus hit, the energy was at an all-time high, and as the song ended with Tori repeating the iconic adlib, the crowd erupted in applause.
Tori and Jade stood side by side, breathing heavily but beaming with pride as they soaked in the crowd's reaction. They exchanged a small, victorious smile before taking their final bow. The applause was thunderous, and they walked offstage with the satisfaction of a job well done.
Backstage, the performers and crew clapped and congratulated them as they made their way back. Cat was standing with Andre, clapping along with everyone else, her heart racing. Seeing Tori and Jade's incredible performance filled her with both pride and a sudden surge of nerves. Her own performance with Andre was coming up soon, and she felt the weight of it settling on her.
Jade spotted Cat's nervous expression and smiled. "You're gonna kill it, Cat. Just…try not to be too squeaky," she teased, giving Cat an encouraging kiss, the adrenaline from singing making it more intense than she'd meant.
Cat grinned as they pulled away, the kiss doing wonders to settle the butterflies in her stomach. "You were amazing out there, Jade. Both of you."
Tori smiled. "Thanks, Cat. And don't worry—you've got this. You and Andre are gonna be unforgettable."
As the next few performances came and went the bar just kept getting raised higher and higher. The second to last performance was a group of girls dancing to a beautifully sad piece. These were all girls Cat had danced with in her underclassman years, a few of them even before that. She couldn't help but tear up as she watched them, so focused on their performance that she forgot about her own.
Then, suddenly the dancers were taking their final bows. Cat took a deep breath, looking over at Andre and the classmates he'd brought in to play the instrumentals. "Let's do this," she whispered, finding courage in the thrill of the moment.
The courtyard was buzzing as the lights dimmed once more, and thr stage crew hurridly brought on various instruments. Then a single spotlight turned on, illuminating the middle of the stage. The murmurs of the audience fell silent as Andre walked out and took his place at the grand piano with the others doing the same with their bass, violin and drumkit. Cat followed, her heart pounding in her chest as she moved to center stage, where a mic stand waited for her.
As she positioned herself behind the mic, she glanced over at Andre, who gave her an encouraging nod. He then nodded to someone in the wings, where the vocal backing track was just a button away. Cat took a deep breath, trying to settle her nerves. She looked out into the crowd and spotted her friends stood at the front, their faces beaming with support. Her gaze lingered on Jade, who gave her a small, almost imperceptible, smile of encouragement. Cat's nerves softened just a little.
Andre started to play, his fingers moving gracefully over the keys. The intro was so quick that they barley had time to settle around Cat before it was her time to sing.
"You don't need a lot of money
Honey, you don't have to play no games"
Her voice was soft at first, a touch of nerves giving it a slight tremble. But as the music swelled, she felt herself easing into the melody, finding comfort in the song's rhythm and the warmth of Andre's piano. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to sink into the lyrics, letting the song carry her.
The crowd was rapt, drawn in by the sweetness and vulnerability in her voice. Cat's tone grew stronger, more confident with each line, her voice rising and falling with the song's gentle pulse. She could feel herself starting to relax, her heart beating in time with the music. The song had always meant a lot to her, but tonight, singing it felt more powerful than ever. This was her moment.
She opened her eyes again, gazing out over the sea of faces, and saw the pride in her friends' expressions. Tori was smiling wide, her hands clasped in front of her, while Beck and Robbie gave her encouraging nods. When her eyes met Jade's, a spark of confidence ignited within her. Jade's calm, steady gaze seemed to anchor her, reminding her that she wasn't alone up there.
With that quiet strength, Cat's voice rose, clear and unwavering, as she delivered the chorus:
"Just as long as I'm the name on your tattooed heart."
Her voice filled the courtyard, resonating with emotion, and as the notes poured from her, she felt herself letting go of her worries. She wasn't just singing the song anymore—she was living it. She sang each line with her whole heart, her voice lifting and filling the space, strong and soulful. Her prerecorded backing played behind her, weaving her live voice together with it in perfect harmony.
Andre, too, was lost in the music, his fingers dancing over the piano keys as he accompanied her, glancing up occasionally to share a grin. The violin, bass & subtle beat of the drums added depth to the song, blending beautifully with Cat's voice, which grew stronger with every line.
As she reached the bridge's key change, Cat felt a surge of emotion she couldn't quite name—a mix of joy, pride, and the bittersweet realisation that this was her last time singing at Hollywood Arts. She sang the final lines with a quiet intensity, her voice soft yet strong, like she was holding the entire audience in her hands:
"Just as long as I'm the name on your tattooed heart."
The final note hung in the air, lingering like a memory. For a moment, there was complete silence, as if everyone was holding their breath.
Then, the applause erupted. Cat's cheeks flushed as she took in the roaring crowd, her friends cheering the loudest of all. Andre stood up from the piano and walked over to her, grinning as he wrapped her in a quick hug.
"You did it, Cat," he whispered, his voice full of pride.
Cat looked out into the audience, her face shining with a mixture of pride and relief, and gave a small, shy wave. She had done it. She'd faced her fears, and the feeling of finally conquering them was overwhelming.
As she took one last look at her friends, she saw Jade again. She took Andre's hand, bowed, and then ran off stage with a flash, barely remembering to hand her microphone back as she bolted through the wing and down the steps. Her heart thundering from both exhilaration and anticipation. She darted through the backstage curtains and into the crowd, weaving through a blur of faces and voices, her only focus on finding Jade.
Cat pushed through the crowd, barely noticing the pats on her shoulder as she went through. And then she was there, inches away. Without a word, she cupped her girlfriend's face, her fingers shaking from the adrenaline, and pressed her lips to hers in a kiss that was soft but electric, pouring all her relief, her love, and her joy into that one moment. The crowd melted away; for now, it was just the two of them, holding on to each other in the middle of it all.