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There are 3 points of view in this chapter as necessary, so please bear with me :D

**Glee cover of Don't Rain on My Parade by Rachel Berry/Lea Michele**

~Kris's POV~

"A sing off?"

"You heard correctly."

I chuckled at my boyfriend, shaking my head as we walked down the track right next to the football field after my practice. The morning wind whispered through our billowing hair, and for some odd reason, I found the light of dawn beautiful against his clear skin.

"You two are both good singers. Must you battle it out?" I found it funny, but he evidently took it seriously.

"Don't call me a good singer. Good is mediocre, and mediocre is what that tiny fairy-looking boy is."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "Jaden's not mediocre. And he's average height, not tiny."

Corbyn glared at me. "So. I see you've gotten friendly with this so-called Jaden."

I pushed out an exasperated sigh. "Corbyn, don't."

"Don't what?" He averted his eyes and folded his arms.

"Don't do that," I responded calmly, drawing him closer as we strolled. "You pull away, you feel threatened when there is no threat-"

"There is always a threat, Kris."

"Well, I'm yours. You have to know that by now."

His eyes glistened before he shrugged. "We're doing the sing off. It's clear to me that you two are starting to get all buddy-buddy and I don't think I'm okay with that."

"Corbyn, he and I barely just met. He's in my gym class, and we've only had a couple conversations."

"One too many. I'm putting him in his place one way or another. And I-I don't like that kid, so whatever friendship you two are building, tear it down. Or I will."

"That's not necessary. You can't... you can't choose who I talk to."

He smiled briefly, looking out toward the endless sky. "So be it." That smile, though it disappeared quickly, hinted that he was hoping I'd resist, that he would be more than happy to take matters into his own hands.

"I'm serious, Corbyn. Leave him alone."

He ripped himself out of my hold, stepping in front of me quickly so we stopped. "Or what? You must like him then, if you're so quick to defend him in every aspect possible. You like the way he sings, you like his voice when he so much as speaks, you think he's beautiful. You find his dumb curls enticing. Feel free to prove me wrong."

"I'm not fighting with you on this. I wanted to have a peaceful walk with you."

A look of complete disbelief crossed his face. "Wow," he breathed. "You don't even deny it."

"What do you want me to say? He did nothing wrong yet you're after him like he hurt you in some unimaginable way." He knew that I was right. And, honestly, I knew he was too. I did like Jaden's voice, I liked his curls, I liked his eyes. I couldn't help that, but was it so bad to acknowledge beauty when I saw it?

"Class is starting any minute. I think I should go," he said, his tone finally at ease.

"I don't want you to be angry with me. I know you'll be cursing me in your mind all the way to class."

"Then walk me?"

My eyebrows knitted together from the sadness in his voice and his defeated stance before I nodded. "Of course. Come on."

We held hands and I pecked the side of his head as we walked off the track field and toward the building.

The day moved quickly, and I felt guilty every single time I checked the clock, solely because I was looking forward to gym class.

God help me.

It took years to arrive, and I knew better than to take my sweet time in the hallway speaking to all my friends. I didn't stop to make conversation with a single person; I needed to get to PE early or I'd miss him. Him being Jaden, of course.

He tended to disappear so quickly, or maybe I was always late.

I walked into the boys' locker room which was pretty much on the opposite end of the building. There weren't many people inside as expected, so I headed straight to my locker. He wasn't there, and I felt a drop in my heart from that fact. Wow, I was pathetic.

His friend was there though, but we'd never talked to each other. Until today, it would seem.

"Kris Hamilton," he regarded me without even looking at me, but he had an amused expression on his face. "So I hear the much-anticipated cast list is to be posted at the start of lunch, which is after next period."

I cleared my throat, nodding though he wasn't looking. "That's right. Though I... I doubt you'd care..." I put in my locker combination and opened it.

"Why because I look like some loner outsider kid?" He peered at me as I raised my eyebrows.

"No, of course not."

"You're lying." He shrugged. "It's alright, dude, I get it. Why would a creep like me possibly give a shit about anything that matters? I don't, really. But I do like to get what I want, and I think I will."

"I'm sorry; I'm not following."

"You'll understand, Krissy boy."

I blinked in confusion then swallowed, grabbing my gym shirt. That was odd. "Hey, do you know where your friend is?" I inquired.

He turned toward me, leaning against the lockers. "Jaden's probably with his boyfriend right now."

"Oh... boyfriend..." I pulled off my shirt, staring down at it. "I didn't know he had one."

"Does that bug you in some way?"

"What? No." I stuffed my shirt in the locker and put on the other one. "Why would it?"

"You can relax, I was joking. Jaden can't get a boyfriend to save his life." The mysterious boy laughed. "He hasn't even had his first kiss, ya know? Anyway, I'm gonna go find and pester someone I've taken a new interest in. I seem to get under his skin."

I had tuned him out after the words 'first kiss,' because all I could think of was the clear hint he'd given me: Jaden liked boys. I mean, after the whole audition situation, I knew that to be likely. But something about this guy's tone was different, like he was telling me more than that.

I watched him walk away, and the beauty with wild brown locks just about appeared in his place.

"Wow, early bird," I teased sarcastically. He just blushed and approached his locker with a smile. I had to admit, seeing him brought this air of happiness that I didn't experience very often. It was refreshing.

"I was with my friends," he informed. "It's funny, you never get here before I do. What changed this time?"

"All I know is that my boyfriend's going to murder me for not walking him to his next class. But... I don't really care much."

"Relationship woes?"

"I heard about the um... sing off?"

He paused, then slowly pulled out his gym clothes. "Right, that. I actually wanted to ask you a favor, but I'm not sure you'll agree."

"Go ahead."

"About this sing off, I was wondering if you'd have my back. I'm not gonna be singing and although I don't take this very seriously, something tells me Corbyn will. If he pulls something, would you stick up for me? Is that... too much to ask? If so, I'm sorry and pretend I said nothing."

"Jaden, it's okay. And yes, I'll have your back. I promise you that." We smiled at each other before he looked away to get changed.

~Corbyn's POV~ an hour earlier ~

I never paid much attention in class. I usually did my work on time and tried to stay ahead so I could write in my small notebook, though it was more like a journal. I didn't bother to talk to any one of my friends, and I'd glare at anyone who tried to utter a word to me.

I scribbled some words onto the journal, not realizing that our teacher had told us to get into pairs or threes for classwork. I looked up when I saw everyone bustling around me to find partners. I sighed. Awesome, it was a group day.

I felt the wind of a person sitting in the seat next to me, and I scowled at him.

"Don't. even," I practically growled. Sadly, I couldn't forget his face, his stupid hair, or that dumb name of his. Nico Marlay.

"Whatcha writing there?" His smirk was insulting.

"None of your business, devil's spawn." I shut my journal.

"I saw it already. It looked like a poem." He wiggled his eyebrows. "So, you like poetry? I would never have guessed."

I rolled my eyes and looked away from him. "Don't think for a second you're partnering up with me, ever."

"Oh come on, Starr. I'm not that bad." He paused. "Okay, maybe I am. Hey, I write poetry too." He pointed to the notepad he was holding and opened it. "Listen to this; tell me what you think. I can no longer hold in my fierce pain.

I have been programmed, coerced to rebel. Because If I do not, what would I gain? Here I am, bidding my spirit fare well. I accept my fate, and await my doom. Journeying beyond darkness, into gloom."

I returned my gaze to him, furrowing my eyebrows. "You write Shakespearean sonnets in iambic pentameter?"

"Slow down there, your intrigue is almost showing."

I frowned, shaking my head. "Whatever. You probably stole it from google. I mean, what would a ten-cent creep like you know about pain?"

"A lot. I mean, I've received all types of pain; mental, physical, even spiritual. And no, I wrote it myself. I like to get dark with my poems, though I don't write them much."

"No thanks." I gestured between the two of us. "This whole 'you trying to get to know me' bullshit isn't gonna work. I have no desire to talk to you. Please leave."

He shrugged. "I'll leave you alone. But if today goes as I suspect it will, I'll be seeing a lot more of you in the future."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean? How does today affect me never having to see your face again?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Be patient, Mr. Starr. The devil's spawn has spoken, and I'm only doing the work of my father. His name's Lucifer by the way. Really nice guy, that man."

"Yeah, well in the meantime, you should book an appointment with an exorcist. Must suck to have a demon constantly fucking your ass all day." I stood up with my journal and crossed the room to a pair of two girls, one I recognized from my dance class.

"You. Red hair with a hideous sweater to match. Go partner up with that barbarous brute with snakes in his hair."

She stood up, blinking and tugging the hem of her sweater down. "My grandmother made this for me."

"Is she dead?"

She swallowed and nodded. "She passed away three years ago."

I placed a hand on my hip and tilted my head to one side. "Aw. I sympathize with you, really. But look on the bright side. It won't hurt her feelings if you trash it. Please, take my advice and introduce that thing to a dumpster asap."

Her bottom lip quivered and she walked right past me, covering her face as she went. I smiled at her initial partner who stared at me in what I believed to be terror. "No worries," I assured her, sitting beside her fragile frame. "Your outfit's just fine."

~Jaden's POV~

"Class is over in two minutes," Kari pointed out as we packed up our instruments in orchestra. "Are you ready for this?"

"I wanna get it over with. I'm willing to get pummeled by Corbyn as long as Kris is there to see his true colors. Just remember, I need you to come back and get my violin for the sing off. I already talked to Ms. C and she's all for it."

My friend laughed. "Wait, you told Ms. C about our plan?"

I squeezed my lips together. "She knows more than you think, actually. We both planned for me to play the violin for Kris while she baited him with extra credit offers."

"And what happened?"

I pouted. "Corbyn found out about it and stopped me, and I didn't wanna get on his bad side then. So I never followed through with that plan. I figured someone was eavesdropping; I just don't know who. Doesn't matter. Everyone's gonna hear me play today."

"Does that make you nervous?"

I sighed as the bell rang above us. We grabbed our belongings and headed out the class. "Kris has my back, so... hopefully, with that knowledge, I'll get through this. I'm only nervous about the entire school knowing I'm in the play."

Kari pulled out her phone and checked her messages. "Okay, good. Tiana and Corbyn are making their way out of theater and Mae went to meet up with Kris. When they're all in place, you should be on your way to the bulletin."

I wrung my hands. "I confess. I'm freaking out. A part of me isn't ready to be squashed like a bug."

"Grow some balls, J. Today is your day! Ooh! Can I take a video?"

"Hell no!" I tugged the strap of my backpack as we made our way toward the cafeteria. Kari's phone buzzed and she smirked at me.

"There they are. Walk up to the bulletin, don't let them see you approach." She gave me a light push and I lost my breath, darting a look at her before going on my way.

Tiana, with the help of Brooklyn who was with them, tacked up the cast list, big enough for anyone to see.

Here goes nothing...

Corbyn moved the girls out of his way and stared at the list, searching for the name that was supposed to be his but wasn't. A few people gathered, presumably most of whom had auditioned themselves.

I quickly pulled out my phone to see Mae message the group chat, alerting me and my friends that she was 'in place.'

"Tiana," Corbyn called. "It seems to me you and Mr. Price made an egregious mistake."

Brooklyn gasped. "Omg!"

Tiana and Corbyn faced each other. "I didn't make any mistake Corbyn. The cast is official and all decisions are final."

I walked over to the list and looked it over, smiling when I saw my name next to the role of Jaxxon. I already knew I had the part, but seeing it in person and in front of Corbyn made me feel cruelly excited. "I got it!" I exclaimed. "I actually got the part!" Then I saw his name underneath mine, marked as my understudy.

"I have never been an understudy, Tiana," Corbyn hissed.

"I'm sorry, Corbyn, but... Mr. Price and I feel that Jaden here embodies Jaxxon more than you do. But in the event he can't play his part, you'll step up."

"Okay, are you hearing yourself, sweetie?" Brooklyn defended her best friend. "He can conform to any role. You totally just committed friendship suicide, Tiana, and deserve to be kicked out of the inner circle."

Corbyn turned to me, staring me down. I could feel my breath pick up speed, but I willed myself to keep calm.

Do it. Do your worst. I dared him in my mind. I wanted Kris to see him for what he truly was, a sadistic manipulator who struck fear into the hearts of students.

Dramatic, but very true.

But then he wasn't staring at me anymore. There was a horror in his eyes that even I couldn't pinpoint. He was looking at the cast list again, and his face morphed into total dread.

"Oh my god..."

I turned to see what he was staring at, but I didn't figure it out until he said it. "Since when did that loser try out?" He jabbed his finger at the name underneath Kris Hamilton. "My boyfriend has an understudy?"

"Oh yeah. That would be Nico Marlay, very talented kid. He had this dark vibe that I think could really give Prince Luca's character depth and mystery."

Corbyn glared at Tiana. "Depth and mystery my ass. This isn't acceptable."

"Like I said, all decisions are final."

"Fine. As for you," he faced me again. "Good luck on our sing off in a few minutes. I look forward to it. Oh, and one more thing. I know all about your plan about getting me to 'flip my shit' for my boyfriend to see. And I know he's somewhere around here with Mae Struss, so I'm sure he can hear this..."

My body froze. He knew. He knew? How the hell did he know? Oh god... Kris...

"Yes, I'm sure Kris will be happy to know you all went behind his back to try to break us up. I'll let you tell him all about it. Let's go, Brooklyn." He eyed me and walked away with her in tow.

I slid my gaze to Tiana to see a worried look on her face before she snatched my hand and pulled me away. "I'm gonna be sick," I whispered to her.

"Shh, let's get you out of here."

We tried to make an escape, but we ran into Kris quietly arguing with Mae. They saw us, and he didn't look happy... at all. Shit, that wasn't good.

I gulped when he turned his attention to me.

"Wait, so you ask me to have your back while you go behind mine?"

I shook my head. "That's not what I was trying to do, I swear-"

"Just... don't bother. I need to go check on my boyfriend. He's upset." Kris glanced at Tiana and whizzed past me, and I sensed so many hints in his statement. Especially 'don't ever talk to me again,' or maybe that was just my imagination playing a dirty trick on me.

"He hates me," I gasped, feeling my eyes grow wet.

"Oh, J, I'm so sorry about all of this," Mae apologized, moving closer to hold me.

"How did this backfire? It was a solid plan!"

"Forget the plan, Tiana. I mean, all you really cared about was hurting Corbyn like he hurt you," my best friend said. "Well, you got what you wanted."

"At first, yes, but I enjoy being friends with all of you. And I really am sorry about this too. I'll talk to Kris if I have to."

"No," I refused. "Please just leave him alone. He was right. We were trying to get him to break up with Corbyn, completely stabbing him in the back. I don't like his boyfriend, but I was wrong to do this."

"Guys!" we heard Kari call. We turned around and saw her hold up my violin and bow. "Sure, the plan may have blown up in your faces, but the show must go on."

"What's the point?" I took my instrument from her. "I'm returning this. I don't think I can show my face inside those cafeteria doors."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! You stand a chance of putting Corbyn in his place, even if for just a moment."

"Does it matter, Kari? He's Corbyn fucking Starr! He runs the show, and everything I do is just playing right into his hand. He will figure out a way to stay on top; he always does. I doubt he's actually pissed about being understudy. For all I know, he'll give me an injury and poof! He's got the role and the guy. As always. We're all fools to think we can best him."

"Jaden, stop." Tiana held up her hand and took a deep breath. "Forget about him for a second, forget about Kris, forget about everybody. I do agree that you should go in there and play, but don't ever do it because you want to crush Corbyn. This is something you love to do, so for goodness sake, play for you. It isn't about winning or putting someone in his or her place. You should remember that."

I nodded, clutching my bow. "I'd hate to chicken out... okay, I'll do it. But only if you guys are there to help me escape when I fail miserably."

"No problem!" Kari agreed as Tiana darted a look at her. "And I even brought you back up!" She winked at me and I wondered what that meant.

I hugged Mae to myself and we all walked through the cafeteria doors, and as sad and nervous as I was, I was ready to face my adversary.

🎗🎗🎗🎗🎗

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