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Tiana →

~Kris~

"You're making the play a musical?!" Tiana shrieked to my boyfriend Monday morning. We were outside, chilling against my car with Brooklyn and Levi. Tiana, the girl that wrote the play, stormed up to Corbyn with a sheet of paper in her hand, which she smacked against his chest. She scowled at him, her dark brown eyes glowing with anger.

Corbyn scoffed, snatching the paper and lowering his shades. "What the hell is this supposed to be?"

"The receipt. You wrote an email to the director saying that the play is going to be a musical."

"Whoa, why am I just now hearing about this?" I asked him. Being the lead in this play was his idea, and I wasn't exactly getting a way out of my role. Acting wasn't difficult for me, but singing and dancing as well? I wasn't too sure about that.

"Because he wants to be sure he gets the part," Brooklyn accused. "I know you too well."

Corbyn rolled his eyes and turned back to Tiana. "Look, your play needs to be a musical."

"And why is that? It's great on its own."

"Of course it is, sweetie. But taking my advice will get a whole bunch of people through the doors of that auditorium. People love musicals. People love talent. I mean, take me for an example; I'm not the drama star for nothing."

Tiana swallowed. "If you turn this into a musical, the amount of auditions will lessen significantly, making it harder to find a cast."

"We have an entire drama club of like 150 students or more, most of who can sing and dance. We're good on cast."

"No! You can't do this!"

"I'm the president of the drama club. Sí puedo, Tiana. I make the rules. Most of them anyway." He shrugged, balling up the paper and placing it in her hand.

"And who do you think is gonna write all the songs if this actually works?" Tiana folded her arms.

"Um, you underestimate me, sweetheart. Now stop scowling, you'll get wrinkles." He blew her a kiss and turned back to me. "And you are gonna do great, babe, I know it."

I turned my head when he tried to give me a kiss, so his lips landed on my cheek instead. I heard a small laugh escape Levi's lips as he shook his head. "I should go to practice," I said, letting go of Corbyn's hands as he stared at me in confusion. "You coming, Levi?"

My best friend nodded and followed me, and I completely ignored Corbyn calling after me.

"Starting to see what I'm seeing?" my best friend asked me. I sighed, grasping the strap of my backpack. "Why else would he turn the play into a musical other than the fact he knows that less people will audition for the part he wants, giving him a greater chance of getting it. And what about that song he sang during lunch last week right after preaching about inclusion?"

"I get it, Levi. I just... I've known Corbyn for a long time and this isn't who he is."

"Yeah it is, Kris. It's just that he's gotten so comfortable in his relationship with you that he thinks he can show his true colors and you wouldn't care."

"I told him that I love him," I blurted out. Levi stopped in his tracks to stare at me.

"And did you mean it?"

"Well, yeah. I'm just wondering if I'm in love with the real Corbyn that everyone else seems to know or... the down-to-earth Corbyn that I've always known. I remember you saying he's insecure, and that might be very true. Ever since he came out, his relationship with his dad has been rocky. It's been years and it still affects him."

"It doesn't warrant being a jerk to other people. I'd like him if he took others into consideration. But personally, I gotta admit you'd be better off with someone who doesn't put on a mask around you." He pat my back and I bit my lip, pondering over his words. I knew that I had strong feelings for my boyfriend, but his behavior was baffling. Ever since I came to this school, he was extremely popular and we gravitated toward each other. I was instantly enamored of him and I could sense that people never understood why I liked him. Still, I stood by my feelings and went with my heart despite all the nay-sayers.

There had to be something going on. The boy that I fell for when I first came here was not some stupid mask, I know it.

⚡⚡

"Do re mi fa so la ti do... Do ti la so fa mi re do." Corbyn and a girl I didn't recognize were doing vocal exercises behind the curtains. There was a slight chaos and mayhem in the auditorium as people prepared for their auditions, singing and reading their lines. They had announced that the play was going to be a mild musical with only a couple songs or so. There wouldn't be too much dancing except for the ballroom scene, but that was further down the road. Still, a good amount of people showed up, so it didn't seem like they were fazed by the change of plans.

"I've got this," Corbyn sighed with pride, turning around and catching my eye. He smiled, waving me over. "You ready?"

"I don't have a choice."

"Don't worry, it's not like you're competing for a role. There are a few people auditioning as your understudy though, but they're not important." He dusted my shoulders and fixed my collar. "I'm so excited."

"Why? You haven't gotten the part yet and you've got quite the competition." I wrapped my arms around his waist and drew him in for a kiss. He chuckled at my words when we pulled away.

Motioning toward everyone bustling around, he said, "you really think they stand a chance?"

"Well, they showed up, they're practicing. That's commendable. Aren't you gonna read your lines?"

"Oh, please. I know the entire act by heart. I was there while Tiana wrote it-and no, that isn't cheating. I had access to the work before everyone else, so I simply took advantage of the opportunity I was given." A beautiful smile settled on his face. "Anyway, since it's a musical, everyone has three minutes to successfully deliver his or her lines and two minutes to sing a song."

"And what're you singing?"

"I wanted to make a spectacle and sing Bad Romance by my queen, but it'd be nothing without music, exotic costume, hair and makeup, dramatic lighting, back-up dancers, and of course, a larger audience. So that's out of the question. Anyway, I'll sing Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys. It's much softer."

"Brave choice."

"I'm having doubts though. You think I need a bolder song?"

I tickled his side playfully. "Your personality speaks volumes already. A softer song will do you good."

"Aw, come here." He hugged me close. "Just being up on that stage, sharing it with you... it would be the highlight of my freaking life. That's why I want this so bad." He loosened his hug then held my hands, staring into my eyes. "We'd spend more time together too. I hate being cooped up in my house." He rolled his eyes.

"I understand. Your dad's no fun to be around."

"Yeah, he just gives me judging looks anytime I walk by. Whatever. I'm inviting him to the play so he can see what true love looks like when I'm on stage with you."

"I would like that. Honestly, I don't think I could do this play with anybody else and I wouldn't want to. So you better kick ass like I know you will."

"My audition is at the end. They're saving the best for last." He winked. "Now get out there."

⚡⚡

~Jaden~

"We're on time!" Mae squealed as we snuck into the auditorium, creeping up the steps to the highest row of seats underneath the balcony level.

"Shh!" Kari hushed her. "And no we aren't. Someone's auditioning."

We slid into some seats, watching the stage as a boy was acting with Kris.

"I meant it's not too late," Mae corrected herself in a whisper. "We didn't pick out J's banging outfit for nothing."

"Oh my god, that could be me," I breathed as I stared at Kris's gorgeous form. He was so perfect up there, as if he were on display for the world to admire. My heart was going crazy just sitting in the darkness. All the way in the front sat five people, one of which I assumed to be the casting director since he was holding the clipboard. Two of them seemed to be students, and the other two must be other teachers in the drama club. Then not too far away from them were Brooklyn Winters and two other cheerleaders, probably there to support none other than His Highness of the school.

"That Indian-Latina beauty is Tiana," Mae pointed out to me. "She wrote the play."

"Is she one of Corbyn's minions?" I asked.

"Yeah but rumor has it she exploded on him this morning because he turned her play into a musical."

"What?!" I almost shrieked before getting shushed by Kari. I stared wide-eyed at my friend. "He can't do that! Can he do that?"

"You're still asking yourself that question? It's Corbyn Starr for crying out loud, what can't he do?"

"That little..." I grumbled right before we got startled by the sound of a frustrated "NEXT!" coming from the casting director.

We could see the boy's lip quiver on the stage from where we were sitting. "B-but please, Mr. Price, I-I just fumbled a bit and I didn't get to sing-"

"Next!"

The boy dropped his arms in defeat and rushed off the stage.

"Oh god. I think I threw up in my mouth a little," I told my friends.

"As long as your vomit stays in your mouth, we're gucci," Kari told me, fishing out a snack so she could watch the auditions. "I like this Mr. Price guy."

"The boy wasn't even that terrible," I defended. "Do you guys really think I can pull this off? I read the book last night, I practiced my lines until my brain bled..."

"You'll be fine. If I were you, I'd start thinking of a song though." Mae sent me a tight smile.

"I... I'm better at the violin than singing, you know that, Mae!"

"Okay but at least you can sing."

A girl walked onto the stage and introduced herself. She had a very high-pitched musical voice and was wearing a shiny crop top with jeans and ankle boots.

"Ooh, she's pretty," Mae grinned, sitting up taller.

"Your gay is showing," Kari mumbled.

"Oh shut up." Mae slapped her skittles out of her hand and Kari gasped in disbelief.

"You can call me names, you can attack me with harsh words, hell you can stab me in my chest but don't you ever mess with my skittles."

"Guys, be quiet," I silenced, redirecting our attention to the stage.

"And what role will you be auditioning for?" Mr. Price questioned the girl.

"Um... Jaxxon."

There was a silence that fell over the auditorium. The five 'judges' even shared confused glances before Mr. Price cleared his throat.

"You do realize this is a part for a male."

"That's misogynistic and I totally identify as male now," she responded. "As of last week anyway."

"W... how? If you don't mind me... asking..."

"I heard there was a kiss scene, or multiple, and whoever plays Jaxxon gets to kiss Kris Hamilton. So it gave me the motivation to transition into the man I've always wanted to be. And by always I mean since last week-look, I just wanna kiss this god standing next to me."

My crush stared awkwardly at the girl beside him and I shook my head.

"NEXT!"

She turned to Kris and blushed, giggling and running off the stage.

Suddenly, Corbyn Starr practically burst through the red curtains and I saw Kris smile at him.

"Whoo!" The three cheerleaders rooted for him.

"Hello, I'm Corbyn Starr and I'll be auditioning for the role of Jaxxon, of course." He placed his hands on his hips. "And I will also be singing a condensed version of Girl on Fire."

"The stage is yours," Mr. Price regarded. "You're the last one, make it count."

"He's last?" I whispered. "Holy shit, he's last." I turned to my friends, panicking. "I can't do this. I can't."

"Hey," Kari snatched my hand, squeezing it. "I did not get my skittles tossed on the ground just for you to give up. You are getting up on that stage even if I have to set your ass on fucking fire, you hear me?" She let me go and pouted.

"Just run over your lines in your head and think of an easy song to sing that'll showcase your voice."

"What voice, Mae? What voice?! I can't sing like Corbyn."

"You can sing even better! You know why? He's a star at faking, but you pull from your real emotions. Jaden." Mae held my cheeks, making me look her in the eyes. "He can use vibrato, he can do all the riffs and runs in the world, the best breathing techniques, but none of that stands a chance against making somebody feel what you feel. Connecting with your listeners is the ultimate gift of music. You can do that. You got this."

I blinked at her then nodded. "Okay. Y-you're right. Despite the fact that this will officially put me on Corbyn's list after he specifically warned me not to audition... I'll do it. I'll sacrifice my next couple years of high school to be up there with Kris."

Kari picked up some of her skittles from the ground, rubbing them against her clothes. "Five second rule..." she said. "Well, five minutes but same thing."

I warily looked back onto the stage as Corbyn took his position. It was nerve-wracking just sitting here; I couldn't imagine how I'd feel up there with Kris's eyes on me and Mr. Price judging me.

But I wanted to do this, and I knew exactly what I was going to sing.

🎗🎗🎗🎗🎗

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