Happiness [Book 2]

Chapter 6 - Set This World On Fire

The longer our early morning rehearsal went, the more I started to panic. I needed to keep my attendance perfect and my grades high, but Mr. Schue's incessant need for us to perfect our big group number was threatening my academic record. Both myself and Travis were getting antsy to go - clearly, we are the nerds - whereas the rest of my friends were enjoying just... hanging out. 

As it neared the beginning of the day, and Mr. Schue called it a day, I hurried out. Not far behind me was Travis. We ended up walking together.

"You're the friendliest person in Glee club," he commented, "so I thought I should try to get to know you better."

I wondered whether he had an ulterior motive, or whether he was just that friendly. 

"What's your favourite movie?" He asked. 

"Grease. I have always loved it, but it became my all time favourite after we did it for the school musical last year. I played Sandy."

Travis gave a loud hum; he seemed impressed. "I'm sure you were amazing." I looked over at him. He was smiling... again. I felt uncomfortable... again. "Who played Danny?"

I tried to act normal. "Oh, my boyfriend played him." To even mention him made me miss him. I wished he were here, so I didn't have to be making meaningless small talk. "He's nothing like Danny, I'm nothing like Sandy, but it was fun to put ourselves in another person's shoes for a little bit."

Travis hummed again. "It's the art of being an actor," and then he repeated, "I'm sure you were amazing."

"What's your favourite movie?" I asked, to change the subject. 

"I would have to say, The Princess Bride," Travis said, "I love the story."

It seemed like an odd choice, but each to their own. "I've never seen it," I told him. 

"We should watch it together sometime!" He said, excitedly. 

I didn't know what to say but, luckily, my classroom was nearing closer and closer. I quickly said goodbye and shuffled through the door. I took my unassigned assigned seat at the very front, dumped my stuff down, and sighed. Maybe Angie was right. I didn't know how to fix it. 

***

At lunchtime, we decided to fit in one last run through of our song. I headed to the auditorium by myself, after grabbing some food from the cafeteria, to find the Glee club sitting on the stage and munching on some snacks.

I threw my bag of apple slices and carrot sticks onto the pile of junk food. I sat down between Jake and Angie. "So, we're not practicing just yet?" I asked. 

"Nope," Sugar said, popping a lolly in her mouth. 

"We deserve a break, it being almost the end of the first week of school after all." Unique smiled.

I wondered what we would talk about. It being only the first week, as Unique said, I posed a question. "What are your plans for the school year ahead?" I looked around the circle at my close friends. 

Joe spoke first. "Well, I'm working on my application to Ohio Christian University to major in Religious Studies."

"I'm working on my dance moves," Sugar piped up, "to give a great performance at Nationals!" She sung. We all laughed with her. 

Travis was next. "Uh," he hesitated, eyes floating around the room before looking right at me, "I hope to get a girlfriend." Jake gave a bit of a laugh, causing Unique to slap him on the chest. Sweat tickled the back of my neck. It was all starting to add up.