Happiness [Book 2]

Chapter 22 - Don't Rain on My Parade

It had been a couple of weeks since we started practice for the musical, and we were doing our first performance of Funny Girl tonight. 

It was going to be absolutely awesome.

Mom and Angie were in the audience - I saw them when I was singing, along with Rachel, Santana and Kurt, who were on the opposite side of the auditorium. And Rachel looked like she was going insane.

Our first night was nearly over, and we aced it - in my opinion anyway. Travis, Kitty and I were all hanging out backstage while the intermission was on, waiting for the show to come back on. I was so pumped that I couldn't contain my excitment, and that meant I was struggling with my costume. Both Tina and Brittany had to help me get my hair in the hat and get the skirt in the right length because it was too long - we would have done this eariler, but we forgot to actally hem it properly.

"Do I look okay?" I asked them, and they both agreed. I took their word, but continued to look at myself in the mirror. 

Jake came up behind me and started talking about how amazing I looked. "You look incredible. You sound... wow. And I bet every girl in that audience wishes she looked as good as you." Jake grinned and grabbed the shoulders from behind. "You're Marley Rose." I smiled at him and turned around, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"You're really cool, Jake. And I'm sad you didn't get the lead." 

"Next year; it's a promise." Jake grinned before Artie started rolling around saying we were going on in two minutes. 

I gave Jake a hug before heading to the end of the stage with my jacket in my hand. I stood there until the curtain opened and I walked out, followed by people. I put my hands on my ears and squeezed my eyes shut while they followed me out, with a large appluase from the crowd. As soon as it died down to silence and after I screamed at everyone, I started to sing;

Marley:

Don't tell me not to live,

Just sit and putter,

As soon as I finished that line, I heard an excited scream from the audience. I looked over to where it came from and saw Rachel, whose mouth was being covered by Kurt.

Life's candy and the sun's

A ball of butter.

Don't bring around a cloud

To rain on my parade!

Don't tell me not to fly--

I've simply got to.

If someone takes a spill,

It's me and not you.

Who told you you're allowed

To rain on my parade!

I walked to the other side of the stage and pointed out to the audience, making sure I pointed at everyone, especially Mom and Angie.

I'll march my band out,

I'll beat my drum,

And if I'm fanned out,

Your turn at bat, sir.

At least I didn't fake it.

Hat, sir, I guess I didn't make it!

But whether I'm the rose

Of sheer perfection,

Or freckle on the nose