Sing To My Heart

Part 4: Calm before the storm

It's been about a week since everyone started practicing for the show as the big day is slowly creeping up. Now Buster is letting people practice a bit on the actual stage so they can get used to it.

Mike was currently singing smoothly on the stage as he was snapping along with the music. Mike was just trying to be a showman as the lights began to dim and a yellow crescent moon slowly lowered behind him.

Ms. Crawly hands Buster a cup of coffee which he thanks her for. He takes a sip and Ms. Crawly askes the around if anyone has seen her glass eye. Suddenly something crashes into a light which knocks into the control causing it to break. The light came crashing down behind Mike and causing him to scream. A sandlock holding the light came swinging around, hitting an unaware Pete.

"Ya almost fucking killed me Pipesquak," Mike yelled at Meena in an angry tone. Meena tries to defend herself but Mike wasn't really having it. The light then bursts into flames causing Mike and Meena to freak out. Meena quickly grabs the fire extinguisher to put out the fire. Buster watches in panic then hears a groan behind him. Turns around to see Pete and calls the hospital.

Johnny was trying to play the melody of his song but kept getting frustrated every time he messed up. You rub his back to try to comfort him as you hear some sirens go off outside. You guys extage some confused looks. You look out the window and see an ambulance which makes your eyes widen.

"What's going on out there y/n?"

"Pete's being carried into an ambulance and the trio just stormed out," you said with slight panic in your voice.

"What?!?! Oh my god. I hope Pete's ok," Johnny said, concerned for Pete

"Hopefully but let's just get back to work," you said as you took a final glance outside the window.

You take your place back to Johnny as he continues to play and mess up some of the parts. After about five minutes of messing up, he slams his fists on the piano. He rubs his face in futruction and lets out a groan.

"Yeah it wasn't great but it was a lot better than yesterday so that's a plus," you said, trying to sound supportive but you had a nervous smile.

"Was that supposed to make me feel better," Johnny said as he raised a brow at you since he could hear the unsureness in your voice.

"Maybe. I'm not very good at reassuring a friend since I've really only ever had one growing up," you said as you shrugged your shoulders.

Johnny looks at, feeling a bit bad at your confusion. You noticed his look and quickly sighed.

"But regardless, I know we can get you ready to perform if we just keep practicing," you said, trying to change the topic.

You raise your hand towards him trying to give him a high five. You give him a nice smile and his face gets a bit red.

"Johnny"

Johnny's eyes widen as you both turn to his jacket. You were confused by the fact that his jacket appears to be talking. You turn back to Johnny as he quickly gets up from next to you to grab his jacket.

"Johnny?"

"Sorry y/n I need to step out for a minute," he stuttered as he fumbled with his jacket a bit

"Ok," you said, clearly confused by what just happened.

Johnny quickly steps outside the room and answers the walkie talkie. It was his dad telling him to come back to the garage for more driving practice. He frowns at what his dad told him and lets out a heavy sigh. The last thing he wants to do right now is to leave but he doesn't want his dad to be upset with him. He agrees and tells his dad bye. He stuffs the walkie talkie back in his jacket. He opens the door to see you just playing with the keys.

"Um y/n," Johnny said in a sad tone. You turn around to see him with a nervous and a bit sad look on his face. You tilt your head in confusion waiting for him to say something.

"Sorry I gotta go. I have a family problem that I have to take care of. I'm so sorry.," Johnny said with sadness in his voice.

"Oh well um, I hope your family is okay,"you sad in a soft tone. "We can just continue your practice later. I have to go over my routine anyway," you rubbed the back of your neck as you gave him a little smile.

"Thanks y/n. I promise to make it up to you."

"Don't sweat it Johnny. See ya."

Johnny rushes down the stairs running into Buster and tells him he has to leave. Buster was being a bit difficult and even questioned Johnny's loyalty to the show which upset you a bit as you were coming down. You went to Buster and told him that he shouldn't really question any of the constant loyalty. This comment makes Buster think a little bit as Johnny hurrys out the back of the theater. You go to the rehearsal rooms to see the chaos that is practice. You see Rosita trying to calm down Gunter and what you assume is her child. You then peek at Ash who was just playing her electric guitar and looked a bit tired. You walk up to Ash's room since she left the door open. You knock on the door frame catching her attention.

"Oh hey y/n. Did Johnny leave?"

You nod your head as you walk inside her room. Ash puts her guitar down as you both sit on the floor.

"So what song are you singing y/n," Ash said, trying to start a conversation.

"An original song I wrote."

"Wait, you make your own music," Ash said in an excited, somewhat confused tone.

"Yeah. I like writing and performing my own music," you said in a nonchalant tone.

"Is it fun," Ash said, clearly curious.

"I'd say so. I mean I had people in my past tell me it was a waste or I couldn't do it. But when I cut them out of life, I felt free. And now I'm happy with my music," you said as you give Ash a smile.

"So letting things or in this case people go, can set you free?"

You nod your head and Ash lets out 'huh'. You then just start to talk about the show and how Buster's list for Ash doesn't fit her style at all. You tell her to just go with her gut on what she should do about that. The conversation then just went to random things but it never felt awkward. Instead it just felt so natural that you'd assume you guys knew each other for years. It was coming close to the end of the day and you let Ash get her stuff together but after you guys extage contact info.

You walk out of Ash's room and feel something small grab your leg. You look down to see Rosita's kid.

"Casper."

You look to see Rosita shoving some papers into her bag as she walks up to you.

"I'm so sorry about him y/n. He had a fever and I couldn't get a sitter but he seems fine now."

You look back down to Casper. You pick him up and he lets out a giggle. You hold him in a position where he's comfortable and where you hold a good hold on him. You strats to play with your hair and let out a little chuckle.

"Is he your only kid Rosita?"

"Oh no, he's the youngest. I have eight kids," Rosita said as if it was no big deal but your eyes widened a bit.

"Wow. Eight kids. You are actually Super-Mama if you could handle eighth kids, especially when doing this show," you said, clearly impressed by Rosita

"Yeah well it ain't easy but I manage. Well I have to get going now. Here I'll take Casper."

"Alright have a good night Rosita."

"Night sweetie," Rosita said in a motherly tone.

Rosita takes Casper from your arms. Casper waves you goodbye as Rosita walks away with him on her shoulder. You check your phone and decide to head back home as well. You were going to stay a bit to practice but you said nah and your stomach growled. So you grab your stuff and head home but stop by a conveyance store on the way to get some food.