Broken Promises |A JAILEY FAN FICTION|TMF AU

Chapter 18: Rehearsal

|Jake's POV|

Today was the day of the rehearsal, which I was somehow invited to.

The Music Club had set their equipment up onto the stage, each standing by their instruments with exception of Hailey, who was standing by the mic on the center of the stage. I was sitting on one of the cafeteria benches, as that was where we had our stage. Hailey exhaled sharply, nervously pushing a strand of hair her ear, as she always did when she was stressed. I gave her a sympathetic smile and a thumbs up, making her smile.

"Everyone ready?" Zander called out, glancing towards all the members. There were a few employees, some teachers and the counselor, were also sitting in the audience, supervising their performance. Everyone in the club nodded in return. "Ok, Hailey, do the mic test."

"Testing, testing, one, two, three?" She spoke into the mic, gently tapping it. She turned her to Zander and nodded.

"Okay, then. Three, two, one, go!" He started playing his keyboard, gracefully moving his fingers across the keys and playing a beautiful melody. Luke joined in with a steady beat, followed by Sean playing his turntable, then Milly with an electric guitar riff. Hailey took a deep breath and looked at me, her eyes wide and terrified. I mouthed, 'You can do this' to her and she nodded. She took one more deep breath and took a step closer to the mic. Right when she heard the cue for her voice, she began singing.

I'm outgrowing clothes that still fit me
And ex's who never knew how to treat me
I do my makeup to feel pretty
Thinkin' back when I did it for them

Until I met you
Never felt so myself, never felt confidence
Like I do
You make me feel like I should

Finally, I'm happy for, happy for me
Didn't know I could be
So happy for, happy for, happy for, happy for me

My friends told me I could do better
That both sides are meant to be happy together
Feelings that changed like thе weather
They say lovе is blind, was I outta my mind

Finally, I'm happy for, happy for me
Didn't know I could be
So happy for, happy for, happy for, happy for me
Finally, I'm happy for, happy for me
Didn't know I could be
So happy for, happy for, happy for, happy for

I decide what I should wear
And you love me regardless
Gentle like hands in my hair
Dragged me out of the darkness
So used to breaking me down
Thought he left me heartless
You love me when no one's around
So I know where your heart is

Finally, I'm happy for, happy for me
Didn't know I could be
So happy for, happy for, happy for, happy for me
Finally, I'm happy for, happy for me
Didn't know I could be
So happy for, happy for, happy for, happy for
Happy for, happy for, happy for, happy for me

(This song is called 'Happy For Me' by Makenzie Ziegler, and it's a great song! I'll put a link here:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiFx9LE3rv-AhVBLTQIHahGAbkQyCl6BAgcEAM&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dd16p_QoQRis&usg=AOvVaw1GQkex13ul4oArwByMqF4x

I hope you like it as much as I do! (I actually don't know if this link works 😅))

Her voice blended beautifully with the music in the background, and I could see her zone out and just fall into the melody. I was amazed by her voice, it just sounded like... well, like real music. Something anyone could enjoy, something... something that made me feel warm inside. In that moment, I could feel the butterflies come back, swarming around in my stomach like a storm, a storm that was very welcome. I looked at her with admiring eyes, only hearing her voice in my ears. As the song slowed to a stop, her eyes slowly fluttered open. As the last note was played, a round of excited applause echoed across the room. As they walked off the stage, smiling, I ran up to Hailey.

"Hailey, that was amazing!" I said, following her as she walked down the stairs.

"It was terrifying! But... it sounded good to me." She admitted, smiling.

"Good?!" I asked, surprised. "It was great! I can't believe you sang that. Short, shy, Hailey sang that!" She smiled and gently punched me on the arm.

"Thanks, dummy." She said as Zander caught up with us.

"Hailey, that was incredible!" He cried, ruffling Hailey's blue hair. She smiled shyly as the rest of the club eagerly came to compliment her.

We were all walking home from the school after putting all the equipment back. Luke and Zander were talking, and Milly and Sean were arguing about if cereal was a soup or not. (It is a soup, don't argue) Which left me and Hailey.

"So... are you excited for the competition?" I asked. She shrugged, but had a small smile on her face. I could tell she was very excited, but suddenly, a shadow crossed her face.

"What if... what if it isn't enough? What if we're not good enough?" She whispered, rubbing her arms nervously.

"You guys are already great! There's no way you guys won't win first place!" I reassured her, but she still looked doubtful.

"But that's probably what the competitors are telling themselves too. And maybe for good reason. Maybe they will win, and we might just get an honorable mention or something." She said, looking down. I stopped. I turned to her as she stopped as well.

"Hailey, no matter what the judges believe, or anyone believes, really, you guys are amazing. You don't need a trophy to know you're worth it." I stepped forward and hugged her, and she hugged me right back.