Tales of a Spring Musical

Nerves

Christine didn't expect to see Rich standing and staring at the sign up sheet for the spring musical on her way to the auditorium.  She figured he just wasn't that interested, he'd originally joined the play first semester for Jake's sake after all, so to see him staring so closely was a bit of a surprise.  "Are you gonna sign up?"

He whipped around to face her immediately, visibly wincing at the thought, "Oh, I mean... uh... I thought about it, but I think- aren't signups for auditions closed anyway?" He winced again at his lisp.  He was making progress on accepting it, but he wasn't there yet.

"Technically, but you know how Mr Reyes is.  If you join a day or two late, he'll just be happy to have another person interested in the theater.  Plus they close the day of auditions, so he probably wouldn't realize." She gave a smile, "I think everyone else in our friend group joined for the musical.  Even Michael joined."

Rich's lips twitched into a smile.  Most of the people in the group had every reason to hate him.  He lied to everyone.  The whole SQUIP situation happened because of him.  He treated Jeremy, Michael, and Christine terribly under its influence.  But he'd been forgiven, by everyone.  He really was lucky to have all of them in his life.  "You think I should?  I'm not very good at acting.  I probably have an okay enough singing voice- I don't know, but I like the idea of joining."

"I think you're good at acting.  And even if you don't wanna act, you could always do tech." Christine offered, gesturing to the sign up sheet again where there were a few names written under the tech portion, "I know Jake's doing tech for this one because his legs are still healing, and I think Michael is too.  Chloe's gonna be helping with costumes and hair and makeup I think.  You don't have to be on stage."

Rich considered that, scratching idly at the scarring on his arm, "Yeah?  And... you really think it's okay if I join late?"

Christine nodded, "Of course!  It's not too late.  Let's go, I'm headed that way right now!  Everyone is auditioning today." She gestured to the hall now, taking a step to lead him.

As soon as she was sure he'd follow, she headed that way, and he was right behind her, nervous and giddy all at the same time.  Maybe she'd be right and everyone would be happy to see him joining.

He really hoped so.