Secret Singing Superstar

Twenty-four ~ ♫♪♫

The school hall had been transformed from a regular school hall to a hall that was appropriate for a concert - in this case, the singing concert. A mini stage had been placed at the front of the hall and there were seats arranged in front of it for the audience to sit. Already the hall was full with people. Leanne swallowed down her rising nervousness and gulped.

"You okay?" Claire asked her.

Leanne nodded. "I'm fine." She was lying to herself; as she looked around the busy crowded hall, she felt like she was about to throw up.

"I'm hoping I don't get stage fright," said Cailyn worriedly.

"You won't," answered Helina, giving her a quick hug. "You guys will be the best. And this air is so stuffy," she added, recoiling and making a face. "Too many people and there are no windows!" She ended her sentence with a frustrated growl. "I'm going to suffocate in here!"

"Hey, that's what I was about to say," said Cailyn, sounding surprised. Then she grinned and poked her tongue out at Helina. "Twin telepathy!" Helina poked her tongue out back.

"Seriously, what is with you and poking tongues?" said Caitlin, looking back and forth between the two girls. "That has to be at least the one-millionth time you've done that."

"I dunno, really. It's just something we do," said Cailyn, shrugging.

Their maths teacher (who was their favourite teacher <3) had pointed out that they acted like twin sisters, which was totally true (:p). Helina was the gentle kind one and Cailyn was the fierce over-protective one. They were almost like sweet and sour.

Their friendship wasn't the only one that had changed and strengthened. The bond between Leanne, Caitlin and Claire had only deepened ever since they met. Leanne understood both of them so well that she sometimes could predict what they were going to do or say before they actually did it themselves. They called her psychic, but really, it was just a matter of understanding.

Claudia had found Santhuri, who had saved seats for all of them except Leanne and Cailyn (because they would be at the back of the stage, preparing to perform). Santhuri was smiling and waving at them frantically to come over.

As everyone else sat down, Leanne remained standing with Cailyn.

"So...we go now?" Cailyn asked Leanne.

"Oh, yeah!" said Caitlin, getting up. She gave them both a hug at the same time. It was easy to give them both a hug because they were both so skinny. Leanne gasped in protest as she was crushed in the hug. "Good luck!"

"Hope you don't die in that stuffy place," said Helina, gesturing to behind the stage. Cailyn made a face.

"I'm not going all sentimental on you," said Claire, holding up a hand. "Bye."

"That's it?" said Santhuri.

Claire shrugged. "I don't know what to say! Have fun."

"You're hopeless," Claudia complained, burying her face in her hands.

But Leanne smiled at Claire. She knew that Claire would still wish her good luck even when she didn't say it loud. Claire just wasn't a touchy-feely person.

"It's alright," said Leanne. One by one everyone exchanged hugs (except Claire) and then Leanne and Cailyn slipped behind the stage to see a bunch of other people who were also singing.

There was James - who was from their class. He was dressed in a suit and tie, and Leanne could help laughing just looking at him.

"Hey, I'm trying to look formal!" he protested. Then he looked her up and down. "Are you trying to look like a rock star, or what? Nice curly hair and full on makeup and all."