just write it all out

21

The Understudy, Part II - 01/21/16

I watched from my corner of the floor as Adam practiced the little nuances that came with his solo, his hand holding an imaginary microphone and his other hand held out behind him or stretched in front of him.

I watched again when he messed up his lyrics, his nervous smile growing as he laughed along with the people standing next to him. And why wouldn't he be nervous? He was a sophomore with his very first huge solo. For someone who supposedly loves this song, you should really know it better.

And yes, I said corner of the floor earlier, because once again, I was out in Canada instead of actually on the stage, but I couldn't complain because it was where I was blocked.

I sighed, mentally slapping myself. Being bitter and jealous isn't going to get you anywhere, I scolded myself. Grow up.

"All right, from the top again!" Scott called, effectively quieting the room.

"Wait, the top of what?" somebody in the group asked.

Scott rolled his eyes. "I'd think, being dance captain and all, more people would listen to me." He knelt next to the boom box, ready to press play. "The top of the song we're working on."

The music started and I went through all the motions, singing everything right, enunciating the words clearly, plastering a happy-go-lucky smile on my face, because that's what the song called for. My hand gestures and footwork all but radiated happiness.

"Great facials, Mitchy! Keep it up!" Kirstie, senior girl dance captain.

"Tuck in those elbows, Cara! No noodling!" Justin, junior guy dance captain.

"There you go, May, you did it right this time!" Cara, junior girl dance captain.

"Great energy, Adam!" Scott, senior guy dance captain.

The song ended and we held our final poses, breathing heavily. "Can we get that promised water break now?" Me, senior guy loser.

"Yup, take five minutes, then we'll run the show and be done for the night."

***

"Don't forget that we're getting the shipment of boots tomorrow, girls. We want you to try them on, so be here." My choir director raised an eyebrow. "Apparel forms are due when?"

"Monday!" the class said collectively.

"Monday, good. Y'all are dismissed. Go home and sleep!"

I turned to reach into my bag, ready to exchange my dance sneakers for my platforms instead. "Hey, Mitch?"

I looked up to see Scott in the process of crouching down to get to my eye level. "Scott, hi."

"How've you been doing?"

I leaned back to sit properly while I untied my laces. "I've been all right. Not many friends or social interaction, but you know how it is." You knew how it was. Before you got too busy to be my best friend.

"I'm just trying to watch out for you. Being our senior year and all, I'm scared about.. leaving you, to go to California. I don't want to leave you here."

"Ah, well, it was bound to happen."

He sat down as well, and I looked around to see that most people had left already. I don't know why I was always one of the last to leave. "You know I'll come back to see you, though."

"Yeah."

He looked around as well before clearing his throat. "I'm sorry you didn't get the solo. You deserved it. I know you've been wanting a solo since forever."

"Well, Adam deserved it more, I guess. And that's all right." I started to get up, heaving my bag onto my back.

"Hey, wait, can you give me a ride home?" Scott scrambled up, and suddenly he towered over me again.

"Yeah, of course." I smiled, glad I could at least have a conversation with him again, just like old times. "Get your stuff and let's go."

Okay that was nowhere near a conclusive ending but I don't want to write anymore XD

Woo the drawing is a doodle from my Japanese homework and it's not Mitch but idk who else it could be.