Gleeful Grace - A Darren Criss Fanfic

Open Mic

Two months had passed and I must admit I was beginning to feel a bit deflated. I'm glad I met Blake though as we were fast becoming very close friends. We had movie nights every Tuesday and spent most of our time together. However, I was not getting anywhere on the music front. He was really supportive and so funny that he could cheer me up in a heartbeat. But in all honesty things were beginning to feel a little hopeless. I had numerous CDS returned to me unopened and doors slammed in my face.

I did, however, managed to get a part time job at the same bar as Blake. It was crazy sometumes but we had so much fun working togetger. On a Friday they had open mic nights but I hadn't been been given the chance to get up there yet as the boss said that I only could if sing if he can spare me and it was always so busy. Blake was also dying for this to happen as he seems to think I'm the next global superstar. I sang for him a few times and he would make a massive point of showing me the goosebumps on his arms. I knew I had a pretty good voice as I had won a few competitions and starred in a couple theatre productions at school. Although, I obviously was not good enough to make it here as no one is even giving me a chance.

As I got ready for my shift I really hoped tonight would be the night tgat I could sing. I had just had my long brown hair curled by Blake as some sort of experiment and I have to admit I really liked it. And for once my make up didnt look like I had applied in the dark whilst walking on hot coals. I had on my usual work attire, dark skinny jeans and the res Maloneys shirt, but with my hair and make up done I felt a lot nicer than I usually did.

When I turned up for my shift,  I was a little early so I thought I would go grab some mixers from the basement to replenish the shelves. As I was down there I started singing to myself.

'I've got sunshine on a cloudy day.
When it's cold outside I've got the month of May.

I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl
Talkin' 'bout my girl'

"Wow"

I spun around in surprise to see my boss Rick standing there. He looked taken aback as he ran his hands through his silver streaked hair. He folded his arms and leaned against the cellar wall.

"Sorry...I hope you don't mind....I was just getting some bottles..." I couldn't read whether he was angry or just shocked.

"You have an incredible voice" he stated, eyeing me curiously.

"Oh...thanks" I smiled.

I heard compliments about my voice a lot but I still felt a little awkward and I always seemed to blush!

"10" he said matter-of-factly.

"10?" I asked.

"You go on at 10"

"But that's our busies-"

"Don't make me change my mind" he interrupted

"Oh...ok thanks so much Rick" I half said half squealed clapping my hands together.

"Now go work double hard until then" he shouted playfully.

I nodded obediently and carried on grabbing mixers, hoping time would go by quickly.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

It was 10 minutes to 10 and my stomach was in knots. I always got nervous before a performance and it was so bad that my hands would shake. I went to the toilet and splashed my face with cool water to calm myself down...

"Oh shit!!!!"

I looked in the mirror and remembered I had make up on. My panda eyes stared back at me horrified. I grabbed a tissue out of my bag and fixed it as much as I could.

My stomach churned as I heard everyone cheering as the last song had finished.

"Now for something a little bit special. We have one of our very own barmaids about to take to the stage after weeks and weeks of hounding me to allow it during one of our busiest shifts. But this evening I relented. So I'm quite excited to see this....Come on up here Lindsey" I heard Rick boom out of the mic.

I took one last look in the mirror and took a deep breath.

"Here goes nothing" I whispered quietly to myself in the mirror.

As I stepped up on stage to applause I instantly felt at ease. This is where I loved to be and where I belonged. The feeling of hundreds of eyes focused on me gave me an undescribable thrill. The heat from the spotlights warmed me like the sun on a hot day. I exhaled deeply, and nodded to Jeff, the guy on the piano. He knew my song, I gave him the sheet music weeks ago in hope that this very moment would arrive.

Jeff began to play...here goes nothing....