Stage Fright (On Hold)

THREE

The room exploded put of it's stunned silence. Voices clambered over each other, begging to be heard. A hundred questions must have been asked before Claire silenced them all by yelling for them to "Shut the hell up". Everyone turned and stared, stunned once more.

"Clearly you're not getting anywhere by all talking at the same time. " Claire continued in a calmer manner. "Now, someone start, and no-one else talk until they're done."

There was a moment's pause before Sean, giving Claire an impressed look, spoke up. "Danny, you know these girls?"

The boy, Danny, nodded his head, but gave no other answer. May was the next to speak. "We met in Galveston a couple years ago." She explained. "We were staying at the same Inn. Honestly, I'm kind of surprised that you recognized me. After all, we only had the one conversation."

"So you've been stalking him?" Another boy questioned, grinning impishly all the while. May flushed red, clearly embarrassed, and Claire began to scowl at the boy. Like with most people, she took an instant disliking to him the very moment he opened his mouth.

"Quit being such an arse, Matt!" Scolded the boy at the farthest end of the room.

"Yeah, and sit still!" Added the woman who had been attempting to tame his curly hair. Matt, sulking a little, stopped fidgeting in his chair. Sean used the lapse in conversation to excuse himself, and left the room. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving the small space stiff with an uncomfortable silence.

"You're welcome to sit if you'd like, ladies. You don't need to hover by the door." Offered the boy at the far end of the room, who had scolded Matt. He gestured to a plush looking couch set against the wall. The girls sat, but unsure of what to say, remained silent.

"Okay so," Began the fourth boy, who had yet to speak "We know May, but who are you?" He looked directly at Claire, who felt a light blush creeping up her neck.

"Claire Weston. " She answered softly. "I'm afraid I don't know all of your names either."

The boy gave her what she was sure was supposed to be a reassuring smile. Not that it did anything to ease her discomfort, but it was a kind gesture. "I'm Joey." He said. "That's Luke down on the end, Matt is to my left, and Danny you already know."

"And I'm Tracy." The hairdresser added as she moved from Matt to Danny. She was gently spiking his hair with gel, rather than trying to smooth it back like she did Matt's. "You'll have to forgive these boys' manners, I'm afraid. They're worse than cavemen sometimes."

May giggled at that, Claire smirked, and each boy had an identical expression of mingled insult, hurt, and betrayal.

"Does either of you like to sing?" Luke asked in a slightly awkward attempt to keep the conversation flowing. The question brought a vibrant smile to May's face.

"Yes!" She answered quite proudly. Claire was happy to let her take the spotlight. Music had always been May's ambition more than Claire's. "I love music! I learned to play the guitar when I was five, and I've been singing for as long as I can remember. I kinda want to start my own youtube channel, but I don't have so much as a decent camera, let alone any of the other equipment."

Claire spaced out, staring down at her hands which were folded in her lap, as the conversation carried on without her. Her mind wandered for awhile before the dreaded, forbidden topic came creeping in. She still didn't understand what went wrong, or where things started to go downhill. She had thought they were both happy. sure, they fought sometimes, but who didn't? And they always managed to work it out eventually. A year-and-a-half of nothing but care and dedication had left her broken and alone. She wouldn't lie, the thought left her feeling bitter.

May elbowed Claire in the ribs, none too gently, to bring her back to the present. She was slightly irritated with Claire for slipping, but pushed the feeling down. She'd been through more than one breakup herself.

"Ow!" Claire cried, ripped out of her thoughts by a sharp pain in her side. "What was that for, May?"

May gave her a pointed look. "You aren't supposed to slip away to Claire-land in the middle of a conversation. Joey asked you a question."

The blush didn't creep this time. Claire felt like a tomato as she quietly muttered an apology. She couldn't believe she'd let herself slip away like that, especially after promising May.

"It's fine." Joey said kindly. "I asked about you, if you sing."

Claire nodded, taking a moment to find her voice. "I do, and I'd like to think I'm not terrible. But my real passion is dancing."

"Well let's hear it!" Matt exclaimed, earning himself another look from Luke. "What, if they sing I wanna hear it!"

"No time." Sean, who had slipped in silently, startled everyone when he spoke. "It's go time, boys.