Becoming Janie

Freaking Out , Like , Majorly.

"Are you okay ?" Troy asked me worriedly.

I had been shaking uncontrollably for about the last thirty minutes. I was freaking out , like , majorly. I couldn't sing a duet with Troy. What was Mrs Powers thinking ? Just because I had come out of my shell a lot since joining the glee club didn't mean I was ready to get up in front of everyone and start singing duets. Gah ! What was I going to do ?

I realised I hadn't yet answered Troy , who was still looking at me with a face full of concern.

I shook my head , unable to open my mouth and answer him for fear that I might let out an involuntary whimper. I didn't want to do that when the rest of the glee club members were still here. I looked around at everyone else, mostly everyone else were doing solos or duets yet I was the only one who was petrified.

"Do you want me to talk to Mrs Powers ?" Troy asked.

I nodded hurriedly. If he could get me out of this I would be forever grateful.

Troy nodded , got up and walked across the room to Mrs Powers. He said something to her and motioned with his hand back at me. He and Mrs Powers turned to look at me and I blushed. It was embarrassing the amount of fear I was feeling right now.

Troy and Mrs Powers walked back over to me.

"Everything okay Janie ?" She asked.

I shook my head , still not trusting myself to speak.

"What's the problem dear ?"

Thankfully Troy answered for me. "She's freaking out , she doesn't think she can do the duet."

Mrs Powers looked at Troy for a moment before turning her gaze on me , "Janie ? Do you know why I chose you to do a duet ?"

I shook my head.

"Because of all the students in the class you're the one I have seen the biggest change in , when you first stepped through those doors you couldn't even talk to Troy and now look at you two love birds !" Mrs Powers beamed.

Troy and I both blushed involuntarily.

"Also" , she continued , "there is no way you could have given Elliot a piece of your mind like you did not so long ago , I've even seen you come out of your shell enough to talk to Jackson and a couple of the other girls. Once upon a time you couldn't have even sung along with the class like you have been lately."

I considered what Mrs Powers had said. She did have a point , kind of , I had seen a big change in myself lately and it wasn't just me who had noticed , my family, Ruby and even Troy they had all noticed.

"Janie , if I didn't think you could do this then I wouldn't have chosen you. I know you can do this , I believe in you and so does Troy."

Troy grinned and nodded confirming what Mrs Powers had said.

"However. ." My ears perked up at what was coming , "I can't force you to do the duet if you really don't want to but I would ask you to just stick with the practices for a couple of weeks and if, at the end of those , you are still adamant that you don't want to do it then I will find someone to replace you."

I didn't really want to do the practices either but seeing Mrs Powers and Troy's hopeful faces I felt obligated too , I knew I was going to let them down but that didn't mean I had to do it straight away.

"Okay" I gave in. Troy and Mrs Powers grinned at me triumphantly.

 After talking to Mrs Powers Troy and I started helping to pack up. My fear was starting to subside with the thought that we would get to go and see Ruby afterwards. Plus , we were getting McDonalds which I really loved.

Dad was waiting outside when Troy and I got out. We hopped in the car.

"How was Glee Club you two ?" Dad asked as he pulled out into the traffic.

"Great !" Troy beamed.

"Horrible !" I cringed.

Dad laughed at our mixed reactions. "Why horrible Jane ?"

"Troy and I have to do a duet together for an upcoming performance." I shuddered.

Dad laughed. "You know Janie , most girls would be excited about the fact they get to sing a duet with their boyfriend."

"Yeah , well , most girls aren't as shy as I am."

"I told her that she is going to do fine." Troy spoke up from the back.

"Troy is right." Dad agreed.

I shrugged , "maybe but anyway , Mrs Powers said that when it gets to performance time if I really don't think I can do it then she will find someone to replace me but I agreed to do the practice sessions until then."

Dad looked at me quickly before returning his eyes to the road. "Look , Jane , you know I'm always on your side right ?" , I nodded , "Well , I really think you should stick the performance thing out I mean you will feel so proud of what you have achieved if you do and we will all be by your side to support you."

Troy nodded in agreement. I thought about what they were saying and I knew they were right but I just wasn't sure if I would be able to do it.

Dad pulled into the McDonalds drive thru , we got three double cheeseburger combos for Ruby , Troy and I and dad got himself a big mac combo. It only took ten minutes to drive to the hospital from there and I couldn't wait to see Ruby.

Dad pulled into the hospital car park and I was out the door before he had even parked , leaving Troy and dad to bring the food. I ran through the wards until I got to Ruby's and was at her room in no time.

She was sitting up watching some afternoon show on TV when I got there.

"Janie hey !" She exclaimed when she saw me.

"Hey Rubes !" I cried back going over to her bed and giving her a hug.

"How was Glee Club ?" She asked.

"I was filling her in on the duet when Dad and Troy arrived with the food."

Ruby's eyes lit up at the sight of the McDonald's. "Finally ! Decent food !"

Dad laughed. "Well I don't know about decent food but it definitely beats hospital food."

Ruby grinned before digging in. After she had eaten her burger she turned back to me. "So tell me more about this duet ?"

"She doesn't want to do it." Troy jumped in for me.

Ruby raised her eyebrows at me. "Why not ?"

I raised my eyebrows at her in response , "Rube ? Are you serious ? You of all people should know that I can't do it ? I'm too shy."

Ruby shook her head at me. "No , you think you're too shy but I have seen a big change in you the last couple of weeks and that's why you have to do it Janie , if not for you then for me."

I sighed , they all believed that I could do it and I really wanted to make them proud but I just knew I was going to let them down.