Brave ● BACKSTAGE

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I remember first walking into Marx, on my first day at least. Of course I had been there a few times before that, but the first day was the day I'd remember forever. It was the day I met Jake, a junior.

He was in my music productions class, top of the class of course. He was there because he felt the need to help the freshmen. I guess he likes doing that. No one else at the school really cares about anyone else's grades or careers. 

Jake was different somehow. He was a force of nature, when it wants to be sweet and nice. Though, as it is, nature can be vicious. Jake certainly is nature. Father Nature, or the son of Mother Nature. I don't know how to really describe him.

Now, walking down the halls is like going to your death sentence. The school is intense. People say Keaton is rigorous, but I'd like to see one of those Keaton kids come here for a day. They wouldn't last an hour. 

To be at Marx,you have to have the top grades, the will for competition, a warrior's fight, and the moves or the voice to bring it. You also can't cry. If you cry, then that's your death sentence. No one forgets if you cry over something. There is one exception, but that's only if you're injured - otherwise, you're put down to the bottom of the food chain. 

Second semester is when it gets really heated, or so I've heard. Only the best of the best stay and whoever didn't make it to Christmas, they're never heard of again. I hear that it's pure chaos in some classes, especially if you're in the music program. 

"Lana!" 

I turn and smile, pushing my glasses up the bridge of my nose. My best friend, Gabby, was coming my way, so why wouldn't I smile. We had been away from each other for winter break, her family taking a trip to Singapore because "why not?"as they put it. I had stayed behind. 

"We have a track to record, you know that," she said, almost like a question but not. She was in the music program, up there beside Queen Millie and High Ruler China. 

Okay, so she wasn't as far up as them, but she was pretty good. She had great credit in Marx and everyone knew it. She was the freshman star. She was going places. She would be the next Millie or the next China, dating the star dancer or something like that. Me?

I would be down in the production room during her grand performance managing the sound system and lighting. I'd be doing the grunt work. It wasn't as glamorous, but I was here. 

I originally came to Marx for the outstanding dance program. It's spot on, one of the best. Certainly where stars are made. I was booted out on my first day, but only because Ms. Onyx entrusted China Sullivan to bring in the new recruits for her freshman team. Now I'm just a lowlife norm, but I have the skills to be an Aristocrat! 

"I know," I told Gabby. I smiled at her again. She was gonna make it. 

"I think we should be able to get one song finished for-" she was cut off by the dinging of not only our phones, but people's phones around us. 

I pulled mine out. Chatty Charlie. 

"Wow, first day back and CC is already up to her antics," Gabby said and tapped her phone a bit, either opening the message or ignoring it.

I opened it. 

~~~

Welcome back Marx-men and women,

Chatty Charlie here with your latest news update. Don't think I haven't been paying attention while we were all away. I know a thing or two, and you can't hide behind your Instagram accounts - I'm everywhere. 

First off with school news, our dance team, The Aristocrats, will be competing next Friday against Keaton's Primas. It'll be a fight to the death, so wish out dearest dance guys and gals the best of luck - they're gonna need it.

Also on deck, there's talk of singing competition arising, but it's a premature thought. I suggest, yes. Let's do this thing. Let's see who the best of the best are.

Time to tally up first semester's dropouts. It's a resounding 48. Nice job! Try and figure out who's gone - I'd keep an eye out.

In Gossip news, word is that Daniel Tegan is getting around. He hops back and forth between the music girls and dance girls. Watch out techies, he might be coming for you next.

And to give a shout out to China Sullivan and her pack, be sure to check out exclusive pictures of her on The Blog. Deleted Insta selfies? Or were they mishaps with the contour app? That's for you to decide.

And finally, who could forget the techies - oh right, nearly everyone. Make sure that they're doing their jobs this semester. The last showcase before Christmas was a disaster. The lights were everywhere and no one seemed to know stage quest. The only person we can seem to blame is senior techie Joey Camp.

Well, wasn't that interesting. First day back and all you Marx-men and women are already stirring up something good - good for me that is. Until next time, CC is out.

~~~

Chatty Charlie never seemed to stop. They had started up their blog, The Blog, a month before school started and shared it with all the coming freshmen and the current students. It had seemed harmless enough back then, but the first day of school, they had already composed a blog post about preexisting "issues" about the sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Madness broke out. 

"I wanna know who this Charlie is and see who she thinks she is," Gabby said, making me look up at her. 

"Why do you assume it's a girl?" I asked her. 

"Because," she started, "gossip is a girl's thing. Exhibit A: Gossip Girl is literally a successful TV show."

"It could just as easily be a guy," I told her. We started walking to the recording studio hall. That was where all the booths were. I suppose it was supposed to keep things in check. 

"Yeah, but just because Charlie is a guy's name, doesn't mean it couldn't be a girl," Gabby said. She put her phone in her pocket. "I guess it could be either, but, I'm just saying. The wording and the tone makes it seem like a girl." 

"Whatever," I said and opened the door to the next hall. "There's nothing we can do about it, so let's focus on what's at hand, please." 

She nodded and started to lead the way to her preferred booth, one that was stylized with blue wall paper and flowers. Comforting to her, as she had told me once before.