Issues ▷ Reggie Mantle

SIX

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SIX; VARIETY SHOW

     "KALANI, YOU'RE PERFORMING at the Variety Show, right?" Kevin quizzed once he arrived at Kalani's locker.

     She raised an eyebrow. "And who told you that?"

     "Kal, we've all heard you sing when you were still dating Archie. Jesus, being around you guys was always like seeing a live-action Glee episode." Kevin rolled his eyes. "Come on, I'm in charge of auditions. If you sing, I'll guarantee you a spot."

     She heard her boyfriend's booming voice down the hallway. "Beautiful rose! Hey, did everyone here know I'm dating Kalani Rose? Because I am, and no one else is."

     Kevin sighed. "Everyone loves hearing that reminder everyday."

     Kalani shot him a look. She kissed Reggie as soon as he approached her. Usually, Reggie would shoot an insult at Kevin, but because he was attempting to be a better person, he bit his tongue. "Hi, beautiful rose," he greeted formally. "What are you two talking about?"

     "I'm trying to get her to audition for the Variety Show. You can convince her, right, Reggie?"

     He smiled wide. Kalani rolled her eyes. "Of course, Kevin. No need to worry — my beautiful rose will be on that stage, shining like the star she is." Reggie kissed the top of her head and Kevin put a hand over his heart.

     Kevin handed her a piece of paper and looked her dead in the eye. "Auditorium as soon as possible. If it makes you feel any better, Archie will be auditioning too."

     Reggie raised an eyebrow in interest. Kalani elbowed his stomach to prevent his ideas from swirling.

     It wasn't until second period when Reggie dragged her to the auditorium, and Kalani felt like chewing her arm off. "Reg, I really don't want to!" He ignored her pleads and hauled her to the front, where Kevin was sitting at his desk.

     "Here she is, Kevin! Prepped and ready to go!"

     Veronica gazed at Kalani in surprise. It was unknown to her that she was a performer. Josie wasn't so shocked — Kalani was a replacement performer for Josie and the Pussycats. Given, they never needed her to step in unless someone was sick, but Josie still knew of her talents.

     "Kevin, if you put me on that stage, I will not consent to singing," Kalani said sternly. Reggie was still beaming with positivity. He had never heard Kalani sing before, and it was a mystery to him what her voice sounded like. Apparently, she used to sing a lot when she was with Archie, and Reggie was determined to bring out that side of her again.

     "Oh, don't be so dramatic, beautiful rose. Show them what you got!" Reggie nudged her towards the stage and she shot a hard glare at him. She mouthed 'I hate you' and all he did was smile. He returned a few rows back to where his football friends were seated.

     One of them shot a wary glance at Kalani. "Dude, what's going to happen if she's not a good singer?"

     Reggie grasped the fabric of his letterman jacket and pulled on it hard. "Then you'll clap for her and praise her anyway. I swear, if I hear an ounce of disapproval from anyone, you'll regret it for the rest of your life and I'll make sure you remember it."