Lost Cause

Chapter Five

Jason POV:

I was holding Rachelle's hand as we walked into drama. Mrs. Casser was happy, really happy, too happy.... She said something about our one act going to competition. Great (note my sarcasm). I didn't want to go to competition, I did it last year, before Rachelle even joined drama, it wasn't all that wonderful. But, Rachelle was excited just like all the others who had never gone before. So, I put on a smile and pretended to be excited...

NOVEMBER 6TH-

It was early. It was cold. It was even still dark out. Ugh, this was the worst part of competition, getting up early. But at least Mrs. Casser didn't have to show up at my house and wake me up like last year. We got loaded the props and costumes on the bus and waited for the rest of the group to arrive. When Rachelle's mom pulled up Rachelle jumped out of the car and ran straight for me, she gave me a hug and then proceeded to give EVERYONE else a hug to. Her mom didn't know we were dating so I guess she didn't want to make anything look suspecious.

When we got on the bus Rachelle and I sat together in the back, away from the chaperones. It was nice and quiet and isolated. Perfect. We talked and laughed and tried to keep from talking about competition. But finally, Rachelle cracked.

"I'm soooo nervous Jason."

"Don't be, you'll do great."

After about an hour, we finally got there. We got registered and then we were shown to a room, where we put our props and costumes. The room was pretty big and had lots of places to have 'private conversations'. I thought to myself 'I'll have to get Rach into one of those corners.' But all Rachelle wanted to do was go through her lines. Ugh...

Finally it was time for lunch. Great! We had club sandwiches and chips. We still had some time before we had to perform so I took Rachelle to see another one act. Bad idea... Rachelle freaked out because she thought the other troop was gonna beat us. Well, I don't blame her, it was her first competition and honestly, that troop did not do well.

When the performance was over the we were taken to a room to get into costume and do our stage makeup, we had 30 minutes. Rachelle got hers done really fast and came to help me. I will never understand how girls do this stuff... Then, a stage assistant came in and said-

"Troop 88680 you're on in five." and left. I saw Rachelle get really nervous, all the color drained from her face. 'Oh shit' I thought. She came over to me-

"Jason, who's my character again?"

"Oh no, you can't remember?"

"No."

"Ok, you're Laura, Emily's mom-"

"Right! Ok, now I got it, I'm good."

"Good because we're on." We went through a series of hallways until we were backstage. I looked out through the wings to check the audience. Wow, full house, just the way I like it.

"Troop 88680, you my begin when you're ready, we will start the timer when you start to set up the stage and end it when we hear an all clear." Show time.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The show was great, we didn't even mess up that much, only tiny mistakes. We've got this competition in the bag. State, here we come! It was still a few hours until they would announce the winner so we had some time to chill out and relax. I went out and found my best friend Jim.

"Hey Jim, you did great up there."

"Thanks man, you too."

"Thanks."

"So how are you and Rachelle doing?"

"Um, we're doing ok I guess."

"You guess?"

"Well, she's great but she never wants to do anything."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I ask her if she wants to go see a movie, or have lunch or go skating but she always says no, to everything."

"Really man? That's what's bothering you about Rachelle?"

"Yeah, we need to spend more time together and-"

"Woah! Dude, listen, her parents don't even know you two are dating, how's she supposed to go on a date with you if her parents don't know about it?"

"Wait. Her parents don't know about me?"

"Nope."

"Well that explains a lot."

"Yep."

"Ok, well I should go see what she's doing, I'll see ya later man."

"Alright, see ya."

Jason walked around for a few minutes until he found Rachelle.

"Hey Rachelle, how are you?"

"I'm good, just a little nervous."

"I'm telling you, it was great."

"I'll just be glad when the ceremonies are over."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was time. Rachelle was nervous, I could tell. My hands started shaking, she must be rubbing off on me. I took her hand and kissed it, signaling her that everything was ok. She calmed down....a little. We sat and sat and sat and sat and SAT! Until a man walked up on stage.

"Attention, ladies and gentleman, thespians and judges. I would like to thank you all for coming and participating in this year's Jr. Thespian Festival. Now, I know our students are all nervous to see what their ratings are and who will be moving on to state competition, so lets get to it. Troop 87964, excellent! Troop 98022, Superior! Troop 72644, Superior and troop 88680... 'this is it' Superior! Now, we can only send two one acts to state so of our three superiors, one will unfortunately not proceed. The troops that have been chosen to go are... 98022 and 72644, congratulations! Please come to the stage."

We didn't win. Plain and simple. Wow, I actually thought we had a chance too. I completely ignored the rest of the ceremony. Rachelle did too. I felt bad for her, this was her first competition and she lost. It really affected her, hard. Her eyes stared off into the distance and even after the ceremony she wouldn't talk, to anyone. I sat next to her on the way home and all she did was stare out the window. She didn't cry though, I've NEVER seen Rachelle cry, like ever! It started to rain. It was kind of soothing to hear it batter against the roof of the bus but it was eerie at the same time. Soon after we stopped for dinner at McDonalds. I ordered a Big Mac meal but Rachelle wouldn't eat. I was really worried about her. When we got back on the bus it was once again, silent. We pulled up to the school and Rachelle's mom picked her up. She left without saying a word.

A/N:

Hope you guys like, it took me a while to figure out all the details but I did it! Keep reading and share it with ur friends. Bye chickies!