Hero

Chapter 14

"So these are all the students who'd like to take part in our annual Christmas concert?" The drama teacher Ms. Dabney asked as she stood before a crowd of students in the auditorium. This was the first rehearsal for the Christmas concert that was to happen in December after school closed.

There was mumbling in response and the teacher smiled. "Okay then. Who would like to demonstrate what they'd be doing on that night first?"

Jade, Jesy and Leigh-Anne were sat in the front row. It was two days after Mark's teasing and Leigh-Anne was feeling a lot better. Jade stretched her hands up because of a knot she was feeling in her back from sitting for so long since they were the first ones here.

"Oh goodie. We have a volunteer." Ms. Dabney said pointing at Jade. She signaled for everyone to clap. "Come on up Jade. Show us what you got."

"Eh?" Jade asked as she stared at the teacher in horror.

"Way to go genius. You stretched at the worst timing ever." Jesy muttered as she stood.

Leigh-Anne followed Jesy. "Well I guess we should just go then and show 'em what we're made of." She started walking up to the stage confidently. "Remember guys," She said turning around to face her friends. "We're singing Jingle Bell Rock."

Jesy chuckled at that as she remembered something from a movie that involved that song.

"We can't laugh Jes. This is serious." Leigh-Anne chastised. She continued walking up to the stage and the two other girls followed. "H-hello everyone. M-my name is Leigh-Anne Pinnock and these are my friends Jade and Jesy." She said pointing at the girls who were standing next to her on stage. "We're going to sing Jingle Bell Rock." She looked at the others then counted down for them to start.

When they finished everyone clapped. Jade had added harmonies at lunch time for them to sing so it came out pretty good. They'd just wished that Perrie had come. She had been practicing with them but backed out before they came to the auditorium because she was 'allergic to theatre'.

Leigh-Anne felt proud as she hugged the two girls. She pulled away then turned to the crowd. "And on that day we'll be wearing pretty Santa Claus themed dresses." She frowned when the teacher started snickering. "Why is that funny?" She asked Jesy who was also laughing softly.

"Oh nothing dear. Absolutely nothing." Jesy answered as she put an arm around Jade who also looked proud.

"It was all me!" Jade shouted. "I put the parts together! Me!"

Jesy pulled Jade behind her. "Okay, okay calm down." She looked to Leigh who was to her other side. The girl was smiling and looked excited. Such a contrast to how she was two nights ago when she was crying about her mother leaving and her sister being ill. Don't worry Leigh. I'll save you.

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"And then everyone started clapping!" Leigh-Anne said at dinner with a huge smile on her face. She was speaking to Jesy's mother, Janice. Her own mother was not here for reasons Leigh would rather not think of.

Janice was nodding. "It seems you girls are gonna put on quite the show." She giggled at how much Leigh-Anne was babbling. "Jesy I thought you said that Christmas concerts were for babies. Why have you suddenly decided to perform?" She asked even though everyone at the table knew why.

Jesy growled then pointed her fork at her Mum. "Don't ask any questions. Just be grateful that I haven't changed my mind." She placed her utensil back in her food and continued picking at it. "Where're we gonna get these outfits though?" She asked Leigh-Anne.

"I told my Mum about it. She said she'll get them for us. She'll need your sizes though." Leigh-Anne suddenly sighed as she looked at the empty chair next to her where her mother usually sat. "I hope she remembers." She whispered.