A Lifetime Made for Two

Ch 12: Talent Show

After dinner, children and teachers rushed to their classes and kitchen staff hurried to finish working: tonight was the talent show. Although Piper was not performing, she was eager to watch. Since the beginning of camp one and a half weeks ago, everyone had been rehearsing secretly for the big night; some had solo acts planned, others were in a group, and some were participating in both solo and group acts. There were four talent shows throughout camp every year - one every other Wednesday - so there was plenty of time for everyone to do something, yet from what Piper had heard, each show was so full of acts it went past the eleven o'clock curfew. Talent show night was the only night that you were allowed to be late getting to your cabin. But because the show ran late, it started exactly at nine o'clock and if someone wasn't there in time for their turn, they were skipped over and had to wait until next talent show to perform. 

It was hard to keep her students attention during class. Everyone was fidgety and Piper noticed students stealing glances at the clock every few minutes. Since no one was listening anyway, Piper ended class early and allowed students to have last minute rehearsals in the classroom. Groups formed up as far away from everyone else as they could get, which was not far in the little classroom, and the students performing alone became oblivious of everyone else as they lip-synced a song or ran over their poem one last time. Finally, it was eight-thirty and Piper released the impatient throng. The students stampeded out the door and to the lecture hall where the talent show was to be held. As Piper was leisurely heading in that direction, Anthony and Nick strode up behind her, Nick looping his arm in hers and Anthony draping an arm around her shoulders so that she was sandwiched between the two boys.

"Doing anything tonight?" Nick asked. 

"Nope. Just watching. But I hear you and Sylvia are performing together. Any hints as to what you're doing?"

"Nope. You'll just have to wait and see."

Piper feigned a sigh. "Fine. How 'bout you Anthony?"

"Stand up comedy."

"Puns. I should've guessed."

"This is my opportunity to show the world my true talent." Anthony swept his hand in front of the three as if the world were watching even now. 

"You're crazy," Piper giggled. 

"Hey, guys!" Sylvia joined them. "Mind if I steal Nick? Just for some last minute rehearsal."

"I guess. He's all yours."

"Thank you so much. See you at the talent show!" 

Sylvia and Nick hurried towards the lecture hall. 

"I actually should go too and find my group," Anthony admitted.

"Group?"

"Not for the puns. For a song."

"Oh! Can't wait to hear it."

With that, Anthony ran off and left Piper walking alone. Not for long though...

Piper yelped and stopped short in surprise as she was engulfed from behind by someone's strong arms. 

"What's up, kid?" a voice whispered in her ear, his breath tickling her neck. 

"Oh, you know. Just trying to make it to the talent show, but I seem to be being delayed." Piper hooked her hands around Michael's arms which were still wrapped around her shoulders. He leaned his weight against her and made her nearly fall over. 

"Michael!" Piper stifled a laugh then ducked out of Michael's hold. "So you're coming to watch the talent show?"

Michael put his arm around Piper's shoulders. "Yeah, why not."