School's Out || Merrikat

Chapter 20

1) hi it's been a while

2) I've been getting a few questions about Jack and Rian's relationship in this book. It will eventually be revealed what was going on with them and what they did in the past, just wait for it. :)

3) lil summary of what happened in the last chapter to jog your memory: school started back and Jack met up with Rian and all but Rian said he was gonna visit the club which gave poor Jack ALL of the anxiety and the instinct to make sure Rian has fun

(excuse all typos)

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"So here's the order of everyone who's performing tonight. Danielle, your solo is opening up the show. Lynn and Brendon, your duet is afterwards. Then it's Jaime's solo, Ash, Hayley, and Jenna, then Alex's solo is closing the show. Has everyone practiced their performances or does anyone need to rehearse a bit in the lounge?"

"If we did, we'd be rehearsing for the fifth time tonight. Besides, doors open in fifteen minutes." Jaime exclaimed.

"Yeah, why are you so worried about the show tonight? Is everything okay?" Danielle asked, walking up to me. I didn't want anyone to touch me right now, but I knew she was just genuinely worried.

"He's fine, the old boss is coming to visit tonight and he has the jitters. I'd be anxious too, honestly. Imagine being around someone that attractive...Alex really was a lucky man." Brendon rambled on. I forgot about his weird crush he used to have on Rian. I even remember one night when Alex and Brendon had a duet, and it ended with them fighting each other. Alex wasn't happy that night when he found out that Brendon tried to suck his boyfriend off.

"The old boss, you say? This should be interesting." Lynn spoke up after Brendon was done fantasizing over Rian.

"Rian's coming back?" Ash and Hayley asked in unison while I sighed. I wasn't planning on telling anyone, nonetheless expose myself by Brendon walking in on me giving myself a pep talk earlier. I was dumb enough to leave the lounge unlocked and he walked right in when I mentioned Rian showing up tonight.

"Yeah, he said he was coming tonight. I reserved the VIP section for him and a friend."

Hayley, Ash, and everyone else who wasn't one of the new employees got excited. I forgot how much everyone actually missed Rian. He did do a lot of good by opening up this place, even if it doesn't seem like it.

"I told him he was free to go to the lounges after we close if he wanted to see any of you again or meet the new people," I said looking at Jaime and Lynn, "it's up to him if he wants to." I said, smiling at everyone.

"I really hope he wants to," Ash exclaimed. Hayley and Jenna agreed.

"As do I. Anyways, sorry for overworking you guys, but I really want tonight to go well. I need everything in ship-shape perfection, including the performances. You guys are free to chill until you have to go on stage, though." I said, which led to everyone dispersing and chatting amongst themselves. I, on the other hand, went to Zack's office. I needed to make sure everything was okay before doors opened. I walked into him sitting behind his desk, working on paychecks and doing other boss-like things. I smiled and closed the door, with the noise of the door clicking shut catching his attention.

"And what does Jack want now?" He asked, looking up and smiling.

"Nothing, just making sure you didn't need anything else done before tonight starts. Everyone's ready to go and everything's set." I assured him.

"Are you telling me this or are you telling yourself this?" He said, raising and eyebrow. I sighed.

"I'm telling both of us this. He's the old boss! Shouldn't you be just as nervous as I am? What if he thinks you ruined his precious old place?" I argued. Zack dropped the pen and looked right at me.