If You're Hurt They Bleed

Silence

After choir, I headed down the hallway as quick as possible, darting through students in an attempt to lose Molly. I didn't really want to talk about what happened during my solo.

Of course, my tactic didn't work, but Molly seemed to have bigger things on her mind.

"Guess what?" She plowed through a freshman next to me, hopping to a stop at our next class.

"Do I want to know?"

"The winter musical is..." she created a drumroll on her books.

"Waitress!" Molly squealed, which scared a few passerby.

"Really?!" I exclaimed with an equal level of excitement. Waitress is definitely my favorite musical, and it would be awesome to see it in motion. "You'll be an amazing Jenna!" I smiled at Molly, who just shook her head.

"Oh, Maya. Maya, Maya, Maya. What are we going to do with you?" I must have looked confused, because she quickly elaborated. "You need to try out! You love this musical, Jenna is the perfect role for you, and you know your family would support you in this." A hopeful smile drifted across her face.

"Moll, I appreciate that, but even if I did audition, you'd get Jenna. Besides, I already have Belle. Also, I like being in my family's shadow. It helps me hide when I don't want to talk to them about college."

I would love to audition, but this is Molly's thing, not mine. I'm going to do sound, like always, Molly will be an incredible Jenna, and Grayson will probably end up as Dr. Pomatter. Grayson. For some reason, when I thought of Moll and him up onstage together, my stomach becomes a knot.

"Oh, pish tosh! I'm signing you up for an audition for next Tuesday, and you will get Jenna. Besides, I want Dawn. She's so perky!" I stifled a laugh, slinking into my seat as the last bell rang. I would audition if it made her happy, I suppose. As long as I don't get my hopes up...

Choir Concert, next Monday

"Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme, Beauty and the Beast..." Molly's last notes hung in the air beautifully before applause erupted. I smiled at her as she walked back to her spot from center stage and Grayson walked up for Evermore. I stayed slightly behind, hiding the breathing tactic I was using to calm my nerves. The audience instantly fell silent, and Grayson's voice was steady and beautiful. I started in with my soft harmony, growing louder as we reached the original end of the song.

"Where is home?" Our voices mixed together in a beautiful blend as he sang the last "evermore". Applause grew slowly, and I think a few people in the back stood up. I swear, people around here don't know how to sit down and clap, though. I saw Molly throw me a thumbs up as I went back to my spot on the risers so everyone else could sing the Mob Song.

As I went up for Change In Me, I could see the black auditorium melting away into a castle parlor, and I was sitting there, talking to my father. The only one who's ever been there for me, even when I wasn't there for myself. The only person I can always count on.

I wiped away a tear with the last note, and the audience was silent. I sighed and turned away, heading back to my spot for the Finale. I was numb to the numerous whispered 'good job's and the pats on the back. The audience didn't clap. How was I supposed to go onstage as anyone in Waitress if the audience doesn't even clap during one of the most moving (in my opinion) songs I've ever gotten to sing. Trying not to let the situation get the best of me, I straightened out and finished off strong with the rest of the the choir.

The crowd applauded when we finished the song, but I was still shaken by the silence after Change In Me.

After Mr. Robinski said a few words, I raced offstage to find my family and go home. Not surprisingly, Dad was the only one here.

"Let's go." I ordered hurriedly.

"What do you mean? Your adoring public awaits." He smiled obliviously, and I wondered if he had been at the concert at all.

"Dad, they didn't clap after Change In Me. I don't think they're 'adoring'. At least not for me, Molly seems to be pretty popular right now." I glanced around the corner, where Molly was standing in the middle of a fairly large group of people.

"Oh, honey," He wrapped me in a bear hug. "Change In Me was incredible. I think the audience was just so stunned by it that they forgot how to clap."

I pulled out of the hug and raised an eyebrow. "Why didn't you clap?"

Dad averted his eyes. "I couldn't come. I had work stuff. I'm so sorry hon."

"Whatever. Let's just go home." I slung by bag over my shoulder.

Maybe Dad isn't as there for me as I thought.

Audition Day, Wednesday

"I can't audition after Monday night!" I hissed at Molly.

"Of course you can! I think you should sing So Big/So Small or-" I cut her off with a look. We were looking through sheet music in the choir room. It was supposed to be for Molly's audition, but she turned to music suited for my voice right after I threw it out there that I wasn't auditioning.

"I haven't rehearsed at all for this, Moll. It usually takes my dad weeks to prepare for auditions, and even then sometimes he's not comfortable with where he's at."

Molly just looked at me. "Girlie, your voice is one of the most beautiful things on this planet. I don't care if you sing Stars from Les Mis in its original key. It will be incredible, because it's you." I shot her a grateful smile.

"Thanks."

My mind began thinking of songs I've known forever, something I'm comfortable with.

Molly found the sheet music for I Love Play Rehearsal, which was perfect for her and for Dawn's style.

"I think I figured out what I'm singing." I told her.

"Well?" She stared at me expectantly.

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

A/N: AUDITIONS!!!!! Honestly, those are my favorite part of shows. That and the actual performances, anyway.

I know I said this chapter wouldn't be out till Thursdayish, but I couldn't sleep, so here you go! It's 4:15 in the morning here, and I didn't go to bed until 11:00 last night😁. This will be a fun day. 💜