Delavan High | The Greatest Showman | high school AU

Chapter four: big idea

"So? Are you going to tell me your big idea?" Charity asked as she plopped down beside P.t on the unused stage in their school's cafetorium.(it's a cafeteria/auditorium, it's what we have at my school) "So I was thinking we could start a drama club! We could preform plays every once in a while to give our school something to be proud of. Because we all know our football team isn't having the greatest season."
He hopped off the stage and held his hands out wide, waiting for a response. "I think that's a brilliant idea Phin! But who would want to join you? We all know your aren't very popular round here." Charity got down too, a frown pulled down the corners of her mouth. "Well I've thought of just that!" P.t exclaimed, clearly excited. "We will invite the outcast, the weirdos, the ones who don't seem to fit in. We can give them a chance to shine, to be seen as more than strange or different. A place where they can be beautifully unique, and not judged by appearance, or skill."he held out his hand for her to take, which she did.
They walked out of the cafetorium and into the crowded halls. They start walking down to their lockers, and see a small figure weaving though the crowd. Once it reaches a locker they could tell it was a short boy, as small as 5 year old. "Charles Stratton," P.t mused, "history whiz." He walked down the hall towards the short boy. "Hey Charles." P.t said as he neared said boy's locker. "what is it now," Charles asked, clearly annoyed. "No, I'm sorry but I can't do your history homework I've got to much on my plate-" "That's not what I was going ask." P.t interrupted. Charles finally looked up and realized who it was. "The infamous P.t Barnum, what ever brought you here?" He asked in a bored tone. " I wondered if you'd join the drama club I'm putting together." "To be put on stage and be laughed at? I think not." He opened his locker and started grabbing his books for next period, signifying that the conversation was over. But P.t didn't think so. "I wouldn't be sending out a school boy, but a general, whose valor and courage outweighed his short stature. His uniform gleams with medals to prove it." Charles closed his locker and stood silent, pondering what P.t said. He smiled up at the young showman. "I'm in."

Time skip brought to you by Zac Efron on an tricycle.

"I am not stranger to the dark."
Charity and P.t were walking down the steps outside school, when they heard a voice singing. He followed the sound to a drooping willow tree that shadowed the school's small, algae-ridden pond. P.t drew back the curtains of wispy branches and sitting against the trunk of the tree he saw a girl with short curly brown hair, singing with her eyes closed. P.t walked up and put a hand on her shoulder, her eyes popped open and she jumped to her feet. "Sir, you should leave." She told him softly, her voice a mixture of shyness and fear. "Your voice is beautiful."P.t held out one of the flyers he had made earlier that day. She glanced at it then looked down. "I-I can't." P.t put his hands on her shoulders causing her to look up. "They don't know it yet, but they'll love you." She gave him a small smile "when do we start?"

Charity's POV

I sat patiently on the stone steps, waiting to see if P.t had succeeded. He came out with a short girl, a little plump but still overall very cute. He walking towards me and I stand up. "Charity this is Lettie Lutz, Lettie this is Charity Hallett." Me and Lettie shook hands and she timidity asked "Are you preforming?" "No, I'm the backstage manager." I reply. She looked at me and said in a small voice "With a pretty face like yours you should be out on the stage, not behind it." I gave her a small smile to which she blushed and looked down. "I've been in the spotlight for far too long, now it's your time to shine." Okay. Still blushing but now standing taller and braver than before, Lettie said "If we want anyone to join we better start putting up flyers"

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Hey I'm going to create a character in the next chapter named Sophie in honor of my cat who died. You guys get to choose what her profession is/why she's different. Comment what u want and I'll choose my favorite one. Bye!
                                -Winter