The Notorious R(uth) B(arakat) G(rimaldi)

Chapter 29: Auditions

AN: You must all be used to this by now--above is my daughter, singing the audition song that Ruthie sings. It was for a talent show, and she did not win, but I still think she sounded amazing. Hope you like it...

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"You need to calm your tits," Pepsi said. "Like, right now."

In spite of her nerves, Ruthie burst out laughing. "What?"

"You heard me," Pepsi said. "You've auditioned for shit in San Francisco and Sacramento. You've been in nationally televised commercials."

Elliott, who was standing with them, looked at Ruthie in surprise. "You never told me that!" he accused.

"Baby shampoo and yogurt, no big deal," Ruthie said to him. At his continued look, she added, "I was, like, two years old, sheesh!"

"My point," Pepsi continued, "is that this is a high school play. You've got nothing to be nervous about, have you?"

Elliott, whose audition for Marius was already over, and could therefore afford to be a little bit magnanimous, had killed on his audition, which Ruthie, Gordo and Pepsi had overheard through the door.

"You're going to knock Ms. Piper on her ass," he said, patting her shoulder.

Ruthie was auditioning for the part of Eponine, though of course she'd take any part. She had neither the range to play Cosette, nor the build to play Madame Thenardier. She could possibly have pulled off Fantine, Cosette's mother, but she'd wanted to play Eponine since she was a child. It was on her bucket list of parts, along with Elphaba in Wicked.

"Okay, I'm okay," she said, cupping her elbows with the opposite hands.

The door opened, and Ms. Piper stuck her head out.

"We're ready for you," she told Ruthie.

Ruthie looked around at her friends and walked toward the door.

Elliott pulled her back at the last second for a fast kiss, saying, "Knock 'em dead, Jelly Bean," and for his words he was rewarded with Ruthie's glowing smile of gratitude.

Gordon walked up as soon as Ruthie was inside, and Elliott thought once again about her words. Could Gordo really have a crush on him?

Surely not?

He looked carefully at the shorter boy who today was wearing a light blue V-neck sweater over a button up shirt. His hair was not short, but was neatly parted and combed. His braces twinkled in the watery January sunshine.

He gave Elliott a measured smile, and turned to Pepsi.

"Has she started?"

Pepsi shook her head, but leaned toward the door as soon as they heard the music.

Ruthie was singing "On My Own," from the actual show. In real life, singing a song from the part you were auditioning for was a huge faux pas and a major no-no, but for high school auditions it was SOP.

Ruthie sounded amazing.

Elliott had actually never heard Ruthie sing before, because she was reticent to do it, for some reason. Every time Elliott had asked her in the past, she'd said no, and actually blushed, which showed right away because of her coloring.

The threesome stood outside the doors and listened in wordless silence. At one point, when Ruthie belted out and held a high note, Pepsi lifted her arm and showed the boys how the hairs were standing up as her skin broke out in goose bumps.