Performing The Act // 5SOS AU (Completed)

Chapter 4

I cleaned the kitchen counter with a huff. The doorbell sounded. I was going to get it, but a empty plastic bottle fell of the counter, then I almost tripped and a closed bottle full of cleaning stuff fell on the ground as well. I sighed. My clumsiness...

'Luke! Your friends are here.' my stepmom shouted as she opened the door. I quickly put away all the cleaning stuff and walked to the living room. 'Hi guys.' I smiled. 'Hey Lukey!' Calum ruffled my hair. 'Calum! No please.' I groaned while chuckling.

'Come, let's go to my room.' I said. They all followed me up the stairs. We all sat down somewhere in my room as we talked about school and they told me they texted me they'd come over. I just explained I was cleaning the kitchen and dining room, and that my phone still was upstairs so I didn't saw their texts. Of course they understood and for the rest of the time we just talked about random stuff and sang along to some songs. Around 5 PM the boys had to leave 'cause I had to cook dinner.

// Later //

We had dinner. My stepmom looked at me with a smug look, and my stepbrother just ate his food. I also ate my food, but slower. 'Luke, I need to tell you something,' she started. Oh no... I already sighed on the inside of my head. The way she said it was way too... happy and excited?

'Matt is going to attend the singing contest at your high school!' stepmom exclaimed WAY too happy! I almost spit out my drink. 'Wh-What?!' I asked. What the hell?! 'Wait, since when do you know there'll be a singing contest...?' I questioned. 'Luke, sweetie, One of my friends is in a team who organises all those kind of activities. I know everything before the students, even teachers, do.' she said, clearly faking her nice voice. I nodded my head, showing I understood. 'Anyway. We're done eating now, so Luke, you clean the table, then to bed.' I wanted to interject, saying Matt can stay up till how late he wants.

After I cleaned the kitchen and dining room, I put everything back in the cabinet and I wanted to head upstairs for bed (otherwise stepmom will get mad), but something got in my mind. I had it in my mind before, but I was a bit afraid to ask it. Now I'm going to. I need to. Just need to.

I stepped into the living room. 'Is the dining room and kitchen spotless again?' she asked, not bothering to look up from her magazine. I nodded. 'Yes, it is. Like you asked.' I answered politely. She cracked a smile. 'Wonderfull.'

'I-I-I want to ask you something, ma'am.' I said. 'What is it? Be quick with whatever you want 'cause you're an ugly, smudged spot in my eye.' she said, snappy.

'Is it... Can I attend too? At the contest?' I quietly asked. 'What? You?' she laughed sarcastically. I nodded, being reasonable. 'Yeah, I'd love to and the band would too!' I said, smiling, happy. She smiled sweetly. It looked sweet at least... 'Of course.... Not.' my smile faded immediately. 'But-But Matt can!' I tried being reasonable again. 'Yes, that's where I wanted to talk about... sit down.' she gestured to the sofa across the one where she sat. I sat down silently. They closed the magazine, putting it away slowly. 'So.. you "rock" out with that band of yours a lot, right?' I nodded. 'Yes, as much as we can.' I told her. 'Well... everyone in this house - you, me and Matt himself - knows that Matt can't sing. He's terrible at it. So guess what I want you to do for him...' she hinted. I frowned slightly, thinking. 'Umm.. you want me to teach him singing?' I took a wild, but reasonable, guess. 'No. Absolutely not. What I need you to do is... step up for him.' she said, happily. 'What?' 'Or well... you just perform the song backstage and we'll make people believe Matt sings. Easy peasy.' she said, shrugging. It didn't seem like a big deal to her, but it did to me!

'What?! No! You can't ask me that! I'm not going to be his stand-in-something! No, I won't do it. Absolutely not.'

'Where's the door Luke?' she questioned, making me understand her threat. If I wouldn't do it she would shut me out of the house, but I almost graduate so only one year left here. I stayed quiet. She knew I understand. 'Good. No, we're over that, you need to tell that band of yours and start practising. You'll see on the flyers when the contest is. Can you do that?' I nodded, powerless. 'Great, now, go to bed and don't forget to tell the band tomorrow!' she said, waving me off. I walked upstairs and laid down on my bed. I brushed my teeth at the bathroom and switched outfits, my sweatpants now hanging on my hips and my ruffled shirt covering my chest. I quickly fell asleep after a couple of thoughts. How was I going to tell the boys we'll have to attend for someone else?