One Perfect Year at Stevenson High

Chapter 7

There was something different about Vocal Rebellion. Adora wasn't exactly sure what that something was, but she knew she liked it.

At first, she was agitated — she didn't have time to sit through a bunch of other auditions. She had told Catra she'd be back quickly, and she didn't want to give Coach Weaver any reason to get suspicious. But by the time the first audition was over, Adora found her restless worry replaced by excitement and delight. It was fun to watch people perform, to see them brave the stage and sing their hopeful hearts out. After all, it was this rush that made Adora want to join the glee club in the first place.

It didn't hurt that everyone in the room was so nice, either. When someone was performing, the rest of the group sat quietly and listened. There were no whispers of rude comments about the performer's pitch or clothes, no smug expressions or loud conversations from disinterested audience members. Instead, everyone was respectful with their attention, and when a number was over, the whole room clapped and cheered like it was the greatest performance they'd ever seen.

The interviews took place in front of everyone, and Adora paid close attention to the questions and her competition's answers.

"Why do you want to join Vocal Rebellion?" Glimmer would ask.

"What do you think you'll bring to this team?" questioned Mrs. Moon.

"Do you have any stage experience?" Bow would chime in.

More often than not, the interviews ended with everyone laughing over something or other; a funny story or clever answer. When asked what he would bring to the team, Seahawk claimed that both his roguish good looks and talent with pyrotechnics would add a certain flair to the groups' performances. Mermista chalked her interest in joining Vocal Rebellion to getting herself one step closer to being a Disney princess.

"Those girls are always randomly bursting into song and turning every waking moment of their lives into musical numbers. It's super weird, but it's kinda part of the aesthetic so I'm just gonna roll with it."

"You don't have to randomly burst into song in glee club," Bow assured her. "We plan the routines in advance."

Mermists shrugged. "Whatever. I'm good either way."

Everyone was having such a good time. By the time it was Adora's turn, her face hurt from smiling and her sides ached from laughing.

Glimmer scribbled some notes onto her clipboard and grinned. "Okay, Adora. You're up!"

Adora jumped at the sound of her name. She took a deep breath and breezed to the front of the room.

You've got this, Adora, she thought to herself. It's just like Catra said: don't overthink it, just sing.

And so, she did. She had decided on one of her and Catra's favorite songs — a pop-rock ballad the two of them loved to belt together, Adora singing into an imaginary microphone while Catra rocked out on the air guitar in one of their bedrooms or in the back of Lonnie's car. She knew the words by heart, and she sang them without missing a beat while dancing along to steps she and Catra had choreographed over the summer. Years of performing cheer routines in front of the entire school had blessed Adora with confidence and stage presence, and she dazzled the room with her winning smile and infectious energy. She finished her number by striking a pose and then swooped down into a low bow.

There was a beat of silence.

In that split second, Adora's heart dropped.

Oh, no. Did I do something wrong? Why is everyone being so quiet?

She stood up to find the entire room staring stunned back at her.

Glimmer jumped to her feet, eyes sparkling. "That was amazing!"