Christmas On Hart Street

Chapter 13 | Final Chapter

The song attached is how I imagined the Princes and their significant others singing in the competition because Pentatonix has amazing a cappella arrangements thank you.

Chapter 13

~Nolan~

       I was stating to regret joining the a cappella competition. I always had so much fun whenever we were rehearsing but now that the competition was actually here, I was extremely anxious. My chest hasn't stopped feeling so heavy ever since I woke up.

       My hands were so shaky as well that I was struggling to do literally anything. Jerome had to not only help me button up my shirt in the morning but right now, while we were backstage, he had to tie my bowtie for me.

       "Is it too late for me to drop out?" I asked.

       "I mean, not really," Jerome said. "We did have an arrangement before you joined, so it's not like we won't be able to sing without you. We won't sound as good, but we'll be able to do it if you drop out."

       "No, this is the part where you tell me that I can't drop out," I said. "That I have to go through the competition so we could win."

       "Why would I do that?" Jerome asked. "I never want to pressure you to do something. If you really don't feel like performing, then I'm not going to force you to."

       I sighed. "But I'll feel horrible if I drop out and bail on everyone. I was in a lot of the rehearsals. It would be a huge mess if I drop out now that we have all the blocking and stuff like that."

       Jerome finished tying the bowtie, so he gave it a gentle pat before placing his hand above my heart. "I know you're feeling really anxious right now but you are going to do amazing. And just think, you're not going to be on stage alone. Sure, you have some solos but we'll be on stage with you. I'll be on stage with you."

       I gave him a soft smile. "I know."

       Jerome's hand moved to my cheek and he leaned down, giving my a soft kiss before pulling me into a hug. I hugged him back tightly, feeling safe in his arms. I didn't know how long I hugged him for, but Jerome didn't try to pull away. He never did. I was always the one to pull away from the hugs so he knew that I didn't have to, or want to, be hugged anymore.

       We must have been hugging for a long time because Alan suddenly asked, "Are you two almost done hugging? Because that evil school is about to go up."

       I didn't pull away from Jerome, but I did turn my head so I was looking at Alan. "What evil school?"

       "The one that wins every year," Alan said. "The one that Dirk is a part of. That's what makes it evil. Because Dirk is evil."

       "I'm sure he's not evil," Ryder said.

       "No, he's evil," Jerome said. "He locked me in a closet so I couldn't perform. I really hope his school actually loses this year. I don't even know the last time they lost this competition."

       "They will lose," Alan said. "And if they win, then I'll pull some sort of prank on them. Maybe draw moustaches on them..."

       "That's a childish prank," Brandon said.

       "You're only saying that because I drew one on you last week."

       "No, I'm saying it because it is childish."

       "You're childish."

       "Says the one who sticks his tongue out at everyone."

       Alan's reply? He stuck his tongue out at Brandon.