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chapter three: one more hour

song: one more hour by anthony ramos

Kaylee's POV

The whole car ride I talk to Renée about her other experiences with musical theatre and Broadway, learning about her previous roles, previous cast members and which songs were the hardest for her to sing.

"We're here," Pip says, opening the cab door. "Where are we eating exactly?" I ask. "One, Two," Renée responds. "I've never heard of this place," I say, following her out of the car. "Yes you have. We came here for my birthday that one time," Pip responds. "One If By Land, Two If By Sea?" She asks if I remember. My eyes go wide. I see Renée walk up to the hostess and ask them for a table. I pull Pip aside and look at her. "Pip, why are we here? I can't afford this," I say. "Oh, stop it. I'll pay. It's your first night, if I haven't told you that enough today. Go big or go home," she says winking at me and walking towards Renée.

"Oh I'm thinking of going home right now," I mumble to myself.

"Hey Pip, do they have our usual table-" I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn around. "Well, you're not Pip," Daveed says with a laugh. "That is so... creepy," Oak says after realizing I wasn't my sister. "She's over here," I say having them follow me.

"Ah my favorite usuals. How is the show coming along?" The hostess asks. "Pretty good, pretty good. And how are you coming along?" Daveed flirts. She laughs and doesn't respond, continuing to lead us to the table. Before we have the chance to sit, Anthony comes running in towards us. I stand near Pip at the end of the table, looking at him speed walking through the tables.

"Sorry I'm late, I hit traffic." I hear from behind me. I turn around and see Anthony walking in. "Am I seeing a new trend in Ant?" Oak asks, taking a seat. I start to sit, but I'm quickly interrupted. "Here, let me get that for you," he says pulling my chair out. "Oh- um- thank you," I say, sitting down as he pushes it in.

I sit down and he takes the seat next to me at the very end of the table. I pick up the menu and I'm surprised by the cost of this place. It's not my style and not in my comfort level. "You good?" Anthony asks, noticing my uncomfortableness. "Yea, this place just isn't really my style. I could go for just pizza or even a burger right now, and I'd be more than fine," I say laughing. "I'm the same way. Renée always picks this place, and everyone else seems to be okay with it, so I just tag along," he whispers.

"I didn't catch your name back at the studio," he says. "Kaylee. And you're Anthony, I'm guessing?" I say. "Nice to meet you. I'm pretty sure I haven't made the greatest first impression to you by being late to the studio and dinner, but I promise I'm usually not like this," he says slightly laughing. "I trust your word, no worries," I laugh along with him.

"So Ant, have you seen Jaz lately since our rehearsal break?" Oak asks. Anthony clears his throat. "No, um- I haven't."

"She's Peggy and Maria, right? God her voice is amazing," I say to them. "I wish I got to meet her today."

"Do you see anything you like?" My sister asks, interrupting my conversation with the boys. Yes. Anthony. "Um, not really. Still looking." Where in fact, I saw the price on the menu, and did not even want to look at the tempting food.

I hear Anthony and Oak talking under their breath. I put my menu up making it seem like I'm not paying attention to them, but I try to listen.

"What happened with you two?" Oak asks Anthony. With Jasmine? I can no longer hear him as well as he starts talking in a lower voice to Oak.

I catch the last words of his sentence: "better off as friends."

"Are you just saying this because you saw Little Pip today?" Oak asks. Oh? So I have a nickname now?