So @doodledoodlee and I just had a major freak out on DM because of my current story rankings! Thank you guys! Anyways, onto the next chapter! Byee *Clap**Clap*

We were in very intense rehearsals for Newsies at school. We sang our hearts out every day until we were hoarse and we danced so compassionately that our legs wobbled like jelly afterward. Mr. Morris wants everything to be perfect, and we want to impress him - he may have a possible connection that could alter the course of our careers as we know it. But he could also squash it in an instant if he didn't think we worked hard enough. It may seem harsh for a bunch of 3rd years, but for us, this show was stepping stones for our futures in the theatre and we weren't about to screw it up.

Despite almost dying of exhaustion, we powered on - practicing until be couldn't get anything wrong. Even outside of rehearsal you would pass kids in the corridor singing their songs or reciting lines. Every single one of us wanted this to be the best performance of Newsies that anyone would see, even if someone in the audience one night had seen Jeremy Jordan on his best night on Broadway - we aimed to be better.

I was sitting on my sofa in the living room when Ben, Josh, and Lizzy walked in the door. Ben practically stormed into his room, slamming the door behind him - right onto Lizzy's face. She sank down to the floor and attempted to reason with Ben about something but the door wouldn't budge. Lizzy was probably the best girlfriend ever, she knew how even if Ben was angry now, he would be sorry and she understood that. She appreciated he may need time to cool off especially with what he has been going through.

I turned away from the scene unfolding behind the sofa and turned my attention back to Josh who was sat on the opposite sofa, clutching his hair in despair. He lifted his gaze to me, and honestly, he's looked better.

"What happened?" I asked putting down my Newsies script that I was highlighting.

"Ben's therapist wants him to go in three times a week, and well as you could tell he didn't like that idea." Josh slumped back on the sofa, placing his hands on his forehead and took a deep breath.

"He says he's is getting more confident," continued Josh, "I mean we can all tell, seeing as he's perfectly fine with going out in the car by himself. I mean he isn't walking outside by himself and he doesn't go far alone but I don't see why he has to go more often if he is improving."

Josh looked rough, I could tell that he felt bad for his brother. We had all seen how well Ben had been doing and the therapist has probably ruined it.

"Why doesn't he just switch therapist?"

"He has to go there," explained Josh, "He was put on an involuntary scheme, meaning he has to go and do what they ask or they'll make him an in-patient until he's better."

I had no idea how bad it was. I always assumed that he was doing it because he didn't want to be scared anymore, but I had no idea that he was forced. No one should be forced to something out of their comfort zone especially when they are as fragile as Ben.

"Josh I need to ask you something." It came out more as a statement that a question. He cocked his eyebrows as to tell me to continue. "What happened the other day, with the car?"

"I don't want to talk about it." Josh said sternly, "And it's not your business." He stood up and went into his room, my eyes following him as he did so.

I felt awful, my stomach turning into thousands of knots. I really hated it when people blocked me out like that. I know it wasn't my business but when they get angry with me... it reminds me of Thomas.

I looked back towards to Ben and Lizzy's room to see that Ben had finally let Lizzy in after her constant waves of pleads. I sat alone in the living room, not knowing what to do. They were all emotional wrecks at the moment so I thought it was best not to get into their business.

The Next Day

I began to explain to Will my situation at home. The morning hadn't been much better. Josh had apologized for snapping at me but I could tell deep down that he still resented me for asking. I hadn't seen Lizzy or Ben that morning. I had heard some murmuring coming from their room but that was about it.

Will and I were sat at the back of the auditorium, whispering whilst everyone was rehearsing World will Know. I should be down there, and so should Will technically but it was understudy rehearsals, so I as Katherine wasn't in the scene, and Will's understudy was currently of Jack duty.

"They'll calm down, they've just been through a lot," Will reassured me.

"I hope so, I hate seeing us all so separate - at least opening night is tomorrow so we'll all be together."

"You nervous?" he asked me.

"Shouldn't I ask you that, you're the star of the show!" I laughed.

"Yeah, it's weird to think that, but I don't feel nervous or excited. But I will tomorrow."

"I understand where you're coming from," I said rubbing his shoulder, "Oh! That's me, I gotta go!" I ran down the steps of the auditorium and went to my place in the scene, turning on the most sass I could muster.

The Next Day

Ben

I apologized to Lizzy for slamming the door in her face, even though I was still seething with anger at my arse of a therapist. Everyone keeps telling me that she 'helping' me but if I wasn't on an involuntary scheme I wouldn't ever set foot in that office ever again. I knew I had to restrain my temper for it was Grace's opening night and I wasn't about to ruin it.

Lizzy was wearing a beautiful teal dress, one that suited her perfectly whilst I was wearing a simple purple button-up and trousers. I was looking at myself in the mirror, making sure that everything was in check when Lizzy came up behind me. She snaked her arms around my waist and stood on her tiptoes to rest her chin on my shoulder. I leaned over and kissed her cheek.

"Eww! I do not need to live with this!" Josh said is disgust.

We both turned around to see Josh slouched on the sofa, wearing a scruffy pair of jeans and his Newsies T-shirt.

"You're not seriously wearing that tonight?" Lizzy asked him, approaching the sofa. He looked up at her in confusion, eyebrows furrowed with a strang expression that made him appear as if he has just seen me kissing a duck.

"Why are you so dressed up?" he asked still confused.

Lizzy turned beet red, fists clenched as they made their way to her hips. "It's Grace's opening night!" She boomed at him.

He was taken about by the sudden yelling. He looked down, his breathing picking up pace again, his eyes flicking back and forth as if he was searching for an answer to his confusion. Lizzy was about to yell, but I put my arm out in front of her then went and sat next to Josh on the sofa, placing my arm on his shoulder as he leaned forward still searching for an answer that was not there.

"I - I thought it was next week," he said on the verge of tears. I must admit I was slightly confused as to why this was affecting him. I just rubbed his back, not wanting him to have another panic attack.

"Hey, it's okay - just go get changed quickly."

He nodded and stood up, wiped his face then walked into his room to get changed. Lizzy took a seat where Josh was just sat and gave me a distressed look. We both knew that it was odd how he forgot such simple things, seeing as it was Grace we were talking about but I just blew it off as a simple mistake. He'll be alright. I'm just glad that Grace hadn't been here to see him so upset again.