ONE WORD to describe this current event could be fun, exciting, "life changing" (if you want to dig that deep), but some others may call what was happening now to be a... summoning circle of theatre kids and the Love Club.

"As you all know, this year's auditions will be a two-step process." Miss. Jenn started, "One, a group vocal warm-up to the classic song Belle, and two, a song of your choice. Whatever shows off you the best. I have Shiloh, Evie, Madison, and Ashley editing your..."

"Musical folders." Shiloh smiled.

"Musical folders as auditions are happening, but I'm sure if you need any help or reassurance, anyone from the club is willing to help. Reminder, they do not affect who gets what. They are here to not only help you but me as well. Okay. Circle up. Take your neighbor's hand."

Evie held Shiloh's left hand while Lily stood on her right. The grip on Shiloh's right hand becoming slightly tighter than the left.

"For a moment of silent reflection."

Silent reflection didn't last a measly second before Miss. Jenn began singing the title track of the movie.

Miss. Jenn held the note for as long as she could when the sounds of the exit door being opened cut her off.

Heads jerking up and glances over shoulders revealed Ricky stood close to the door.

The group circle soon broke off and Jenna tugged on Shiloh's arm.

"What's up?"

"Just in need of a pep talk."

Shiloh brushed the hairs out of Jenna's face. A small smile lighting her face.

"If roles were reversed you would've told me to relax and have fun. So, relax and have fun. You've got this in the bag, Jenna. Whether you're Belle or... a cabinet. You'll do great."

"I can't be the lead."

"Why not?"

"What if I throw up on stage? What if I literally break a leg? What if I say Adam instead of Beast?" Jenna rambled, "Oh my, God, what if I-"

"What if. Stop. Stop it with the "What if's". That's exactly what they are. You are going to get part. Say it."

"I'm getting a part."

"With confidence."

Jenna stood more upright and dropped her hands to her sides, "I'm going to get a part."

"I'm right out there supporting you. Evie, Ashley, Madison are all out there supporting you. I'm right there if you need anything."

"I got this."

"I know you got this."

Shiloh pulled Jenna into a quick hug before placing her hands on Jenna's shoulders.

"Remember. This is fun."

This was a lot of work. The Belle portion of the auditions goes as well as you could expect. Everyone had at least heard everyone sing before.

Expect for the newcomers that came, such as Lily, who had belted out a solo for a second there. Pretty good, no one was going to deny that.

And Ricky, who either didn't know the words or was too nervous to look up from the lyric sheet in his hands. Maybe a mixture of both. He had fiddled with the dog tag necklace for the majority of his audition.

"All right, all right. I have already learned so much. That's it for the warm up. Please prepare your individual songs."

Shiloh stood from the table as Madison handed her Lily's folder. She hadn't really peaked inside, so she didn't know what anyone had said about her or her performance so far.

She flipped it open quickly, her brows slightly furrowed as she read what Evie, Madison, and Ashley had written down.

The main point being that this couldn't have been Lily's first musical whatsoever. With a voice like that? No way.

Nothing negative. Nothing negative about anyone, unless you wanted to could shyness as negative, which it wasn't.

Shiloh held Lily's folder close to her, making her way down the hallway packed full of people.

She stopped when she saw Jenna leaning up against a locker, her back facing Shiloh. Gina had been standing close by, her hand on the blond girl's shoulder.

"You guys were amazing up there." Shiloh smiled.

"Oh, I can't handle any more false encouragement. I already feel the queasiness coming back up." Jenna cried.

"What?"

"Lily." Gina answered, "Apparently she's never done local theater before with "our crowd"."

"Our crowd?" Shiloh questioned, "What does our crowd mean?"

"She said that we were the only contenders for the lead and "may the best Belle win". She also said she didn't realize that this was a friendship circle after I defended everyone." Gina said.

Shiloh nodded, flipping Lily's folder back open, "So... she's cocky. Got it."

"Shiloh, don't let that affect anything, okay?" Jenna sighed, "It could've been worse, you know?"

"Five minutes till solo auditions." Natalie said as she walked past.

"Of course, Jenna. I don't call the shots of who gets what." Shiloh smiled, but it had quickly dropped as she caught sight of Lily down the hall, "But, Miss. Jenn trusts my judgment and I'm not letting... Lily think she can run over people."

Shiloh shut Lily's folder and turned to make her way back into the auditorium.

"Shiloh-"

Shiloh faced Jenna, "I won't say anything. I promise, but I also promise, no matter what part anyone gets, she will not run over or scare anyone."

With everything that happened between Shiloh and Dylan last semester, she truly meant what she said. Shiloh didn't take BS from anyone anymore and if she had to deal with someone like Dylan again, she wasn't going to let them play the long game with her. Not again.

"Hey, Shiloh? Can I ask you a question?"

Shiloh took a deep breath and faced the voice, "Of course, Lily. That's why I'm here."

"Great. I actually have a couple of questions. First, is that my folder? If so, I would love to see it."

"You can't. You can only get the folder if you get a part and the musical is over or I hand it to you, which I'm not, so, short answer. No, you can't have it."

"Okay... Second question. Ricky Bowen. He's just the cutest isn't he?"

"I think my boyfriend is very attractive. He must think the same about me don't you think?" Shiloh smiled, "Lily, I could care less about what you really want. Whether you're trying to throw me off or get under my skin it's not going to work no matter how hard you try. So I suggest, you warm up solo auditions in case you crack under pressure. We wouldn't want."

"Hey, Shiloh. Miss. Jenn needs you." Natalie called.

"Last piece of advice. Don't test me. I don't play games anymore." Shiloh sighed, "Break a leg, Lily. May the best Belle win. Right?"

"Of course."

Shiloh followed Natalie out. She quickly turned and faced Lily again, "And remember... if we helped you have to give us a five star review."

"Won't forget it."

Shiloh sent her one last false smile before joining Natalie inside. She meant every word. She would keep her promise. She was done having people walk over her and more importantly her friends. Shiloh Molina wasn't going to let Lily intimidate her. No matter what.

    EVERYONE HAD returned to the auditions. Solo auditions had started and the first group on stage were Kourtney and Ashlyn.

"This is an original song I wrote about... Nerd alert! The power of friendship. It was originally written as a solo, but then that was wrong, so I wrote it for three people, and we'll be singing for two." Ashlyn explained.

Lily held a small smile, scoffing as she did so, "Amateurs."

Lily was loud enough for Evie to kick Shiloh from underneath the table to make sure that they had heard correctly. Shiloh held her tongue for now. It was obvious that Jenna didn't want anyone from the club interfering with the auditions whatsoever. Shiloh promised not to say anything for now, but when the time came, she wasn't going to hold back.

"Wait!" Gina called and made her way on stage.

"Are you okay, honey?" Miss. Jenn asked.

"Sorry. Is there still room for a third?"

"Do you know the song?"

"I was curious, so I spent the afternoon kinda studying it. It's brilliant."

Kourtney smiled, "Get in line, Tercet."

"Whenever you're ready."

"Oh, one thing." Ashlyn said, "Uh, picture all of us in sequined jumpsuits. On a light-up dance floor. In an abandoned warehouse."

Carlos quirked up, "Very Spice Girls meets Drag Race."

"Exactly what I was going for when K wrote it. Hit it!"

EJ had joined the stage not long ago. A boombox in his hands, ready to go for Ashlyn's song (later, presumably called 1-2-3). EJ had soon started the music up and the girls started their song.

The song had drawn to a close and soon applause could be heard around the room.

Auditions continued as normal. One person singing Ashlyn's song Wondering from last semester.

"And next up, we have... Okay, where's Ricky? Ricky?"

"I'm here! I'm here." He slowly made his way on stage, "I didn't have time to prepare anything original, so I hope this is okay."

Ricky quickly glanced Shiloh way. She sent him a thumbs up and a small smile. Nothing could prepare her (or anyone else) for the song he had chosen, but they should've known.

"Do you know Bet On It?"

Shiloh rested her head into the palms of her hands and a small "oh" escaping her.

Everyone watched as Ricky did a small side step here and there, a spin or two, and finally throwing his hands in the air as he sang the final lyric of the song.

Scattered applause rang around the auditorium. Ricky, a defeated look on his face, made his way off stage.

Shiloh stood from her seat and followed behind.

"Great audition." She smiled, "It was like Zac Efron himself was on that stage."

Ricky ran his hand over his hair. He let out a hefty sigh.

"I had another song. I just- I couldn't..."

Ricky, for months, had not only been working on the song he gave Shiloh for Christmas but a song that he hadn't quite finished for her for Valentine's Day. As his mind shifted from telling Shiloh that he loved her to the auditions, he had thought about singing the nameless song, but he had sung the song Nini had written for him when she told him he loved her and he honestly didn't want a repeat offense.

"That's okay." Shiloh reassured, "Bet On It was fine. I loved it. That should be the only thing that matters."

"I think it's best if I head out."

"Talk to me, Ricky. It doesn't have to be now, but I'm always here."

Ricky had a lot going on that Shiloh didn't know about. He had been keeping a lot to himself and hadn't said much about his move, his mom, or anything going on because Shiloh had a lot going on in her life.

"I know. I promise if something is going on I'll let you know. You'll be the first to know."

The sounds of Big Red's tap shoes soon started. Both Shiloh and Ricky taking their eyes off of each other to now focus on the redhead. Just in time to watch him slip and fall.

"Seriously?" Lily laughed.

Red sat in his fallen spot for a moment. Ricky soon ran out on stage. Reassuring that Red could just start over like it was nothing.

Red took a deep breath (just as Ricky instructed) and started over. No slip-ups. No falling to the ground.

He finished with a pose and just like before a big round of applause could be heard around the room.

"Jenna Russet?" Miss. Jenn called.

Jenna, just as slow, if not slower, walked on stage.

"Ever seen Glee?" She asked.

Miss. Jenn nodded, "That's... awesome." Jenna sighed.

Jenna was nervous. She just didn't want to take a part from someone she felt deserved it more. She didn't want people to assume that she got a certain part because she was close with Miss. Jenn or because her friends were making the musical folders again. Even worse, she didn't want people to think that she got a part because of this "fame".

Shiloh and Ricky watched off-stage as Jenna rocked back and forth on the heels of her feet.

"Well, I was going to sing that one song that Rachel sings in Original Song, but Rachel is rude and reminds me of... anyways, I think I'm rambling which, by the way-"

Shiloh shuffled on stage, a small, awkward smile on her face as she turned Jenna around to face her, "You're rambling."

"I'm just nervous."

"What will make you not nervous?"

"Um... remember that one episode of Glee where Finn accidentally breaks Rachel's nose because he's a bad dancer and she wants to get plastic surgery but everyone tells her, no, but she wants to get a nose like Quinn's so-"

"Yes, IMDb."

"I know you know the song, the I Feel Pretty/Unpretty one. Just sing the song with me-"

"No."

"Shiloh, please." Jenna begged, "You heard Lily laugh at Big Red. I can't face that humiliation if people laugh."

Shiloh glanced back at the crowd and sent them an awkward smile.

"Jenna I need you to breathe. Everything is going to be fine. I'll the sing the song, okay?"

Jenna held a very wide smile and she ran off stage and dragged the two stools out.

"You planned this?"

"I knew you would say yes to me."

Shiloh ran her tongue across her teeth and sat down on the stool. Jenna sat down beside her and brushed strands of hair out of her face.

"Change of plans. My loving, beautiful, and kindhearted friend Shiloh, will help me calm my nerves by joining me today."

Shiloh glanced over at Ricky. His small smile never leaving his face as he held his thumbs up. Like Shiloh had mentioned, no one in the club would consider themselves "good" at singing. They kind of toyed around with it. Yelling out lyrics from Taylor Swift to the occasional Madison Beer.

Jenna was always singing to herself down the hall and Shiloh would never be caught doing anything of the sort.

Shiloh absolutely hated Glee. Every now and then she would watch it with Jenna because no one else would watch it with her. So, she knew about three songs by heart, but anything for Jenna she assumed. Even if she knew she was going to embarrass herself right now.

"So, you know that episode of Glee where-"

"Jenna?" Shiloh called, "Start the song."

Jenna nodded and pressed play on her phone as the song started.

Shiloh bounced her leg up and down. Realizing that she had to sing the Rachel Berry part of the song. A character she would quite literally kill if she had the opportunity to.

"I wish I could tie you up in my shoes, make you feel unpretty too. I was told I was beautiful, but what does that mean to you?" Jenna sang.

It hit Shiloh like a car. She would have to properly sing in front of everyone including he boyfriend.

"My outsides are cool, my insides are blue. Every time I think I'm through it's because of you. I've tried different ways but it's all the same. At the end of the day, I have myself to blame I'm just tripping."

Shiloh and Jenna, were definitely soft singers, evident that neither of them could belt out a proper note when instructed, but because they sang so soft it almost felt majestic.

The group watched in awe. The nerves from Jenna seemed to be leaving the more she sang. Shiloh on the other hand, sweating bullets, but anything for Jenna.

"I feel pretty. But unpretty." The duo sang.

The music had died down and Jenna quickly pressed pause on her phone. No one said anything for a moment, but the silence quickly turned into applause.

"And that concludes today's auditions." Miss. Jenn smiled.

Jenna quickly stood from her seat and threw her arms around Shiloh's shoulders, "Thank you! I don't know how to repay you."

"Trust me, I'll let you know."

"Now we wait right? I've never stayed long enough to know."

Shiloh stood up from her seat and held Jenna's shoulders, "You know how fast Miss. Jenn can get a cast list out. Go celebrate singing on stage."

"Seriously. Thank you, Shiloh."

"Thank you for trusting my voice."

Jenna gave her one last smile before leaving the stage.

Shiloh sighed and smiled at Ricky.

"It's was like... what's her name?" Ricky asked.

"Lea Michele?"

Ricky smiled, "It was like Lea Michele herself was on that stage. You didn't tell me you could sing like that."

"First of all, I want to be Quinn Fabray. Diana Agron. Secondly, I can't sing. That was... acting for my voice."

"You're talented Shiloh, but we knew that." Ricky watched as Shiloh bit her tongue, "Accept it."

"I'm trying. Thank you."

As the two of them leaned in for a kiss, Miss. Jenn interrupted the couple, "Shiloh, sweetie, we have to talk." Miss. Jenn smiled.

Shiloh sighed, "Let me know what you get."

"You'll be the first to know." Ricky smiled.

Meanwhile, "Clear!" Carlos shouted.

Everyone had gathered around the board. Cheers could be heard from all around.

Jenna pushed her way through the crowd. Her eyes scanning the sheet that Carlos had just put up. Her eyes finally landing on her name and a small smile on her face.

Jenna stepped away from the crowd and found Shiloh walking towards the others with her bag slung over her shoulders.

"I got a part."

Shiloh smiled, "I told you. What part?"

"The part."

"Oh my, God! You're Belle?"

"I'm Belle!"

"You're Belle!" Shiloh smiled and pulled the girl in for a hug.

"Evie! Evie! I'm Belle!"

The hug became a lot tighter as the other three club members wrapped their arms around the blond.

Shiloh opened her eyes and saw Ricky standing at the end of the hallway, "What did you get?" She mouthed.

Ricky held his hands up, "Beast."

Shiloh held her wide smile as she stretched her arms out for Ricky to join the group hug.

Everything felt like it was actually going at a smooth and steady pace. Jenna and Ricky were the leads and everyone seemed satisfied with the characters they were cast as.

Nothing could go wrong.

- lucy has something to say !!

SEASON 3 ISKSKWKKWKWKWKSK

we are definitely getting it faster than season two especially when they are filming later this year OSKKSKSK

lowkey don't know if i want season 3 to drop all at once but if they do i'm sure it will all work out

(i literally hate writing the singing parts down I HATE IT 😤)

BYE :))))