"Why aren't we starting rehearsal already?", questioned Weronika.

"Yeah, the show's in a couple weeks", said Meredith.

"We're just waiting for Stanley and Leonie", said Miss Laine.

Just then, a panting Stanley ran into th room.
"S-Sorry... we're... late..."

"What happened?", asked Miss Laine.

"We... Mr. Lipp wants us to stay in our study session", said Stanley.
"He said we need to focus on our studies right now."

"What? That's not fair!", exclaimed Weronika.
"We need you!"

Miss Laine shook her head.
"No, Mr. Lipp is right.
Stanley and Leonie have their final exams coming up.
It's not fair for us to take up all of their time."

"But we can't rehearse without them", said Darius.

"We'll rehearse the actual acting parts.
Neither of them have acting roles", said Miss Laine.

She frowned when she noticed everyone's sad expressions.

"Oh, I know this isn't ideal.
But they still need good grades.
You all do.
So come on, let's get to work!", said Miss Laine.

__________________________________

Kennedy slumped in her chair, a disgruntled expression on her face. "It's not fair!
This school doesn't respect our freedom of expression!"

"Good, Kennedy", said Miss Laine. "But try not to go too over the top with your facial expressions, ok?"

"But it's Theatre.
We need to go bigger and bolder so everyone in the room can see", said Kennedy.

"I know, but we still want it to seem authentic", said Miss Laine.

Kennedy frowned, clearly hurt by Miss Laine's criticism.
"I'm not authentic enough?"

Miss Laine frowned.
"I just need you to connect with Stella a little more."

Kennedy nodded.
"Oh.
Ok, Miss."

____________________________

Darius, Amethyst, Weronika and Eli grabbed their things from the changing rooms.
The others soon joined them shortly after.

Amethyst looked at Darius.
"Are you alright?
You look terrible."

"Gee, thanks! I'm fine."

Amethyst raised an eyebrow at this.
"I don't believe you."

Darius' eyes widened, but Amethyst remained sceptical. 
"Fine.
My family never really stopped arguing.
They hid it from me."

Amethyst frowned.
"Oh d*mn.
I'm sorry."

"I thought they'd change after everything that happened to you", said Camryn.

Darius sighed.
"I guess.
I think I made it worse, you know."

"No, don't think like that", said Maxon.

"No, I know it's not my fault.
It sounds weird but, it's almost like me being there is what makes them fight."

"What do you mean?", asked Isaac.

"Well, it's like they have a referee, if that makes sense.
Someone to settle their argument. Without me there, they just let sleeping dogs lie", he explained.

Maxon patted his shoulder.
"That sucks."

Darius nodded.
"Yeah.
It does."

He sighed, before shaking his head. "Can we change the subject?"

"Um, does anyone have a charger?", asked Amethyst, before holding up her phone.

"Huh?
Not the ground-breaking conversation changer I meant, but ok", said Darius.

"No, I need to charge my phone.
My brother's stupid friend accidently deleted my Mum's song on his phone so I need to send it to him again."

"Is anyone else confused?", asked Camryn.

Amethyst's eyes widened when she realised what she had said.
Since making up with Leonie, she hadn't felt the need to keep her guard up as much.

Now she wished she had.

"Uh, alright.
Before my Mum died she recorded a song that she used to sing to us at night.
I can't sleep without it", said Amethyst.

She spoke so fast that she wasn't sure anyone would understand her.
She stared blankly at the faces that were looking at her.

Weronika gave her a quick hug, but was careful not to put too much attention on her at this moment.

"Here, you can use my charger", said Camryn.
She hoped it would be seen as an olive branch, instead of just a charger.

Amethyst gave her a grateful smile. "Thank you."

She looked at the others.
"Don't think this means I'm an open book or anything."

_______________________________

The next day, Stanley and Leonie walked into the room.
Leonie had the number 240 written on her forehead.

"Ah, how lovely of you to grace us with your presence!", joked Eli.

"Babe, what happened to your forehead?", asked Camryn.

Leonie jerked her head back in surprise.
"Babe?"

A tinge of red appeared on Camryn's face. She wasn't sure what the proper terms to use were.
Truthfully, she wasn't a fan of pet names.

She looked at Leonie, and Leonie wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"Ew."

Camryn laughed, her whole body relaxing more due to Leonie's reaction.
"It sounds weird, don't it?"

"Yeah.
I'm not big on pet names and being all lovey dovey, to be honest with you", admitted Leonie.

Camryn smiled.
"How are you literally perfect for me?"

Leonie smiled sweetly at her.
"Oh, by the way, the number's from a math problem Mr. Lipp made us solve."

Maxon approached the pair.
"Hey.
Have either of you seen Kennedy?"

Just then, a heavily dressed girl entered the Theatre room.
She had a lip piercing resting on her black, matte lips. She had fishnet tights on, and multi-coloured streaks in her hair.

"Dámn. Who's that?", questioned Weronika.

"I know I'm supposed to be nice and everything, but that look sucks", said Amethyst.

"What are you gawping at?", questioned the girl.

Maxon's eyes widened when he recognised the voice.
"Kennedy?"

Isaac spat out his water, before quickly covering his mouth to stop anymore from flying out.

Kennedy smirked.
"When you've picked your jaws up do you think we can hurry this up?"

Miss Laine walked into the room. "Sorry about that!
The printing took forev- holy donkey in Bethlehem!"

Kennedy covered her mouth to suppress her laugh.
"I've come as Stella."

"Oh!
Well, um, yes.
Very good.
Great commitment.
Let's start rehearsing now, shall we?", suggested Miss Laine.

Everyone's eyes remained firmly glued on Kennedy.

Darius turned to Maxon.
"You look so uncool right now, dude. Kennedy rocks leather better than you!"

"Hey!"

"Come on, everyone!
We haven't got all day."

"I wish we did.
I feel like I've forgotten all my dance moves", said Isaac.

_________________________________

Kennedy walked on to the stage, dragging her feet as she did so.
"I'm sick of people thinking they can take our creative expression away from us!"

Kennedy looked over at Miss Laine, who was frowning.
The minute she saw her looking, Miss Laine plastered on a smile.
"That was... much better!
I still think you need some more practise though.
Stella has drive and determination to fight for what's right.
Dig deep for that."

Kennedy frowned.
She thought dressing like Stella would help her, but she felt even more hopeless than before.

____________________________

Hi.

It looks like Kennedy's having some trouble. Will she be able to fix it before the show?

The group seem like much more of a united unit now. What were your thoughts on the opening section with the whole group?

Any theories?

What are your thoughts on this chapter?

kurookensimp

-cherrysvalanxe

CaptainHermioneSwan

The_Slytherclaw

gillioddities

DoodleYeet

starryeyedturtle