Jamie jolting upward as her alarm went off for 7:30AM, raising her head and eyes squinting, grabbing a pillow to cover her head to block the noise. She hated being disturbed in her beauty sleep.

All dressed for the day ahead of her, packing extra clothes in case as always.

'Oh no, I didn't tell Johnny where we'd meet up...' Jamie facepalming at her late realisation, sighing softly and continued making her way to the Moon Theatre.

"Good Morning, Jamie!"

"Morning, Buster." She greeted and noticed that he was preparing to leave. "Where are you headin' off to?"

"Gonna have a lil' meet up with a pal of mine, you saw him days ago. The sheep, his name's Eddie." Adjusting his usual red bow tie around his neck gently, wiping off any dirt on somewhere. "Also, Johnny's here already. He arrived about an hour ago."

The human girl cringing briefly before nodding softly at the koala, who walked out the doors of his building and waving goodbye to her. Jamie returning as she moved her hand with a smile.

She walks through the doors into the theatre lounge to find her friend on his phone. "Johnny, I'm so sorry for not telling you where to meet and running late."

The gorilla chuckles. "No worries and you didn't specify on the exact time, so technically your not late." He reassured and got up from sitting on stage.

"Still... I kinda owe you on having you wait this long." She muttered sheepishly, running late was something the girl never wanted to experience ever again.

The two glance behind them at the headlights on the ground. Johnny flashing a grin her way. "Well, let's have a look ere' shall we?"

He stopped and knelt down, examining the broken spotlights on what to repair. "They caught on fire?"

"Yes, they were still on once it hit the floor. Then seconds later all hell came loose." She explained with the toolbox in her grasp.

"Hmm, thankfully the fire didn't damage a lot. Some wires and the glass have to be replaced wit it bein' cleaned, then they'll be as good as new."

"That sounds pretty easy, but I don't want to lift my hopes up just yet." Earning a laugh from the boy.

Soon the two got to work, Johnny letting out his mechanic side that he got from his father and uncles. Aside from singing, learning how to fix things from them growing up. Jamie helping however she can and muttering in her head to not mess up. Especially in front of Johnny, she wasn't an expert but knew a thing or two but it wasn't compared to how her animal friend was right now.

"Can you hand me the screwdriver, love?"

The girl goes through the toolbox and handing the small instrument to Johnny, she wouldn't deny that the nickname he called her took the young human by surprise.

It took him a while to register what he said. Eyes widening in shock. "Oh, sorry about calling you that I—"

"N-no! It's okay. I actually like the nickname." Shaking her head from those thoughts away, a red hue across her cheeks for a split second.

"And that should do it!" Johnny sat up and rubbing his hands from the dust, turning to his human friend. "Now, let's test these bad boys up."

She nods and walks over to the control panel, pressing the buttons.

Nothing happened for a split second but the lights turned on with a buzz. Jamie clapping happily at the new and repairsd theater lights, it made the stage look even better from the fix by Johnny. "Well, that's done!"

The two of them stood there for a minute in silence, unsure of what to do now that their achievement was complete. Then Jamie remembered how she didn't have a proper breakfast.

"Wait, you haven't had breakfast yet, have you?" She asked. Sure, she had cereal but it was a small bowl and practically finished it quickly from rushing to the theatre thinking she was late.

The male paused as he felt his stomach growling softly, he shook his head in response.

The duo head to a nearby diner to eat before returning for rehearsals. Jamie insisted with paying as a gift and apology to Johnny. Once their food arrived, a conversation went down between the two teenagers.

"Wha? It's true, you can't deny that!" Johnny laughing hysterically and Jamie rolling her eyes, almost offended by his words.

"Okay, I'm going to pretend that you never said that..." she scoffed and eating a slice of her pancakes. Earning a low chuckle from the gorilla as she grinned softly.

"Okay, you chose a song that your going to sing for the competition?"

"Yes, but I got a backup in case it goes terribly wrong..." the young girl laughing softly. He smiled softly and glancing up at her. "Do you?"

"Oh uhm, now that you mentioned it, I kinda forgot." shrugging with a nervous chuckle and took a sip of her grape juice, fiddling with the bits of food left on the platter. "The songs Buster gave me are very familiar, but I don't know why I haven't chosen yet."

"Well, I'm sure you'll make the right choice..." Johnny reassured and glancing out the streets as cars passed by. Then his eyes are back onto his human friend. "May I see the list?"

Her eyebrow rose in confusion at the boy. "What?"

"Maybe, I can help. It's a lil' thanks for help in' earlier with the lights."

She was about to decline the offer but knew that time was short as rehearsals was in two hours, then opening her bag and grabbing the folded piece of paper out that contain the list.

His eyes glued on the selections. "Ey, these are pretty good songs." She nodded softly and gave him a moment to think.

Then Johnny places the piece of paper on the table and points to the song.

"Really?" The human female hesitant but open to his suggestion.

"Ye, your voice would fit pretty well. I can almost hear it in my head and it'll be a good start." He grinned from ear to ear.

————————————————

"Now, listen up! Tomorrow we're gonna have a full preview of the show, and our audience will be none other than Miss Nana Noodleman!" Buster announced as his fellow contestants followed behind his minature figure.

The cast respond as if this were spectacular but nerve-wracking news. Especially knowing that someone as legendary as Nana Noodleman was watching their performance.

Jamie for the most part wasn't that nervous but knew how huge this was from remembering her rabbit friend mentioning the singer.

"Nana Noodleman? She's still alive!?" Mike gasps, laughing with disbelief.

"Oh yes, and believe me, she's got
some pretty high standards. Alright, so today we gotta have a full dress rehearsal and I wanna see ya light up that stage, folks!" It signalled everyone to prepare and practice one more time before the dress rehearsal.

"Meena! Jamie! Miss Crawly!" Buster led them to a desk with a blueprint in his paw. Switching a lamp on as he opened the look on the new stage design. "Whaddya think?"

"Wow, it's so ambitious..." Miss Crawly beaming excitedly.

"Huh, an aquatic stage? That does sound pretty cool." Jamie had her arms folded and nodded, liking the idea. But she wouldn't deny a part of her was a little nervous on the koala's idea.

Meena was frowning softly from hesitantance. "Yeah, are you sure about this?"

"I promised Nana something spectacular and this." He  laughed, grinning widely. "It's gonna blow her away!" Buster jumps from the box after showing the plan. "2 minutes everybody!"

Jamie walked away to the another clothing rack and stack of chests that held more costumes for her to navigate through.

To her surprise, Ash stepped out of the changing room in the pop-star princess dress that she abhored. A depressed look on her face as she sat down by the wooden staircase.

This was more than enough for the girl notice something up with the porcupine. "Hey, Ash. You okay?"

"Yeah... I-i'm fine..." she replied glumly, her eyes down on the ground.

The human teenager didn't want to push Ash and decided to leave her be. Hoping in her head that the porcuine would open up later.

Johnny was looking at himself up at a mirror, freshing his walkie-talkie crackles to life in his jacket.

"Johnny? Johnny, where are ya? Johnny? Answer the walkie-talkie!"

Johnny makes a dash for a private corner. Eying his surroundings cautiously for anyone nearby and responding. "Yeah yeah dad, I'm here, I'm here. What's wrong?"

"We got the call. Shipment's comin' in."

"Tonight?"

"Not tonight. Now. Meet us on the corner of Hector Street in two minutes..." Johnny froze in conflict as his dad hung up on the walkie-talkie.

How in the world was he going to do rehearsals when his father and uncles needed him for their raid.

"Johnny?"

The teenage gorilla whipped around in alarm to find his human friend behind him, eyes full of concern and suspicion. "What's wrong?"

"U-uhm, something came up. My dad says it involves the family business and that they need me right now." He stated with a sigh, hoping that Jamie would buy it as Johnny didn't want her to know that his family were criminals.

"Wait, does it have something to do with that incident in the alleyway with them in bunny masks and blue denim suits?" She questioned with an eyebrow up which made him silent, he completely forgot about that moment.

His hope fading away in hiding the truth as she put the pieces together. Her eyes widened in realisation, covering her mouth and staring at Johnny in shock.

"...Yeah." was all he could say as his voice held the shame within him. "I—"

"Go..."

He turned to look at her. "What?"

"Go and help them, their gonna need you."

————————————————

"Bravo Mike, Nana's gonna love that!" Buster praised while Miss Crawly clapped happily.

"Aw, you're too kind, Mr. Moon..." Mike shrugged with a wave of his tiny hand. Sporting a royal purple suit with a matching fedora and a diamond-topped cane that shined underneath the spotlight.

"I myself am loving that new suit, sir!" The mouse doing a turn to showcase his fancy attire. Buster laughing softly as he wrote down on his clipboard. "Okay, can we see Ash next please? Ash, let's get you out here!"

Ash stood up with a blank face and nearly tripping in the princess dress. Grabbing the metal handle of the stairs and heading to the stage.

Mike stifling a laugh but moved aside to be a gentlemen. "Stand back, moody teenager comin' through."

"Good luck, Ash..." Meena whispered softly watching the porcupine walk on stage by the technician area.

Jamie beside her elephant friend, glancing back and forth at the miserable female then at Buster and Miss Crawly.

She presses a button as the instrumental for Call Me Maybe plays for Ash.

"I threw a wish in the well, don't ask me, I'll never tell, I looked to you as it fell, and now you're in my way..." Ash's eyes glisten, lips quiver, and voice faltering slowly.

"Your stare was holdin', ripped jeans, skin was showin', hot night, wind was blowin', where you think you're going' baby?"

Buster and Miss Crawly glancing at each other with confusion in noticing the state of the singer.

Jamie, Meena, Rosita, and Gunter watched in the sidelines. Glancing at each other with sad looks on their friend's state.

"Hey, I just met you and this is crazy, but here's my number, so call me maybe...?" Ash falling onto her knees, sobbing and gripping onto the microphone stand.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa... Okay! Enough of that! Cut it! Cut it! Cut it. Cut it." Buster ordered with a stand from his seat as Meena stops the music.

"Okay, Ash, um..." Buster approaches the stage with caution. "Hey, come on Ash, what is it, do you not like the dress?" She shakes her head, inadvertently tossing quills into Buster's face before running off stage.

"Ash, what's wrong?" Rosita walks over to the teenager porcupine.

Jamie shaking her head with a scoff. "What a jerk..." she knew how bad Ash's boyfriend was but for him to stoop this low by cheating is unforgivable.

Ash nodding softly as she blows her nose with a handkerchief from Rosita. Who sat beside her and comforted the teenager. "Well, it sounds to me like you are way better off without that-that—"

"That total super-jerk dinkleschplatt!" Gunter cut in with arms folded and frowning disapprovingly.

Rosita nodding in agreement at his words. "Exactly. Total super-jerk dinkleschplatt..."

"Rosita! Gunter! You're on next!"

Rosita hands over her bag to Ash. "Yeah. Okay. Here. There should be some gum or some candy in there somewhere, just help yourself." There was a brief smile on her face and held the small bag gently.

As the mother pig walked away to prepare, Jamie sat down beside the porcupine. "Hey, just know that jerk is pretty dumb for cheating." I don't understand why people still do it... She thought in annoyance. "Anyways, I may not know what's it is like to have or lose a boyfriend. But what I do know is that your a pretty talented gal, Ash and if he can't see that then he's as blind as a fool."

"T-thanks, Jamie." Ash smiling softly and taking two strips of gum out of the bag, holding one out for the girl to take. The human gladly accepts and began to chew on the candy.

Suddenly the doors slam open to reveal Johnny bursting in, this caught the two teenagers' attention. Especially, Jamie remembering the fact on her best friend being a criminal with his family.

The gorilla breathing heavily from running, rushing over to Rosita. "Rosita! Rosita! Wait, wait, wait, wait! Can I take your place, please?"

"Sure Johnny, go ahead." Rosita offered with a smile.

But Gunter is already on stage and unzipped his golden jacket to reveal his red jumpsuit. "Okay, get ready cuz I'm warning you, ha ha ha! Ziss stage is about to explode with major piggy power!"

She sighed and grabbed a microphone from it's stand. "I am so sorry. I have no control."

Johnny glancing at his watch and groaning lowly. "Ugh..."

Gunter sees his partner still in the wings,laughing enthusiastically, urging her to join. Rosita took a deep breath and muttered to herself before stepping out. "I stay out too late, got nothing in my brain—"

All was going well until Rosita unexpectedly tripped and landing flat on her face, dropping the microphone, grunting and groaning softly.

You wince as Ash cringed beside you at the scene, Meena stopping the music with shock. Buster sat up with concern as Miss Crawly froze whilst shaking softly." Are you okay?"

Gunter was still in position and glancing at the koala with a smile. "Oh yes, I am fine, thank you. How are you?"

"Okay, Johnny! Let's get you out here!" Johnny was concerned for Rosita's well being but a little relieved that he could perform ahead, pushing the piano on stage quickly with the seat.

"And you guys — you've gotta work on that routine!" Buster finished and watched as Gunter helped his partner 0ff to the side wing, then turning to the gorilla on stage. "Take it away, Johnny!"

Jamie got up from her spot as she watched him play, rather faster than usual, cringing from the off-key notes that he pressed when playing All of Me. He sounded great but it was obvious something was up with Johnny.

Rosita rubbing her sore snout from the pain. "You can't just sing it, you gotta show zat fire and desire!" The male pig shook his body whilst explaining as she passed him.

"The fire went out a long time ago." She muttered with wiping her nose gently.

"Vat?" He asked in confusion.

"Look, I can't even keep count of the steps!" Rosita sighed with a frown.

Gunter shaking his head. "Ugh! Counting schmounting! She zinks too much wiz her head, right?"

Rosita glancing to see Ash nodding softly as she blew a bubble with the gum, Meena moving her head gently in agreement but remained silent. Jamie shrugging softly and added. "Well, there is more to dancing than just memorising steps, Rosita."

"Yah, yah, see! Forget za steps und just like let ze music take control of your body parts!" Gunter smiling happily and busting a few moves like teenagers.

"My body parts are not responding, okay? It's never gonna happen!" She sighs and taking her bag from the side. "I should just be getting groceries..." Rosita muttered while adjusting the straps of her yellow bag and turned to leave.

"Rosita? Please! Like, don't go!" Gunter begged out as Meena, Ash, and Jamie tried calling Rosita to stay as well. But the mother left leaving the four alone as they stuck together.

"And you give me all of you, oh, oh..." Johnny sang beautifully and pressing more wrong keys as he finished. Sighing lowly with shaking his head. "Aw, man..."

Buster's face scrunched with uncertainty. "Uh okay. Johnny, I know I'm asking a lot of you—"

"Mr. Moon, I'm really trying, I promise!" The boy pressed on with a sigh.

The koala glancing at Miss Crawly. "Uhm, what about your back up song? Have you practiced that?"

"Uh... not yet..." raising his jacket's sleeve up, glancing back and forth at his watch and the stage anxiously. Like he was in a hurry for something.

"Well, why don't we go back and work on that one, okay?" The koala suggested with a small smile and continued. "I mean look, if you play like that in front of Nana Noodleman—" Buster stops as he looked up to see nobody there on stage. "Johnny?"

Jamie's eyes widen when she looked back to see her friend was gone, eyebrows furrowed at growing concern for the boy. Hopefully, nothing happened to his family. Especially, a rift between their relationship if they find out his love for singing.

"Jamie! Let's get you out here, your the last one!"

The girl perked at the call of her name. Jamie glancing at her three animal friends who were gesturing her to go ahead.

"Hi, Jamie. So what'll you be singing?"

"Uhm, Rolling In The Deep by Adele."

"Ooh, that's good choice. Go ahead!"

Meena presses a button to start the instrumental as the music played in the speakers, Jamie lifting the microphone in her hands. "There's a fire starting in my heart, reaching a fever pitch and it—"

The girl wasn't sure on why she stopped, the next thing she knew all she could hear was her heartbeat, a ringing sound replacing it as her body grew cold and numb. Her breathing getting slower as she took a few steps to calm down and glanced around the theatre.

Completely unaware of the calls from Buster or her friends, she gave in and collapsed on stage. Time seemed to slow down as her body landed, Meena, Gunter, and Ash rushing over with worry.

Miss Crawly gasping in shock as Buster's eyes widen and got up from his stand. He moved the four animals out of his way to have a look on the girl, she was unconscious as he checked her pulse. "Meena, call 911!"