"It's showtime." I said, looking in the mirror. I was thinking of a plan to get my mama out of the house, because ever since I broke my foot, the science fair plan wouldn't work.

Last week was the one year anniversary of Stephanie taking me in, and that was supposed to be the day of the original show. So I needed to think up another excuse. And then it hit me.

I said I had a dance competition tonight and that Whizzer was picking me up. I quickly scribbled the address of my school down on a piece of paper and left it on the kitchen counter, grabbed a bottle of water, and then I heard Whizzer's car honk from outside the window.

"Gotta go, Mama! You know where you're going, right?"

Stephanie smirked at me. "This address looks...oddly familiar."

"What can I say? This isn't my first dance competition."

Stephanie looked at me weirdly. "Yes...it is?" I shrugged and said, "Anyway, Whizzer's here to pick me up, see you at 7!"

"Bye Josie! Break a leg!"

_______

Stephanie's POV

I put the address Josie gave me into the GPS of my car, and the first thing that popped up was the address of Josie's school.

Huh. Odd. I didn't think anything of it and started driving. I decided to turn off the GPS halfway through the drive because I had picked Josie up from school so many times that I knew where I was going.

I pulled into the parking lot and started walking into the school, grabbing the bouquet of flowers I got for Josie out of the back of my car.

I saw Josie's girlfriend, Harper, in the lobby and waved. She immediately noticed the flowers in my hand and tensed up, running into the auditorium.

Something's definitely up. And I don't know what.

"Why are there only like 5 people here besides us?" Brandon asked, pulling me aside. I shrugged and said, "I have a feeling that somethings up."

"Surprise party?" Anthony said.

"Why would Josie be running out of the house in a leotard if she was planning a surprise party?" I asked.

"Good point. Well, it's 6:45, so let's get going." I said. I headed into the auditorium and sat down, and I saw someone give a thumbs up to Josie.

Then the loudspeaker came on.

"Surprise Mama! Welcome to Falsettoland!" I heard Josie scream.

"THIS WAS THE SHOW! THIS WAS THE SHOW SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT!" I yelled.

"SHE'S DOING FALSETTOS?"

"I GUESS!"

"SHUSHHHHH!" Andrew yelled.

"Okay, okay, geez, let's watch the show!"

"Wait, who's Josie?" Brandon asked. Whizzer slipped me a program and I looked at it with a smile.

"Trina."
______

Josie's POV

"MAMA!" I screamed after the show, running up to her and launching into her arms.

"Josie! Amazing job! Oh, I'm so proud of you!"
Stephanie said. She kissed my cheek and picked me up, holding me on her hip.

"How did you keep the secret for so long?" Christian asked.

"Sheer willpower and my love for surprises. Plus, this was a gift for you guys, hoped you liked it!" I said.

"Liked it?" Andrew asked. "I loved it! Except your friend Whizzer there..."

"He tried his best!" Stephanie said.

"His 'best' sounds like an dying seagull with asthma. Trust me, it's the reason he quit show choir in middle school." Ivy said, walking by us.

"Ivy, brilliant job." Brandon said.

"Thanks!" Ivy said, smiling. Whizzer ran up to us, making weird sounds reminiscent of a broken tractor and pointing awkwardly to Stephanie.

"What is he doing?"

"He has a crush on you, Mama." I said.

"Isn't he gay?" Brandon asked.

"Yes." Whizzer said before screeching like a seagull.

"Oh my God, Whizzer, get the heck out of here before I slap out whatever's gotten into ya!" I said, laughing.

Stephanie smiled at me and said, "Go get your friends, we're going out for ice cream. My treat."

"YAY!"

________

"Someone's turning eleven pretty soon!" Christian said. We were all gathered at my house after ice cream and I had broken out the board games.

"What do you want for your birthday?" Betsy asked. I pulled her aside and said, "Can I dye my hair?"

"What? Josie! No!" Stephanie said.

"Josie yes." I said. "Come on, please? I'm old enough!"

"Fine, but only semipermanent dye. Your hair color is too pretty to ruin it permanently." Stephanie said. I giggled and said, "I love you guys."

"We love you too, amazing job tonight!" Brandon said. He looked to the group and yelled, "JOSIE SANDWICH!"

"Guys! Come on!" I yelled as I was attacked in a massive hug. "I love you guys, but I need to breathe!"

AN: Welp, this is the second to last chapter of ABF. It's kinda bittersweet. Hope you enjoyed! Catch ya later!