AN: You must all be used to this by now--above is my daughter, singing the audition song that Ruthie sings. It was for a talent show, and she did not win, but I still think she sounded amazing. Hope you like it...

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"You need to calm your tits," Pepsi said. "Like, right now."

In spite of her nerves, Ruthie burst out laughing. "What?"

"You heard me," Pepsi said. "You've auditioned for shit in San Francisco and Sacramento. You've been in nationally televised commercials."

Elliott, who was standing with them, looked at Ruthie in surprise. "You never told me that!" he accused.

"Baby shampoo and yogurt, no big deal," Ruthie said to him. At his continued look, she added, "I was, like, two years old, sheesh!"

"My point," Pepsi continued, "is that this is a high school play. You've got nothing to be nervous about, have you?"

Elliott, whose audition for Marius was already over, and could therefore afford to be a little bit magnanimous, had killed on his audition, which Ruthie, Gordo and Pepsi had overheard through the door.

"You're going to knock Ms. Piper on her ass," he said, patting her shoulder.

Ruthie was auditioning for the part of Eponine, though of course she'd take any part. She had neither the range to play Cosette, nor the build to play Madame Thenardier. She could possibly have pulled off Fantine, Cosette's mother, but she'd wanted to play Eponine since she was a child. It was on her bucket list of parts, along with Elphaba in Wicked.

"Okay, I'm okay," she said, cupping her elbows with the opposite hands.

The door opened, and Ms. Piper stuck her head out.

"We're ready for you," she told Ruthie.

Ruthie looked around at her friends and walked toward the door.

Elliott pulled her back at the last second for a fast kiss, saying, "Knock 'em dead, Jelly Bean," and for his words he was rewarded with Ruthie's glowing smile of gratitude.

Gordon walked up as soon as Ruthie was inside, and Elliott thought once again about her words. Could Gordo really have a crush on him?

Surely not?

He looked carefully at the shorter boy who today was wearing a light blue V-neck sweater over a button up shirt. His hair was not short, but was neatly parted and combed. His braces twinkled in the watery January sunshine.

He gave Elliott a measured smile, and turned to Pepsi.

"Has she started?"

Pepsi shook her head, but leaned toward the door as soon as they heard the music.

Ruthie was singing "On My Own," from the actual show. In real life, singing a song from the part you were auditioning for was a huge faux pas and a major no-no, but for high school auditions it was SOP.

Ruthie sounded amazing.

Elliott had actually never heard Ruthie sing before, because she was reticent to do it, for some reason. Every time Elliott had asked her in the past, she'd said no, and actually blushed, which showed right away because of her coloring.

The threesome stood outside the doors and listened in wordless silence. At one point, when Ruthie belted out and held a high note, Pepsi lifted her arm and showed the boys how the hairs were standing up as her skin broke out in goose bumps.

Just as she finished, Amelia appeared, looking even thinner and more wan than before to all three of the students already assembled. She actually had circles under her eyes. She was still a very pretty girl, but the vivaciousness that Pepsi and Gordon remembered was gone.

"Wow, she sounds great," Amelia said.

"Are you here to audition?" Gordon asked.

Amelia nodded.

"Which part?" Pepsi asked, more to make conversation than anything else.

"Eponine," Amelia responded, nodding toward the closed door. "Same as Ruthie."

Elliott just looked at her and swallowed. He hadn't even known Amelia could sing.

She saw his surprise and smiled. "Yeah, I sing a little bit, too. Not like Ruthie, but I do okay."

At that moment, Ruthie came out, glowing and breathless.

"Did you guys hear me?" she asked. "I killed it, I think! Even the high note-" She saw Amelia and stopped short.

"Hi, Mel," she said, using a childhood endearment she hadn't used in years. "How you doing?"

"I'm okay, but I'm a little nervous to follow you," Amelia admitted.

"Nah, you'll do great," Ruthie reassured her.

The door opened and Amelia was summoned. When her music started, Ruthie recognized it right away as "A Little Fall of Rain," and turned shocked eyes to her friends.

"Eponine? She's auditioning for Eponine too?" she asked.

Elliott nodded unhappily.

The foursome listened as the song progressed.

Amelia was good. She sang more in a pop style, and Elliott could tell she hadn't had much training, if any, but she still sounded good.

"You can hear how she pauses in funny places for breath? And how she slides?" Ruthie asked Elliott, who nodded. "She never had lessons, like I did, but she's a good singer, you know?"

"You'll get it for sure," Pepsi told Ruthie, who shook her head.

"It depends on how they want to go," she answered, chewing the side of her thumb.

And Elliott knew she was right. Ruthie was the superior singer, better trained, but if they wanted her for another part, or if they simply liked Amelia's rendition of the song, it was a whole new ballgame.

Amelia emerged, and immediately looked at Elliott.

"How'd I sound?"

"You sounded really good," Elliott told her sincerely. The others nodded agreement, but again, it was to Elliott and Elliott only that she spoke.

"Do you think I might have a chance?"

"Yeah, I do," Elliott answered. He felt awkward, which was obvious to everyone but Amelia.

"Thanks for saying that," she said. She leaned in and up and kissed Elliott on the cheek.

"Bye, guys," she said to everyone, giving a little wave as she left.

They all looked at each other in surprise, no one knowing what to say.

Gordon was called in. He was auditioning for Enjolras, Marius' friend and the young man who led the group in the revolt against the French government.

"I know I won't get it, I'm nothing like a tall, good-looking, charismatic Frenchman, but at least I get to sing a good song for my audition, you know?" he said with a self-deprecating smile as he entered.

"He has a nice voice, pleasant, you know?" Ruthie said after they'd listened to him for a bit. "I don't think he'll get Enjolras, but he'll be in the show for sure, so that will be fun."

And when he emerged, Ruthie hugged him, saying, "You sounded great, Gordo!"

"Yeah, yeah," he said, trying to brush her off, but he was definitely happy at her words.

"I guess I'm the last," Pepsi said.

"You're auditioning?" Elliott asked in surprise. "I didn't know you were even interested in drama."

"Well, 'interested' might be a bit strong," Pepsi replied. "I'm interested in spending time with my friends--" and here she gestured toward Ruthie and Gordon, "--and I'm interested in having a few more extra curriculars for my college apps, you know?"

"Oh, I get it," Elliott said, nodding as he grinned. "Go get 'em, Tiger," he said.

"I get a nickname too?" she replied, blinking owlishly. "Why, I'm ever so touched, Mr. Banks."

"Go on, you goober," Ruthie said, practically pushing her friend through the door. "You can flirt with my boyfriend after your audition," she promised.

Pepsi entered with eyes wide, and they soon heard her singing. She had chosen not to sing a song from the show.

"What's that she's singing?" Elliott asked. He couldn't quite place it.

"Oh my god," Ruthie said. Obviously she did recognize it.

"What? What?" Elliott asked. Then he, too, realized what she was singing, and looked between Gordo and Ruthie.

She was singing "Eye of the Tiger," by Survivor, the theme from Rocky III.

"Sweet baby Jesus," Gordon said, covering his mouth.

All three were laughing by the time Pepsi emerged.

"What?" she asked, looking from face to face as she cracked open a "thank god it's over," Pepsi. "I thought my rendition was heartfelt and soulful. Especially with the accompanying dance."

"Accompanying dance?" Elliott gasped.

"Oh god, Pepsi, please tell me they recorded it," Ruthie begged her friend.

"They did, and so what?" she asked with dignity. "I didn't rag on you guys about your auditions. I was positive and supportive, and I think I have the right to ask the same," she concluded with a decisive nod.

"We are positive, and we definitely support you," Ruthie assured her. " We won't know about the auditions until after school tomorrow, so let's blow this taco stand. Let's just forget all about all of our auditions and go get pizza, okay?"

"Sounds like a plan," Pepsi agreed with a smile.