NOTE: PLEASE LISTEN TO THE VIDEOS I PUT IN THIS BOOK. THEY ARE THERE TO HELP THE STORY.

NOTE 2: PLEASE DO THE INTERACTIVE PARTS AT THE END.

___

Darius, Eli, Amethyst, Kennedy and Camryn stepped on stage as their respective characters Wren, Charlie, Mo, Stella and Olivia.

They each stood apart from each other, with lights shining down only on one person at a time as they spoke.

Backstage, Leonie and Isaac had created a raised platform where they both stood with torches attached to broom handles to create the desired effect.

Kennedy spotted her Mum in the crowd, and had to remind herself that she couldn't break character.

The small group hurried off stage whilst the others ran on to play the part of high school students.
As Kennedy exited the stage, she saw her older siblings as well as her younger ones.

A bright smile appeared on her face when she realised they had come all this way for her.

Leonie grinned and put her thumbs up.
"That was great, guys!
Ronnie, you're on as Sydney.
Darius you're on too.
Then it's the detention scene, ok?"

Weronika and Darius nodded.

Weronika beamed when she saw her parents, though she did notice them scrutinise the set.
She turned to face Darius.
"Have a good day at school today, Wren!"

Darius' character was supposed to show disgust at his father's girlfriend, but Darius' eyes were glued on the four empty seats he had reserved for his family.

'They're just running late', he thought.

He snapped out of his thoughts when Weronika coughed loudly.
He looked at her, quickly remembering what he was supposed to say when her eyes widened.

"Uh, wh-whatever.
I'm gonna be late."

Weronika sighed, still remaining in character.
She smiled sadly at him, before walking off stage.

"Nice save, Ronnie", said Maxon.

"Yeah, dude, what happened out there?", asked Stanley.

Darius frowned.
"I'm sorry.
My family haven't come.
They're probably just running late though."

Kennedy put her phone in her pocket, before looking at Darius.
"That was my older brother.
He said they blocked off one of the roads around here because of an accident.
It's made traffic really bad."

Amethyst smiled.
"See?
It's all good."

Amethyst furrowed her eyebrows in confusion when everyone looked at her like she had said grass is blue. "Oh!
Uh, well... not good.
Because, you know, people getting hurt is... bad."

"You don't sound so sure there, mate", said Darius, earning a punch in the arm from Amethyst.

"They'll be here soon.
Sam said he'd keep me posted on traffic updates", said Kennedy.

"Thanks, Kennedy."

Kennedy gently squeezed his arm, a smile appearing on her face.

"Guys, you're on again!", exclaimed Isaac.
"The first song."

Everyone nodded whilst the 'band' ran out on stage. Isaac tapped the music box three times.
"Please work!"

After a thumbs up from Leonie, Isaac pressed play.
He hurried over to Leonie and Weronika, so he could get a better look at the others.

Eli slouched in his chair, looking around aimlessly before tapping his hands on the table, starting their song.

Isaac, Weronika and Leonie swayed from side to side, in sync, as the group performed on stage.

Maxon and Stanley clapped along to the music, grinning brightly as their friends performed.

"Feel the beat and just let go!", sang Weronika and Leonie.

"Get the rhythm into your soul!", sang Isaac.

Stanley smiled.
"They're great."

Maxon nodded in agreement. "Miss Laine's missing out on this free concert right now."

________________________

From the audience, Kayden discreetly got out his phone and started taking a video of their performance.

Nico saw this and followed suit.
"Oh, yeah, good idea, mate!"

"I want in on this", said Esther, before getting her phone out.
"The set looks so real!"

Kayden dropped his phone on someone's foot.
His eyes widened when they met with the woman's.
"I am so sorry-"

"-It's fine", she said.
She chuckled.
"This is your first show, isn't it?"

"How could you tell?", he asked.

"You look like a dear in headlights. Plus, you only brought one phone", she said, before revealing a second phone in her bag.
"I never miss a moment of my daughter on stage."

Kayden laughed.
"Thank you for teaching me your ways!
Which one is your daughter?"

"The blonde one", smiled the woman. "Kennedy.
I've met almost all the siblings, so I'm guessing you're Amethyst's brother?"

Kayden nodded.
"That's right, Ma'am."

Joy laughed.
"Please, call me Joy.
I'll feel old otherwise."

_____________________________

Stanley looked out into the crowd, his whole body relaxing when he saw his Dad and brother.

Of course, he was nervous to perform in front of them.
They had seen him perform before, but that was when he was in the closet.

His sexuality wouldn't impact his performance, but he needed to know that his Dad and brother saw his talent and passion for what it was, without thinking his sexuality influenced his love of theatre.

He looked past their row and his eyes landed on a boy much farther back. His heart hammered in his chest.
"Oh f*ck."

"What?", asked Maxon.

"It's him.
He actually came.
Oh, f*ck my a**."

Maxon screwed his face up.
"I'm good thanks."

"Rhys is in the audience!
Oh heck.
Oh cr*p.
Oh shi-"

"-Ok, ok, I get it!", hissed Maxon.
"I thought you invited him?"

"Yeah, but I didn't think he'd actually turn up!
What am I going to do?"

"Focus on the show.
You two need to talk things out, but later.
I'll go with you for moral support if you want."

"Oh, good idea.
If things go south you can just throw me over your shoulders and carry me out of the school."

"Not gonna do that but ok."

"No.
No, you're right.
Thanks, man.
I appreciate it."

Weronika ran up to the pair.
"Leonie and I came up with an idea about how we can make the 'Determinate' scene better without our smoke machine working."

"Ok, what's the plan?", asked Stanley.

"Maxon, I need you to run up to the Art block.
They made some confetti cannons last term and they kept some.
We can use them to add a bit of colour to the performance", explained Weronika.

Maxon nodded, before jumping off the platform.
"I'm on it!"

_________________

Hi!

What was Stanley trying to say? I don't know if I made it clear why he was nervous for his Dad and brother to see the show, so please tell me how you interpret it?

What are your thoughts on the older sibling trio?

And Kennedy's Mum?

Do you think the group are doing a good job with what they've got?

What are your thoughts on this chapter?

kurookensimp

-cherrysvalanxe

CaptainHermioneSwan

The_Slytherclaw

gillioddities

DoodleYeet

starryeyedturtle