They Call Us Show Girls

[KERFUFFLE]

The girls got through more of the song that Caden had planned them to, which was only a good thing. A while later, he checked his watch and then said to them, "You sound really great girls- who knew you could all sing like that! I think it's about time I handed you over to do some dance now, that's enough singing for today. Great job, though."

 

[B e t h y <3]

Bri practically ran to center stage, ready to start with Ellen. She loved learning new dances. She picked them up faster than any of the other girls, and for that moment Bri forgot about everything.

Ellen walked in and handed the track to Sebastian to put into the CD player. She danced the song out for everyone to see, and then started breaking it down, putting them into blocking as they learned.

 

[KERFUFFLE]

Caden decided to yet again take more of a backseat role, sitting down in the front row and simply watching and taking mental notes as he watched Ellen teach the girls the routine to the song. There was a definite general air of enthusiasm from certainly a lot of the girls about this new direction, and he was pleasantly surprised by how well it seemed to be working. At least he was doing one thing in his complicated life right at the moment, then.

 

[B e t h y <3]

After about an hour of teaching, Ellen had the girls start to run it on their own.

Brielle didn't sing much the first couple of times they went through the song. She wasn't sure of herelf in her singing. She couldn't memorize words and notes as quickly as she could dance moves and blockig.

 

[KERFUFFLE]

Caden watched carefully as the girls danced and sang it through for the first time by themselves. A few seemed in their element, obviously familiar with musical theatre work, while others seemed a little disheartened that they couldn't seem to combine the two completely yet. On the other hand, he thought they were doing excellently, all things considered, and, unlike Joseph, he felt like they needed to actually be told that. He smiled at Ellen, letting her know she was doing an equally fantastic job, and then said to the girls, "You're all doing great, I promise. We don't need to have it perfect just yet; I think if we work on several new things, and then open up the theatre for the new show when we're ready, it'll go down really well."

 

[Swan_Song]

Mei had started belting it when they had done the dance on their own. Musical theater was her life, after all, and she had done it so many times, it was like breathing. She made sure to put extra passion into her dancing as well as her expression, feeling confident in her ability. When Caden started talking, she listened intently, then smiled ever so slightly. It was nice being told they were doing things well. All Joseph had ever done was point out what had been going wrong. Sure, there were things they still needed to work on, but at least Caden could acknowledge their strengths.

 

[B e t h y <3]

Brielle bit the nail of her index finger. She was feeling more and more tired, and she wasn't looking her best, either. She yawned again, trying to focus on what Caden was telling them.

 

[KERFUFFLE]

Caden talked for a little while longer, halfway through, his eyes falling on Brielle, who looked unusually tired, pale and... unwell, even. He said to the girls, "Alright, I think we can take a break, get something to drink and to eat, alright? I'll call you back in later." He beckoned Meimei over to him and murmured to her, "I'm worried about Brielle. Should I ask her, or could you ask her if she's alright for me?"

 

[Swan_Song]

Meimei murmured, "Oh, I'll ask her... although... I think I may know what's going on, but... I'll tell you later, okay?" With that, she flounced over to her friend, but not before giving her a bottle of water and some advil. "You seem out of it today Bri-bear," Mei said to her quietly, pulling her aside so they wouldn't be overheard. "That call from last night really screwed you up, huh? I figured you'd be having... guests, but... I didn't think it would make you end up like this."

 

[B e t h y <3]

Bri bit her lip to fight back tears. "The call was from Jeremy." She took a sip of water. The paleness, the weakness, all of it was a sign that Brielle could go into one of her serious anxiety attacks. "He called last night, telling me how much he missed me. And he's coming to New York to see me in one of the shows..." Brielle leaned against the wall, closing her eyes.

 

[KERFUFFLE]

Caden nodded and thanked Mei as she went to talk to Brielle. He watched with concern as they talked, obviously not hearing a word of it, but he could tell it wasn't good from Bri's body language. He hoped she was alright.

 

[Swan_Song]

Mei said, "Okay Bri, honey, take a deep breath. You're getting to the point where you might go into an attack. I'm right here, things will be okay... What a d'ouchebag! I swear, when I see him, I'm going to give him the chewing out of a lifetime. He doesn't deserve you, and you can do way better than him. I mean, hello, cute directors and artsy guys all over the place! I'm here to back you up, and give you all the support we need. Now take a drink of water, and try to do some rationalization."

 

[xXMysticXx]

After they were done with the singing and dancing Brookelyn went into the back fridge and grabbed herself a cool water and a small chocolatey cookie. She ate the cookie in a mere two bites and moaned a soft 'mmm' through her still cookie filled mouth. She would have to find out where they got those they were extremely delicious, possibly the most delectable thing she'd ever tasted, she thought. She took a large sip of her water and twisted the cap closed tightly as she strode back onto the stage. She could sense some tension in the air and both Bri and Meimei looked upset.

Sebastian sat in the back of the theatre focused on the mess of papers in his lap and spread across the few chairs beside him. He only looked up from them to glance at whatthe girls were doing every so often. He was much to busy with crunching numbers and organizing set lists and order forms. He needed to have everything organized and where it needed to be within a few days. That was the problem with the weekends it was their big show times and he had to be sure bills were payed, music was there, costumes were ready and actually fit the girls, advertisements had been placed and all pre registered guests were slotted their ' personal time ' and all the other little things that made sure their opening night ran smoothly.

Meanwhile Eli was busng himself in the back room organizing the stacks of old CDs and musical information, sheetmusic and simply just a bunch of other junk that was lying around from old shows. He liked to keep all of their old stuff neatly organized in the filing cabinet in case someone ever needed it for future reference. When a frazzled looking women burst through the door he helped direct her as to where she could unload her costume racks so the stage crew and girls could look over some possible things she had designed and might possibly be making them for the show. Eli simply nodded as she went off on a rant about how last time she did a show like this the actors were horribly picky and whatnot like he actually cared and breathed a short sigh when she left him her card and dashed off to another appointment. He was getting used to the franticness though, generally things got crazier the closer it got to a big show, that or right after one if something went wrong; but that was completely another story.

 

[B e t h y <3]

"Mei, we cannot let him schedule a personal meet and greet with me. I literally won't be able to resist him. YOu and I both know he's the only man I've ever seriously dated. I can't deal with seeing him again..." Bri breathed deeply.

 

[Swan_Song]

Mei said, "Well then, he won't get a meet and greet with you. I have an even better idea. I'll set you up with Caden afterwards-- nothing serious, just something to get you out of there, you know. And me and Eli will go with you too-- I'll convince him somehow. I promise, he won't get to you, and if he tries to come see you, I'm sure Sebastian can take care of him."

 

[B e t h y <3]

Bri covered Meimei's mouth. "Don't do anything to try and hook Caden and I up. Got it?" She removed her hand. "You're spending the night tonight, and we'll talk more about you-know-who. Okay? Until then, you are not to mention him."

 

[Swan_Song]

Mei gave an exaggerated sigh, but then nodded in agreement. "Fine. Even though you two would be great and all... okay, I won't say anymore. My lips are sealed." She made a zipping motion with her hand that went across her lips, and then gave her a thumbs up. "And yay for sleepovers! I can't wait!"

 

[B e t h y <3]

Brielle gave Meimei a small smile. She pushed herself off the wall, and walked over to the snack table. She picked up a green apple, taking a large bite out of it. She convinced herself she was fine, and could stay for the rest of rehearsal, even though Ellen wanted her to go home and rest.

 

[Swan_Song]

Meimei said, "I think it would be a good idea for you to get some rest, Bri. You seem so tired and out of it. Besides, I think you need some time to relax, maybe take a nice, long nap? Ellen will understand, and once rehearsal is done, I could go over and bring you some food."

 

[B e t h y <3]

"No, Mei. I'm fine." Bri said through gritted teeth. She walked back onstage and sat down, crossing her legs. she continued to eat her apple, focusing on nothing but its' sweet juices.