A groan escaped Charlie Swan's lips as the young brunette slammed the door of her parent's hummer shut. She smoothed out her black high waisted skirt, which she had paired with a white blouse and black flats, before continuing into the school's building. More than anything else at the moment, she wished she was back in New York. In New York, she had been enrolled in an elite private school, while taking private ballet lessons from the state's top instructor. But, ever since her parents quit Broadway and her Dad made them move to his hometown of Kissimmee, Florida, she'd been deprived of all that.

As she walked into the building, the first thing she noticed was that people here did not dress like the people at her old school. Charlie considered her outfit casual, but the majority of the students were dressed in hoodies, t-shirts, and jeans. "How are they even wearing jeans in this weather?" she thought to herself. The heat and humidity in Florida made summer in New York look like the North Pole.

She glanced around until she saw a group of girls dressed similarly to herself. One girl was tall, slim, and had a dark complexion. Charlie watched as she tossed her silky black hair over her shoulder to land on her pink tube top which she had paired with a black skirt and gold gladiator sandals. She seemed to be laughing at something the blonde, who had long straight hair and piercing blue eyes, which popped due to the blue sundress she had on, had said. Charlie walked up to them, "Hi, I'm Charlie," she said with a smile, "You guys seem like the only people here on my level, so…"

She was cut off by the dark haired one. "I get it. Someone as pretty as you shouldn't be hanging out with the rest of those scumbags. I'm Savannah, and this is Elizabeth, Cassie, and Amber."

"Glad to meet you." Charlie greeted with an award winning smile.

It was then that an announcement was made over the PA; "All students are to meet in the cafeteria. That is all students report to the cafeteria."

"You can sit with us," smiled Amber, a redhead who wore a green sheer tank top with white short shorts, and green heels. Charlie smiled and nodded at the girl.

**GLEE**

As the group of five sat down, a good looking boy passed by them. "Harley Rogers is looking fine this year." Cassie, a short brunette said with a smirk.

Savannah grinned seductively before responding, "I know what's on top of my Christmas list this year."

"Guys," Elizabeth interjected seriously, "I'm pretty sure Santa's in hiding this time of year."

"Alright, boys and girls." Said the most soothing voice Charlie had heard in her life. "As most of you know, I'm Mr. Darwin. Your principal asked me to say a few words at the beginning of this school year. You are all bright individuals, and we want you all making the right choices. Last year, we had our share of foul play amongst the students, and we don't want it to happen again. What you do outside of this building is your choice, but while inside, we expect you to be courteous, well behaved young men and women. The hatred between you all has gone far enough."

________________________________________________________________________________________

The speech had continued on for quite a while. Once the students were permitted to leave, Ashton Diperri could not have been happier. "Ugh, seriously, I can't stand this school! They say the same thing every year, but don't do anything when they see us getting harassed by the jocks and cheerios." He said as he attempted to rub the wrinkles out of his jeans.

"Ya know, things would run a lot smoother if they'd let me rule the world." His friend Cressy replied, as she crossed her arms over her navy blue chess team sweatshirt.

Chris rolled his eyes, "Oh yeah, I'm sure having you in charge wouldn't result in a blood thirsty dictatorship. Vengeance is not flattering." He finished as he pushed his glasses back up, and began to push up the sleeves of his green and grey striped sweater to his elbows.

"I'm just saying," Cressy continued, "I'd knock some sense into these teachers."

"You just keep telling yourself that…" Chris responded in a light sing-song voice.

Cressy playfully nudged him in the arm, before Ashton then spoke up, "So, who do you guys have first period?"

______________________________________________________________________________________

Alexander Evans, Royce Devereaux, and Elisa Coughlan had all hated each other from the first day of freshman year. There was a constant competition between the three; they were always trying to best each other in something or other. It had really kicked into high gear when all three tried out for last year's production of Les Mis. Even though all three were probably the most talent performers who auditioned, they were all also freshman. Since seniors get priority casting, Alexander played Lesgles, Royce played Joly, and Elisa played Young Cosette. At rehearsals, the three were always trying to outdo each other, and the bitter rivalries only grew stronger.

As the bell rang for Mr. Holloway's first period class to end, and the students began to make their way out the door, Mr. Holloway shouted, "Don't forget! I'm starting up a glee club this year! You should all audition!"

The three students look up simultaneously and in unison beamed, "Glee club!"

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Charlie had five minutes to decide her fate. This one choice would change the rest of her high school career. Be popular, or improve her musical theatre skills. She couldn't have it both ways.

"If you stick with us," Savannah had told her, "You'll fit right in."

"How could I not fit in?" came her very arrogant rhetorical response, "I'm highly likeable."

Elizabeth smiled, "You should totally try out for cheerios with us!" she exclaimed excitedly.

"Do you have any dance experience?" Savannah asked hopefully, "If you do, coach will definitely put you on the team!"

A smile spread across Charlie's face, "I'm actually a trained ballet dancer. I've taken lessons for as long as I can remember, I was even taking them at the top school in New York."

Cassie grinned, "Yay! You can definitely be on the cheerleading squad with us!"

"That sounds awesome!" Charlie smiled.

"Changing the subject," Savannah began, "What part of New York did you live in?"

"Right in Manhattan," Charlie explained "both of my parents were Broadway stars until they decided to retire."

"Wait…" Savannah interjected, "So, your parents were like, professional glee club losers?"

Charlie scowled slightly, "They're not losers. My mother was a two time Tony nominee, and father even won for best supporting actor in a musical. And besides, what's wrong with glee club? I was thinking about joining."

"No!" Elizabeth protested with a shake of her head, "You can't do that."

"Why not?" Charlie asked, clearly peeved.

"Glee club is like, social suicide!" Amber exclaimed.

Savannah then walked over and leered over Charlie, who was a good five inches shorter, "Let me make one thing clear. If you audition for glee, you cannot hang out with us."

"My friendships shouldn't depend on what clubs I join." Charlie mumbled.

"Yeah, well, life's a bitch. And so I am. Get used to it." Savannah sneered. To Charlie's surprise, she then felt Savannah's arm around her shoulder, "Look, Charlie, we really like you. We really want to be your friends. But if you step foot into that club, you'll have made yourself one powerful enemy."

Charlie shook her head as though to rid the thoughts of earlier. She took a deep breath be opening the door to the auditorium.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Mr. Holloway looked around the auditorium, absolutely glowing. He had not expected this big of a turn out on the first day of auditions. Sure, if all of these kids were good he'd still need four more to join the club to even qualify for sectionals, but he had only expected about four kids to show up. He had enough for over half of a club!

"Alright, I am so excited at this turn out! So, who'd like to go first?" Just as expected, three hands shoot in the air simultaneously. Mr. Holloway sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose before suggesting, "Alright, alphabetical order by last name." He glanced down at the list he made them sign upon entering, "Cressy Beckett?"

He watched as a short brown haired girl walked onto the stage. She wore a bright yellow hoodie, baggy jeans shorts, yellow converse, and a T-shirt that read "Bring me the finest muffins and bagels in the land!" As she reached the stage, she stood and a slouched position. "Did you bring sheet music?" he asked her.

She shook her head no, before turning to the accompanist and asking, "Know any Coldplay?"

And the piano began, the girl sang; "I stole a key,

Took a car downtown where the lost boys meet

Took a car downtown and took what they offered me

To set me free

I saw the lights go down at the end of the scene

I saw the lights go down and standing in front of me

In my scarecrow dreams

When they smash my heart into smithereens

Be a bright red rose come bursting through concrete

Be a cartoon heart

Light a fire, a fire, a spark

Light a fire, a flame in my heart

We'll run wild oh

We'll be glowing in the dark

We'll be glowing in the dark

All the boys, all the girls

All that matters in the world

All the boys, all the girls

All the madness that occurs

All the highs, all the lows

As the room a-spinning goes

We'll run riot

We'll be glowing in the dark

So we'll soar

Luminous and wired

We'll be glowing in the dark"

The rest of the students applauded for her, even if Royce and Elisa did so sarcastically. "Very well done, Cressy!" Mr. Holloway exclaimed. "What a great way to start us off! Alright, up next, Elisa Coughlan."

Elisa smiled, and curtsied upon standing before practically skipping her way onto the stage. She turned to the accompanist. "What do you know that's Disney for a soprano?" she asked.

"I've got When Will My Life Begin." He offered.

"No!" Elisa rejected, appalled. She smoothed out her pink frilly dress as she regained her composure and explained. "We have John Lasseter to thank for so many thank for so many things," she began wistfully, before very sternly adding, "That movie was not one of them." She then began to dig through her purse, pulling up sheet music. "Ah, much better." She smiled. She proceeded to walk downstage until she reached the front and center. "Hello. I'm Elisa Cosette Coughlan, and I'll be auditioning with the reprise of Belle from Beauty and the Beast." She took a deep breath before asking, "Is he gone? I can't believe it! He asked me to marry him. Me! The wife of that, boorish, brainless,

Madame Gaston!

Can't you just see it?

Madame Gaston!

His little wife, ugh!

No sir! Not me!

I guarantee it

I want much more than this provincial life!"

She then proceeded to run to stage left wear she dropped to her knees, imitating the princess in the movie.

"I want adventure in the great wide somewhere

I want it more than I can tell

And for once it might be grand

To have someone understand

I want so much more than they've got planned…"

Once again the whole club applauded. "She may be annoying," Chris whispered to Ashton and Cressy, "But damn, that girl's got some pipes!"

"No doubt thanks to my help." Ashton responded smugly.

Chris and Cressy both looked at each other quizzically before asking, "Huh?"

"I helped them trick out the new sound system." Ashton explained, "Pretty sweet, eh?"

"Marvelous job, Elisa!" Mr. Holloway cheered, "I'll be honest, I did not expect that level of talent. Alright, next up is Royce Devereaux."

Royce gave a cheeky smile towards Elisa and Alexander before stating, "If you think that was good, just get a load of this."

As he strode confidently onto the stage, he handed sheet music to the accompianst. "I always come prepared." He said with a smirk, causing Elisa and Xander to roll their eyes in disgust. He took a deep breath before confidently going into the song; "Why does Saigon never sleep at night?

Why does this girl smell of orange trees?

How can I feel good when nothing's right?

Why is she cool when there is no breeze?

Vietnam

You don't give answers, do you friend?

Just questions that don't ever end

Why God? Why today?

I'm all through here, on my way .

There's nothing left here that I'll miss

Why send me now a night like this?

Who is the girl in this rusty bed?

Why am I back in a filthy room?

Why is her voice ringing in my head?

Why am I high on her cheap perfume?

Vietnam

Hey look I mean you no offense

But why does nothing here make sense?

Why God? Show your hand

Why can't one guy understand?

I've been with girls who knew much more

I never felt confused before

Why me? What's your plan?

I can't help her, no one can

I liked my mem'ries as they were

But now I'll leave rememb'ring her."

He took a large bow as the song ended; clearly thrilled with the response he was getting from the audience. Royce smirked in approval before gallivanting off the stage. "Wow!" Mr. Holloway exclaimed, "I am absolutely thrilled with the amount of talent I've seen today! Ashton Diperri, you're on deck!"

"Yes, sir!" Ashton cried before joyously making his way up the staircase. "Hey, everybody!" he beemed once he got on stage. He then turned to the accompanist and asked, "Do you know any Justin Timberlake? I didn't know we had to bring sheet music." As the music started, Ashton mentally prepped himself before beginning to sing; "You were my sun

You were my earth

But you didn't know all the ways I loved you, no

So you took a chance

And made other plans

But I bet you didn't think that they would come crashing down, no

You don't have to say, what you did,

I already know, I found out from him

Now there's just no chance, for you and me, there'll never be

And don't it make you sad about it

You told me you loved me

Why did you leave me, all alone

Now you tell me you need me

When you call me, on the phone

Girl I refuse, you must have me confused

With some other guy

Your bridges were burned, and now it's your turn

To cry, cry me a river

Cry me a river-er

Cry me a river

Cry me a river-er, yea yea"

As applause filled the room, his two best friends gave him a stand ovation. He laughed before leaving the stage. Mr. Holloway grinned, "Another fantastic audition! Next up, Alexander Evans!"

"It's Xander." He replied with a seductive smile. It would've made every girl in the room swoon, had the only girls not been Elisa, who knew him too well, Charlie, who knew his type from when she was in New York, and Cressy, who was into girls.

When he reached the stage, he simply handed the accompanist his sheet music, pulled out a stool, and sat before singing; "Honey why are you calling me so late?

It's kinda hard to talk right now

Honey why are you crying, is everything okay?

I gotta whisper cause I can't be too loud

Well, my girl's in the next room

Sometimes I wish she was you

I guess we never really moved on

It's really good to hear your voice saying my name

It sounds so sweet

Coming from the lips of an angel

Hearing those words it makes me weak

And I never wanna say goodbye

But girl you make it hard to be faithful

With the lips of an angel

It's funny that you're calling me tonight

And yes I've dreamt of you too

And does he know you're talking to me?

Will it start a fight?

No I don't think she has a clue

Well my girl's in the next room

Sometimes I wish she was you

I guess we never really moved on

It's really good to hear your voice saying my name

It sounds so sweet

Coming from the lips of an angel

Hearing those words it makes me weak

And I never wanna say goodbye

But girl you make it hard to be faithful

With the lips of an angel

It's really good to hear your voice saying my name

It sounds so sweet

Coming from the lips of an angel

Hearing those words it makes me weak

And I never wanna say goodbye

But girl you make it hard to be faithful

With the lips of an angel

And I never wanna say goodbye

But girl you make it hard to be faithful

With the lips of an angel

Honey why are you calling me so late?"

As the audience applauded him (though Royce and Elisa were doing so in a mocking fashion), Mr. Holloway was thrilled, "Xander, I absolutely adored this performance! It's as though you could really relate to what the singer meant."

"You have no idea." Royce mumbled under his breath.

Mr. Holloway glanced at his sheet, "Harley Rogers!" he called.

Charlie looked at him, almost suspiciously. There was something about him that seemed so familiar to her; she just couldn't place her finger on exactly what it was. She looked to see the boy standing awkwardly on the stage. He gave some sheet music to the accompanist before beginning; "Out in the crowd, it's the middle of the night

Everybody's looking at you

Familiar faces but nothing seems to phase me

It's all about me and you

Yeah, the night is still young

We gotta have some fun

We'll leave it all behind now

I'm not saying I'm mister right

But leave without a fight

I gotta make a move somehow

Cause I don't wanna waste tonight

Let's turn out all the lights now

Make out on your bedroom floor

No I don't wanna say good bye

Wishing for the spot light

Missing on your bedroom floor

So shut up and kiss me

No need to tease me

You don't need to say no more

Shut up and kiss me

I know you're gonna miss me

Kissing on your bedroom floor."

To say that everyone in the room was shocked by his level of energy would be an understatement. This kid was a little fireball, and his audience was enjoying every second of it.

"So what you think are we on the same page

Cause I don't wanna play the same game

So Roll a dice we don't need to think twice

You're gonna beat me every time we play

Yeah, the night is still young

We gotta have some fun

We'll leave it all behind now

I'm not saying I'm mister right

But leave without a fight

I gotta make a move somehow."

It was at that moment Charlie realised where she knew Harley from. He was the boy that Savannah thought was hot. Did Savannah know that he was in Glee club, too? Was he risking ruining the presumably cool guy reputation for his art, just like she was?

"Cause I don't wanna waste tonight

Let's turn out all the lights now

Make out on your bedroom floor

No I don't wanna say good bye

Wishing for the spot light

Missing on your bedroom floor

So shut up and kiss me

No need to tease me

You don't need to say no more

Shut up and kiss me

I know you're gonna miss me

Kissing on your bedroom floor

Let's save the best for the darkness

Give me just a little bit more

Don't say that you can resist me

What are you waiting for?

What are you waiting for?

Tonight let's turn out all the lights now

Make out on your bedroom floor

No I don't wanna say good bye

Wishing for the spot light

Missing on your bedroom floor

I don't wanna waste tonight

Let's turn out all the lights now

Make out on your bedroom floor

No I don't wanna say good bye

Wishing for the spot light

Missing on your bedroom floor

So shut up and kiss me

No need to tease me

You don't need to say no more

Shut up and kiss me

I know you're gonna miss me

Kissing on your bedroom floor

Shut up and kiss me

No need to tease me

You don't need to say no more

Shut up and kiss me

I know you're gonna miss me

Kissing on your bedroom floor."

Harley bowed to the applause, with a sheepish grin on his face. Mr. Holloway looked down at his list, "Charlie Swan?" he questioned. As Charlie made her way to the stage, Mr. Holloway asked her, "Are you a freshman?"

"No, sir, I'm a sophomore. I went to a private school in New York until my dad decided to move us bak to his hometown this summer." She explained.

Mr. Holloway raised an eyebrow, "Your dad wouldn't happen to be Easton Swan, would he?"

"Yeah, that'd be him." She replied with a confident smile.

Mr. Holloway smiled warmly back, before explaining, "I understudied for him years ago when he played Raoul in Phantom."

"That's so cool!" Charlie exclaimed.

Someone could be heard clearing their throat, before Royce's voice rang out, "Yes, we get that Charlie's going to be the female lead just because you and her father are hunky dory. Can we move on now?"

"Oh yes, of course." Mr. Holloway mumbled, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Charlie turned to the accompanist, "Do you know Taylor, the Latte Boy?" He nodded as he hit the one note she needed to start.

"There's a boy who works at Starbucks

Who is very inspirational.

He is very inspirational because of many things.

I come in at 8:11, and he smiles and says, "How are you?"

When he smiles and says, "How are you?"

I could swear my heart grows wings!

So today at 8:11

I decided I should meet him

I decided I should meet him

In a proper formal way.

So today at 8:11 when he smiled and said "How are you?"

I said "Fine, and my name's Charlie"

And he softly answered, "Hey."

And I said "My name is Charlie, and thank you for the extra foam,"

And he said his name was Taylor,

Which provides the inspiration for this poem:

Taylor the latte boy,

Bring me java, bring me joy!

Oh Taylor the latte boy,

I love him, I love him, I love him,

So I'd like to get my nerve up

To recite my poem musical.

He would like the fact it's musical

Because he plays guitar.

So today at 8:11, Taylor told me he was playing

In a band down in the village in the basement of a bar.

And I saw him flip the lever, to prepare my double latte,

But for me he made it triple! And he didn't think I knew

But I saw him flip the lever, and for me he made it triple,

And I knew that triple latte meant that Taylor loved me too!

I said, "What time are you playing? And thank you for the extra skim,"

He said, "Keep the $3.55," because this triple latte was on him.

Taylor the latte boy,

Bring me java, bring me joy!

Oh Taylor the latte boy,

I love him, I love him, I love him,

I used to be the kind of girl who'd run when love rushed toward her.

But finally a voice whispered,

"Love can be yours, if you step up to the counter, and order."

Taylor, the latte boy

Bring me java, bring me joy

Oh Taylor the latte boy

I love him, I love him, I love him.

So many years my heart has waited,

Who'd have thought that love could be so caffeinated?

Taylor, the latte boy,

I love him, I love him, I love him.

I love him, I love him, I love him."

As the club applauded, she stepped off the stage, beaming. She knew she had made the right the choice. "Last but not least," Mr. Holloway announced, "Chris Walker."

Chris ran up onto the stage, with a huge grin on his face. He turned to the accompanist, "You can just sit and watch if you like, I brought my own accompaniment." He explained as he took out is electric guitar and plugged it into a nearby amp.

"Any way you want it

That's the way you need it

Any way you want it."

Everyone in the room cheered as Chris played the song they all knew.

"She loves to laugh

She loves to sing

She does everything

She loves to move

She loves to groove

She loves the lovin' things

Ooh, all night, all night

Oh, every night

So hold tight, hold tight

Ooh baby, hold tight

Oh, she said

Any way you want it

That's the way you need it

Any way you want it

She said, Any way you want it

That's the way you need it

Any way you want it.

I was alone

I never knew

What good love could do

Ooh, then we touched

Then we sang

About the lovin' things

Ooh, all night, all night

Oh, every night

So hold tight, hold tight

Ooh baby, hold tight

Oh, she said,

Any way you want it

That's the way you need it

Any way you want it

She said, Any way you want it

That's the way you need it

Any way you want it."

As the played the guitar solo, she flung himself all over stage, rocking his from side to side, and twisting his torso in all sorts of strange ways to the beat of the music.

"She said, Hold on

Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on

Hold on, hold on, hold on, baby

Oh, she said,

Any way you want it

That's the way you need it

Any way you want it

Any way you want it

That's the way you need it

Any way you want it

Oh, she said,

Any way you want it

That's the way you need it

Any way you want it

Any way you want it

That's the way you need it

Any way you want it

Any way you want it

That's the way you need it

Any way you want it

Any way you want it

That's the way you need it

Any way you want it

Any way you want it

That's the way you need it

Any way you want it

Any way you want it

That's the way you need it

Any way you want it

Any way you want it

That's the way you need it

Any way you want it"

__________________________________________________________________________________________

After the auditions, Harley was heading straight to his next class. Despite what others said about him, he really hated having to spend any extra time in the hallways. So, straight to class he went. Or, at least, that was the plan. He hadn't counted on being flagged down in the hallway.

"Hey!" a female voice cried out, "wait up!"

He cringed slightly before turning around, surprised to see Charlie, one of the girls from the Glee auditions, rather than a cheerio. "Um, hi." He greeted, awkwardly.

"Hey, can I ask you something?" Charlie questioned.

Harley smirked "You just did."

Charlie rolled her eyes, "You know what I mean. What were you doing in there?"

"The same thing you were." He replied with a shrug of his shoulders.

"But, aren't you afraid it's going to ruin your reputation, or something?" she asked, clearly confused. "Half of the cheerleading squad was fawning over you this morning. Aren't you afraid what might happen if they found out?"

Harley merely shrugged once again, before saying, "They don't really care what I do. They just think I'm kinda good looking. A lot of girls here find me good looking, for some reason." He then gave her an odd look, "What about you? Weren't you hanging out with Savannah and her crew this morning?"

"Well, yeah," Charlie began, "but…my art is more important." She finished decisively.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Mr. Holloway watched in anticipation as the music started;

The boys of the group began by singing; "Do, do do do, do do do, do do ah, do"

Cressy and Charlie soon joined in with an "Ooh!"

"Do do do"

"Ah!"

"Do do ah"

Elisa then emerged from the crowd, front and center, and began to sing; "Risin up

Back on the street

Did my time took my chances

Went the distance now I'm back on my feet

Just a girl and her will to survive

So many times

It happens too fast

You trade your passion for glory

Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past

You must fight just to keep them alive."

She then lead the club into the chorus; "It's the eye of the tiger

It's the thrill of the fight

Risin up to the challenge of our rivals

And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night

And he's watching us all with the eye of the tiger

Elisa then continued on;

"Face to face

Out in the heat

Hanging tough

Stayin hungry

The stack the odds still we take to the street

For the kill with the skill to survive... "

As the entire club joined in again, this time, the cheorgraphy started to get a lot more complicated, and seemed as though only Charlie was hitting every step ; "It's the eye of the tiger

It's the thrill of the fight

Risin up to the challenge of our rivals

And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night

And he's watching us all with the eye…"

"Stop, stop , stop!" Mr. Holloway ordered over the music. "What is with you guys? That second chorus was horrible!"

Elisa then stepped forward and said, "Well, we're all trying out best, and it's not easy to deliver my super amazing vocals and dance at the same time when someone," she spat venomously in Royce's direction, "is dancing next to me with such enormous feet."

"And some of us just aren't dancers." Ashton added with a shrug.

Mr. Holloway closed his eyes to think for a moment. "Charlie," he asked, "would you mind taking some of our non-dancers through the routine again?"

She shrugged tiredly, "I guess not."

"Elisa, could you take everyone else and do some vocal warm ups?" The petite girl nodded. Mr. Holloway cracked a bit of a smile. "Alright, let's see if we can get this perfect."

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Charlie stood at her locker after glee rehearsal, still sweaty from going through such a simple routine over and over. Just as she grabbed her books and shut the door, she was greeted by two familiar faces. "Hey, Savannah," Charlie smiled, "Elizabeth."

"We just wanted to say we're, like, really sorry about all the mean things Savannah said to you earlier." Elizabeth said with a small smile.

Savannah smiled, too, as she said, "And to make it up to you, we even got you a little present. Something from us cheerios to you glee club kids."

"Really?" Charlie replied, "That's so sweet of you. You guys know you really didn't have to."

Savannah smirked before replying, "Oh, believe me, the pleasure is all ours."

Before Charlie could respond, she was covered in red slushie.

The two cheerleaders left, laughing all the way. "Are you okay?" Charlie heard someone ask. She couldn't tell who it was, as she couldn't open her eyes at the moment.

"Not exactly." Charlie deadpanned.

The voice chuckled slightly, "Here, let's get you all cleaned up."

__________________________________________________________________Edit

Royce had finally gotten the girl deslushified, and the two were exiting the washroom. "Thanks again."

Royce simply shrugged, "I'd say don't mention it, but since I like being praised, I'll let you continue."

Charlie rolled her eyes at the boys antics. "Why are you helping me, anyway? Shouldn't you be off fighting with Elisa and Xander."

"Actually," he said with a sly smile, "I have a proposition for you. You're actually a good singer. Occasionally sharp, but it's clearly because you lack my years of training."

"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" Charlie asked skeptically.

"Just hear me out on this."

Charlie shrugged, "Okay, so what've you got?"

"I want to take Elisa down." He stated simply, before going onto elaborate, "You and I both know that you're better than her. I want you to fight her for her part in the school musical, for every solo she wants."

"And why should I help you?" Charlie asked.

"Your Dad is famous. Imagine you and I, the two best singers in the club, leading the team to the title at Nationals. The tabloids would be all over you. You'd become an over night sensation!" he stopped walking and looked her right in the eye. "I know. I know that you want to be famous, but you don't want to ride off of Daddy's coat tails to get there. You can prove to everyone in the world that you're just as talented as he is."

Charlie stood there, dumbfounded.

"Promise me you'll at least think about it." He adds before leaving the hallway.