| Reading Between the Lines | |
|---|---|
| Season 1, Episode 7 | |
| |
| Air date | April 17, 2014 |
| Written by | JamesonOTP |
| Episode Guide | |
| Previous Life's A Show |
Next Thanksgiving 'Em Hell |
Reading Between the Lines is the seventh episode of Season 1 of the Glee: The Next Generation spin-off, Glee: The Next Generation presnts The NYADA Years.
When Hallie realizes that her feelings for Christian are not what she thought they were, she decides she needs to end things before they get way out of hand for Christian. Lana and Camryn are brought together by their mutual love of books and when they start a book club at NYADA, the soon find themselves challenged until a great opportunity arises to help improve NYADA's library and save the club at the same time. Chuck finds himself in a sing-off with a new guy at Midnight Madness. Miles continues to deal with the pressures and temptations of fast and easy fame. Meanwhile, Jaxon gets a job working with Lana and Breezy at the Spotlight Diner after he uses his talents to help them out of a tight spot.
Songs[]
| Song Title | Original Artist | Performed by |
|---|---|---|
| Get Lucky | Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers | Jaxon Pierce and Lana Addison |
| F**k It (I Don't Want You Back) | Eamon | Christian Fields |
| Perfume | Britney Spears | Camryn Monahan |
| Wrecking Ball | Miley Cyrus | Hallie Grace |
| The Bitch Is Back | Elton John | Miles Larson |
| Tubthumping | Chumbawumba | Lana Addison feat. Camryn Monahan |
| I Dreamed A Dream/I Have Dreamed | From Les Miserables/The King and I | Chuck Salvatore and Logan Campbell |
| Call Your Girlfriend | Robyn | Camryn Monahan |
| The Show Must Go On | Queen | New Horizons |
Episode []
________________________________
Lana grabbed her pencil and pad as she leaned against the counter at the Spotlight Diner, talking to Jaxon. Jaxon leaned against the other side of the counter, smiling as he and Lana talked.
“Your food should be out any minute,” Lana said.
“Not why I'm trying to talk to you,” Jaxon replied.
“And what would that be?” Lana asked.
“Because I'm going to be in Lima for a week and I'm going to miss you guys,” Jaxon replied. “Except for Miles...well, here lately any way.”
“Oh God, please, can we not mention him right now?” Lana asked, groaning.
“Considering how he ditched us after Once More With Feeling Friday and we haven't even seen him at all since then?” Jaxon asked.
“That is just part of my reasoning and you know that,” Lana replied.
“Does he seem different to you since he got that part in Ryan's new play?” Jaxon asked.
“He was already on a path of self-destruction before that happened,” Lana replied. “The fact that Ryan is a creep and borderline molester certainly doesn't help, I'm sure.”
“But there is no way Miles would let another guy even try to make a move on him,” Jaxon replied.
“You never know,” Lana said. “Now, please, can this be the end of this week's scheduled 'how is Miles screwing his life up this week' conversation?”
“Sorry,” Jaxon said. “It's just such a good icebreaker. 'Hi, how are you doing? Guess how Miles screwed up this time.' You know, typical conversation.”
Lana glared at Jaxon over her order pad. Jaxon sighed as he tapped his fingers on the counter.
“What is taking so long in the kitchen?” Lana asked.
“This is just great!” Gunther exclaimed as he took off his apron and threw it down on the counter. “I can't get in touch with Breezy and I had to pull my two other waiters to the bar and kitchen because my bartender and cook called out with the stomach flu. And, to make matters worse, one of our regular customers is demanding a duet.”
“That sounds fun,” Jaxon replied as Lana shook her head.
“Not fun for me!” Gunther said. “I'm filling in out here for my waiters and I don't sing. I manage restaurants, I don't do karaoke. I wanna keep customers, not scare them away!”
“I sing,” Jaxon said. “Lana and I could do a duet.”
“You would do that?” Gunther asked, looking hopeful.
“Sure,” Jaxon said as he headed over to the jukebox and picked out a song.. “This is a song that Lana and I were singing in the loft the other night. Let's rock the house.”
Lana smiled as Daft Punk and Pharrell's “Get Lucky” began to play. Jaxon danced his way over to Lana, taking her by the hand and leading her to the middle of the floor.
“Like the legend of the Phoenix,” Jaxon sang as he began to lead Lana in a dance. “All ends with beginnings. What keeps the planets spinning.”
“Uh,” Lana sang.
“The force from the beginning,” Jaxon sang.
“Look,” Lana sang.
“We've come too far to give up who we are,” Jaxon sang as the bartender and cook sang backing vocals. “So let's raise the bar and our cups to the stars.”
“She's up all night to the sun,” Jaxon and Lana sang. “I'm up all night to get some. She's up all night for good fun. I'm up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to the sun. We're up all night to get some. We're up all night for good fun. We're up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to get lucky.”
As they sang and danced, Gunther took a brand new mop head out of the plastic and put it on Lana's head to make her look like Nile Rodgers. Jaxon laughed as he took an empty, clean bread basket and put it on his head like a Daft Punk helmet.
“The present has no ribbon,” Lana sang. “Your gift keeps on giving. What is this I'm feeling? If you wanna leave I'm with it.”
“Ah,” Jaxon sang.
“We've come too far to give up who we are,” Lana sang as the bartender and cook sang backing vocals. “So let's raise the bar and our cups to the stars.”
“She's up all night to the sun,” Jaxon and Lana sang. “I'm up all night to get some. She's up all night for good fun. I'm up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to the sun. We're up all night to get some. We're up all night for good fun. We're up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to get lucky.”
“We're up all night to get,” Jaxon sang. “We're up all night to get. We're up all night to get. We're up all night to get. We're up all night to get.”
“Together,” Lana sang.
“We're up all night to get,” Jaxon sang.
“Let's get funked again,” Lana sang.
“We're up all night to get lucky,” Jaxon and Lana sang. “We're up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to get lucky.”
“We've come too far to give up up who we are,” Jaxon sang.
“So let's raise the bar and our cup to the stars,” Lana sang.
“She's up all night to the sun,” Jaxon and Lana sang as they grabbed the customer who requested to duet and pulled him out of his chair to dance with them. “I'm up all night to get some. She's up all night for good fun. I'm up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to the sun. We're up all night to get some. We're up all night for good fun. We're up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to get lucky. We're up all night to get lucky.”
As the song ended and the crowd applauded, every one of them out of their seats, Gunther smiled from ear-to-ear.
“That was incredible,” Gunther said. “So much fun. Say, Jason—”
“It's Jaxon,” Jaxon corrected.
“Jaxon,” Gunther said. “What do you say to joining the waitstaff at Spotlight Diner?”
“I don't know,” Jaxon said.
“You're a natural, kid,” Gunther said. “And you get to work with your friend, Lana. You two make beautiful music together.”
“First time I ever heard that,” Lana said.
Gunther smiled at Lana. “You both would be my stars. What do you say, Jason? The Spotlight Diner could use a guy with your talents.”
“I would love it,” Jaxon said. “But I'm cashing in a week of my personal days t take off from school and I'm leaving early tomorrow morning to fly back home to Lima, Ohio and surprise my husband.”
“No, don't tell him you're gay,” Lana said just above a whisper.
“Nonsense!” Gunther said, gently slapping at Lana's hand with his towel. “I love the gays! They always make the best music and they dress really sharp, too. Not to mention that my interior decorator is gay and he's the best in the business. It's the Jews and black people that I'm not too crazy about.”
“Wow, that's racist,” Jaxon said.
“Look, I'll tell you what,” Gunther said. “If you want the job, I'll hold it until after Thanksgiving. I'm closing the dinner the week of Thanksgiving anyway so I can be with my family. When we open back up, if you want the job, it's yours.”
“Please take it, Jaxon,” Lana said. “We've discussed how bad you need something to keep you busy. I know we don't have to pay to rent, but I'm sure you would enjoy the extra money, too.”
“I'll take it,” Jaxon said, taking Gunther's hand and shaking it. “I'll see you in two weeks, Gunther.”
Gunther looked at Lana and smiled as Jaxon took his seat and then he patted Lana on the back.
“You got a good friend there, Lana,” Gunther said. “He'll do a Spotlight Diner uniform justice.”
________________________________________________________________
Back in the loft the next morning, Jaxon finished packing the last of his clothes and zipped his suitcase up. Jaxon then sat the wheels of his suitcase on the floor and rolled it into the living room, where Lana and Johanna were waiting.
“Have fun back home,” Johanna said as she hugged Jaxon tightly and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“I will,” Jaxon said as he turned to Lana.
“Bye,” Lana said as she hugged Jaxon.
“Scarecrow, I think I'll miss you most of all,” Jaxon said as he held Lana.
“I'll miss you, too,” Lana said.
“But don't worry, I'll see you in a week when you're back in Lima for Thanksgiving,” Jaxon said.
“I know,” Lana said. “It's just since we've been living together I've kind of grown accustomed to having you around. I won't know what to do with myself with you not here.”
“I don't think it will be on your mind that much,” Jaxon replied. “I mean, you won't miss me that much when you're finally able to bring Camryn home every night.”
“Just keep in mind, I can hear what happens in your room,” Johanna said. “So if there is any Fifty Shades of Grey stuff going on or any kinky roleplay, I'll be the third to know.”
Lana chuckled. “There is never any kind of either of those things between Camryn and I. Besides, what keeps me from bring Camryn home for the hanky panky between us is actually the hanky panky session between you and James that nearly caused me to go hysterically blind and caused both Camryn and I to need therapy.”
“That was forever ago,” Jaxon stressed. “Besides, it's not like James is here right now, anyway.”
“I know,” Lana said. “But honestly, we don't want to walk in on you two doing some dirty Skype stuff.”
“I don't do that,” Jaxon said as Lana raised an eyebrow. “Okay, sometimes I do that but not very often.”
“I made my point,” Lana said with a smile. “Now, you need to go catch a cab so you won't be late to the airport and miss your plane.”
“I would leave you in charge of Glee Club, but I know you've been so spread thin lately,” Jaxon said to Lana. “Between work, your dates with Camryn, NYADA, the play, preparing for your Mid-winter Critique, a possible spot at Winter Showcase, and everything else. So, if you don't mind, I'm going to leave Chuck in charge.”
“I don't mind,” Lana said. “I think Chuck is a great choice. Don't worry, Glee Club is in good hands.”
“Well, I'll be seeing you,” Jaxon said as he waved goodbye and wheeled his suitcases out the door.
Johanna walked over and shut the door behind Jaxon before turning back to Lana. They both stood there in silence for about a minute before Johanna finally said something.
“So, do you wanna watch a movie?” Johanna asked. “Something scary, perhaps?
________________________________________________________________
Later that morning Lana, Camryn, and Nicole all sat on on the steps in front of NYADA as they waited for classes to be in session. Lana was sitting on a stair rails, as usual as the other sat on the steps themselves.
“It feels so weird without Jaxon here,” Nicole said. “I'm so used to you two joking around.”
“You should try staying at the loft,” Lana said. “It's even quieter there than it is here.”
“I think I'll be going home to spend Thanksgiving with you in Lima,” Camryn said, taking Lana's hand. “I didn't really wanna go home and see my parents so they can discover my charade so I told them that I will be spending Thanksgiving with Tyler and his family. I bought myself a year before I have to come clean because they want me to bring Tyler to their house for Thanksgiving next year.”
“I don't understand why you don't just tell them you're a lesbian,” Lana said.
“My parents are very traditional,” Camryn said. “My mother is a traditional Polynesian and my father is a traditional Latino and that just makes for twice the mess if I let them down. My mother would sacrifice me to a volcano and my father would start doing a thousand Hail Mary's.”
“They'll have to find out sooner or later,” Nicole said.
“I know,” Camryn said, sighing. “But I will cross that bridge when I come to it. Until then, I've bought some time to figure out how to deal with it.”
“Hey guys,” Chuck said as he and Monique walked up, hand-in-hand.
“Jaxon already left for Lima?” Monique asked as Lana nodded in reply.
“He left early this morning,” Lana said. “Just before five o'clock.”
“You must be tired then from getting up so early to see him off,” Camryn said.
“I went to bed early last night,” Lana said. “Gunther let me off at seven-thirty.”
“Well, I have great news,” Chuck said, smiling. “I'm doing Midnight Madness tomorrow night.”
“Wait!” Nicole said, excitedly as she turned to look at Chuck. “The Midnight Madness? Where two people at NYADA take the challenge, two enter at midnight and only one emerges victorious, gaining everlasting glory?”
“That's the one,” Chuck replied.
“Do you think you're ready for this?” Lana asked. “Very few Freshman actually do Midnight Madness.”
“I was born ready,” Chuck said. “Will you guys come?”
“I would love to!” Nicole said. “Midnight Madness sounds so fun.”
“Count us in,” Lana said as she looked at Camryn for agreement. “We'll be there to support you.”
“Great,” Chuck said. “Should I, uh, tell Miles?”
As Chuck said this, he looked over at a grassy area where Miles stood under a big tree with Krystal, Madison, Logan, Joelle, and a couple of people none of them recognized.
“You're wasting your time with him,” Greg said as he appeared. “He's fallen to the dark side now, just like Madison. She wasn't always like that, you know? She was once like you guys: nice, wide-eyed, innocent, and hopeful for her future. Then we started here and Krystal came along. Madison didn't last as long as Miles did. We met Krystal at Freshman Orientation and by the first day of school, Madison was already too far gone.”
“What is it that everyone sees in her, anyway?” Nicole asked.
“She promises them things,” Greg said. “She has connections, so they believe her. But it never comes true. But by the time they realize that, they're to far gone to care. She's a bad influence that few can resist. But everyone knows, when her words fails, she has other methods of persuasion.”
“A place like NYADA doesn't need someone like her,” Lana said. “She and all her friends are a blemish on its reputation.”
“But Krystal not only has talent, she has power and wealth,” Greg said. “Her dad is a big wig and NYADA loves that kind of stuff. Carmen and Shayne, they're different but the founders definitely eat up anything that makes them look even more reputable than they already are.”
“Well, we're not going to worry about Miles,” Lana said. “And you're not going to worry about Madison. We have real friends here at NYADA and that's all we need. We're going to forget them.”
“I just wonder who Chuck's opponent for Midnight Madness will be,” Nicole mused, changing the subject.
From across a different grassy area on the campus, Hallie stood, watching Lana and Camryn as they held hands. Hallie jumped as she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around and realized that it was Christian.
“Sorry to make you jump,” Christian said as he put his arm around Hallie and pulled her in for a kiss.
Hallie was reluctant at first, something that Christian quickly picked up on. As he broke the kiss and pulled away from Hallie, he raised an eyebrow.
“Is something wrong?” Christian asked.
“Christian, the past few months of my life been very confusing and lonely,” Hallie replied. “I think I was just...wanting to experiment—”
“Honey, it's okay,” Christian said. “Experimentation is fine. We've all done things to figure out who we are. It doesn't matter that you've experimented with girls in the past. I've been with guys before, too.”
“No, you don't understand,” Hallie said. “I'm a lesbian, I've just experimented with guys—one guy. You.”
“Are you saying that I was just some test for you?” Christian asked. “Date a guy to make sure you don't like it? Use me to reaffirm the fact that you're a lesbian? I mean, I thought that I was actually something to you.”
“Christian, you said it yourself that people experiment,” Hallie replied.
“Yeah, and there is a very clear difference between using someone and experimenting, Hallie. When you experiment with someone, they're in on it. Otherwise, you're just using them. That's what you did to me. You used me.”
“I didn't really use you, per se,” Hallie said, feeling guilty.
“No matter how you look at it, I was used,” Christian said.
“I was lying to myself, Christian,” Hallie said. “I was trying to convince myself that I could change, that I could be something I wasn't. I was lonely and I just needed that connection. I honestly thought that I could learn to love you and love the lonely away.”
“And not once, did you stop to think about how it would make me feel to know that this entire time was just an experiment to you,” Christian said. “I'm not a tool for brainwashing yourself bisexual so that you won't be lonely. I'm a human being with feelings. You can't just play with me like that, Hallie. And moreover, you should really have more respective for yourself because it's really sad that you would try to make yourself bisexual so you can latch onto the first guy who comes along and not be alone. There are other lesbians out there if you would just...get off your ass and stop with the pity party and go find them! But instead, you had to hurt me. I already had trust issues, being molested as a child, but now, you've shown me that I can't trust anyone. People aren't toys, Hallie, and when you play with them, you mess up their lives.”
“I'm sorry,” Hallie said, crying. “I really didn't mean to.”
Hallie reached out and grabbed Christian's arm, but he flinched and pulled away from her.
“See, I don't know why I liked you so much,” Christian sang. “I gave you all, of my trust. I told you I loved you, now that's all down the drain. You put me through pain. I wanna let you know how I feel. Fuck what I said, it don't mean shit now. Fuck the presents, might as well throw 'em out. Fuck all those kisses, they didn't mean jack. Fuck you, you hoe, I don't want you back. Fuck what I said, it don't mean shit now. Fuck the presents, might as well throw 'em out. Fuck all those kisses, they didn't mean jack. Fuck you, you hoe, I don't want you back.”
Hallie cried as she watched Christian turn away from her and walk away, disappearing through the double doors into NYADA. The scene faded to later, in Christian's rooms as he swung this arm and knocked a picture frame with a picture of him and Hallie together into the floor. The picture frame cracked as glass shattered, flying all over the floor.
“You thought, you could keep this shit from me, yeah,” Christian sang as she sung to the floor and hugged his legs close to his body. “You burnt bitch, I heard the story. You played me, you even gave her head. Now you asking for me back. You're just another act, look elsewhere 'cause you done with me. Fuck what I said, it don't mean shit now. Fuck the presents, might as well throw em out. Fuck all those kisses, they didn't mean jack. Fuck you, you hoe, I don't want you back. Fuck what I said, it don't mean shit now. Fuck the presents, might as well throw 'em out. Fuck all those kisses, they didn't mean jack. Fuck you, you hoe, I don't want you back.”
Christian pushed himself off the floor, smearing blood from the broken glass, and leaned against his door.
“Oh oh, uh huh, yeah,” Christian sang. “Oh oh, uh huh, yeah. Oh oh, uh huh, yeah. Oh oh, uh huh, yeah. You questioned, did I care? You could ask anyone, I even said you were my great one. Now it's, over, but I do admit I'm sad. It hurts real bad. I can't sweat that, 'cause I loved a hoe. Fuck what I said, it don't mean shit now. Fuck the presents, might as well throw 'em out. Fuck all those kisses, they didn't mean jack. Fuck you, you hoe, I don't want you back. Oh oh, uh huh, yeah. Oh oh, uh huh, yeah. Oh oh, uh huh, yeah. Oh oh, uh huh, yeah.”
As the song ended, Christian kicked the door as hard as he could, leaving a hole about half-way through where he kicked. Slowly, he slumped up against the wall and slid down until he rested on the floor.
________________________________________________________________
Back at the school earlier that same day, right before Glee Club, Hallie spotted Lana alone in the main concourse and made her way over to talk to her.
“Imagine seeing you here,” Hallie said as he stopped in front of Lana. “I, uh, came to my senses and dumped Christian.”
“I heard,” Lana said. “Christian was talking to Johanna about it. He's really hurt, Hallie.”
“Yeah, I know,” Hallie replied.
“But I don't really know what I care because the last time that we spoke, you told me you never wanted to talk to me again,” Lana said. “So I'll just be going.”
“Lana, wait,” Hallie said. “I said some things that were rash and I know they can't be taken back, but I would like to start by apologizing.”
“I don't know,” Lana replied. “It's like I don't even know who you are anymore. This is definitely not the Hallie I know so well. Using guys, telling me she wants nothing to do with me ever again...”
“I don't even know who I am anymore sometimes,” Hallie said. “I just know that I still believe that you and I are meant to be.”
“We're not meant to be,” Lana said, rolling her eyes. “Hallie, what we had was good, but it's over and in the past. The break we took—”
“The one that was supposed to be over by now but sadly still isn't,” Hallie added.
“The break we took,” Lana continued. “It was the best thing that ever happened to me. I was able to get my life back on track after the whole 'rooftop thing' and it helped me see that you and I were holding on to a sinking ship that would eventually drag us under. Hallie, don't you see that we moved far too fast and burnt us out? We were a high school romance, not a real-world couple. We're not meant to be together. Once More With Feeling was closure for me, the closure I needed. When I thought that Camryn was going to kiss Miles, I was jealous. I didn't feel that way when Jaxon kissed you.”
“I guess I need closure, too,” Hallie said, looking down. “But I haven't found mine yet.”
“You will,” Lana said. “You just have to wait for it.”
From across the concourse, Camryn held onto a support column, watching Lana and Hallie solemnly.
Hallie just won't give up, Camryn thought. But Lana's not stopping her, either. Camryn, stop it, you know Lana loves you. Maybe she is just trying to be nice? But why be nice to Hallie after everything? Maybe she still has feelings for her? And if Hallie is dead-set on getting Lana back, and if Lana has feelings for her still, you could lose her.
Camryn shook her head, trying not to think too much and read to far into it. She was reading between the lines and she knew that's how problems start. If you want the truth, don't try to read into something. Get it straight from the person's mouth.
But, then again, Camryn thought. People aren't always straight-forward with their true feelings. After all, look at all the lies you've told your parents to keep them happy until you have the guts to come clean.
Camryn sighed as she turned and pressed her back to the column, watching Lana and Hallie.
“Do I imagine it, or do I see your stare?” Camryn sang. “Is there still longing there? Oh, I hate myself, and I feel crazy. Such a classic tale: current girlfriend, ex-girlfriend. I’m trying to be cool. Am I being paranoid? Am I seeing things? Am I just insecure? I want to believe it’s just you and me. Sometimes it feels like there’s three of us in here, baby. So I wait for you to call and I try to act natural. Have you been thinking 'bout her or about me? And while I wait, I put on my perfume. Yeah, I want it all over you. I'm gonna mark my territory.”
Camryn reached down into her purse and pulled out her red bottle of Heat and spritzed herself with it.
“I’ll never tell, tell on myself but I hope she smells my perfume,” Camryn sang. “I’ll never tell, tell on myself but I hope she smells my perfume. I hide it well, hope you can’t tell but I hope she smells my perfume. I hide it well, hope you can’t tell but I hope she smells my perfume. I wanna fill the room when she’s in it with you. Please don’t forget me. Do I imagine it, or catch these moments? I know you got history. But I’m your girlfriend, now I’m your girlfriend trying to be cool. I hope I’m paranoid, that I’m just seeing things, that I’m just insecure.”
Slowly, Camryn put the bottle of perfume back in her purse and took a few steps forward, getting a closer look at Lana and Hallie, hoping to hear what was being said.
“I want to believe it’s just you and me,” Camryn sang. “Sometimes it feels like there’s three of us in here, baby. So I, wait for you to call and I try to act natural. Have you been thinking ’bout her or about me? And while I wait I put on my perfume. Yeah, I want it all over you. I'm gonna mark my territory. So I, wait for you to call and I try to act natural. Have you been thinking ’bout her or about me? And while I wait I put on my perfume. Yeah, I want it all over you. I'm gonna mark my territory.”
Camryn made her way through the people, walking toward Lana and Hallie as she sang.
“I’ll never tell, tell on myself but I hope she smells my perfume,” Camryn sang. “I’ll never tell, tell on myself but I hope she smells my perfume. I hide it well, hope you can’t tell but I hope she smells my perfume. I hide it well, hope you can’t tell but I hope she smells my perfume.”
As the song ended, Camryn appeared beside Hallie smiling as she looked at Hallie and then Lana.
“Hi,” Camryn said. “Lana, you ready to walk me to Glee Club?”
“Is that Heat by Beyonce?” Hallie asked.
“Sure is,” Camryn said proudly.
“Yeah, let's go,” Lana said to Camryn. “Bye, Hallie.”
As Lana and Camryn walked away together, Hallie stood still and silent, replaying the last part of her conversation with Lana over in her head.
“I just think we should give it another chance,” Hallie said. “We'll never know until we try.”
“That's the thing, Hallie,” Lana said. “I do know. I know that I am very in love with Camryn and nothing will ever change that. You just have to let go of what we had. It's over, and it's not healthy to hold onto it.”
“So, not even one more try?” Hallie asked.
“Hallie, I will always love you,” Lana replied. “But I'm not in love with you. I can't offer another shot at romance but I can offer you my friendship.”
“I-I can't accept,” Hallie said. “I can't be your friend when I still love you like this. It hurts too much and it makes me so confused.”
“Then I'm sorry, Hallie,” Lana replied. “But, if you change your mind, I will be waiting her for you...as a friend.”
Hallie walked slowly toward the stairs, twirling a lock of her hair nervously. She placed her hand on the hand rail and slowly ascended the stairs.
“We clawed, we chained our hearts in vain,” Hallie sang. “We jumped, never asking why. We kissed, I fell under your spell. A love no one could deny. Don't you ever say I just walked away. I will always want you. I can't live a lie, running for my life. I will always want you.”
As Hallie stopped at the top of the stairs, the scene faded to back at her apartment after Glee Club as Hallie stormed into her room and began to rip posters off the wall of bands that she and Lana had both liked.
“I came in like a wrecking ball!” Hallie sang. “I never hit so hard in love. All I wanted was to break your walls. All you ever did was wreck me. Yeah, you, you wreck me.”
Hallie threw the posters, which were ripped to shreds, onto the floor as she stopped and opened up her dresser. She reached inside and took out a picture of her and Lana together. Hallie looked at it carefully as she sang.
“I put you high up in the sky,” Hallie sang. “And now, you're not coming down. It slowly turned, you let me burn. And now, we're ashes on the ground.”
Hallie dropped the picture to the floor, a crack appearing in the glass running from one corner to another. Hallie stepped over the picture and made her way to the kitchen. She threw open the cabinet under the sink where she and Miles kept the tools and grabbed his sledgehammer and protective eye goggles, headed back to her room.
“Don't you ever say I just walked away,” Hallie sang as she walked over to the picture and lined up the sledgehammer. “I will always want you. I can't live a lie, running for my life. I will always want you.”
Hallie put on the goggles and raised the sledgehammer over her head and bought it down as hard as she could, smashing the frame into a million flying pieces of glass and plastic.
“I came in like a wrecking ball!” Hallie sang. “I never hit so hard in love. All I wanted was to break your walls. All you ever did was wreck me.”
Hallie kicked the picture aside and went back over to the drawer and pulled out a locket that Lana had bought her. She threw it to the ground, on top of shards of broken glass. She again raised the sledgehammer above her head and brought it down, breaking the chain apart and flattening the locket beyond recognition.
“I came in like a wrecking ball!” Hallie sang, hitting the locket again. “Yeah, I just closed my eyes and swung. Left me crashing in a blazing fall. All you ever did was wreck me. Yeah, you, you wreck me.”
Hallie stood over the mess, proud of what she had done. Everything left of Lana was in a million pieces on the floor, just like Lana had left her heart. Hallie breathed heavy, exhausted from swinging the sledgehammer with all her might.
“I never meant to start a war,” Hallie sang. “I just wanted you to let me in. And instead of using force, I guess I should've let you win. I never meant to start a war. I just wanted you to let me in. I guess I should've let you win. Don't you ever say I just walked away. I will always want you. I came in like a wrecking ball! I never hit so hard in love. All I wanted was to break your walls. All you ever did was wreck me. I came in like a wrecking ball! Yeah, I just closed my eyes and swung. Left me crashing in a blazing fall. All you ever did was wreck me. Yeah, you, you wreck me. Yeah, you, you wreck me.”
Miles closed the front door and looked over into Hallie's room. He saw the mess on the floor and rushed over to Hallie, taking the sledgehammer away from her and putting it safely on the bed.
“Hallie, what are you doing?” Miles asked, his mouth open in shock as he looked around the room at all the broken stuff.
“Why did you?” Miles asked, that being all he could manage.
As Hallie turned to face Miles, tears streamed down her face as she sobbed uncontrollably. Hallie started to fall to the ground, weak from crying and her fit of rage. Miles rushed over and caught her, holding her close to his chest as she cried.
“Where are the kids?” Miles asked. “Are they okay?”
“Daycare,” Hallie managed between her sobs and gasps.
“Is everything alright?” Madison asked as she stood in the doorway.
“Will you go pick up Hallie's kids from the daycare?” Miles asked Madison, who nodded.
“Sure,” Madison asked. “Is she alright? Do I need to call someone? An ambulance?”
As Madison asked this, she looked at all the broken glass on the floor. Miles shook his head.
“She'll be alright,” Miles replied. “Thanks, Madison.”
“Yeah,” Madison said, nodding. “I'll be back.”
“I'll get her settled down and get this mess cleaned up before the kids get back,” Miles said as he helped Hallie to her feet and escorted her to the sofa.
________________________________________________________________
At that same time, Lana pushed open the door to Book N' Beans and made her way inside. Mr. Garson smiled warmly and waved at Lana.
“Ah, it's my best costumer,” Mr. Garson said.
“Hey, Mr. Garson,” Lana replied.
“I don't think you'd spend so much time here and buy so many books from me if you weren't dating Camryn,” Mr. Garson joked.
“Nonsense,” Lana said. “I love this place. It's home-away-from-the-loft.”
“I got some books in the back that I'm taking out of the inventory,” Mr. Garson said. “You're free to have them if you want. If not, I will probably just donate them elsewhere or throw them away.”
“Thanks,” Lana said. “Is Camryn in the back?”
“She is,” Mr. Garson replied. “Go ahead and head on back.”
Lana nodded as she made her way to the back room. She pushed the door open and walked in to join Camryn, who sat a huge box of books in front of Lana.
“I called you down here because Mr. Garson said we could have all these boxes of books,” Camryn said. “And that gave me an idea. You know how last week, Carmen was talking about how she's wanting us to start more clubs at NYADA? Well, since we both love books, I figured why not start a book club? And it, would be a great way to spend more time together.”
And more time to keep Hallie from getting between us, Camryn thought as she lifted another box of books onto the table.
“That sounds great,” Lana said.
“The free time for clubs is Wednesdays at five o'clock, so we'd both need to get our bosses to give us Wednesdays off.”
“I'm sure Gunther will be able to do that once Jaxon starts after Thanksgiving,” Lana said. “And I'm already off today and tomorrow.”
“That's great then we can get started tomorrow,” Camryn said. “I'll get Tyler to load these books into your car while we get started hammering out the details of our new book club. Can you believe it? We're doing this together!”
________________________________________________________________
Later that night, Camryn unlocked the front door of her apartment and sighed as she took her coat off and hung it on the coat rack. As she shut the door, Natasha walked into the living room.
“Evening,” Camryn said.
“I cooked something for supper,” Natasha said. “Oh, and someone left a package for you right outside the front door. I brought it in and it's on the kitchen table.”
Camryn looked surprised as she made her way into the kitchen and looked at the package. It appeared to be a manila envelope with a book of some kind inside. Camryn picked it up and tore it open, surprised to find a old looking leather bound diary. She looked carefully at the diary, realizing it was locked. She looked inside the envelope and found a note to which the key was taped.
So, I heard you like books...well here is one for you. Perhaps the juiciest
book you'll read all year. The key is provided, but remember that once
unlock the diary and dive in, there is no going back. Oh, and did I forget
to mention...the diary belongs to Hallie Grace.
Camryn looked to see who had sent the package, but there was no signature and no return address or sender. She looked at the diary for a moment, the slowly peeled the tape off the letter and separated the key, which she inserted in the lock and used to open the diary. Camryn then opened the diary to a random page.
“Step one,” Camryn read. “Break up Lana and Camryn.”
Camryn's mouth fell open in shock as she read over the pages in her head, each one more and more upsetting. Natasha appeared in the doorway, looking concerned over Camryn's reaction.
“What's wrong?” Natasha asked.
“It's nothing,” Camryn said as she shut the diary and shoved it into her purse. “Just a, uh, horror story.”
Natasha nodded, not quite sure Camryn was being completely truthful. “Hope you don't lose too much sleep tonight, then.”
________________________________________________________________
The next morning, everyone at NYADA looked up as the front doors opened and Miles lead Krystal, Madison, Joelle, and Logan into the school, dressed in new designer clothes. Miles popped the collar on his next leather jacket and adjusted his sunglasses as his former friends looked up at him, not sure of what to think.
“Is that Miles?” Lana asked, raising her eyebrow. “Man, how I wish Jaxon was here to see this.”
Yes, all these very expensive designer clothes are courtesy of Ryan, Miles thought. I treated myself with my very first perk of being on Broadway: my new credit card with a very generous limit. Don't worry, Ryan is the one paying for it. Like he said, when you're star and representing Broadway, not only do you have to live a little, you have to look good while doing it.
“I was justified when I was five,” Miles sang as he lead his new crew down the hall. “Raising cane, I spit in your eye. Times are changing, now the poor get fat. But the fever's gonna catch you when the bitch gets back.”
Greg smiled as he saw Madison, making his way over to her. Madison turned to Greg and pushed him away, causing him to lose balance and nearly fall. Lana caught Greg and steadied him as Madison passed by them, not even caring about Greg.
“Such jerks,” Lana said.
“Eat meat on Friday, that's alright,” Miles sang. “Even like steak on a Saturday night. I can bitch the best at your social do's. I get high in the evening sniffing pots of glue. I'm a bitch, I'm a bitch. Oh, the bitch is back. Stone cold sober as a matter of fact. I can bitch, I can bitch 'cause I'm better than you. It's the way that I move, the things that I do.”
As Miles passed the last of his former friends, he turned away from them and continued on his way as if he didn't even know them.
“I entertain by picking brains,” Miles sang. “Sell my soul by dropping names. I don't like those, my God, what's that? Oh it's full of nasty habits when the bitch gets back.' 'I'm a bitch, I'm a bitch. Oh, the bitch is back. Stone cold sober as a matter of fact. I can bitch, I can bitch 'cause I'm better than you. It's the way that I move, the things that I do. I'm a bitch, I'm a bitch. Oh, the bitch is back. Stone cold sober as a matter of fact. I can bitch, I can bitch 'cause I'm better than you. It's the way that I move, the things that I do, oh. Bitch, bitch, bitch is back. Bitch, bitch, bitch is back. Bitch, bitch, the bitch is back. Bitch, bitch, the bitch is back. Bitch, bitch, bitch is back. Bitch, bitch, the bitch is back. Bitch, bitch, the bitch is back.”
“I've got fliers,” Camryn said as she appeared beside Lana and Greg, her arms full with a stack of papers. “I figured if I hung some up, then we'd have a better turn out this afternoon.”
“Yeah, great idea,” Lana said, watching Miles and his crew as they disappeared down the hall.
“He's a jerk,” Camryn said. “Just don't worry about him.”
“We used to be really close,” Lana said.
“Yeah, it can be really hard to let go of someone you're close to, huh?” Camryn asked.
“Not always,” Lana said as she turned back to Camryn. “So, you need help putting those up?”
“Yeah, we'll help,” Greg added.
“Um, yeah,” Camryn said as she spotted Hallie walking in the opposite direction. “How about you guys put some of these up down here and I will put hang up some up that way.”
“Alright,” Lana said as she took half of the fliers and split them with Greg. “Oh, Cammie, before you go I just wanted to talk about yesterday. I know you're upset about Hallie, but I'm completely over her.”
“I know that,” Camryn said. “It's just that I need time to deal with it on my own and get over it myself.”
“Completely understand,” Lana said. “I'll see you in Dance 1o1, okay?”
“Yeah, see you, “ Camryn said as she watched Lana and Greg leave. She then turned around and hurried down the hall to catch Hallie.
“Hallie,” Camryn called as Hallie turned to face her.
“Can I help you?” Hallie asked.
“Look, I know all about your plans and the little game you're playing,” Camryn said.
“Oh no, not you too,” Hallie replied. “Christian put you up to this?”
“This has nothing to do with Christian,” Camryn replied. “It has to do with Lana. I know, Hallie. I know everything and all I can say to you is back off and leave my girlfriend alone.”
“I told her we couldn't be friends,” Hallie said, confused. “Isn't that enough for you?”
Camryn shook her head in disbelief. “Whatever.”
________________________________________________________________
Lana started unloading the books that Gunther had given her and stacking them on a table inside the library, the location for her and Camryn's book club. Camryn brought another box of books and sat in on the table, unloading this one herself.
“I hope we have a good turn out,” Camryn said.
“Cammie, are you okay?” Lana said. “You've just seemed...a bit different the past few days.”
“I'm fine,” Camryn replied.
“Are you sure?” Lana asked. “If something's wrong, then you can tell me.”
“Everything's just peachy,” Camryn said as she turned her attention back to the books. “And even if it wasn't, right now wouldn't be a good time to talk about it. After all, we have to get ready for our club.”
“Well,” Lana said. “That doesn't sound like anything is wrong at all.”
“Excuse me,” a male student asked as he stood in the doorway, a piece of paper in his hand. “Is this the Wednesday Afternoon Book Club?”
“It is,” Lana said. “Come on in and have a seat.”
As the student walked in and took a seat, a few more students started to file in a take seats at the tables as well.
“Wow,” Camryn said as she looked around, her hands on her hips. “It looks like a pretty good turn out so far.”
Lana nodded, doing a head count of students. “Yep. Twenty-seven students, not counting ourselves.”
“I can't wait,” Nicole said as she passed Lana, smiling.
“Well, where do we begin?” Camryn asked as she looked at Lana.
“Excuse me,” Carmen said as she walked into the library and took a look around the room. “Miss Addison and Miss Monahan, may I speak to both of you, please?”
Lana nodded as she and Camryn made their way over to join Carmen. Carmen cleared her throat.
“I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that you have close down your club,” Carmen said. “NYADA's book of rules and traditions states that all clubs, unless it's a school board approved support group such as Survivors of Sexual abuse, must be related to one of the arts that is taught at NYADA. Seeing as the only writing classes we teach are songwriting, screenplays, and stage plays, book clubs are not allowed.”
“That's unfair,” Camryn said. “Writing is writing and that should be all that matters.”
“Not here at NYADA, Miss Monahan,” Carmen replied. “I agree, a book club would be a good idea, but I don't have enough power and influence to veto a school board that is dead-set at upholding NYADA's rules and traditions. NYADA's board is very traditional and strict and many have tried to challenge them to no avail.”
“But surely there is something we could do,” Lana said.
“The school board has been bombarded with calls all day from a very wealthy and powerful father of a student at NYADA,” Carmen replied. “A father who has donated hundreds of thousand of dollars to NYADA, at that. The school board isn't going to jeopardize one NYADA's best supporters.”
Lana looked over at the door and peered through the window, spotting Krystal, who was watching them through the window in the door with a smug smirk on her face.
“Let me guess,” Lana said. “It was Richard Graham, wasn't it?”
“Miss Addison, I'm not at liberty to say who it was,” Carmen said. “The point is that the school board has ordered me to shut the club down. I'm sorry but my hands are tied.”
“This is so unfair,” Camryn said to Lana. “Do something.”
“Mrs. Tibideaux, you've taught us something at NYADA,” Lana said. “You've taught us to let our voices be heard and that through music, anything is possible. Well, I assume that goes for matters which we feel should be debated. Well, I shall debate with my voice, through music.”
Carmen raised an eyebrow as Lana turned to the other students, who watched them silently.
“We'll be singing when we're winning,” Lana sang. “We'll be singing.”
Lana jumped up onto a table, raising her fist to the sky as she led the other students in protest.
“I get knocked down but I get up again,” Lana sang as the other students joined in. “You're never gonna keep me down. I get knocked down but I get up again. You're never gonna keep me down.”
“Pissing the night away,” Camryn sang as she turned away from Carmen and joined the other students, who stood up from their seats and danced around the tables. “Pissing the night away.”
“He drinks a whiskey drink,” Lana sang as she stood on the table, looking down at the students who surrounded her. “He drinks a vodka drink, he drinks a lager drink, he drinks a cider drink. He sings the songs that remind him of the good times. He sings the songs that remind him of the better times.”
“Oh, Danny boy,” Camryn sang as she climbed up onto the table with Lana. “Danny boy, Danny boy.”
“I get knocked down but I get up again,” Lana and the other students sang as they began to jump up and down, pumping their fists in the air. “You're never gonna keep me down. I get knocked down but I get up again. You're never gonna keep me down.”
“Pissing the night away,” Camryn sang. “Pissing the night away.”
“He drinks a whiskey drink,” Lana sang. “He drinks a vodka drink, he drinks a lager drink, he drinks a cider drink. He sings the songs that remind him of the good times. He sings the songs that remind him of the better times.”
“Don't cry for me next door neighbor,” Camryn sang.
“I get knocked down but I get up again,” Lana and the other students sang as the other students threw sheets of paper into the air, like a rain of giant confetti. “You're never gonna keep me down. I get knocked down, but I get up again. You're never gonna keep me down. I get knocked down but I get up again. You're never going to keep me down.”
“Pissing the night away,” Camryn sang.
“I get knocked down but I get up again,” Lana and the students sang.
“Pissing the night away,” Camryn sang.”
“You're never going to keep me down.”
“Pissing the night away.”
I get knocked down but I get up again.”
“Pissing the night away.”
“You're never going to keep me down.”
“Pissing the night away.”
“I get knocked down but I get up again.”
“Pissing the night away,”
“You're never going to keep me down.”
As the song slowly faded to an end and the papers settled down to the floor, Carmen stood there with her arms crossed as she lifted her head and smiled proudly.
“Miss Addison, perhaps you're right,” Carmen said as Lana turned to face her. “I admire your tenacity and your willingness to dance upon my tables and stand up for something you believe in. There has to be a way and together, we'll find it.”
Lana smiled as she jumped off the table and rushed over to Carmen, hugging her.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Lana said as Carmen looked surprised.
________________________________________________________________
At five minutes until midnight, Chuck waited anxiously to see who would be his opponent for Midnight Madness. As each person entered the classroom, he looked at them and sized them up, disappointed as each one took a spectator's seat.
“You ready for eternal glory?” Nicole asked as she, Lana, and Camryn entered the classroom.
“I would say so,” Monique said from her seat. “We've been here for almost an hour.”
“Just wanted to make sure I got here early,” Chuck replied. “I can't wait. The excitement is killing me.”
“Big turn out,” Lana said as she looked around the room, looking over Miles as if we wasn't there when she noticed him in there as well.
“He actually turned up to support Chuck?” Nicole whispered to Lana. “Color me surprised.”
As Chuck watched the door, Logan walked in and instead of taking a seat, he approached Chuck.
“That explains it,” Lana said flatly.
“I asked for a challenge and they send me you,” Logan said. “This should be easy. I'm a Broadway baby so I will wipe the floor with you.”
“I wouldn't count him out just yet,” Monique said. “He's going to mop the floor with you.”
“Your girlfriend?” Logan asked Chuck as he pointed at Monique. “Or did you just make a point to bring your own personal cheerleader?”
“He has more than one of those,” Nicole said. “Go Chuck!”
Logan smiled. “So do I.”
Logan winked at Krystal, Madison, and Joelle as they waved back at him, smiling. Logan turned back to Chuck and sized him up.
“Need a step-stool so you can look me in the eye?” Chuck asked, dissing him.
“I break bean poles like you on a regular basis,” Logan sneered.
“Are we going to stand here trash talking all night or are we going to get the show on the road?” Chuck asked. “Are you stalling because you know I'm going to humiliate you?”
Logan scoffed. “As if, Chuckie.”
“Don't call me that,” Chuck said as he looked at the band a nodded at them.
“Oh, this is going to be good,” Logan said as he loudly smacked his gum.
“There was a time when men were kind,” Chuck sang as Logan crossed his arms and acting unimpressed. “When their voices were soft and their words inviting. There was a time when love was blind and the world was a song and the song was exciting. There was a time, then it all went wrong. I dreamed a dream in time gone by.”
“I have dreamed that arms are lovely,” Logan sang as he threw his gum in the trash and walked around Chuck.
“I dreamed that love would never die,” Chuck sang.
“I have dreamed what a joy you would be,” Logan sang.
“I dreamed that God would be forgiving,” Chuck sang.
“I have dreamed every word you whisper,” Logan sang.
“Then I was young and unafraid,” Chuck sang. “So dreams were made and used and wasted.”
“When you're close, close to me,” Logan sang. “How you look in the glow of evening.”
“There was no ransom to be paid,” Chuck sang. “No song unsung, no wine untasted.”
“I have dreamed and enjoyed the view,” Logan sang. “In these dreams, I love you so.”
“But the tigers come at night,” Chuck sang. “With their voices soft as thunder as they tear your hope apart and they turn your dream to shame.”
“That by now I think, I know what it's like to be loved by you,” Logan sang. “I will love being loved by you.”
“He slept a summer by my side,” Chuck sang. “He filled my days with endless wonder. He took my childhood in his stride, but he was gone when autumn came. And still I dream he'll come to me. That we will live the years together, but there are dreams that cannot be and there are storms we cannot weather.”
“Alone and awake, I've looked at the stars,” Logan sang. “The same, that smile on you. And time and again, I've thought all the things that you were thinking too.”
“I had a dream my life would be so different from this hell I'm living,” Chuck sang.
“I have dreamed that arms are lovely,” Logan sang.
“So different now from what it seemed,” Chuck sang.
“What it's like to be loved by you,” Logan sang.
“Now life has killed the dream I dreamed,” Chuck sang.
“I will love being loved by you,” Logan sang.
As the song ended, the students all stood up and applauded for Chuck and Logan. Logan looked at Chuck, his nose in the air as if he was clearly superior. Chuck glared back at Logan, thinking he was way too full of himself.
“I do believe you know what time it is,” Logan said to Chuck before he turned to the students. “Now, it used to be that there was an impartial mediator, but now things are a bit different. We will vote by a show of hands. All in favor of me, raise your hands.”
A flurry of hands shot up and Chuck felt his stomach sink a bit. Logan began counting hands.
“Seventeen,” Logan said. “Double count, Chuck.”
Chuck counted each hand, coming to seventeen as well. He nodded at Logan.
“I can dig that,” Logan said.
“All in favor of me, raise your hand,” Chuck said.
Lana, Camryn, Monique, Nicole, and a bunch more students all raised their hands in favor of Chuck. Chuck counted each one carefully.
“Seventeen as well,” Chuck said. “You can double count, Logan, but it looks like we have a tie.”
“Not exactly,” Logan said as Chuck and his friends looked shocked. “Someone hasn't voted yet.”
Lana and Nicole began to look around, trying to figure out who hadn't voted. Miles sunk down a bit in his chair, hoping not to be noticed. Lana rolled her eyes.
“Figures,” Lana said.
“Miles, who's it going to be?” Logan asked. “Me or Chuck?”
“Why are you putting me on the spot?” Miles asked.
“If you come to watch, you're supposed to vote and you haven't voted,” Logan replied. “We have a tie, and Midnight Madness can't end in a tie. It's time for you to pick.”
Miles sighed as he thought it over. Chuck looked at Miles hopefully, but Miles diverted his gaze as he gave his verdict.
“Logan,” Miles said.
Lana shook her head in disbelief as Logan smiled and his friend began to cheer loudly. Camryn reached over and took Lana's hand, holding it tightly.
“Well, looks like I'm the winner,” Logan sneered. “Too bad, Chuckie. Eat your vegetables and pay attention in class and maybe one day, many years in the future, you might be as good as me...if you're lucky.”
Krystal, Madison, and Joelle laughed at Logan's remark as Chuck felt anger swelling up inside him. Chuck clenched his fist so tight that his knuckles turned white and his fingernails dug into his palms.
“Thanks, Miles,” Logan said, taunting Chuck with his formal friend. “After all, us Broadway stars have to stick together.”
“You know something?” Chuck asked, turning to face Logan.
“Uh oh,” Lana said.
“Miles may be a 'Broadway star' now, but you're not,” Chuck said. “Your last role on Broadway was when you were ten! Now, you're just a Broadway has-been!”
The look that crossed Logan's face showed that he had clearly snapped. He made his way over to Chuck and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, slamming him over a desk and pinning him down as he pulled his fist back, ready to hit Chuck.
“Logan!” Shayne shouted as she stood in the doorway. “Don't you dare! Let him up and get going—all of you. This Midnight Madness is over!”
“You're safe for now, Chuckie,” Logan said, almost snarling. “But one day, I'll get you. Shayne can't protect you outside of NYADA.”
As Logan stormed out, he snapped his fingers and Krystal, Madison, Joelle, and finally Miles got up and followed him out the door.
“You've changed!” Chuck called to Miles.
________________________________________________________________
Lana took a deep breath as she reached up and knocked on Carmen's door. Carmen cleared her throat.
“Come in,” Carmen called.
“Mrs. Tibideaux, I had an idea,” Lana said.
“Go on, Miss Addison,” Carmen said as she peered over her papers.
“What if a club could pull in more money for the school?” Lana asked. “Would the school board allow it then?”
“Perhaps,” Carmen said. “Did you have a way for your book club to bring in money for NYADA?”
“I will start off with a two hundred dollar for the library up front,” Lana replied. “And I will also donate my entire paycheck for the next two weeks. Consider it a starter gift. Our club will also donate all the books I got from Books N Beans and any more books they take out of inventory. And, Camryn and I will also host yearly fundraisers to help expand the library. We feel that even though NYADA is a school for the fine arts, that the library should include more than just books that reflect that. The library should have more than just sheet music, musician biographies, and music-related fiction and non-fiction. Our students need more than just the fine arts to survive in life. Reading is important, Mrs. Tibideaux. It's fundamental for personal growth and knowledge.”
“Your idea is admirable,” Carmen said. “Lana, I wholeheartedly agree with everything you've said since yesterday afternoon, but I can't just go changing NYADA traditions without permission from the school board.”
“More kids need to be interested in books,” Lana said. “NYADA teaches so much, but it lacks that certain something when you sit down with a good book and get transported to another world. Books can paint pictures, entire worlds. They can engross you and pull you in. Music is the same way. Books and music go hand-in-hand. And I promise to work songs and music into the club as well.”
“Well, if you say that,” Carmen said. “If you can build a bridge between books and music and include music and performance in your club, then it technically does relate to the things we teach at NYADA. I'll tell you what, Miss Addison. Keep your paychecks and we'll take the two hundred dollar donation, the donation of books, and your music idea. Now, your book club follows the rules set forth by the school board and benefits the school. Also, if anyone else tries to dispute it, we'll fight it all the way to the school board.”
“Thank you,” Lana said. “I appreciate it, Mrs. Tibideaux.”
“Lana,” Carmen said. “You are a very smart, mature girl and I admire your conviction. I am proud to have you as a student here at NYADA and I look forward to seeing what all you bring during your time here at NYADA.”
Carmen stood up and walked to Lana, taking her in her arms and hugging her tightly.
“This time, I get to hug you,” Carmen said. “Lana, you make me proud.”
“I try,” Lana said.
________________________________________________________________
Outside Carmen's office, Camryn watched as Hallie sat outside. The door opened and Lana walked outside. Hallie stood up and walked over to Lana.
“How did it go?” Hallie asked.
“Our book club has been saved,” Lana said. “I want to thank you for your idea, Hallie. You really helped me out with your idea.”
“No problem,” Hallie said. “I guess I owed it to you after what all I did. I hope we can consider things even and I hope that offer to be your friend again still stands.”
“Always,” Lana said as she put her hand out for Hallie to shake.
Hallie took Lana's hand and shook it firmly.
“Friends,” Hallie said.
“Friends,” Lana agreed.
“Well, I had better get going,” Hallie said as she looked at Lana and then Camryn. “Bye, guys.”
Lana turned to Camryn, who looked visibly upset. Lana walked over and took Camryn by the hand, but Camryn pulled her hand away.
“She helped you?” Camryn asked. “You needed help and you didn't ask me, you asked her?”
“Hallie is good at these type of things,” Lana said. “And she came to me with the idea.”
“Because she's trying to tear us apart!” Camryn shouted, tears streaming down her cheek. “Can't you see, Lana?”
“She's not,” Lana said. “She's just trying to be our friend. What's going on?”
“Your friend,” Camryn said, her voice breaking. “Lana, I can't do it anymore. You have to choose who it is you wanna be with: me or her.”
“Camryn, that's ridiculous,” Lana said, shaking her head. “You know who I wanna be with.”
“Call your girlfriend,” Camryn sang. “It's time you had the talk. Give your reasons. Say it's not her fault but you just met somebody new. Tell her not to get obsessed, second-guessing everything you said and done. And then, when she gets upset, tell her how you never meant to hurt no one. Then you tell her that the only way her heart will mend is when she learns to love again. And it won't make sense right now but you're still her friend and then you let her down easy.”
Lana looked confused, trying to grasp what Camryn was singing about. Camryn slung her duffel bag over her shoulder and started to walk around Lana.
“Call your girlfriend,” Camryn sang. “It's time you had the talk. Give your reasons. Say it's not her fault but you just met somebody new. Don't you tell her how I give you something that you never even knew you missed. Don't you even try and explain how it's so different when we kiss.”
Camryn turned away from Lana and started walking down the hall as she felt her heartbreaking. Fighting back tears, she continued to sing as she headed toward a staircase.
“I really wish Jaxon was here right now,” Lana said, sighing.
“You just tell her that the only way her heart will mend is when she learns to love again,” Camryn sang. “And it won't make sense right now but you're still her friend and then you let her down easy. Call your girlfriend. It's time you had the talk. Give your reasons. Say it's not her fault but you just met somebody new and now it's gonna be me and you.”
Camryn stopped at the top of the steps, sure she was out of Lana's sight so that Lana couldn't see her breaking down even more.
“And you tell her that the only way her heart will mend is when she learns to love again,” Camryn sang, crying. “And it won't make sense right now but you're still her friend and then you let her down easy. Call your girlfriend. It's time you had the talk. Give your reasons. Say it's not her fault. Call your girlfriend. It's time you had the talk. Give your reasons. Say it's not her fault but you just met somebody new.”
Camryn felt a hand on her shoulder and as she turned around, she saw Lana standing there on the stairs.
“Stop,” Lana said, taking Camryn's hand. “I don't choose Hallie. I chose you...there isn't even anything to choose. It's you, it's always you. There is no question, Cammie. I love you. When I was with Hallie, it couldn't stop the darkness inside me. But you, you sent that darkness away and filled it with light. Camryn, you saved my life. You are the reason I live. You are my reason to breathe. You, not her. I love you more than anything else in this world and I live for you. I would die for you without hesitation.”
“But...but this,” Camryn said as she pulled the diary out of her duffel bag.
Lana took the diary out of Camryn's hand and opened it, reading over the pages. Lana looked up, confused.
“This isn't Hallie's diary,” Lana replied. “I know Hallie and this is not her handwriting. She dots her I's with hearts and her Y's have a little slant to them. I don't know who wrote this, but it wasn't Hallie. Where did you find this?”
“Someone left it for me outside the apartment,” Camryn said. “It was in an envelope.”
“Whoever sent this was trying to break us up and start a feud between you and Hallie,” Lana said. “Do you know anyone who would want to do that to you?”
Camryn shook her head. “No, not that I can think of.”
“Well, I do,” Lana said she led Camryn down the hall.
Lana finally saw who she was looking for and she marched over and grabbed Krystal, whipping her around and pushing her up against her locker as she held the diary in her face.
“Why did you do this?” Lana asked. “Not enough that you had to try and get our book club shut down, you had to try and break me and Camryn up? You think it's funny to forge this and send it to her?”
“I didn't do that,” Krystal replied. “I admit that I got my father to call and get your stupid book club shut down, but I didn't do anything else.”
“I don't believe you,” Lana said. “And why should I?”
Krystal snatched the diary out of Lana's hand and opened it. She looked over the page and saw some evidence to defend her innocence.
“These smudges are from where a hand smeared the ink before it dried while writing,” Krystal said. “The smudges show a bend to the left, which indicates the fingers bent to the left. Fingers on the right hand bend to the left while writing. I'm left-handed, which means my fingers bend to the right while writing. Therefore, I can't be the person who wrote this. The person you are looking for is right-handed.”
“She's right,” Camryn said. “I just noticed that.”
“Then who wrote this?” Lana asked.
“I don't know,” Krystal said. “But kindly take your arms off me and let me go!”
Lana let go of Krystal, who yanked away and smoothed the wrinkles out of her clothes.
“You freak,” Krystal said as she grabbed her duffel bag and ran off, leaving Lana and Camryn standing there.
“I'm sorry,” Camryn said as she looked at Lana. “I just love you so much.”
Lana smiled as she pulled Camryn to her and held her tightly.
“It's okay,” Lana said. “Everything is going to be alright.”
________________________________________________________________
Later that afternoon, Lana and Camryn walked hand-in-hand into the theater for Glee Club. They took their seat near Hallie, who smiled at them warmly.
“Chuck!” Nicole shouted as Chuck walked in, his eye blacked badly.
“Oh my god!” Monique said as she jumped up and ran to Chuck. “Who did this to you?”
“It was Logan Campbell,” Chuck said as he looked around and noticed that Miles was nowhere to be found.
“We should report him to Carmen,” Nicole said, joining Chuck and Monique.
“There's nothing she can do,” Chuck said. “It didn't happen at school.”
“Was Miles in on it?” Lana asked.
Chuck shook his head. “No, Logan was alone. I was on my way home from Slice of Heaven and when I was about to board the subway, Logan blindsided me. He pinned me down and punched me in the face. I tried to fight back, but a couple of guys broke us up and Logan ran off.”
“I'll kill him,” Lana said.
“No,” Chuck said. “Not only is this my battle, but you have enough going on and I don't want to pile more on you. Logan will get his, I'll make sure of it.”
“So there's nothing we can do?” Monique asked.
“Not really,” Chuck said. “But, in spite of everything, the show must go on.”
Onstage in the NYADA theater, New Horizons stood, spotlights on each of them as they waited for the music to begin. Once it began, Tyler stepped forward, the spotlight following him.
“Empty spaces,” Tyler sang. “What are we living for? Abandoned places. I guess we know the score. On and on, does anybody know what we are looking for?”
“Another hero, another mindless crime,” Nicole sang as she walked forward to join Tyler. “Behind the curtain, in the pantomime. Hold the line, does anybody want to take it anymore?”
“The show must go on,” New Horizons sang. “The show must go on, yeah.”
“Inside my heart is breaking,” Johanna sang as she joined Tyler and Nicole. “My make-up may be flaking, but my smile still stays on.”
“Whatever happens, I'll leave it all to chance,” Jaxon sang as the scene faded to Lima, where Jaxon walked down the halls of McKinley. “Another heartache, another failed romance. On and on, does anybody know what we are living for?”
“I guess I'm learning,” Chuck sang as the scene faded back to NYADA. “I must be warmer now. I'll soon be turning, 'round the corner now.”
“Outside the dawn is breaking,” Wyatt sang as he walked through the door and toward the stage as Lana smiled at him. “But inside in the dark, I'm aching to be free.”
Wyatt walked onto the stage and Lana reached out and pulled Wyatt close to her. The scene then faded to back in Lima, where Jaxon and James walked together up the driveway of Jaxon's house.
“The show must go on,” Jaxon and New Horizons both sang. “The show must go on.”
“Inside my heart is breaking,” Johanna sang as the scene faded back to NYADA. “My make-up may be flaking, but my smile still stays on.”
“Yeah,” Jaxon sang. “Oh whoa, whoa. My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies. Fairytales of yesterday will grow but never die. I can fly, my friends.”
“The show must go on,” Jaxon and New Horizons sang. “The show must go on.”
“I'll face it with a grin,” Chuck sang. “I'm never giving in. On with the show.”
“I'll top the bill, I'll overkill,” Tyler sang.
“I have to find the will to carry on,” Nicole sang.
“On with the, on with the show,” New Horizons sang. “The show must go on.”
As the song ended, the stage went black.
________________________________________________________________
Lana and Camryn were in an alley outside Books N' Beans as they stood over a metal trashcan with a fire raging in it. On the other side of the can, there were a few homeless people.
“I'm so sorry for not coming to you first,” Camryn said as she looked at Lana.
“It's okay,” Lana said as she took the diary and threw it into the fire. The fire grew a bit bigger, delighting the homeless people.
Lana put her arm around Camryn and pulled her close for a second, holding her tightly as she watched the fire destroy the diary. Camryn pulled free from Lana and grabbed a box. She reached into the box and started passing out leftovers from the Spotlight Diner to the homeless people.
THE END
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