“That’d be why, then. I was only hair and makeup for the leads during the show, otherwise I was building props.” So that was Abe. He was surprisingly good at both stage and normal makeup for someone that didn’t wear any, if the show last year was anything to go off of. “And I’m Abe.” He kept his arms crossed, nodding to Finn. The tight crowd had dissolved by then, their interest lost once it was clear that they wouldn’t be arguing.
Finn nodded. He hoped this interaction now was improving his relationship with Abe. It was one thing to not be friendly with a smaller role, even the ensemble. But with a lead, it was just very bad news. "Well, you did a great job with the sets and the make-up, I had wondered who had done the makeup for the leads last year." He smiled a little up at the tall man in front of him. He was also glad the crowd had dispersed.
“Mm, thanks. Practice makes perfect- and a lot of reference photos. I’ll probably end up helping this show too, after I get my own costume done.” Abe didn’t know what to think about Finn yet. Their relationship, to him, felt neutral, maybe a smidge negative, but nothing hateful yet. “For what it’s worth, I think you did well too. How does it feel to have a lead instead of being a side character?”
Finn smiled brighter, thanks to the compliment. "It feels like a dream, honestly. I find it crazier that I'm not even a senior, in a lot of cases, major roles are given to seniors before juniors. ((Not sure if that's how it is everywhere else lol, but that's how it is at my tiny ass school.)) Are you excited to be on stage this time instead of tech?" Finley was just glad Abe was still up to talk to him after the little hiccup earlier.
“Yeah, fuck seniority.” Abe snorted. “But a lot of the roles this year are sophomores, can you believe Brick got Jojo? As a freshman? They’re the first freshman to get the lead role in ten fucking years.” He shoved his hands in his pockets, rocking on his heels and nodding. “Yeah, it should be nice. I do love when all eyes are on me.” Abe laughed, his face lighting up.
"Oh man, I didn't realize they were only a freshman, I thought at least a sophomore. Props to them, honestly." Finn glanced over to Brick, getting a better look of them. He turned his attention back to Abe, laughing with him. "I like the attention when I'm on stage or in front of an audience, but not when everyone seems to stare at me in class or somethin'."
“Right? It’s impressive.” Abe sniffed, rubbing an eye. “That’s different, though. I don’t really mind either, but.. everyone’s different with that kinda shit.”
"Yeah, true." Finn nodded to himself. He noticed a few people start leaving, since the offical ending time for rehearsal had arrived. He wanted to go talk to his dance instructor again before she left, so he wanted to get going. But not quite yet. "I don't really want to bring it up again, but I'm really sorry for being late today. I'm not quite sure why I feel like I have to apologize to you specifically, but I do."
Abe nodded. “Itms fine, I guess. Just don’t let it happen again, or I’ll have your head on a silver platter.” He was only half joking. Abe clearly took this seriously, and most of the cast trusted him and his opinion about other people.
Finn smiled, almost nervously. "I'd expect nothing less. But as much as I'd love to stay and chat, I need to discuss some urgent things with my dance instructor before she leaves. I'll see you at rehearsal tomorrow, not a second late this time. I promise" He said, grabbing his backpack.
“Oh- uh- yeah, sure. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Abe was a little taken aback by the suddenness, but he was fine with it. After all, he had to drive Dot home and she wasn’t exactly the most patient girl in the world.
Finn gave Abe a quick wave before quickly dashing out of the door. Once again, he was running through the halls, a privilege only allowed after school. He got to the auditorium where the dance auditions took place and tried the doors, all of which were locked, meaning the instructor left. Sighing, he ran towards the office and main doors. Getting to said doors, he saw the instructor in the office, a breath of relief escaping his lips. He would wait until she left the office so he could catch his breath, and she seemed to be talking about something important.
“I‘ve been waiting for ages, hurry your ass up!” Dot complained, shoving Abe’s bag into his arms.
He laughed, slinging it over one shoulder and giving a quick wave to Ms Nobles before walking outside with the short girl. “I think I’m gonna stop by the drugstore on the way home. Pick up some snacks.”
“Oh, dude, fuck yeah!” Dot exclaimed, punching the air. She had a sort of puppyish energy to her. Something magnetic that just attracted attention, even if she wasn’t talking. “I’m hungry as hell!”
“You got money, honey?” Abe teased, tossing his backpack into the backseat of his beater before sliding into the driver’s side. “Because I’m not payin’ for ya right now.”
A little after Finley caught his breath, the instructor came out of the office. He rushed over to her, putting a smile on his face once he got her attention. "Hey… Ms. Walker, I need to let you know that for the next month-ish I have musical rehearsal right after school 'til around this time. Towards the end of the month-ish, we'll be going later, but I'll get more on that when the time comes. Anyway, what I'm saying is that I won't be to practice until around this time every day. I take the musical very seriously and I would rather not miss any days or be late any more days. And I know I say this every year, but I like reminding you and making sure you know. So yeah, that's all I needed to say."
Ms. Walker nodded while Finley talked, a smile on her lips. "Oh Finn, you really don't need to tell me every year, I know you have it and I know how special it is too you, I'd be surprised if you didn't do the musical. So, as always, it's okay, I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
Finn's smiled brightened and thanked her before heading out of the school. He walks home since it's pretty close, and he honestly is almost afraid of driving himself.
Dot scoffed, hopping into the passenger’s seat. “Uh, of course I do! Remember that family I babysit for? I made $250 off of them last week. Anniversary and all that jazz.”
Abe raised his eyebrows as he started the engine. “Jesus! It’s basically a full time job now, isn’t it? You paying taxes?”
“Fuckin’ no! It’s under the taaable.“ Dot’s voice was singsong as they drove out of the junior’s parking lot. “And lemme get the aux cord, yeah? I downloaded new songs I think you’ll like.” She snatched up the cord in question, plugging in her phone.
Finn had [insert a song from the musical] stuck in his head, so he ended up humming it as he continued down the sidewalk. He had listened to the songs ever since it had been announced, but it was a totally different thing when each person in the cast added their own little thing to it. That was one of the things Finn loved about doing musicals in high school.
Abe pulled into the drugstore parking lot, hopping out with Dot. He tugged his wallet from his pocket. “So- what’re you thinking about the cast so far? I’ve already got some issues with a few people.” He looked over the drinks fridge, pulling out a water and Dot got her hands on a Monster.
“Eh. I think we had better last year. But.. I mean- like- bigger cast means more assholes and noncommittal kids.” She shrugged.
Only a few minutes later, Finley made it home. He unlocked the door and opened it, only to instantly be surrounded by his family; mom, dad, older brother, and younger sister. They all had hopeful looks on their faces.
"SO! Did you get a lead?!" Asked his mother.
"Yeah yeah, what'd you get?!" Added his younger sister, Aria.
"Or did ya get ensemble?" Continued his older brother, Caden, with a little chuckle. His father stayed quiet, opting to wait until Finn responded to say something.
Finley giggled, listening to everyone. "Yeah, I got… drumroll please," He said, taking a dramatic pause. His family patted on their knees, complying with his request. "Horton!"
“I just wish Ms Nobles would kick them this time, though. She said missed one unexcused rehearsal gets you kicked out, but she’s too nice to actually go through with it, I think.” Abe groaned, grabbing a few snacks and heading to the cash register. Dot hummed in agreement, digging out a crumpled tenner and handing it to the cashier.
Abe continued on with his speaking. “It just fucks me up that people can be so blasé about this. I mean- we’re about to dedicate four months to this show, and some people don’t even have the decency to act right on their first day.” He wasn’t only talking about Finn- they already had issues with snarky little comments and soured attitudes (mainly from ensemble members).
Finley's family all clapped and congratulated him. He was still surprised to have gotten a lead as a junior. He also still felt bad about being late today. It was a good thing his last class was close to the drama classroom, so he was determined to be early to the rest of the rehearsals. Of course, that wasn't the only thing to make up for being late. But he never had a problem with working hard and having a good attitude, so at least there's that.
After a few more minutes, his family dissipated to do their own things. Finn went up to his room, starting to look over the lines he had missed and going over the ones he had been there for.
“I know! And I can’t believe that James got cast again! Don’t you remember all the shit he said to Dana and Lilli last show? I wish he’d gotten kicked out then and there.” Dot frowned, giving the cashier a small wave and a goodbye while she waited for Abe to finish ringing up his own stuff.
He grabbed the plastic bag, nodding his goodbye to the cashier as they walked out. “Trust me, I remember. I think I almost killed him for it.” He dug the water out of his bag, cracking it open as they walked to his car. “You want me to drop you off or you wanna come over? I’m good with either.” The two lived in the same neighborhood, meaning this type of this was easy.
(Should we TS to the next rehearsal or something?)
(Yeah, let's skip to the next rehearsal.)
That day Finn was not going to be late, he was determined. It's a good thing his class was close to the drama room. Once again, the second the bell rang, he bolted out of the classroom. It was nice having the door towards the back. He always sat closer to the back to it was perfect positioning. Less than a minute later, he got to the classroom. He saw only a few other people, Abe included. They were setting up the chairs in the familiar circle, so Finley went to help them after setting down his backpack.
The volume was a low chatter when Finn walked in. There were maybe 12 people in the class, most of which were trying to gather their things to leave as they pushed through the door. Abe and Ms Nobles were talking, though what exactly they were discussing wasn’t too clear. It honestly sounded like a bunch of jargon unless you were actively listening, but they were clearly discussing something.
Finn gave Ms. Nobles a small wave as to not interrupt her and Abe's conversation. He didn't bother listening to what they were saying, if he didn't hear his name or they didn't explicitly call him over, it wasn't his conversation to listen to. Once he and a couple of freshmen finished the circle, he went back to his backpack and pulled out his script.
“Let me know when the updated schedules come out! I gotta give one to my manager so he knows when I might be showing up a little late.” Abe gave Ms Nobles a thumbs up, going to sit down and dig out his script to study over.