Chapter 1
The Five-Lion-college of performing arts is one of the most prestigious colleges in the world and is well known for its excellent theater education. But not only classes in performing arts, like acting, dancing or singing (in terms of musical theater) are provided by this school, you can also study technical theater and you can learn how to be a director of a play, tailor, make-up artist, or stage manager. Under the slogan "Everything theater" young talents are being taught by experts in various subjects and get prepared for the world of showbusiness.
Sunday, August 30
Keith's POV
It was the beginning of yet again another year of college and even though the first day is always a day full of changes it's somehow still the same. New people arrive and others are nowhere to be found since they graduated last year. You could call it a small circle of life if you may. Or you could just call it college. It is nothing compared to what life could hold for each of these people after they finished school. And to be honest, Keith is not here for the typical, wild college-life anyways. He is here to become a musical-theater-actor and not to get drunk or high every Friday night or go from party to party. Keith doesn't have time for that, even though Shiro would like him to have more fun and go live his life. But seriously what is the point of going to a party, which is full of people Keith either doesn't like or doesn't know? He is fine with having fewer friends who actually know him than having a ton of fake friends.
Now that he thinks about it, where is everybody? They wanted to meet in front of the dorm buildings 10 minutes ago but nobody is here. Keith checks his phone, but there were no new messages. Just one notification in the group chat from Hunk, asking if he should bring some snacks. Keith didn't bother to answer earlier. Suddenly he is being pushed on the floor. What the hell? He looks up and sees a small person with a tower of boxes in their hand that block their face completely. 'No wonder they bumped into me if they can't see' Keith thinks as he watches the person, who seems to have lost their balance. Now they start stumbling around, probably because of the impact when they walked into Keith. As Keith tried to stand up again, the other one fell straight forward and landed directly on top of him. Now that that the both of them, plus the boxes, are lying on the floor, Keith could actually see the face of the person. Well if that wasn't a surprise.
"Pidge? What the actual fuck!?"
"Wait, Keith? Oh my god, it's you!"
Pidge quickly jumps off Keith. "Sorry, but I just didn't want to go twice...". "Well next time you do that, try to fall onto somebody different, okay," Keith says with a straight face, but then gave her a small smile and Pidge walks over to hug him as tightly as if they haven't seen each other in years, but in reality, it has only been a few weeks. The two of them are friends since childhood. Pidge is now attending the Five-Lions-College as well. But she isn't an actress, singer or dancer, she is going to be studying technical theater. And she lives in the same dorm building as him, too. Keith and Pidge start to pick up her boxes. Keith is very thankful for his friendship with Pidge. She helped him through some tough times. You have to know they didn't meet under the best circumstances. Keith's father just died and his mother, a music director, was away for a year on an orchestra- tour around the world. At that time Keith lived with Shiro and his parents. Being still very depressed, mourning his dad, and missing his mother Keith was breaking off all contact with everyone, but still, Pidge managed to always find a way back into Keith's life. And now they are stuck with each other. She's like a little sister to Keith.
"Are you excited? Tomorrow is your first day, right?" Keith asks her, but already knowing the answer anyway. "Duh, of course, I am. I mean think about all the great equipment I will be able to work with. It seems like heaven. Do you know this college has some of the best soundboards ever made in the entire US?" Pidge replies. She always has this sparkle in her eyes when she talks about technical stuff. Keith really doesn't have a clue about these things, but it's nice to see Pidge that happy. "And Matt told me that he will make me part of his tech-crew in the final play of the seniors!" Well, now that is strange. Normally the first meetings of the seniors about their play are held in the first week of classes. How could Matt possibly know, that he is going to be the Technical Director? Shiro didn't mention anything about a change of plans... "Wait did you just say his tech-crew? Did they already make plans for the play?". "Well I don't know much, did Shiro mention nothing?". Keith just opens his mouth to answer as Shiro and Matt come around the corner. Shortly behind them are Hunk, Shay, and Lance. They all were laughing about something.
"Hello, guys! Sorry, we're a bit late, but we were stuck in traffic." Hunk said as he was giving Pidge and Keith a hug. Keith doesn't really like hugs or physical contact in general, but Hunks hugs never bothered him. Must be because of Hunk's positive spirit, they never fail to make Keith smile."Oh and Romelle, Allura and Adam said they were not going to make it because they had some kind of meeting with the principal. But they will join us later." added Shiro. Lance walks up to them and quickly ruffles through Pidges hair "Hey Pidgeon!" he said. Then he looks at Keith, glares at him, takes a step back.
"Mullet.,"
"Lance."
Lance doesn't exactly like Keith. Keith does, in fact, not know the reason for that. Lance just always had some kind of problem with him, but never mentioned what it was. Well and Keith never asked. It's not like they hate each other, but they aren't friends either. It is kind of confusing and sometimes very awkward since they are in the same friend group, but as long as they don't interact privately, everything is fine. Because when they are alone they tend to argue. A lot. Luckily Shiro broke the tension.
"O-kay…. How about we help Pidge to get her things up to her dorm?"
"Great idea! Pidge did you already meet your roommate?" Shay asks Pidge who is busy handing out boxes to each of the friends. "Nope, but I know she is a freshman, too. So there's that" Pidge replies "She is also a major in stage management.". "Tell me if she's cute after you meet her, okay Pidgey?" Lance asks and Keith can't possibly tell if he is serious or joking. "Lance, I am not going to be your wingman. Also didn't Nyma just break up with you? I always had the impression you were still really hung up on her."."Ouch. And here I thought we were friends Pidge...I expect that from Keith, but you? I am not here to be reminded of my ex-girlfriend!" Lance whines. Well if Lance has to drag him into this... "Which one?"Keith teased. At that Lance shoots around and stares at Keith, who on the other hand just stood there with a smirk on his face. Before Lance could say anything Shiro already shouted from the door of the dorm building: "Guys, are you coming? These boxes won't carry themselves upstairs.".
With that everyone made their way to Pidges dorm and helped to set up everything. Sometime after they were finished her roommate also arrived, but to Lance's disappointment and Keith's amusement, she didn't come alone. Her girlfriend helped her to unpack.
Later that day the friends all went to a nearby diner, to celebrate Pidges arrival at Five-Lion's. Keith is sad to admit it, but he has to give Lance credit for that idea. Romelle, Allura and Adam also finally joined them. After they had sat down at a table and had finished ordering, Allura stood up. "Everyone, we seniors, that is Romelle, Shiro, Matthew, Adam, Shay and I, have an announcement to make. As you all know, this year we all will graduate from Five-Lion's. And as sad as it makes us knowing we only have one year left to spend with our friends, we are very excited about the next 12 months because we can work on our own play. This is probably no new information for you either, but this play-our play, will be something very special and we wanted you to be the first people to know. Normally only the seniors are the ones performing and directing that play. This includes the jobs of tailors, make-up-artists, stage managers and so on. But we decided this year will be different. There will be open auditions for some parts! By that, I mean that each of you, or well each person attending our school can be a part of this production. We also offer the positions of assistants for the "not-performing-jobs". We wanted to allow young talents to experience what their future could look like. All further information will be given out tomorrow for the whole school, but we just couldn't wait!" Allura has not yet been sitting down completely and everyone at the table is already talking and asking questions. Okay, now his conversation with Pidge makes sense. They must've quite a several meetings about this already to plan all of this. Keith isn't very surprised by this, the class of Shiro and the others has always been really organized and a bit overexcited. But the fact that Matt already knew he was going to be Tech-Director makes Keith wonder, if the other ones already had a fixed position too and what is exactly the reason for these changes? Seems like the others had the same question on their minds because shortly after he finishes that thought Pidge asks: "I mean I think this is fucking great, but why do you even do all this stuff? And do all seniors even get to be a part of this production, if everyone else can audition, too?". "Well, most seniors do. One of the reasons why we offer that many positions to the lower classes is, that not enough people wanted to work voluntarily on
a play. You know that is a hell lot of work and we are graduating this year. Most people want to focus on their studies, even if they would get extra credit. So we made the decision only those who really want to be part of this production should work on it. Almost all the seniors that wanted to join already have their part, we had a different kind of audition. But those parts, that couldn't be filled are open for audition." Romelle explained. "Does that mean all of you already know what part you are going to be?" Keith now asked and Adam was the first one to answer "Actually yes, all of us know our parts. Allura is the Choreographer, Shiro the Stage-Manager, Matt is the Tech-Director, I am the Wardrobe Chief. Romelle and Shay are both acting. If I am not mistaken they got their dream parts, right?" "Yes! I would love to tell you exactly which role, but then we would have to tell you the name of the play as well. And that would be unfair to the others." Shay says, with an apologizing smile on her face. It is probably directed to Hunk, who seemed to be very curious about that exact information. By that time all of their food arrives at the table the topic was already dropped. They had conversations about multiple things at this point, like about the new Dance-teacher and they gave Pidge a quick crash course about the campus. But somehow Lance did not get that message, because in the middle of the conversation Lance started to babble about the play again "But it is going to be a musical, right? Please tell me it's a musical! I really want to dance, sing and act at the same time. I am so excited we all will be in one production, that has never happened before and it's time we get the opportunity!" Keith wants to know where the guy gets his confidence. He doesn't even know what play it is and he is already talking about it as if he made the auditions. But that's Lance-thinks-he-is-the-best-thing-on-earth-Mcclain. Well, who is Keith to judge? "Yes, Lance it indeed is a musical. And we all hope every one of you can be part of this." Shiro reassured Lance. Lance seemed to be satisfied with that answer and continued eating his fries as the actual conversation was picked up again. Keith simply rolled his eye. Lance could really get on his last nerve sometimes by just being his usual annoying self, couldn't he?
Lance's POV
After they finished their meals the group met outside of the diner. Everybody said their goodbyes and they parted their ways. Shiro and Keith walked home together as usual since they are roommates. But this time Pidge joined them as well. Adam left together with Matt for whatever reason and so did Allura, Shay and Romelle. That only left him and Hunk. "Huuuunk, I am your best friend, right?" Lance asked again in a very high pitched tone. Hunk, who just made a move towards his car, turned around and looked at Lance. "Yes, you are Lance. Why?". "Do I always have to have a reason to ask this question?" Lance replied, walking to Hunk. He stopped right in front of him and made his puppy dog eyes. Hunk let out a loud sigh "Let me guess you want me to give you a ride home?". There was a long pause before Lance threw himself dramatically on his knees "Huuuuunk, please! I don't want to take the bus!! Oh please, my bestest of best friends, I do whatever you want!" he begged. Hunk looked around and realized that people were staring. This is not very surprising given the fact that they were in the middle of a parking lot of a well-known diner. "Okay Lance please stand up again, people are looking" Hunk whispered uncomfortably. "I don't care! I'd do all it takes to get you to drive me, even if people stare at me!" Lance continued. "Okay buddy, You'd do everything, right? Well, how about you stand up. And stop whining… Then I will drive you.". At that, Lance stood up without saying a word and only grinned at Hunk, who just shook his head. They went to the car and got in. "You know, as much as I love you, Lance, you can be such a drama queen." Hunk mumbled and started to drive. Lance didn't reply but looked as if he was very proud of himself. He turned on the radio and started to stare out of the window. Lance loves the way to his families house, It was a bit far outside of the city, which is sometimes very annoying because he always has to take the bus, ask somebody to drive him, or has to wait until one of the cars of his parents is free (which is not very often) when he wants to go downtown. But he wouldn't give it up for anything.
Lance remembers when his family moved here from Cuba. At first, he didn't really like the idea of leaving all his friends and family behind, but the moment they drove down this road the first time, he was in love. If he remembers correctly it was a day just like this, but 10 years ago. The sun was setting slowly and you could see how with each minute the color of the sky shifted more from blue to a reddish tone. The water of the ocean reflected these colors in a wonderful, almost magical way. The last rays of sunshine made it sparkle and if you looked very closely you could even see some bigger fish swimming around at the surface. As they were driving past a small public beach, close to his future home, Lance could watch a couple who was climbing on top of some rocks. One of them seemed a bit more hesitant, so the other one held a hand out to them. As they reached the top they stood there for a while and admired the view, but they never let go of each other's hands. They sat down, arms wrapped around each other. They tilted their heads up the sky, were the first stars started to show up. Suddenly one of them was jumping up and pointed at the sky. But at that moment the car moved around a corner and younger Lance couldn't see what exactly they wanted to show their partner. It was so romantic! Even if it was ridicules he always liked to believe that this is what true love looked like-
Lance was snapped out of his memories when the car stopped abruptly. "And here we are," Hunk announced as he parked his car on the sidewalk next to Lances' house. When they were standing still again, Lance loosened his seat belt and opened the door to step outside. "Thank you for the ride Hunk." Lance started to walk towards the building as Hunk shouted: "No Problem. Tell your parents I said 'hi'! Oh yeah, and see you tomorrow." "Sure!"Lance replied, but Hunk had already driven off. 'Tomorrow' Lance thought to himself. That somehow filled him with so much excitement. Tomorrow he would finally be able to do what he loved with the people that he loved again. Is there something better in the world? Lance didn't think so. He hadn't been able to do this the whole summer and he certainly missed a lot. Dancing in his room, alone and singing under the shower was definitely not the same. Tomorrow is going to be a blast! And then there is the official announcement of the new play of the seniors, too. Double blast!
Monday, September 1st
And just like that Lance found himself in the Great-Hall, waiting for the announcement to start. Excitement would be an understatement of what he was feeling right now. Up until this moment, it has never been possible for all years to be together in one theater production at the Five-Lions. They were always rather strict about keeping students with different experiences separated, for multiple reasons Lance never fully understood. It's stupid anyway, but nothing that could be changed. Well up until now at least. Suddenly all the chatter around him stopped as Lotor, stepped up on the stage.
"Hello, my fellow students! My name is Lotor and as you all should know I am here to announce about this year's play of the senior class. Due to some unfortunate chain of events, we participants were a bit "understaffed". A lot of our classmates did not want to take part in this production, because of the extra work it would mean and others only wanted small parts. So we started to give the wanted positions to those who wanted them, but in almost every department we still need some extra help. And we would be honored to have some of you younger students join us. We will be offering parts for musical theater actors and dancers. Especially for ensemble-parts, but also the two main parts will be open for audition. In stage management, the mask, tech-crew, and also as my assistants in the direction you can apply as well.
The name of the play is „The Letter".
It's a rather unpopular piece, but I promise you that doesn't make it bad. Quite the opposite if I say so myself. It is about a boy named Kayden and how he finds himself in a rather unknown environment after a night in a bar. He is in love with a complete stranger – George. Both of them start to get to know each other and even though they are so different and they come from completely different worlds they get together. But nothing stays perfect. They and their relationship are challenged on multiple occasions. Especially because Kayden is actually from a mystical place, called the "underworld", whereas George is just a normal human beeing, trying to overcome his difficult past. Suddenly everything changes though when Kayden writes the fateful letter.
Right at this moment, the audition sheets are hung up at the blackboard. For the non-performers, you will find there the contact information for your applications. I wish you all the best of luck if you want to take part!"
Lance almost jumped out of his seat, as he heard the name of the play. His sister Rachel and he went to a performance a couple years ago and he knew right after the opening number that it was a masterpiece! And now he could be a part of it?! Oh and not just any part he could actually play a lead role? This had to be a dream. Just imagine Lance McClain as George Michigan.
He was the first one to run out of the room, down to the blackboard to put his name down.