Part 4
“Joey, why are we here?” Pacey was bored and squirming in his seat. And Joey was unfeeling towards his plight. And it was all her fault. They were sitting in the Capeside High School auditorium watching the Glee Club tryouts. They were going on the second hour of the Glee Club tryouts. Who even knew Capeside High had a Glee Club, let alone such a popular one.
“Pacey we are here because I’m doing extra credit for AP English. Take a school event and write a review. Remember?” Joey was annoyed as well, there was only so many times you could hear the croakings of pubescent boys who had decided to sing despite the rather tenuous control they held over their vocal chords at the moment.
“I remember Jo. We’re here to secure your Ivy covered future away from me. Damn it I remember,” Pacey snapped, revealing more than he would like to in his frustration.
“Pace?” Joey’s eyes widened in surprise. She bit her lip and wondered how to reassure him. How many ways could she convince him to believe, to hope? Instead, she opted for action. Slipping her hand in his, she squeezed firmly. He glanced down at her, regret and doubt in his eyes, as she planted a soft kiss on his lips. And Pacey smiled, insecurities momentarily quelled, while the new girl stepped out from the wings of the stage.
The Glee Club adviser had called Kaylen out moments earlier. “Kaylen Heather Roberts, your turn,” and here she was. Standing in front of a nearly empty auditorium. There was something sad about a theatre without an audience. Kaylie had always hated it. The echo that traveled back to her was louder, the truth of her own voice was louder. Empty theatres became a room filled with ghosts. All the angry ones, all the ones that made her want to turn around and held her feet firmly on the hard floor at the same time. Kaylie had never liked singing for anyone, but her parents had always told her she had a “gift.” And she had to share it. So here she was, in another room with only a handful of students and her parents. Her parents and Pacey. Watching him as she stepped up to the center of the stage, she felt her fingers tremble. And when she opened her mouth to sing, she was half tempted to scream.
Pacey felt stupid for upsetting Joey. Sometimes the words came out despite his best intentions. Trying again to stay interested in the audition process he noticed the shaking hands first. Other than that, Kaylie looked in control as always. Straight back, intense eyes, a determined chin. Really a very beautiful girl. Long brown hair that ended in curls, a small waist, delicate features. But he wasn’t prepared for the voice. The voice that began singing in the empty air. If he hadn’t been captivated he would’ve laughed at her choice of music. She was singing an Alanis Morisette song. And her eyes were dark and pained.
I went to your house, walked up the stairs,
I opened your door without ringing a bell,
walked down a hall into your room, where I could smell you
and I shouldn’t be here, without permission
shouldn’t be here
would you forgive me love
if I danced in your shower
would you forgive me love
if I laid in your bed
would you forgive me love
if I stay all afternoon?
This was the point when her parents coughed loudly. And frowned. Her mother looked up at her with obvious disappointment. Pacey and Joey were staring in surprise, both with aglimmer of admiration and worry. The Glee Club adviser was smiling. One girl in the choir would have a decent voice. Thank goodness. But was she stable? The words that came next echoed through the room, smacking Kaylie in the face, “Katie, sing Amazing Grace for them.” The voice belonged to a tall blonde boy with piercing green eyes. He appeared to be the same age as Kaylie and the rest of the teenagers, but he was another new face. Another unknown in the small town. Kaylie froze a little and her parents stood, two kind and elegant people on the verge....of something.
Kaylie’s mom was blonde and reminded Pacey of Andie. Sweet and smiling, tall and hopeful. Obviously in love with life. The anger and sadness on her face seemed at war with her natural temperament. Kaylie’s father reminded Joey of her own father. A man that had his failings. A man that Kaylie obviously took after in appearance. Mr.Roberts had excellent posture, dark hair, and deep brown eyes like his daughter. And he had clenched fists. And as Pacey and Joey watched the scene unfold they held on to each other a little tighter.
Kaylie opened her mouth to sing again, a tight lipped Amazing Grace, echoing through the room, dead and disbelieving, empty and hollow. Her composure regained, the performance was technically perfect and desperately lifeless. And the blonde boy was brimming with pride, clapping enthusiastically as she finished. Pacey realized this was what it sounded like when a tree fell and no one was around to listen to it. Joey shivered a little and snuggled closer to her boyfriend. The blonde boy had a quality to him that was a little too familiar. Kaylie exited the stage, stepping down the stair quickly, striding past her parents, and walking out with the blonde boy holding her pinned to his side affectionately.