Only one song this chapter, enjoy!

"Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson (which I don't own of course ;))

————————————————-

Sing Chapter 5

"Welcome to your new work space!"

"Won't you need this for something else? It's huge!"

"Nope, it's all yours. And the stage too, if anyone gives you any gripe about either, you come and find me. Got it?"

Abigail just stared at Buster with a smile. "Thank you." After he nodded she asked; "when am I starting the training?"

"I want an hour dedicated to both of our leads for their ballroom number each day, I want to start tomorrow to ensure they are ready. For the groups, I'd say two to three hours a day, but let me know if you need more or less."

"Sounds reasonable to start with." She nodded in agreement.

"Also, since the size difference is so large and they probably don't have a clue what they are doing, I'm splitting up Ash and Johnny's lessons to be one-on-one with you for the first few weeks."

Abigail suddenly choked and went into a brief coughing fit.

"Woah, you alright?" Buster rubbed her arm until she calmed.

"Fine, just fine." She cleared her throat. "Wouldn't it be better to let the actors get to know each other though?"

The redirection was not obvious at all.

"They already do, plus they already have plenty of time to during rehearsal, opening night is farther away then you think. Actually, they should be getting to know you first to be honest, and I think this will work great for that."

Abigail swallowed hard. "Yeah, Great."

Buster was completely oblivious to Abigail's inner struggles and steamed right along.

"I'll have a small desk to fit in that corner for you by tomorrow and some stage hands will hang some curtains around these windows to allow for some privacy."

Abigail noted the glass all around the space, which let anyone backstage look from pretty much every vantage point, including the sound booth that Johnny was currently rehearsing in by himself. Yes, the curtains would come in handy for sure.

"Here's your casting roster and schedule for the performers, is that some routines in your hand there?"

"Yup, all set." She wanted to smile again, but found she just couldn't. Everything inside was churning so much she was afraid of getting lost in the swell.

"Great! I'll be around if you need. Ash is set to be with you first tomorrow around 10. I'll catch up with you later!"

And then she was alone, just a giant ball of nerves. She refused to look anywhere outside of her space and decided the best way to de-stress was to start warming up. She just needed a song, a song with a catchy beat and lyrics that wouldn't let her mind wander, no emotion or critical thinking required.

Shifting through her music app and finding an mp3 compatible stereo along side the wall, she plugged in, moved to the center of the room and closed her eyes.

The song started up... and she began to tap her foot. When the lyrics kicked in she moved and left all thoughts stranded in the spot where she was previously standing.

'She was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene. I said don't mind, but what do you mean, I am the one...'

—————————————————

Why, oh why, did he decide to look up to the movement that caught his eye? Why did reflexes exist! Can they just... not decide to work for him?

"Look away, just look away." The words came out of his mouth, he only knew that from recognizing the voice that spoke them. Every other part of him however didn't listen to a single word.

Abigail was in the largest of the glass booths backstage. He saw her walking with Buster in his periphery but had the common sense to instead focus on his acting. However when he heard the faint pounding of a beat and saw a black blur, he instinctively glanced up, and hadn't looked away since.

She was amazing. She glided through the steps as if she was lighter than air. Whenever she would turn her face to him he found that her eyes were closed. It was just her and the music, and it was...beautiful.

A few of the stage hands had gathered to watch her dance as well, it seemed to prove a tempting distraction to more than just Johnny. His mind, his uncontrollable mind started wandering again. Suddenly he wanted to be the one holding onto the hand she currently had outstretched into the air. She did seem to be dancing with an invisible partner, and everything screamed at Johnny to be the one to fill that void.

More movement from out of his periphery caught his attention and he was grateful his motor functions started working again as he turned away. He locked eyes with Rosita, who gave him a smile, before turning her own attention onto Abigail. Johnny silently thanked her for the distraction and looked back down to his lines, turning his back onto her performance.

When the music died, he heard the muffled sounds of applause seeping into his booth next. Still he refused to look, the female was a siren and Johnny was a sinking ship lured in by her spell. The question was, how long could he tread water?

——————————————————

Rosita had been studying Johnny for several moments before he finally realized she was looking at him. In those precious moments she gleaned some very valuable insight.

It seemed her co-star had an instant crush on the choreographer, and judging by the complete attention he was giving her it was a pretty substantial one. Thankfully, her female co-stars caught wind of this attraction as well, so she had strength in numbers on her side. All of them agreed, if there was chemistry there, they sure as heck were not going to let it slip by. The two were going to need a push wether they wanted it or not, and Ash, Meena and herself were going to do it.

Rosita's plan was pretty standard. Step one: get to know the choreographer.

First things first, they had to make sure she wasn't a snobby, stuck-up who had no business being in a relationship with their sweet and sensitive friend. Abigail had to pass the friend test before they could proceed to step two. It just so happened that Rosita had just the plan to get to know her better.

She admired Abigail for a while as she danced, she really was very good at what she was hired to do and was almost excited for her training in the Be Our Guest number. When she finished her routine Rosita joined in with the others who applauded. Their clapping seemed to jar the girl out of her dance, she snapped open her eyes and gave a small sheepish smile as she realized she had an audience. She then gave a small playful bow to acknowledge their admiration. All good things, Rosita mentally checked off in her head. When the small crowd began to disperse, Rosita moved forward and entered into Abigail's booth.

"Rosita!" Abigail immediately responded when she recognized who came in. "Welcome to my corner of the theatre!"

Rosita smiled, so far, she was saying all the right things. "I just wanted to stop in and introduce myself, but I see you already know who I am!"

"Of course! You killed the opening number with Gunter with Shake It Off. I'm so glad you are able to be in the grand re-opening performance."

Before she could help herself, Rosita blurted "Do you want to join us for some lunch?"

She saw Abigail become a little taken aback at her forwardness, so quickly added, "I'd love to get to know you better and a few of us wanted to catch up."

"I'd love to, as long as I'm not imposing in on any reunions...?" She hesitantly agreed.

"Of course not! Meet us outside the entrance in 5 minutes?"

"Sounds great! Thanks!"

Rosita mentally hi-fived herself as she was walking away. Now, she had to find the girls and fill them in on the lunch date that was actually planned since this morning, and not suddenly decided upon by one conniving sow.

—————————————————

Getting changed out of her dancing clothes, Abigail sported a purple blouse and a pair of jeans. Simple, but socially acceptable. Running a little later than 5 minutes, she trotted down the aisle of the arena and launched herself out the front doors. She found Rosita there, socializing with Ash and Meena.

"Sorry about that. I didn't realize they decided to move the bathrooms when they rebuilt." She confessed.

"Not a problem!" Rosita waved it off, "have you met Ash and Meena yet?"

"Not formally," She shook both paw and foot, "but I watched both of your performances. I'm glad to finally meet you face to face."

"Likewise." Ash smiled

"It'll be good to get to know each other before we start working together." Meena affirmed.

"Can't wait, where are we heading?" Abigail asked the group.

"I was thinking just to Jojo's on 3rd Avenue - everyone ok with walking?"

"No argument here." Ash lead the girls away.

"So that was some dancing you did earlier - where are you from Abigail?" Rosita started.

"Actually I was raised here in the city." She began, "my mother was the choreographer for the New Moon Theatre when I was growing up. Even before it was actually The New Moon."

All three of Abigail's companions halted and turned towards her.

"Wait, for real?" Ash asked.

"Yup! I practically lived there as a kid."

"That's amazing," Meena added. "Did you know Nana Noodleman then?"

"Briefly! She was just about to retire when mum was hired. I was around 8. I remember her being a bit pretentious, but she was very kind to me. I think she respected my mother and I just kind of came with the territory."

"What happened then?" Rosita encouraged.

"Well, to sum up: Mum worked for Buster for around 10 years. Then the bankruptcy happened, and he couldn't continue to pay her. He let her go, and not long after that I got accepted into Madame Estelle's Academie out west."

"So, do you study mainly ballet?" Meena asked.

"In the Academie, yes, but mum taught me pretty much every style. I'm excited to start teaching the routines I've created for the musical."

The girls chatted the entire walk to the restaurant. Although it was only the first day on her new job, Abigail was hopeful that this was a good sign of things to come. It was, after all, a dream job.

What could possibly go wrong?

———————————————-

I tried to make sure I had a good timeline, hopefully I didn't muck it up...

Later gators, and thanks for the love!