The auditorium had mostly filled up while Finn had been talking. The center section was fully occupied, with only a few vacant seats. The edges were more open, but there were a few people sitting in every row right on to the back. The music started right away when the lights came down. A boy that Sarah didn't know hadn't joined the rest on the risers, instead stopping near the front of the stage where he started singing by himself. Sarah had heard the song before, it was familiar even if she couldn't place it. The song managed to be both energetic and sad, as he sang about reading the newspaper. The whole choir joined in when the song started repeating itself, adding harmonies and depth to the melody. Even though she couldn't pick out the soloist anymore, she could hear how it all worked together. Sarah closed her eyes and just let the live music wash past her.

The music paused for a moment, then launched into a song with a few voices going back and forth. Sarah felt her feet tapping, and even found herself almost singing along to the chorus as it bounced around - 'So shy' getting answered by 'Please don't leave me, girl.' The song's sentiments didn't touch her at all, but the words felt infectious.

On the third song, Sarah recognized Alexa's voice singing the solo. It was a soaring song in Italian, with the rest of the choir oohing and singing harmonies. Alexa's voice ranged up and down the scale, and Sarah could hear every inflection perfectly over the rest. Sarah smiled, she could see the green power in Alexa's voice, and it was clearly focused on her throat and chest. It was also, oddly to Sarah, concentrated in Alexa's ears - there was a prick of green glow that almost looked like a little Bluetooth headset in each of Alexa's ears.

And then, almost before Alexa's song was over the choir switched into a fast beat - an Elton John song that Sarah actually recognized. Her mom would play the song sometimes while she was cleaning. It would usually drive Sarah to her room, if not out of the house entirely. Instead of wincing in pain, Sarah found herself tapping and bobbing her head to the music. When they transitioned to a second Elton John song, Sarah even clapped along with the rest of the audience.

A moment of silence, and they launched into a slower, more emotional song. Sarah recognized this one too, well enough to have to stop herself from singing along to the chorus at first - the words, 'bright sunshiney day' were almost impossible to not sing out loud. She wasn't the only one, everyone sang along for the final chorus. Sarah was laughing at the experience, the way everyone in the room was really focused on just the music. The pep rallies and school performances she'd been forced to in the past were never like this.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Amidst the applause and cheers that followed each performance, Sarah couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to stand on that stage. The way Alexa and everyone stood and glittered up on stage in front of the audience was amazing, she'd never imagined holding attention like that. Not just holding attention, but blasting right through all the distractions and taking it.

During the last song, Sarah imagined herself standing up there, wearing the same shiny robes that captured the stage lights in little sparkly bursts. She could do that, stand on the risers in front of everyone. She might even like it. As the last song faded, Sarah imagined standing out front in a spotlight and singing on her own, and she suddenly stopped clapping. The auditorium had gotten warm, and sweat was prickling on her forehead. She clasped her hands together to stop them from shaking, she really wasn't used to clapping so much.

Some of the singers were walking down into the aisles, and audience members were standing up and mixing with the choir. Sarah stood up too, noticing that Finn had put his arm over the back of her chair at some point during the show. Without looking back, she wormed her way through the crowd until she found Alexa. Alexa spotted Sarah right away and gave her a hug before pointing out the people she was talking to.

"This is my mom and dad," said Alexa. "And this is Rob, my brother, and his girlfriend. And this is Steven, my other brother. He doesn't have a girlfriend."

"Shut up, Alexa," said Steven. "Nice to meet you, Sarah."

Sarah just nodded at him. She was trying to decide how much work she needed to put into remembering their names. But before she could say anything, they had excused themselves, just telling Alexa to be home by eleven.

By then, Finn had gotten through, but before he could say anything another voice chimed in, "Finn! You made it!" Bri pushed past Alexa and Sarah to wrap her arms around Finn in a big hug.

"Hi Bri," said Finn. He sorta patted Bri's back for a moment until Bri let go.

"Are you coming with us after? We usually go to Alma's after shows or late practices," she asked Finn.

"Alma's?" interrupted Sarah.

"Alma's is that diner, you know the one just off fourth? Like a block away from the school?" answered Alexa.

"Oh, yeah," said Sarah, even though she'd never noticed any restaurant anywhere near the school.

"I kinda already ate," said Finn.

"No worries!" said Bri. "We only ever get like fries or pie and stuff. It's not like there's anywhere else to hang out at night."

Finn took a little sideways step away from Bri and closer to Sarah. He said, "Well, I guess it's up to Sarah, I'm her ride tonight."

"I was planning on going. Alexa said she'd take me home anyways," said Sarah. Bri was staring so intently at Sarah that sparks might fly if they made eye contact, so Sarah kept looking down. Finn didn't have to come to the diner, Sarah didn't mind if he just went home. "You can go, Finn if you want."

Bri's attention switched immediately, "You should Finn! Can you drive me too?"

Finn just looked back and forth between Sarah and Bri before answering with a quiet "Sure. I'll drive you."