"Excited?" Sara asks Rebecca, who is currently passing in the common makeup room.

"More like nervous. I can't believe a whole month of rehearsal has gone by. How did that happen?" Rebecca replies, not slowing down her pace.

"Lots of intense work. I think you've come a long way daughter of mine," Sara kids. "Seriously though. You have worked really hard and I think you've had fun. Those two elements combined equals speedy time."

"I see. I just hope I don't choke out there! It's my first time ever being principle."

"Well, if you do, I'll laugh at you after the show but help you while on stage. Okay?"

"Why do I not feel comforted by that?"

Sara laughs. "Look Becca. You are going to do amazing tonight. I think so, the director thinks so, and David especially thinks so. Believe in yourself. I'm going to go see how the guys are doing. Want to come with?"

"Sure."

The two females make their way down to the men's area and knock. "Everyone decent? If not, cover up because two ladies are coming in," Sara says, pulling Rebecca in with her, not giving the men much time to finish changing.

David spots Rebecca and scoops her up. "You ready?"

Rebecca laughs. "As ready as I am going to be. As one of my fathers, you are going to be making sure I don't fall flat on my face tonight, right?"

"Most likely I'll be watching your back but you have to promise to watch mine!"

"Deal."

"Good. We have ten minutes before the show starts and I have to make sure my hair is absolutely good. Shouldn't you be walking out to the stage now? You know, getting ready to sit on that fake dock of ours to start our show on a good note?"

Rebecca rolls her eyes. "Thanks for reminding me. Break a leg out there everyone!"

The traditional good luck wish is returned and Rebecca begins her walk to the stage. "Rebecca, wait," a voice says in the darkness, causing Rebecca to jump.

"Who's there?"

"Just me, Justin. Look, I wanted to tell you to break a leg tonight."

"Thanks Justin. You too."

"I have to admit. We may not get along very well, even after that truce we made, but you are one talented singer. Only one thing would make you even better."

"What's that?"

"Sing from your heart."

"What?"

"Sing from your heart. If the music is sung like it is truly coming from your heart, it becomes that much more powerful."

"Justin, first of all, it is a bit late to give me pointers. I'm on in five minutes. Second of all, where do you get off telling me I have no heart?"

"I've had a bit more experience, that's all. Look, I probably shouldn't have said anything but I wanted to help you put on the best show that you can. We have only three weeks but every show counts."

"Yes, I know that. Can you put any more pressure on me right now?"

"Rebecca! We need to put your microphone on you now!" an assistant says, making Rebecca realize that the orchestra was just beginning to play. Without another word, she takes off to get set up with her microphone and runs onto the stage, giving her a minute to calm down and clear her mind. 'Stupid Justin. Why does he have to be a creep half of the time? Telling me I don't sing from the heart. What does he know?' she fumes before realizing it was her time to sing.

After a deep breath, she starts the show off right. "I have a dream, a song to sing, to help me call…" She goes through the movements without thinking, realizing she was actually doing okay when her friends join her on stage with bright smiles on their faces.

The show continues without a glitch, much to everyone's delight. The audience laughed at every joke and funny look as they were meant to. It wasn't until "Lay All Your Love on Me" where she had to interact with Justin did her actions begin to slowly falter. She could feel her try to pull away from him as he lifted up as part of the choreography but checked herself before it got too far. 'You may dislike him but you can't let that interfere with a great show. Don't let everyone else down Becca.'

Near exhaustion, Rebecca realizes that the show is over as she sings the closing lyrics. "I have a dream. I'll cross the stream. I have a dream."

Soon, the cast gathers together and begins the bows they had rehearsed earlier that day. 'I actually made it through the show!' Rebecca thinks to herself as she bows with everyone and then with only Seth. She notes with disgust that when Justin came out to bow, a group of teenaged girls present began screaming "We love you Justin!" Rebecca rolls her eyes but tries to keep a happy face on remembering where she was.

Soon, the curtains close and David has her in a big hug. "You did it sweetie!"

Rebecca smiles. "Thanks to you and all of your encouragement. I fear though that I let the creep get to me again though."

"Justin? I thought things were okay between you guys again."

"They were until he of course opens his mouth and insults me. He told me I didn't have enough heart in my singing. Something about the music comes from my heart. He did that just to unnerve me!"

"I noticed something was off a little bit when you two had your choreography together. Don't worry about it though. It wasn't noticeable. Just think! You got through it! Everything after this should be a piece of cake!"

Rebecca smiles. "Very true. You were awesome out there by the way." She hugs him again. "You made me proud with those vocal abilities of yours!"

Justin observes the scene a little distance away. 'When are those two going to get a room? So much open affection. Why do you care though Justin? Why do you even think about the girl? She just jumps all over you whenever you try to nicely talk to her or even suggest something that could greatly improve her singing.'

He notices though, that a blonde woman he has never seen before runs right into David's arms who he kisses. 'Wait, he has a girlfriend?'

"I think that's David's wife," Sara says, startling Justin.

"I didn't know he had a wife. I thought he and Rebecca had something."

Sara laughs. "Yeah right! David is so in love with his wife. Those two just have a great friendship and support system. You actually thought they were together romantically?"

Justin admits, "Yeah, I did. How was I supposed to know?"

"Maybe if you open your eyes and realize that you truly care for the girl, you'll finally see the truth."

"What are you talking about Sara?"

"I'm talking about this schoolboy routine you two have created."

"Huh? I think you lost me somewhere."

"Remember in elementary school, when you wanted a girl to notice you, you probably pulled her pigtails or terrorized her in some way, right? Because you didn't know what else to do? It's the same thing I am seeing now. You don't know how else to gain her attention or affection so you decided to terrorize her. In return, she treats you in the same manner, ignoring you and throwing back your insults. Subconsciously, you feel that is better then no attention from her at all."

Justin just stares at her. "What in the world are you talking about? I don't care about her at all."

"Right. I'm sure that is why you bothered to talk to her before the show and tell her to put more heart into her singing, huh? I think that was a good sign you cared, even though your timing was a bit off. I understand why she is upset with you but I think you did it out of wanting the best for her and out of her."

"I think you are thinking way too much about this Sara."

"I think I'm right. She's single Justin. Just go ask her out before it's too late."

"Well if she and David aren't together, I know that she is definitely together with this guy Joseph she is always on her cell phone with. The girl admitted to me once that he was the one that got her through a lot of hard times."

"That means nothing! Perhaps I should feed you to those fans of yours out there tonight. Maybe being with them will make you realize that you don't act the way you do with Rebecca with any other young woman. Just the one you truly care for."

"You are so not helping my mood here. Shouldn't we be happy?"

"I think you'd be a lot happier if you came to terms with your feelings, but you are right. Congratulations on a wonderful show Justin."

"You too. Yet another wonderful performance Sara."

She curtsies. "Thank you. Now, I don't know about you but I am going to congratulate my stage daughter. You can do whatever you want." She gives him a hug and works her way through the crowd towards Rebecca.

Justin watches and thinks about what Sara had just said to him. 'I'm not acting like a schoolboy! I just treat Rebecca that way because she deserves it! Why would I want to get her attention? I have the attention of so many other women. Why choose one who doesn't even give me the time of day? Besides, she's already taken. Wait! Why does that even matter?' He gets frustrated with his own thoughts and leaves after congratulating a few other cast members on a job well done to call his friends.

Rebecca sees Sara come over and gives her a big hug. "Thank you for all of your support Sara! I don't think I could have gotten through the show without you!"

Sara laughs. "Of course you would have! It's in you to make this show the best show people have seen thus far!"

"Right. Do you have plans for tonight?"

"Actually, my husband is taking me out for a nice night on the town. It may be late but we don't have rehearsal tomorrow so I figure it is okay. The matinee shows are only on the weekend, thank God!"

Rebecca laughs. "Have a great time then."

"What are you doing?"

"Going home and resting."

"No celebrating?"

"No. No significant other to take me out on the town so I figure I'll go home and rest. I'm exhausted as it is. I don't know how I'll get through three more weeks of this."

"You will. Well, have a great night!"

Rebecca gives her friend another hug and then says her good night to David and his wife. She cleans up her face and changes into a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt since it is chilly outside. Instantly, she smiles as she picks up her cell phone and sees that Joseph had tried to call her. As she walks outside, she calls him back.

"Joseph? Hey! How's it going?"

"Becca, I think I should be asking you how's it going! It was your opening night tonight, right?"

"Yep. I thought I was going to choke out there because of what some creep did but it went well."

"Creep? Oh no, not that guy again. I thought you two had made a truce."

"We did," she says, walking out onto the street. "The creep had the nerve to tell me right before the show that I wasn't singing from the heart. I mean, come on. I sing from the heart, don't I?"

"I think you do but maybe he just wanted to help and didn't realize you were already doing that."

"If that was the case, then he insulted me, saying I sucked."

"Becca, are you sure that the guy wanted to hurt you with his advice and not help?"

"Whose side are you on Joseph? He clearly didn't even think of how it would affect me since he told me literally five minutes before the show began. How irresponsible is that?"

"Well, I don't know. Look, tonight you did a wonderful job from what I can tell. Be happy. Don't let him get you down. Keep doing a wonderful job and you'll shut him up. Besides, I want to see you happy, not frustrated or down!"

"Okay, okay. Are you still coming to the closing night?"

"Did I not promise you that already? Geez. Just because one guy is being a creep to you doesn't make the rest of us one."

"By association… Maybe."

Rebecca laughs as he playfully growls. "You Becca need to stop teasing me! I'm getting too old for that stuff!"

"Joseph, I doubt you'll ever get too old to have fun."

"True. Well, I have to get going. Take care girl. Break a leg for me."

"You too. Good luck!"

Rebecca turns off her phone and is about to walk to her car when she hears a familiar cough. She turns around and glares at Justin. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough. Rebecca, I don't know what I can say to make you understand that I didn't mean to upset you earlier."

"Right. Well I am going to go home now."

"What? No late date with your precious Joseph?"

Rebecca sighs. "Why must you always be a brat?"

"Why must you be so difficult and sensitive? I pity Joseph. The poor guy has to deal with watching his words every second of the day around you just to make sure he doesn't hurt your precious ego or feelings."

"What do you even know about me let alone Joseph? Nothing, that's what. Do us both a favor and get out of my life!"

"Fine. Here I was going to try to clear the air but I see that won't be happening anytime soon. I don't know what any guy could ever see in you."

"And I don't know what those teeny bopper fans of yours see in you! If only they knew the creep that was the poster boy of their dreams. You'd lose your fan base in a second."

"Hey, at least I have fans unlike you."

'Okay, Rebecca chill. He's right. He's more famous than you and you are definitely still a nobody. Why did that hurt so much?' Rebecca turns around so he couldn't see the tears in her eyes and is glad she did as she feels a tear roll down her cheek. "Good night," she whispers and walks away, wiping away a tear.

'Was that a tear?' he wonders as he watches her walk away. 'Did she finally show emotion? Incredible. Maybe she'll turn around. Yeah right.' Justin remembers he forgot his car keys in the dressing room and decides to go back and get them. He walks back into the theater, deciding to forget all about Rebecca and her stupid troubles. 'She's the last complication you need in your life man. Then why am I thinking of her so much?'

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