---

Editor Note: The images used for this story were purchased and used under royalty-free license* from iStockphoto.com . ~Sephrena
Author Note: Please email me at AngelJediGirl (at) gmail (dot) com before posting this story to any other site. Posting to a pay site is prohibited.

Comments and suggestions are also welcome at the above email address.

*  *  *

Sarah Carerra Book 3: Concerto in A-

Chapter 3.27 - A Very Carerra Chorus

The first few days of November felt almost normal, or at least like what I remembered normal to be before Sarah came into my life. The only thing I had to look forward to each day was school, and, well, that didn't compare to what was usually going on in Sarah's life. I did visit Mr. Benson during lunch on Tuesday to talk about an idea I had for including Mark in the Christmas Concert. He seemed to like the idea, so we spent most of the time discussing the visit Sarah was going to make to the Chorus on Thursday to talk about the Christmas Concert. That visit would officially kick off the preparations for the Christmas Concert. I had mixed emotions — I was excited to return to Chorus, at least as Sarah. But I was also very nervous at being around them as my alter-ego. Nevertheless it was something I had to do.

When I arrived at school on Wednesday morning I was surprised to find a number of posters advertising the Autumn Ball that was being held the following week. I had been so busy with Sarah that I hadn't even realized that the dance was coming up, let alone doing anything to prepare for it. I figured that Emily and I would be going together since neither of us was in relationships. Ethan would probably join us since he was similarly unattached. It would be my first big dance since my life had taken the drastic turn it had over the summer, and I was excited to go.

That same elation seemed to permeate the students at my school and there was a buzz in the air all morning. That excitement was palpable all morning and was the discussion around our lunch table. Everyone seemed to be looking forward to the first big dance of the school year, and I was no exception.

When Jane's phone rang toward the end of lunch her excitement took on an entirely new level. I didn't have to ask to know that it was Scott calling her. I watched as she listened excitedly and I waited to congratulate her on her record contract.

Then I saw her happy face turn crestfallen, and in my mind it brought the entire cafeteria to a standstill. I thought for sure that she would get a contract! But the tears that started to escape her eyes told me that wasn't the case as she listened to what Scott had to say. I reached out and grabbed her hand and she looked over at me. Sobs started to escape her as she met my eyes. I wasn’t sure if I could imagine what she was feeling, because I hadn’t been rejected by Olympic Records.

"Thank you," was the only thing she was able to speak before hanging up the phone, but I doubted she felt the words. I squeezed her hand in comfort, but I knew it wouldn't help. She was crying hard now and Ashley and Kathy, her two best friends, wrapped their arms around her as they tried to comfort her.

My phone started ringing, and I felt her hand slip out of my own as I reached for my bag to retrieve it. I sighed when I saw that Scott was calling me now, and stood up before stepping away from the table.

"Hi, Scott," I said.

"I guess you're with Jane," he replied, recognizing my tone of voice. "I'm sorry, Sarah. If it was up to me I would offer her a contract. She's an amazing singer and I hate to see her walk away. But there isn't anything I can do."

"Why not her?" I asked. If she was that talented then why wouldn't the talent managers at Olympic Records give her a contract?

"Matt felt she didn't have the 'spark'," he said referring to Matt Thompson, the Director of Talent at the company. He had been the guy who had signed me to my record deal, and I knew he was fair. I didn't agree with him, however. "She might have luck at a smaller record company, but that might be a long shot. I'm really sorry, Sarah, I know how much you two wanted this."

I looked over at Jane, who was still crying a few feet away. She was looking at me, however, and I had a feeling she knew who I was talking to.

"What about the other thing we discussed?" I asked, trying to be cryptic so she wouldn't know what I was asking yet.

"That's up to you," he said. "Our contract is with you."

"Okay, thanks, Scott," I replied before saying goodbye and hanging up the phone. Jane's other option felt more like a consolation prize, and I didn't know how she would react to it.

"What did he say?" Jane asked immediately as I pulled the phone away from my ear. I knew that she was hoping I had better news, but I didn't.

"He said that if it was up to him, you'd have a contract," I replied. That was apparently something he hadn't told her because it made her cry some more. "I'm sorry, Jane. I really am. I thought for sure you were going to get a contract. You are amazing."

My words sounded hollow even to myself, even though I sincerely believed that Jane was a wonderful singer. I stepped back to the table and sat down again before taking her hand in my own once more.

"This might feel like the end of the world," I told her. "But I happen to know that Sarah Carerra is planning to have you sing a number of songs with her at the Christmas Concert. She too thinks you are amazing, and I'm sure she can help."

It wasn't much, but it did bring a slight smile to her face.

* * *

On Thursday afternoon I felt weird when instead of heading for the Study Hall that had replaced Chorus in my schedule I headed out to my car and drove home. Once I arrived home I quickly changed and put on the wig before I was once again heading back to the school. This time, as Sarah.

Walking down the vacant halls of the school toward the Chorus room was also a unique experience, because Cole and Amy were accompanying me. I doubted that a bodyguard would be necessary at the school, but his stoic presence seemed to keep the few people who were in the halls from doing much more than scream with excitement when they saw me. I always smiled back, but I continued to the classroom.

When I arrived I only had a moment to take a deep breath before Cole opened the door. Mr. Benson was talking to the class, but he quickly lost their attention when they saw me enter the room.

Once the screaming and the clamoring to get near me had subsided, Mr. Benson was able to get everyone back into their seats and I joined him at the front of the classroom.

"Sarah is here to talk about the Christmas Concert," Mr. Benson told the class. "We have six weeks to prepare, and that isn't much time. Sarah?"

"Thank you," I replied and the class looked at me. Amy was holding a piece of paper out to me and I took it before she started to pass out copies to the rest of the class. "This is a schedule of the songs we'll be singing," I told the class. “It ranges from using the entire Chorus to certain individuals. I've been working with Mr. Benson to help me decide who will be best for each of the songs. But everyone will get a chance to sing multiple songs on stage."

Somebody raised a hand while he was looking down at the paper, and when I noticed it was Mark I knew what he was going to say.

"I thought I was the top boy in the class," Mark said and he sounded upset. I promptly repressed my anger and I tried to control my emotions. "Shouldn't I be singing the duets with Sarah?"

"Sarah has requested these assignments herself," Mr. Benson said cautiously. I knew he was as reluctant to get into an argument as I was. "I'm afraid that it is Mr. Knight who will be singing these duets."

Mark turned red and I knew that he wasn't going to accept what Mr. Benson had told him without a fight. He turned toward me.

"No offense, Sarah," he started, which would not have endeared me to his plea if I didn't already know him. "But I think that you will want the best singer to sing with you. That's me."

I opened my mouth to reply, but was cut off by Mr. Benson before I got the chance.

"Mr. Corbin," he said sternly. "I thought you would be happy with what Sarah has given you. You basically have a whole song to yourself. No other member of this Chorus will have that much attention. I suggest that you be grateful."

Mark didn't like that. He wanted more. I could see it in his eyes. He wanted to sing with me.

"I am grateful," Mark said. "But I'm just thinking about what is best for Sarah."

I almost lost it right there. Mark had no idea what was best for me! He had no right to tell me how I should be a multi-platinum recording artist!

"Mark," I growled, and my tone caused him to take a step away from me. "I respect your opinion, but I have made my decision with the help of Mr. Benson. I assure you that I have the best individuals performing each song and I think you should respect my decision."

"I understand," he shot back. "But--"

"No, Mark!" I nearly shouted back. There was fury in my eyes and I glared at him. "I have a number of friends in this Chorus. I know all about you and how you treat them! It is only because Mr. Benson pleaded your case that I have included you in the program. Do you understand? I suggest you sit down right now before I change my mind."

I didn't want to lose my temper in front of the class, but I was very close to doing so. I prayed that Mark would sit back down and shut up, but I knew it was unlikely. Mark wanted to be the center of attention, but I refused to give him the opportunities he felt he was entitled to.

Mark took another step back at my outburst, and it looked like he was going to sit down for a moment, but he opened his mouth once more instead.

"You don't know me," he shot back, and I was surprised that he felt confident enough to argue with someone like Sarah Carerra. "You can't know me from what Megan has told you. She--"

"I have known her since we were little girls, Mark!" I told him. "Don't think for a second that I'm not going to listen to her. And no, I did not base my decisions on her words alone. I've known Ethan nearly as long. I consider Jane a friend. Paul was the inspiration for one of my songs. And none of them have had very nice things to say about your attitude. I'm afraid that you are not the type of person that I want to sing a duet with even if you are an amazing singer. And for the record I DO think that you are an amazing singer. So you had better sit down and shut up, or you won’t even be at the concert. Got it?"

He was pissed, and I knew that he wanted to scream back at me. But he seemed to realize how bad of an idea that would be and he finally sat down. The class fell into an awkward silence for a moment before Mr. Benson finally spoke again.

"Okay," he said. "As you can see from your paper we have a lot of work to do to get ready. Besides learning the songs there is going to be some choreography to learn."

There were some disconcerting glances around the room at that announcement.

"You won't be dancing," I told them and watched as a number of sighs of relief escaped them. "There are a few individuals who will have more intricate choreography as part of their larger roles in the songs, but most of the dancing will be done by professional dancers. But you will have to move on and off the stage depending on the song. If your name is listed as one of the principal singers for a song and you are worried about the choreography, please talk to me after class. But for the most part it shouldn't be too bad. Okay?"

There was some general agreement around the room even though some of them still seemed uncomfortable. We had already hired Kate Abernathy, the choreographer for my concert tour, to provide the choreography for the Christmas Concert, but I hadn't met with her yet. Nevertheless it seemed unlikely that there would be much that the class would need to learn.

"Other things to know," I said while looking over the sheet. "We will be selling albums of the Christmas Concert and each of you will receive one for free. We will be in a recording studio at the end of the month to record them. That's the week after Thanksgiving. If you can't make it please talk to Amy here. Let's see." I scanned the paper again to see if there was any other information I needed to tell them. "The concert itself will be a live performance on TV on December 17. We will be performing at the Nokia Theatre downtown. It should be a lot of fun!"

I smiled at the class, though most of them looked overwhelmed. That was understandable. I knew they would be ready, because Mr. Benson would see to that.

"I believe we are also doing stage rehearsals the two weeks before the concert, is that correct?" Mr. Benson asked.

I looked at Amy, who was in charge of the scheduling, and she nodded.

"Yes," I told him. "But the entire chorus will likely not have to be there every day. Those with choreography may be asked to attend more. Once again, if you have any concerns about the amount of time involved in this please let us know. I'm really excited to work with you guys. There is a lot of work that goes into putting on a concert like this, but I believe it is going to be a wonderful experience."

"Sarah will also be here at least one day each week from now until December and most of the two weeks before the concert," Mr. Benson said. "I want to reiterate how lucky we are to have this opportunity and I hope that each of you take the time to relish in this experience. It will be hard work, but this is one of those ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunities that you'll remember for a long time."

I was nodding, and the class seemed to be excited. I couldn't ask for more.

* * *

I stayed and helped Mr. Benson with the class. We started working on some of the songs that required the whole Chorus and it was actually the first time I'd been in the classroom and had fun. Nobody had even come close to making the connection between Megan and Sarah, and it seemed unlikely to happen. They were all star struck, and I knew from experience that people rarely saw through the facade that Sarah placed over my true identity.

After the class ended I made sure to speak with each of them as they were leaving to learn their names and introduce myself. It was funny to see some of them, even Mark, treat me completely differently than they had when I was a member of the class. But they all seemed excited about the concert, and that made me smile.

One of the last people to leave the classroom was Jane, and she smiled as she approached me.

"You consider me a friend, huh?" she asked slyly.

"I do," I replied truthfully. "Any friend of Megan's is a friend of mine." How little she understood the truth of those words.

Jane beamed at me, and I was happy to see her in a good mood after what had happened the day before.

"I'm sorry about your record deal," I stupidly said, and watched her expression sour immediately. "You are a fantastic singer and if there was anything I could do I would have."

"I know," she said, her voice now downcast. "I really thought I was good enough."

"Did you try any other record companies?" I asked.

"Yes," she replied. But the look she gave me told me what their responses had been. "They didn't like me either."

"Well, it's their loss," I told her and received a hint of a smile. "There is a reason why you are singing so many songs with me in the Christmas Concert, you know."

"I..." she started but then stopped. A moment later she continued. "Thank you, Sarah. I'm glad that somebody believes in me."

"Anyone who doesn't is an idiot," I said, eliciting a laugh and another full smile from her.

She looked radiant when she smiled. I was lucky to have someone like her on the stage with me for the Christmas Concert.

* * *

* * *
Want more Sarah Carerra?
Book 1: I Am A Rock Star is now available for the Kindle! Click here for more information. Become a fan of Sarah Carerra by joining her on Facebook or Twitter by clicking the buttons below.
   

If you've read book 1 I'd love it if you shared your opinions with others. Review the Kindle version at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006IZG49M. :)