Saved by the Bad Boy

Singing Sensation

Lacey could hear the laughter from within the music room as she eagerly opened the door and headed inside. She was deflated when the laughter abruptly stopped, sniggers beginning to sound from the other girls instead. One girl in particular stared directly at Lacey, flipping her long blonde hair over her shoulder with a grimace as she took in Lacey's attire. Her blue eyes looked amused as her friends waited to see what happened. 

"Um excuse me" the girl said haughtily as Lacey looked at her in surprise. 

"Yes" she stammered. Was this girl going to be nice to her? Somehow Lacey very much doubted it. 

"If you need help finding a shelter I'm sure admin would help you" she snapped as Lacey groaned internally. Was everyone at this school this snooty?

"Actually" Lacey told her quietly "I have class here."

The girl laughed, her friends joining in as Lacey sat down on a chair at the back of the room. "Let me guess" she sneered "a scholarship student am I right."

Lacey looked away with a scowl on her face. She was relieved when a mature aged woman with a blonde bob and wide grin came into the classroom. "Jessica that's enough" she told the blonde haired girl with a cutting glance "I heard everything and one more word out of you that's not to do with class and I will send you to the headmistress. Understood."

Jessica nodded meekly, sitting down next to her friends and shooting a disgusted look at Lacey when the teacher wasn't looking. 

"Good afternoon" the woman said merrily "my name is Mrs Potts and I am your music teacher. I see a lot of old faces here" she added "and some new ones as well" she said looking over at Lacey with a gentle smile. 

Lacey gave a small smile. Mrs Potts seemed nice and quite cheerful. Surely this class would be fun and interesting. 

"Now" said Mrs Potts decisively "at the end of the semester each of you will be required to perform a song either individually or in a group. In order to pass my class this is non negotiable. However I am also aware that some of you may have stage fright or be uncomfortable performing in front of a crowd. If this is the case please pull me aside to let me know and we can work something out.  I don't believe in making a student more anxious or frightened if it can be avoided."

"You have until the end of next week to let me know if you are in a group or will be singing alone."

The class cheered as Mrs Potts laughed and sat behind the piano in the room. "Let's begin with some warmups first then move onto singing" she declared as the class mimicked the tones she sang to them. 

Lacey glanced down at the music sheet handed to her by Mrs Potts and swallowed. It was a country tune, the song one of her particular favourites called Shallow from the movie A Star is Born. 

"Now Lacey" Mrs Potts said warmly "I will sing the male part of the song and you will sing the female part if that's ok. Do you know the tune?" she asked in concern. 

Lacey nodded. 

"Bet she sounds like a banshee" she heard Jessica whisper to her friends looking like the cat that got the cream. 

"Don't worry about it Jessica, everyone knows you're the best in the class. No way little homeless girl over there has a voice like yours."

Mrs Potts grabbed a guitar and began, her voice low but in tune, her passion soaring as she sang, the other students silent as they waited for Lacey to begin. 

Then it was time. "Tell me something boy" Lacey sang starting her part, her voice almost identical to Lady Gaga's, her pitch perfect as she continued, lost in the music as she surrendered herself to it. The other students were in awe as her voice sailed in the silence, her voice full of emotion and joy, Lacey's face lit up as she sang unaware of her audience and the gasps of shock from Jessica and her friends. 

"We're far from the shallow now" Lacey finished on a high note, clapping from the others bringing her back to her senses. 

Mrs Potts clapped with delight "that was wonderful Lacey. You have a fantastic voice strong and loud with a perfect pitch. I can't wait to see what you perform for the end of the semester."

Lacey beamed as she returned to her seat, watching as other students took their turn, Mrs Potts occasionally pausing to correct their pitch or asking them to project their voice louder. So focussed on the music and enjoyment, Lacey was distinctly disappointed when the bell rang, signalling the end of class. 

"Homework assignment" Mrs Potts yelled out over the din "is to find a song for next class that is a ballad to be performed with another student. Lacey please stay back a moment."

The other students filed out of the room, jostling each other in their haste as Lacey grabbed her books and waited by the teacher's desk. 

"Is something wrong?" Lacey asked anxiously.

"Oh no" Mrs Potts exclaimed "I just wanted to let you know that I think you have a great talent. You're pitch is perfect, did you do much singing at home?"

"My mum used to sing with me all the time" Lacey told her "I got my love of music from her."

"We have a choir at this school that sometimes performs for assemblies if you might be interested" Mrs Potts offered "they practice several afternoons a week."

"I wish I could" Lacey said regretfully "but I have work in the afternoons to go to. Thankyou anyway" she said with a sigh "I really did enjoy the class."

"I look forward to seeing you at the next class dear. Don't forget about your homework assignment."

"I won't"

Lacey headed out the door, books clutched tightly in her arms as she began to make her way out of the building. She needed to put her stuff away in her locker and catch the bus so that she could get to work in time. She didn't see the leg put in front of her as she tripped and went flying, books scattering everywhere as she landed on her a**.

WIncing Lacey looked up as Jessica hovered over her, arms folded as she smirked. "Go back to where you came from" Jessica snapped "A girl like you doesn't belong here. I won't let you upstage me in the music class capuche."

Lacey struggled to stand, crying out as Jessica pushed her back onto the ground. "There's more where that came from" she hissed turning away and flouncing off. 

Lacey bit her lip. She could hear people whispering to each other, no one offering to help her let alone help her up. Shakily she stood and gathered up her books feeling embarrassed. Everyone avoided her gaze as she limped back to the dormitory, hoping against hope that she would still make it to her bus in time. Tears welled up in the corner of her eyes as she blinked them back, only letting herself cry when she found herself on the bus alone. For her first day, it hadn't gone well at all. Somehow Lacey didn't think it was going to get any better either as she stared blankly out the window of the bus, tears trailing down her cheeks as she made her way into town.