Birdboy
CaprisunGod
Altered Tundra
As Celine and Ambrose wandered through the auditorium, a familiar, chipper voice snag in Celine's ear, and she turned quickly to see one of her favorite faces pacing towards them. Autumn, with her bright, all knowing eyes and curling smile, leaned forward and pecked Celine's check. The twin laughed in response, returning the gesture quickly before Autumn took a seat in the row before them. Celine, knowing she was needed up on stage, nodded once to her friend before turning to look at Ambrose. Her hands folded over his, and she smiled at him cheerily though her eyes seemed to scream with panic. Even if she spent most of her life in front of crowds, it didn't make the practice any easier on her.
"I gotta go up there soon, and boy am I not feeling it." She felt no need to lie to her brother, that wouldn't make her pounding heart feel nay better. So, hoping to squeeze the expressive nerves from her body, she put all her strength into her hands, and clenched her teeth tightly. "Say something to make me laugh?" She asked quietly, finding that her stress normally faded away when she hears something stupid or funny come from someone else.
Ambrose frowned, unable to help himself; when Celine was sad, or upset, or anxious, it was something he couldn't stand. He supposed that too was his parents' fault, though it didn't bother him so much, because he did love his sister, and that was just something twins were supposed to do. Removing his hands from her grip and slinging an arm around her shoulder, he offered, “I could set the fire alarm off. Go all punk rock anarchist on the place.”
It probably wouldn't reflect too well on the Everhart family, though.
“But you'll be fine. Just – uh, do that thing for show and tell where you pretend everyone's naked.” The suggestion was slightly hesitant, especially since Ace had only attended classes where presentation was required once or twice in total, hence the lower grades. As an afterthought, he grimaced, and added, “But not me, please. Uh, anyway! You've still got some time, I think, so maybe... I dunno, meet up with your friends and do friend... stuff.”
The assembly hall was starting to get crowded as more students started coming in. Claire had yet to see the twins and her text messages had gone unanswered. The assembly was about to start soon, they have got to be in here somewhere. Frantically looking around, her eyes roving around the sea of unrecognisable heads, she finally found what she was looking for.
The twins, Celine and Ambrose were already seated as she guessed with Autumn next to them. Spotting an empty seat next to Celine, Claire scurried over to her position as quick as she could, getting over and taking the seat and she greeted the siblings with a wave. "Hey Celine! Didn't you get my message? Wait, are you still nervous?" Directing another wave towards Ambrose, she said "Hi Ace. Good morning! Nice to see you again." Leaning over to Autumn, she gave a quick wave as well, mouthing a "hi" to the her as well.
Claire then began to place her best friend's palms in hers, rubbing it to give her some support. "You'll do fine. I know it. Just do it like you've practiced it like always. If it helps just pretend that Ace and I are putting on a show here..and stuff.."
"What she said," Ace said helpfully, nodding in greeting to Claire (and feeling the familiar heat of embarrasment burn up the back of his neck). He'd checked his phone quickly while she was speaking to see what the buzz was, and realised it was from Jennifer. "You just need to – sit there and look pretty, and then we rush to get ready for this party thing or whatever. Easy. Speaking of – are you going?"
The last bit was directed to Claire.
"Party? Oh yes! Of course, I'll be attending. I hope you will be too. It'll be a shame to miss you there. The party will definitely need some of your roguishness charm, that's for sure." As she ended the statement, Claire gave him a knowing wink, hoping he caught on to what she was referring to. Turning over her attention to Celine, she echoed her brother's words. "Yes dear, you've practiced and rehearsed for this many times now, you'll do fine. Just look at us if that helps, and remember your lines. Remember we'll be rooting for ya!"
Feeling some calmness from Ace's words she sighed gently, ignoring the beading sweat that had formed on the back of her neck. The thought of him turning on the fire alarm and running around like a mad man was funny to her, and she half-wished the plan could be an actuality, but that wouldn't be very good for Mummy and Daddy's image. Sigh once, she settled in a seat and counted her worries. The thought of messing up her words or stumbling on stage terrified her, the idea that she could viewed as a stuck up brat or, even worse, a copy of her parents made her heart ache, and as she pushed down her fingers with each worry that sang in her head her anxiety seemed to waver slightly. It was an odd method she used, but counting away her problems always seemed to calm Celine. Maybe it was because she was a fan of order, and adding a number to a thought felt much neater then letting them all fester within her mind.
As suddenly as some of her worries faded, Claire appeared, and took up Celine's hand after it had been dropped by Ambrose. Relaxing strokes soothed her mind, and Celine couldn't fight the large smile that glared proudly on her face. Claire's words of wisdom managed to ease her last few doubts, and with a confident look she straightened and clutched her friend's hand tightly.
"Thanks, guys. I'm feeling a bit better now..." She said gently, gray eyes sparkling with determination. Her mind turned briefly towards the idea of the party and a sheepish grin plastered across her face. Parties weren't her strong suite either, really, but it would be a good chance to catch up with everyone. Celine's eyes connected with the stage, eyebrow raising at the familiar person sittin in one of the chairs, and then she turned to look at her brother and friend. Even though it was faint, she could see the slightest touch of pink to Ace's cheeks, and she hid a smirk as she realized it was better to leave them alone. Finally feeling a bit inspired she stood, shimmying passed Claire to stand in the auditorium aisle, "I should start heading up there, then. See you guys after the assembly." And with a final nod she wandered warily towards the stage, talking a seat next to Chandler.
