# A Life in High School, Ch. 5 Author: MLGDraconCraft Tags: Gay, Gay Relationships, Gryphon, Relationships, Singing, Story, Story Progression, Story Series, Wolf, sadness, song #6 of A Life in High School Chapter 5 of A Life in High School **Hey, guys, MLGDraconCraft here, and welcome to the newest addition to Rend's story! It's been a rough week (It's Friday, yay!) and I needed some sort of release for this so...** **This is the other one that is Hall of Fame by The Script ft. will.i.am is the theme song. Listen to it here: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk48xRzuNvA&index=1&list=PLv-Exq9d7jl5oHcOr8pAG-6jSnnWUFZCD](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk48xRzuNvA&index=1&list=PLv-Exq9d7jl5oHcOr8pAG-6jSnnWUFZCD)** **Roll the film!** _My crutches clacked against the_ cold tile floor of our bathroom as I tapped them. "Could you stop that?" my sister said.             "Sorry." My apology didn't really sound real, partially because it came through the speaker. Even though Sheryl had said last week that my throat was completely healed, I wanted to preserve it for tonight. I had a special...treat.             "Ignore Red, Colton. He's not worth it." I nodded. "Don't nod!"             _Okay! Jeez._ I'd been practicing singing in my room for the past week, whenever I could, to strengthen my voice. I was relatively confident, but no joke, I wasn't sure how tonight would play out. Erin, my sister, said my voice was fine--if anything, better than ever--but I didn't really believe her.             She dabbed a bit of paint onto the scar above my eyebrow, and I had to suppress a wince. "Sorry," she said. So, it's a Halloween festival, so what the heck, we're supposed to dress up anyways. I had taken a pair of jeans and made them look all ripped up, and asked Erin to paint me so I looked like--what the heck?--a zombie. It made it all the easier that I has been scarred from the attack. It had taken her longer because I had refused to wear a shirt, so she had to paint my torso too.             "Aaaand...done!" She stepped out of my way so I could see myself in the mirror.             I laughed--without the box--amazed. _You did great, Erin!_             "Thanks!" she said. "Now to get to the festival."             We went downstairs and Erin called to our parents, "Mom! Dad! I'm taking Colton to the festival!"             I didn't even wait for a response, clacking outside and climbing into the car. _Erin, let's go!_             "Okay, I'm coming!"             Twenty minutes later, we pulled up outside a forested area with a lighted path that I assumed lead to the site of the festival. _I guess I'll see you later, Erin,_ I said as she and I climbed out of the car.             "Cya." I started down the path, but Erin called me. "And, Colton?... Kill it."             I grinned at her, then turned and continued down the path. I smiled at five shadowy figures standing at the entrance to the park. _Thanks again, guys,_I said.             As one, they nodded. I continued into the park. Once I reached the middle of it, I allowed myself to look up. I stared around, amazed. There were tents set up everywhere. There was one for the teachers, another for the sound and lights station in case it rained, and several of them were dedicated to face painting. I started towards the teacher's tent to see if Reese was in there. I poked my head in, and sure enough, there he was, talking to someone I had not ever seen before. _Mr. Reese?_ _           _ He turned. "Ah, Rend. I had hoped you would come along." He gestured at the deer behind him. "This is Detective Connely. It seems your old boyfriend still cares about you after all," he finished.             _Nice to see you again, Connely._             "Same to you, Rend," the detective said, coming over to shake my hand.             "Wait, you two know each other?" Reese asked, obviously confused.             _Yeah, Red introduced the two of us at his house when I visited his parents. He worked on a case that Red had had a while back. He just so happened to be in the area and thought he would stop by._ Connely nodded.             "Okay, then, I'm guessing you know why he's here then?" I nodded. "Then that relieves a lot of stress. Rend, what do you want to say?"             _Well, first of all, it's nearly six, so you should be getting ready to begin the talent show, and second, the guests are here._             Reese checked his watch. "Oh, crap, you're right! I'll talk to you later, Connely. Thanks, Rend!"             As he ran out through the flap, Connely laughed. "He seems like a very uptight fur."             I laughed too. _Well, considering he's a coach under Mace, I think he does pretty well._             "Well, I guess you have that right."             We exited the tent and grabbed some seats right before Reese stepped up onto the stage. "Good...well, I guess its good night, right? Anyways, I wanted to thank you all for coming, and before we start, we have a very special guest that I would like to allow to come up here and preform! So let's get right to it!"             The lights on the stage disappeared, so there was total darkness. Then a base drop, the lights set on the back of the stage lit up. Another, same thing. Then another, and percussion started. Then another and treble and baritone joined in. Then another and another treble. The lights flared to life and the members of the band revealed. But they didn't have any instruments; no, they were an A Capella band!             Someone in the crowd laughed and shouted, "Ay, it's Pentatonix!"             I chuckled a little.             Some thirty talents passed in what seemed like a blur. I was the last one. Reese announced the last talent before mine, and the name of the performer.             It was Red.             I watched him search the crowd for my face. I knew he wouldn't recognize me because of my disguise, and I would have been happy to leave it that way. However, I somehow knew that this song was for me, and I wasn't coldhearted enough to let him do it without knowing I was here. So I waved.             His eyes locked onto mine. In them I foremost saw surprise, but I also saw grief, sadness, and anger. I didn't know you could have those four emotions mixed, but hey, you learn something every day.             "This next song is for all of you who may have lost someone dear, like, say, a relative, or a friend, or even...someone you loved." His eyes were locked onto mine the whole time. I shook my head.             He began his song.             Five minutes later, he was done. I ignored his pleading look cast at me, and stood to go stand with the members of Pentatonix. Avi greeted me like an old friend; in fact, he was. He was the one who taught me to draw as a release to my troubles about being an intersex. "How're you doing, old friend?" he asked in his rich, deep voice.             _Well enough, how about you?_             He peered at me, but ignored whatever it was that sparked his interest. "Pretty good. So the plan is two songs, and we mix the bass?"             _If you mean play at the same time, then yes._ I looked around at the other four members. _Tell me this: how do you feel at the beginning of your concerts, right before you get onstage?_             "Nervous," they all said at the same time. "It never goes away," Kevin added.             We all laughed. _Well, let's go,_ I said, having heard my name. Just like we planned, the Pentatonix members got onstage at the back, in the shadows, and I clacked my way over to the mic. There was dead silence as I approached it. Pulling out the speaker again, I held it up to the mic and began to think-speak.             _So, most of you know of the attack that I had...wow, nearly two months ago now. I've had to be on crutches for the time I've been standing because of the instability I've had in my legs, and it's still not safe for me to walk without the crutches._ Nearly everyone nodded._I've also had to use this device to speak. Now, I'm not gonna preach,_ I said, _but I will say this--whatever you do, do it with confidence and courage!_ I grabbed the rubber headset that had been reading my mind and ripped it off, tossing it and the speaker onto the ground. "Therefore, I say to you clearly and concisely, I will never, _ever,_ stop moving forward, no matter _what_ obstacle is in my way, and no matter past or future, I will live in the now! I refuse to look back!"             I grabbed the mic and went back into the shadows. All of the members of the group were facing forward now. I joined them, and the lights went dark. We walked out to the middle of the stage and began singing as the lights slowly illuminated us. _The fireplace is burnin' bright,_ _Shinin' all on me_ _I see the presents underneath_ _The good ol' Christmas tree_ _And we'd all like for Santa to come_ _To wake me from my dream_ _Oh-oh, why_ _Cause that's Christmas to me_ _I see the children play outside_ _Like angels in the snow_ _While Mom and Daddy share a kiss_ _Under the mistletoe_ _And we'll cherish all these simple things_ _Wherever we may be_ _Oh-oh, why_ _Cause that's Christmas to me_ _I've got this Christmas song in my heart (Song in my heart)_ _I've got the candles glowin' in the dark (Oh-oh-oh-oh)_ _I'm hanging all the stockings by the Christmas tree_ _Oh-oh why?_ _Cause that's Christmas to me_ _Oh-oh why?_ _Cause that's Christmas to me_ I grew slightly nervous here, because Avi and I were about to sing a solo. _I listen for the thud of reindeer_ _Walking on the roof_ _As I fall asleep to lullaby's_ _The morning's coming soon_ _The only gift I'll ever need_ _Is the joy of family_ _Oh-oh why?_ _Cause that's Christmas to me_ _I've got this Christmas song in my heart (Song in my heart)_ _I've got the candles glowin' in the dark (Oh-oh-oh-oh)_ _I'm hanging all the stockings by the Christmas tree_ _Oh-oh why?_ _Cause that's Christmas to me_ _Oh-oh why?_ _Cause that's Christmas to me_ There's an instrumental here that I don't really know how to log, but you will be able to find the song and hear it. _All the joy that fills our hearts and makes us sing (Joy that makes us sing)_ _Oh-oh why?_ _Cause that's Christmas to me_ _I've got this Christmas song in my heart_ _I've got the candles glowin' in the dark_ _And then for years to come_ _We'll always know one thing_ _That's the love that Christmas can bring_ _Oh-oh why?_ _Cause that's Christmas to me_             I took a deep breath, retreating deep inside myself as applause showered me with praises. I shook my head. "Hold on!" I shouted. The crowd quieted. "I have two more songs for you. One is about...well, never mind. I'll just jump in with these extraordinary people." _A light in the room_ _It was you who was standing there_ _Tried, it was true_ _As your glance met my stare_ _But your heart drifted off_ _Like the land split by sea_ _I tried to go, to follow_ _To kneel down at your feet_ _I'll run_ _I'll run_ _I'll run, run_ _To you_ _I'll run_ _I'll run_ _I'll run, run_ _To you_ _I've been settling scores_ _I've been fighting so long_ _But I lost your war_ _And a kingdom is gone_ _How shall I win back_ _Your heart which was mine_ _I have broken bones_ _And tattered clothes_ _I've run out of time_ _I'll run_ _I'll run_ _I'll run, run_ _To you_ _I'll run_ _I'll run_ _I'll run, run_ _To you_ _I will break down_ _The gates of heaven_ _A thousand angels_ _Stand waiting for me_ _Take my heart_ _And I lay down my weapons_ _Break my shackles_ _To set me free_ _I'll run_ _I'll run_ _I'll run, run_ _To you_ _I'll run(I'll run)_ _I'll run (I'll run)_ _I'll run, run_ _To you_ _Hmmm-mmm_ _Hmmm-mmm_ _Hmmm-mmm, mmm_ _Hmm hmmmm_ I trailed off, along with Pentatonix, at the end. "Okay," I said. "I have two in mind that I can do, either both or one or the other. Do you guys want both or just one?" The entire crowd roared, "Both!" I grinned and laughed. "Okay." _Buy it, use it, break it, fix it,_ _trash it, change it, mail - upgrade it, Charge it, point it, zoom it, press it,snap it, work it, quick - erase it, Write it, cut it, paste it, save it, load it, check it, quick - rewrite it, Plug it, play it, burn it, rip it, drag and drop it, zip - unzip it, Lock it, fill it, call it, find it, view it, code it, jam - unlock it, Surf it, scroll it, pause it, click it,cross it, crack it, switch - update it, Name it, rate it, tune it, print it, scan it, send it, fax - rename it, Touch it, bring it, pay it, watch it--technologic_ _One more time!_ _One more time!_ _Like the legend of the phoenix_ _All ends with beginnings_ _Keeps the planet spinnin'_ _A force from the beginnin'_ _We've come too far_ _To give up, who we are_ _So let's, raise the bar_ _And our cups, to the stars!_ _(Say) We're up all night till the sun_ _We're up all night to get some_ _We're up all night for good fun_ _We're up all night to get lucky_ _We're up all night till the sun_ _We're up all night to get some_ _We're up all night for good fun_ _We're up all night to get lucky_ _We're up all night to get lucky_ _We're up all night--all night to get--up all night to get-get-get lucky_ _Last night I had this dream about you_ _In this dream I was dancing right beside you_ _There's nothing wrong with just a little bit of fun_ _We were dancing all night long_ _(Oh) I don't know what to do_ _About this dream and you_ _I hope this dream comes true-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh_ _One more time_ _Hey! We're gonna celebrate_ _Ah yeah, all right_ _And start the dancin'_ _One more time, we're gonna celebrate_ _Work it harder, make it better_ _Do it faster, makes it stronger_ _More than ever, hour after_ _Our work is, never over_ _Work it harder, make it better_ _Do it faster, makes it stronger_ _More than ever, hour after_ _Our work is, never over_ _Imma work it harder, make it be-_ _Do it faster makes it s-_ _More than ever hou-hour after_ _Ou-our wor-rk is ne-ver over_ _Work it harder, make it better_ _Do it faster, makes it stronger_ _More than ever, hour after_ _Our work is, never over_ _Television_ _Rules the nation_ _Television_ _Rules the nation_ _Music's got me feelin' so free_ _Celebrate and dance so free_ _One more time_ _Music's got me feelin' so free_ _We're gonna celebrate_ _Celebrate and dance so free_ _Tonight (Hey!)_ _Just feelin'_ _Music's got me feelin' the need_ _One more time_ _Music's got me feelin' so free_ _We're gonna celebrate_ _Celebrate and dance to the stars!_ _We're up all night to the sun_ _We're up all night to get some_ _We're up all night for good fun_ _We're up all night to get lucky_ _We're up all night to the sun_ _We're up all night to get some_ _We're up all night for good fun_ _We're up for one more night!_ _We're up all night to the sun (Oh celebration)_ _Feelin' so free_ _One more night!_ _We're up all night to the sun (Oh celebration)_ _(Music's got me) Feelin' so_ _Our work is, never over_ I held my pose at the very end of the song, both of my arms outstretched as I breathed heavily. Choreography was not my strongest trait, so I had just stood there with my mic in the holder. The crowd cheered, and I smiled as I began the last song. _Say something I'm giving up on you_ _I'll be the one if you want me to_ _Anywhere I would've followed you_ _Say something I'm giving up on you!_ _And I am feeling so small_ _It was over my head_ _I know nothing at all_ _And I will stumble and fall_ _I'm still learning to love_ _Just starting to crawl_ _Say something I'm giving up on you!_ _I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you!_ _Anywhere I would've followed you! (Oh-oh!)_ _Say something I'm giving up on you!_ _And I will swallow my pride_ _You're the one that I love_ _And I'm saying goodbye!_ _Say something I'm giving up on you! (Say something, say something, say something)_ _I'll be the one if you want me to (Say something, say something, say something)_ _Say. Some. Thing._ _I'm giving up. On. You._ _I'll. Be the one. If you want. Me. To._ _Say. Something._ _I'm giving up. On you._ _I'll. Be the one. If you want. Me. Tooooooo_ _(Say) Say something I'm giving up on you! (I'm giving up. On. You.)_ _(I'll) I'll be the one if you want me to! (If you want. Me to.)_ _Say something I'm giving up on you! (Say something I'm giving up on you!)_ _I'll be the one if you want me to! (If you want me to! Oh, if you want me to!)_ _Anywhere I would've followed you!_ _Say something (Say something)_ _Say something (Say something)_ _Say something (Say something) (Oh)_ _Say something I'm giving up on you (Oo-oo-oo-oo-oo)_             I smiled as the crowd cheered. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Trevor start to sprint towards the stage. I had no idea what his intentions were, but I could tell he was crying. Just before he reached the stairs, the lights--the entire system, all around the park--went dark. "Oh, _shit_," I whispered. Then I turned, and with my vision, went down the stage and followed Trevor's scent trail. "God_damn_ it!" I said. **Hey guys, and thank you so much for your dedication and patience with me. Thankfully, the school year is halfway--more than halfway--over, and I'm thinking about going back to homeschooling. That way, I'll have much more time to pursue my interests, like YT and music, and, of course, this.** **Anyways, enough with the life talk. I'll see you guys next time.** **Momentine!** Source: https://sofurry.com/s/dmBdx9Z1 Part of the series A Life in High School Previous: https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/940611-a-life-in-high-school-ch-4.md Next: https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/975677-a-life-in-high-school-ch-6.md