Try your very hardest

"Fuck it," you mutter to yourself. "I've become such a nerd."

As the next scene rolls around, you decide to throw yourself into it, and try your very best. You focus on getting the lines right and delivering them with the right spirit, and try your hardest to get the choreography right. While you do get nervous at bits and find yourself almost forgetting your line, a quick glance to the side of the stage reminds you why you bothered to do this play in the first place, as Caoimhe smiles at you, clearly quite proud. Your wisecracks get laughs, your songs receive applause and there's relatively few yawns throughout.

The other actors don't do too bad either. Katie bounces around the stage with energy throughout, prancing and dancing around with plenty of slapstick humour to spice up the boring bits. Gali has, quite surprisingly, transformed into a sweet, naïve young princess. She genuinely seems so cute and likable you're actually quite taken aback. When she kisses you, it's short and quick, but from the looks of the audience, they actually find it quite endearing. Debbie's Geni manages to get a fair amount of laughs, mainly through bad puns, impersonations and even the occasional prop comedy, and even Barb does a pretty good evil laugh as Jafar. By the time the reprise of a Whole New World comes around, the play's been a pretty big success.

Finishing the show, you bow down, listening to the applause of the various parents. Caoimhe and Beth are led onto the stage, Beth grinning from ear-to-ear while Caoimhe blushes deeply, lips parted nervously in a shy smile. The two girls bow, and with one final wave of applause, the red curtains are drawn across, bringing the show to an end.

"Great job everyone!" Caoimhe says. "I'm so proud of each and every one of you!"

A round of cheers go up from the cast and crew, as you make your way to Caoimhe.

"You were amazing!" Caoimhe beams eagerly, hugging you as you approach. "That was the best singing you've ever done! I knew you could do it!"

"Yeah, I'm spectacular," you say, doing an exaggerated mock bow. "But seriously, this was all you. You did amazing. This would've been an absolute shitshow without you."

"Oh, stop it!" Caoimhe blushes. "I had a great group of people working with me."

Katie and Beth appear, Katie grinning goofily from ear-to-ear, with Beth's smile being softer, yet no less proud.

"Hey, ladies," you say. "Great job tonight. You guys did great!"

"Thanks," Beth answers, as Katie nods her head in agreement.

"I know! I got lots of laughs! I even saw my Dad laugh, and he never does that!" Katie says.

"You were hilarious, Kate," you reply, before raising your voice to half-address the surrounding cast and crew. "So, how are we celebrating? Drink? ****? Orgy? God, I hope it's an orgy!"

"The Drama Teacher said the school would pay for pizzas to celebrate!" Caoimhe answers. "I'll give you all some time to talk to your families, and then I was thinking we could set up the projector and watch some musicals right here in the auditorium!"

"Sounds fun!" Katie says.

Caoimhe nudges you gently.

"Maybe if you're up for it, you could try sneak in a few beers for us?" Caoimhe says.

"A few beers? Christ, we're supposed to be celebrating! Look, you guys hang out with your families and all that sentimental stuff, just give me, like, half the money we're meant to have for pizza. Give me an hour and I'll take care of it."

"Umm... are you sure?"

"Certain," you nod firmly.