Loving A Triple Threat

Chapter 48: The Recital

The air was electric with excitement from students and parents. It was the night of the famed Branksome Hall recitals, the end-of-year performances which were part debut and part the culmination of their studies. The younger girls were full of youthful exuberance while the older were quietly absorbing the pressure they felt.

The only group immune to the atmosphere were the professionals. Some were agents, others were talent managers from entertainment companies with a smattering of special guests who ran said companies.

Although YG was a sponsor and supporter of the school, all would attend. Their status would allow them an advantage in scouting and contract negotiations, which was displayed in Gi's case. She was already signed to YG and her future was assured. This caused stress and jealousy within her grouping with Misha and Suzie, the premiere group of the night.

As their last act as students of Branksome Hall they would perform at the recitals. They were the leading girls in senior year which gave them the honour of the finale performance.

Gi breathed, although she had signed with YG she felt the pressure to do well for her friends. She ensured the line distribution was even, and they had every chance to shine. She went to the extent that she took the most difficult parts.

"I'm not nervous," Suzie announced, and it was clear she was trying to convince herself that it was a fact. The shorter girl was pretty, and the boys loved her curves. Now that school was finished, she had dyed her hair bright pink, and it suited her. Misha had a subtle red tone through her hair while Gi retained her natural raven hair.

"This will prepare us for our debut," Gi said encouragingly. The recital was not an official debut because they were not a group with an entertainment company. But the pressure and attention were similar. The main difference was they were not on national tv.

Misha nodded and smiled weakly, "I wish we weren't last." She then began to bounce on the spot as another group from the younger girls began their performance.

Sena, Hyuk and Seok could not see the girls as they waited in the wings off stage.

"This is boring," Hyuk announced and Seok looked at him as if he was crazy.

"It's great," Seok countered enjoying the performances. They were surrounded by parents and professionals. The students and staff from Branksome were in the lower tier. Sena assured them that the upper tier had the best acoustics and view, after he purloined the tickets with his usual nefarious ways.

As they watched the performances, they chatted about what they would be doing next year.

"I applied to KAIST," Seok said, "I hope I get in."

"Of course you will," Sena stated. "You got all As didn't you? At a great school like Daeil. You're a shoe in."

Seok looked hopeful.

"What about you Hyuk?" Sena asked.

"I applied to three universities, my grades aren't the best, but I will get into Commerce at one of them." Hyuk replied.

"Business?" Sena asked with a surprised tone.

"It's what my parents want. It will make it easier for me to get a good job," Hyuk explained. "And I'm too stupid for engineering or medicine." He added.

"When do you enlist for service?" Seok asked Sena who was turning eighteen.

"Um never!" Sena replied.

"You can't work until your forty!" Seok said exasperatedly.

Sena laughed. "They people who pay me don't care about that."

Seok was concerned, "You should enlist. You never know what your future may be. And when you're thirty, you might be sorry."

Sena grumbled, "I'm sorry now. Sorry we're talking about it. Just enjoy the show."

"How long until our girls are on?" Hyuk asked looking at his phone.

"Two more performances," Seok replied. "Ten minutes."

Ms Ling watched from the wings as her girls took the stage. She was a little nervous but more excited for what was about to happen. She looked to Ms Moon who nodded and smiled back at her before peeking out to the audience where she could the dozens of students holding up phones and she made a tsk sounds at their behaviour.

Ms Ling ignored the audience and watched her girls. They had worked so hard, but even better they were inventive and courageous with their choices. She had selected their wardrobes to match their personalities. Suzie was dressed in a bodacious skirt and crop top, leaving little to the imagination. Her pink hair flowed behind her and only accentuated her looks. Dazzling sequins adorned her top and her skirt was white with black trim.

Misha wore the classic little black dress with sleek cuts at the neck and her h.i.p.s. When she spun or kicked her black tights were visible beneath. Gi was the tallest and most though the prettiest, but Ms Ling had followed her wishes and put her in a black feminine suit. Her curves were mostly hidden beneath the flowing fabric, but she looked strong and elegant. Her hair was tied back, and her eyes shone bright past the dark eye shadow.

The crowd was silent as the lights dimmed. And before they came back on the beat started and then the recognisable hook for Crush played. Everyone would know what they were performing from the refrain alone. But that was the magic, they had set an expectation and now they would surprise the audience with the original arrangement.

Instead of the aggressive rap, the trio sang the lyrics in the dark in harmony. And then as the chorus hit the lights came on. They turned from sweet to aggressive in an instant.

Suzie: They love me cuz I'm hot

Misha: They love me cuz I'm cold

Gi: They love me cuz I'm real

All: They love me cuz I kill (x2)

As the chorus burst forth they each moved to the front. Until the last  where they all stood in a line. They moved so fast, sliding past each other before belting out their line that a tear escaped Ms Ling's eye. She was so proud at that instant. Most of the audience wouldn't appreciate the difficulty and timing that was required.

At this point the audience realised it was massively different and waited with bated breath for each refrain. When Gi sang "I'm a bitch," in harmony with Suzie singing "Whatever I do, I do it my way." It blew their minds. They had twisted the lyrics to backing harmony underpinning the aggressive lead.

In the original during most of the song only one member of 2NE1 would sing or rap. In the Branksome version, they all sang. And most of the time the backing vocals were different lyrics to the lead singer.

The audience began to recognise their style and theme. The Chorus was the familiar rap, but the rest used backing vocals behind a lead which they rotated. There wasn't much opportunity to show off amazing dance moves, but the girls confidently strode the stage. Weaving between one another, the choro was changed to suit the delivery. It supported it style which helped the audience understand it as it was the first time, they heard it.

And sadly, Ms Ling thought, the last. Recitals were a one and done performance. It was a shame, she thought, it was such an ingenious arrangement.

When the trio bowed finished the bowed.

Ms Ling was expecting the parents to stand and clap, they always did. But she did not expect every student to jump to their feet and scream their appreciation.

They clapped and cheered. Even the professionals were standing and clapping.

After a minute the students began to chant, "Again, again, do it again."

Ms Ling looked at the Principal who looked at the Theatre Manager who nodded. And after a few minutes of resetting the girls repeated their performance. Ms Ling had been a teacher for over ten years, and she had never heard of this happening, let alone seen it.

Ms Moon merely clapped and cheered along with the crowd and Ms Ling was happy that tears of pride flowed from her eyes as well.

Sena shouted at the talent agent, "Get up!" As the girls finished their second performance. Hyuk laughed that Sena could bully a.d.u.l.ts into giving standing ovations.

As they clapped and cheered Seok shouted over the din, "I don't think Suzie and Misha will have trouble getting contracts now."

Sena nodded and poked the Talent Scout who had the unfortunate position of sitting next to him. "Sign them if you know what's good for you."

The man just nodded and smiled weakly.

Behind them a Talent Manager said, "That was the most amazing performance. I can't believe it was amateur."

His female assistant added, "It's a pity more people won't get to see it."

The boys laughed at the ignorant a.d.u.l.ts. Below them in the student section were fifty phones filming the performance. It would be on the internet tonight if not live streamed through Instagram or Facebook already.

Sena watched Gi. His heart was both filled with joy and sorrow. She would be a star. Nothing would stop her now. But this also meant he could never be part of her life. Even the greatest idols could not afford scandals.