Chapter 14
SALEM HIGH
Ciara was watching from the doorway.
SHULER: Okay, next up is “Another Suitcase”. Miss Michaels, Miss Adams and Mr. Jennings, when you're ready.
Jade and Chase stood and looked around for the third student that Mrs. Shuler had called.
HENRI: Mrs. Shuler, I don't think Nina's here.
SHULER: Okay, well, would someone else like to stand in for her?
Claire raised her hand.
CLAIRE: “Another Suitcase” is one of my favorite songs, Mrs. Shuler.
SHULER: Very good, Miss Brady.
Claire stood. She, Jade and Chase looked over their scripts. J.J. began strumming. Click
here to listen along with the song.
JADE (singing): Hello and goodbye, I just unemployed you. You can go back to school. You've had a good run, I'm sure he enjoyed you. Don't act sad or surprised, let's be friends, civilized. Come on little one, don't sit there like a dummy.
Jade pats Claire's head.
JADE (singing): The day you knew would arrive is here, you'll survive. So move, funny face!
Jade put on her jacket, making sure that it hit Claire, but that it looked like an accident.
JADE (singing): I like your conversation, you've a catchy turn of phrase.
Jade sat down and mouthed an expletive to Claire.
CLAIRE (singing): I don't expect my love affairs to last for long. Never fool myself that my dreams will come true. Being used to trouble, I anticipate it. But all the same I hate it. Wouldn't you? So what happens now?
CHASE (singing): Another suitcase in another hall.
CLAIRE (singing): So what happens now?
CHASE (singing): Take your picture off another wall.
CLAIRE (singing): Where am I going to?
CHASE (singing): You'll get by, you always have before.
CLAIRE (singing): Where am I going to? Time and time again, I've said that I don't care. That I'm immune to gloom, that I'm hard through and through. But every time it matters, all my words desert me. So anyone can hurt me, and they do. So what happens now?
CHASE (singing): Another suitcase in another hall.
CLAIRE (singing): So what happens now?
CHASE (singing): Take your picture off another wall.
CLAIRE (singing): Where am I going to?
CHASE (singing): You'll get by, you always have before.
CLAIRE (singing): Where am I going to? Call in three months time and I'll be fine, I know. Well, maybe not that fine, but I'll survive anyhow. I won't recall the names and places of each sad occasion But that's no consolation here and now. So what happens now?
CHASE (singing): Another suitcase in another hall.
CLAIRE (singing): So what happens now?
CHASE (singing): Take your picture off another wall.
CLAIRE (singing): Where am I going to?
CHASE (singing): You'll get by, you always have before.
CLAIRE (singing): Where am I going to?
Chase put a hand on Claire's shoulder.
CHASE (singing): Don't ask anymore.
J.J. finished strumming, and Claire and Chase sat back down.
SHULER: All right, everybody. Let's just leave it there for tonight. That was good, for a first practice. We'll see you all here tomorrow. Same time.
All of the students began packing up their things and leaving the room.
J.J.: Joey.
JOEY: Sup?
J.J.: Can we talk for a minute?
JOEY: Sure.
Joey picked up his bag and brought it over by J.J., who was still putting away his sheet music. Jade followed. J.J. looked up.
J.J.: Privately.
JADE: Anything you can say to Joey, you can say to me.
JOEY: It's okay. I'll just meet you outside.
Jade rolled her eyes, but she kissed Joey on the cheek and walked away.
JOEY: So, what's goin' on?
J.J.: That's actually what I want to know.
JOEY: Okay...
J.J.: What's up with you and Jade?