Chapter Text
That night, the rehearsal space in the West Wing was half chaos, half charm. Ariel plugged in her electric guitar, while Jasmine adjusted the mic stand next to her. Rajah was the band’s audience tonight.
“Alright, warm-up’s done,” Jasmine said. “Let’s do it.”
Belle sat on an amp, tuning her bass slowly, a stack of scribbled lyrics by her feet. She hadn’t spoken since she joined the others.
Aurora stood near her, rhythm guitar slung loose over her shoulder. “I thought we were working on the medley today,” she said.
Ariel didn’t look up. “We are, but maybe later,” she said. “So let’s do this song instead. Open mic’s this weekend, and this will crush!”
Snow White sat behind the drum kit, tapping nervously. “If I know which one you’re talking about, I don’t know if I’ve practiced it enough,” she said.
“You’ll be fine!” Ariel scoffed, flipping her hair back. “It’s not about precision, but vibe.”
Cinderella pulled the keyboard bench out. “Okay, but if Belle added more to her medley, then shouldn’t we hear that too?” she inquired.
“It’s done now. I sent a demo yesterday,” Belle said quietly.
“I didn’t open it,” Ariel replied without a hint of guilt.
The room went still. But Snow White broke the silence after giving a soft count from four, and from there, the band performed “Rain on Me” by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande.
“I didn’t ask for a free ride,” Jasmine sang. “I only asked you to show me a real good time. I never asked for the rainfall. At least I showed up, you showed me nothin’ at all. It’s coming down on me. Water like misery. It’s coming down on me. I’m ready, rain on me.
“I’d rather be dry, but at least I’m alive. Rain on me, rain, rain. Rain on me, rain, rain. I’d rather be dry, but at least I’m alive. Rain on me, rain, rain. Rain. On. Me.”
“Rain on me,” Ariel and Jasmine sang together. “Mmm, oh yeah, baby, rain on me.”
“Living in a world where no one’s innocent,” sang Ariel. “Oh, but at least we try, mmm. Gotta live my truth, not keep it bottled in. So I don’t lose my mind, baby, yeah. I can feel it on my skin.”
“It’s coming down on me!” Jasmine sang.
“Teardrops on my face,” sang Ariel.
“Water like misery!” Jasmine sang.
“Let it wash away my sins,” sang Ariel.
“It’s coming down on me!” sang Jasmine.
“Let it wash away, yeah yeah,” Ariel sang.
“I’d rather be dry, but at least I’m alive,” Ariel and Jasmine sang together. “Rain on me, rain, rain. Rain on me, rain, rain. I’d rather be dry, but at least I’m alive. Rain on me, rain, rain. Rain. On. Me. Rain on me! Rain on me. Oh yeah, yeah. Rain on me, ooh, yeah. Rain on me, rain on me, ooh. Hands up to the sky.”
“I’ll be your galaxy,” Jasmine sang.
“I’m about to fly,” both sang.
“Rain on me, tsunami,” sang Jasmine.
“Hands up to the sky,” both sang.
“I’ll be your galaxy,” Jasmine sang again.
“I’m about to fly,” both sang.
“Rain. On. Me,” sang Jasmine.
“Rain on me!” Ariel sang.
“I’d rather be dry, but at least I’m alive,” Ariel and Jasmine sang in unison. “Rain on me, rain, rain. Rain on me, rain, rain. I’d rather be dry, but at least I’m alive. Rain on me, rain, rain. Rain. On. Me. I hear the thunder coming down. Won’t you rain on me? Oh, oh, yeah!”
“Rain on, whoo!” Jasmine sang.
“I hear the thunder coming down,” sang both. “Won’t you rain on me? Oh, oh, yeah!”
“Rain. On. Me,” sang Jasmine, ending the song.
Throughout the song, Belle tried to lock in the bassline, but Ariel’s presence filled every inch of space. Belle’s part faded beneath the swell of the other instruments. Even her backing vocal was completely overpowered. She tried again in the second verse… only for Ariel and Jasmine to skip the line entirely.
“You’re not listening,” Belle replied after everyone stopped playing their instruments.
Ariel blinked. “What?” she gasped.
“You’re not listening,” Belle repeated. “To me, or anyone. This isn’t The Dreamers anymore- now this is The Ariel Show.”
“That’s rich,” snapped Ariel, dropping her mic. “Because your medley is just a patchwork of sad girl ballads that no one’s gonna dance to.”
Belle flinched. “It’s honest,” she said. “That’s what music is supposed to be.”
“And THIS is what gets people’s attention,” Ariel replied, motioning to the speakers. “It makes us memorable.”
Aurora stepped between them. “Okay, can we not argue on a school night?” she asked.
“Maybe we should take five,” said Snow White.
“I already did,” Belle said before walking out.
Snow White set her drumsticks down. “I- I’m gonna go too,” she whispered.
“Well, that went well,” Jasmine said sarcastically.
Ariel stared at the mic in her hand, her knuckles turning white. Aurora lowered the volume on the amp.
“Do you think she’s really mad?” Ariel asked quietly. “I HAVE been making this about me.”
Aurora nodded. “Yes you have,” she said. “But if anything, Belle’s hurt right now. And probably right.”
Ariel swallowed hard. This wasn’t what she meant- at all.
Just when Belle stepped outside, a car door opened, and Adam stepped out with food from Burger King in his hands- a brown paper bag in one hand, and a strawberry milkshake in the other.
“Please tell me you’re in the mood for greasy burgers and strawberry shakes,” he teased.
Belle looked up. Adam’s hoodie was too big, his jeans were too ripped, and his smile was a little too soft for someone who used to be a beast. But it was him.
“Thanks for getting dinner,” Belle said with a smile.
“Of course,” Adam replied before noticing Belle’s sadness. “Rough rehearsal?”
Belle sighed. “Do you ever feel like you’re invisible in your own place?” she asked her boyfriend.
Adam unwrapped a cheeseburger and handed it to Belle with a nod. Belle stared at it for a moment, then took a bite.
“Well, the thing is, I’m trying to write a meaningful song,” she continued. “But Ariel just wants fireworks and spotlights.”
“And you want heart,” Adam said gently. “That’s not a bad thing.”
“No, but I don’t want to compete with her,” Belle replied. “I want to connect. But today, it felt like… if I don’t play it loud, it’s not worth hearing.”
“Then write it louder,” Adam suggested. “Not because it’s her style, but because it’s your truth. Loud truth still counts.”
Belle looked down at her burger. “Then do you think I should keep writing it?” she inquired.
“In my opinion, she’d win if you stop,” said Adam.
Belle smiled. “You’re actually really good at pep talks,” she told Adam.
“I learned from the best,” Adam chuckled. “I even got you extra fries!”