Chapter Text
The only reason Tommy went to English class was because his mom was the Vice Principal. He did not enjoy school in the slightest. If he had a choice, he’d be out on the town right now, quote-on-quote, “doing weed and getting bitches.”
However, he had to pay attention, because Tommy wasn’t a loser. Losers didn’t get bitches. And with two older brothers who were future English majors, though Wilbur claimed he’d “make it big” in the music industry and not attend college, it's very easy to fall behind.
Speaking of his family, they were what Tommy would consider losers. All of them were enthralled by the school’s lackluster theatre program, for some reason that Tommy did not understand. Wilbur was the textbook “pretentious” tenor” in every school musical. Techno only did plays, refusing to believe that musicals were truly theatre. And Phil, Tommy’s dad, was open about the fact he was only the theatre club sponsor for the drama. Kristin was technically the boys’ step-mom, but most referred to her as just “mom” to make explaining things easier. She and Phil actually met at the high-school production of Mamma Mia . Apparently, for Phil, it had been love at first sight.
Just like school, Tommy didn’t enjoy waking up early to attend said hell. Fighting for the bathroom with a brother who was way too focused on hiding his receding hairline and another who “secretly” sang show tunes in the shower, wasn’t how Tommy liked spending his 6 AM.
So Tommy never thought he’d find himself at an early morning rehearsal for a musical he didn’t know that name of. He vaguely remembered Wilbur mentioning something about a musical and “getting bitches” last night at dinner, but Tommy was more concerned about what mystery meat Phil snuck into the meatloaf that night. Nobody liked his dad’s cooking.
But let’s backtrack a little bit. How exactly did he get here?
Well, it was an unusually cold Tuesday night in August, and Tommy was just returning home from a “study date” with Tubbo. Tommy had a wonderful first day of school, surprisingly. He got to his classes, had friends and an actual table to sit at, at lunch, etc. It was every freshman’s dream. However, he was missing one requirement that every student at the school had to meet: joining a club.
Tubbo vaguely mentioned joining the Debate team, but Tommy laughed at him. Tubbo hated public speaking with a passion. Tommy shot back that no bitches date debate team members, which made Tubbo shut up about the debate team.
Tommy thought about joining Key Club, but the sponsor, Mr. Beast, was a bit intense. Even for Tommy’s standards. That’s when Wilbur joined in with his more-than-unwelcomed opinion.
“Why not join the Theatre Club?” Wilbur said, spooning another serving of green beans onto his plate. “We love having freshmen join.”
“You said yesterday that you hated Freshmen,” Techno commented, trying to sneak another scoop of potatoes out from under Philza’s gleaming eyes. See, Phil lived for the drama, even in his own home.
Wilbur swatted Techno, whose glasses fell off his nose, “not you, Tommy. I could never hate you. You’re already a legend in the club! Techno and the amazing Wilbur’s younger brother, destined to follow in his outstanding older brothers’ footsteps.”
“Calm down, Icarus,” Techno replied with an eye roll as he picked his glasses off the table and placed them on his face again.
“You take one Greek mythology course over the summer and suddenly I’m Icarus and Tom’s Theseus,” Wilbur grumbled under his breath. Techno had become a bit of a grandiose prick when it came to Greek metaphors recently, even Tommy agreed.
“I’ll pass thanks,” Tommy replied, poking his meatloaf with his fork, “I might join the debate team.”
Wilbur deadpanned, “No debate team members get bitches Tommy. You know this.”
“Boys,” Kristin chimed in, “don’t stress poor Tommy out. He’s got a month to decide! He’ll find his place at school soon, I just know it.” Mom was always the nicest person in the family. She didn’t get angry often, and Tommy appreciated that about her. But she was still slightly scary, being the Vice Principal and all.
“We have an interest meeting tomorrow morning. Please come for me. The club is providing breakfast too!”
“Food as a bribery tactic huh. Will there be potatoes?”
“YOU ARE ALREADY IN THE CLUB YOU OVERGROWN PIG!” Wilbur took a deep breath to collect himself, “I’m going to take a shower.” He turned to look over his shoulder at his little brother, “consider what I said Tommy. Women love artistic folks. I guarantee you’ll have at least three girls hanging off you by winter break.” And with that Wilbur was out of the room and heading towards the shower.
Women you say? Tommy thought.
Okay, Tommy would go to one rehearsal. One.
“Don’t listen to him. You need to find where you fit in. Wilbur just has this weird fantasy of the theatre club being a family thing.”
“Ah. Thanks for the advice, Techno.”
“Don’t mention it Theseus,” Techno said, walking out the room.
“STOP CALLING ME THESEUS!”
Tommy heard Techno’s signature laugh from around the corner as he walked away. Okay, He’d go to a rehearsal. But only once, and he’s going for the food. And maybe the women.
So that’s how Tommy ended up sitting in a circle on an undecorated stage, at 5:45 in the morning, surrounded by his dad, his two older brothers, and 30 strangers who all happened to attend the same school as him. At least he convinced Tubbo to join with him, but Tubbo being Tubbo missed the first meeting. Typical.
Tommy already regretted this.