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Things have been going well for Aiden as of late. He has been constantly getting roles in musical theater, his long-time dream. He was determined to make a name of himself in the industry, putting extra effort in practicing and perfecting his performances vocal- and stage presence-wise. He kept himself busy while his boyfriend, James, partook in his own acting career. It's kinda funny how both of them had careers in acting, just in different fields. Sure, it made them both very occupied and they spent less time together, but if Aiden was happy doing what he loved, then James was happy also.
Anyway, tonight was another show for a play that was one of Auden's favorites. He played a part in this musical since high school, so he was well-versed in the whole script and roles. It was night four of the musical production, and since some of his friends were free for the night, including James, Aiden invited them all to come watch him perform. Even Lake came! They all attended the show and took their seats as a group.
The show was going so far so good. Everyone was doing their parts, the scenes went smoothly, Aiden was doing amazing as usual. The audience was impressed, and of course, James almost swooned in his seat. Aiden then had a solo number to do, a song he's done before countless times before and practiced almost every day up until it was showtime. He was doing so well, hitting the right notes and portraying emotion appropriate for the scene…
Then his voice cracked.
Horrendously.
During a high note at the climax of the song.
He heard himself and caught it immediately, instantly clamping his lips together after that. The audience heard it, too, and while there wasn't much reaction from the crowd to it, his friends TOTALLY heard it and couldn't help themselves. Some of them started leaning over or to the side and covering their mouths as their shoulders bounced up and down. Lake, Jake, and Gabby were trying to stop the others from laughing or making a big reaction while they too were nearly laughing. It was just so unexpected and hilarious. But Aiden continued on, trying to act like nothing happened and finish his song. Once he was done, the audience applauded and the curtains closed, cueing Aiden to go backstage. The moment he did, his face turned bright red, and he grabbed his face as the embarrassment he held back onstage finally came out in a loud, flustered yell.
He so wanted to die right now.
He didn't want ANYONE to see him after that.
Regardless, the show went on. He got through the rest of the musical without any more problems. After the musical ended and everyone was free to go home, Aiden left with his friends and hung out at a spot close-by where they got late-night snacks. The friend group sat down at a table and casually conversed about how amazing the musical was and their favorite moments from it. Aiden smiled at their reactions to the show and his performance, but inside he was praying that they wouldn’t bring up that moment of his solo. But alas… friends don't forget.
"Sooooo," Tom started, peeking over to Aiden with a playful tone, "are we gonna talk about that voice crack you made?"
"No." Aiden responded immediately in a rushed and dismissive tone.
Yet it was too late. Some of the group started giggling as that moment replayed in their minds, making Auden's cheeks slightly heated up before he tried to stop what was inevitable.
"Shut up, it wasn't funny!"
"It kinda was." Jake chuckled mid-response.
Ellie followed suit with her own comment, "Head tilted back and everything…"
Aiden's face turned even more red as his least proud moment was now the topic, accidentally cracking his voice again through embarrassment. "Shut up!"
But that only made the group laugh again, more freely now since they weren't at the theater anymore.
"Sorry Aiden", a giggling Gabby said. "I just never heard your voice crack like that before. It just came out of nowhere!"
Aiden leans forward in his seat, his forehead touching his balled-together hands as he let out a shameful groan. A voice crack on stage was bad enough. His friends witnessing it live made it worst. Never has he felt like he wanted to melt and become one with the Earth more than he does right now.
"Awww, it's okay, sunshine. It wasn't that bad!"
James reassured Aiden, patting and rubbing his back to comfort the smaller male. As if James wasn't one of the ones who was also snickering when it happened.
"James, don't lie." Gabby intervened, "You were one of the main ones— I saw you snickering in your seat!"
"Shhhhhh," James quickly hushed her up, giving her a light glare even though Gabby was right. Heck, he's trying not to laugh right now for Aiden.
"Doesn't matter. He still sounded like an angel!"
And of course Ellie had to butt in, "Yeah, before it!"
"I'm gonna kill myself." Aiden finally raised his head back up, his dark hair strands brushing over his forehead.
He didn't actually mean that, it was just one of those common phrase when you're extremely embarrassed or inconvenienced. Everyone in the friend group knew that, yet James just couldn't help but show a little bit of concern,
"Don't do that, actually-"
"Guys, c'mon, lay off of Aiden." Lake finally said something. She did enjoy the conversation and friendly teasing, but if this goes on any longer, she fears Aiden would turn into a puddle of shame. "It was funny, but he did really good tonight… Leave the poor guy alone for a bit."
"I mean it was really funny," Tom couldn't help but add, earning himself a glare from James and Lake across the table. Feeling sweat go down his cheek from how they were burning lasers into him for dragging this out, he raised his hands up in slight fear. "Okay okay, I'll stop-"
Jake, next to him, folded his arms as he figured it was enough as well. "Regardless, you did really great, Aiden. Don't beat yourself up over it."
"Wouldn't expect any less from my super star boyfriend~" The doting James wrapped his arm around Aiden's waist to pull him in for a few smooches to the forehead playfully, making Aiden blush and chuckle at how the other was spoiling him,
"Okay, now you're just being cheesy!"
The group continued on for the rest of the night, talking about everything happening in their lives and any future plans for maybe the next hang-out. Aiden was happy to have friends that support him, even if they make fun of him for mistakes. He knows they're not malicious and it's all good fun. But next time, he's making sure he DOES NOT face another voice crack like that ever again.