Shinanigens

### **CHAPTER ONE - whoops and an encounter**

“Wait. I don’t remember saying anything that abo-” Sammy said, looking at the band. He just had heard some rumors of… a certain subject.

“You didn’t, Mr. Lawrence. Mr. Franks did,” Abigail interrupted, gently holding her violin. “He came in during one of the recording sessions while we were on break and he told us.”

Sammy turned red, his pale skin making it obvious. “Well- that is *not* true, and Mr. Franks must have been joking.”

“But, Mr. Lawrence, then how come Mr. Franks also said he saw you and Ms. Campbell in-” Mitchell started to say, standing next to Abigail.

“JUST BE QUIET.” Sammy said, furiously blushing. “There is nothing going on between me and Ms. Campbell besides being co-workers. You all are acting like school children. Start acting like the adults you all are.”

The band rolled their eyes, starting to talk amongst themselves. “Well, I think there *is* something going on, and you can’t change my mind,” Abigail whispered to Mitchell. “I mean, the two seem very close to each other, right?”

Mitchell nodded, grinning. “I mean, what the heck would a man like him do to resist a girl like that?” He said, leaning back in his chair.

“Alright, everyone.” Sammy said, standing at the front of the room. “Everyone ready? This is our *final* practice until we record for real.” The group nodded, getting their instruments ready. They started to play, the upbeat, poppy melody, prepared to record...

*A few hours later, near the end of the day…*

“That was annoying. Why did Kevin even throw the mallet? Did he think he was being funny? There was literally no purpose ” Mitchell said, looking at Abigail.

“Yeah, and Karen was very upset. I wonder if she’s alright,” Abigail said, walking with her cousin. “I still think it’s funny that we got to get a job together, I mean, being cousins and all. I dunno why everyone thinks that relatives can’t work together, right Mitch?”

He scoffed, rolling his eyes. “I know, but does it really matter? I mean, it’s not like we’re a married couple.”

The two walked through the hall, chatting. A hi from Jill, a move-out-of-the-way to George, and an interruption from a few of the newbies.

“Hey, watch where you’re going,” Abigail said, looking at the kids. A light brown-haired girl with sparkly grey-blue-green eyes and glasses; a brown haired african-american boy with hazel eyes and a fancy blazer; and a thin blonde-haired girl with big grey eyes and a short flapper dress.

“Sorry,” The brown haired girl said, pushing up her glasses. “Sorry, sorry, sorry…” She whispered, shyly retreating.

“Hey, sorry ‘bout that.” The african-american boy said. “I’m Julian, the blonde girl is Naomi, and the glasses girl is Samantha, but we call her Sammy. Anyways, we’re sorry.”

“Ooh, another Sammy! I kinda wonder how Mr. Lawrence’ll feel about that.” Mitchell said, chuckling. “Two Sammys, that’s just a sight to see, isn’t it?”

Samantha opened her mouth, about to say something. She gently tapped Julian with her violin, making a “why did you have to bring that up” look.

“OH! You’re a violinist? Or is that someone else’s?” Mitchell asked, pointing at Samantha’s violin.

“I’m a vocalist, actually,” She softly said, trying to avoid conversing. “Anyways, we have to go, don’t we, Julian?”

“Oh, hush. You just want to leave because you have mental problems,” Julian said, sticking his tongue out. Abigail and Mitchell shot a look at each other, confused at what he had just said. “Come on, we have time to converse!”

“Yep!” Naomi said, looking even more jittery than before. “Sammy has depression, multiple types of anxiety, and a few other things.”

Samantha looked at Naomi, as if she was about to punch her. “Okay, that’s it, we’re leaving. Nice meeting you.” She growled, walking out of the room, clutching Naomi’s hand.

“OH, AND SHE HAS TERRIBLE ANGER ISSUES-” Naomi shouted as they left.

“Sorry ‘bout that, guys. See you later.” Julian said, sighing. He followed the two, walking out of the room, leaving Abigail and Mitchell alone.

“Huh, that wasn’t expected. I guess not all vocalists are that pretty,” Mitchell said, commenting on Samantha’s appearance.

“Hey, that’s very rude. She looked perfectly beautiful," Abigail said, gently punching her cousin. "Jerk."

### **CHAPTER TWO- A visit from Mr. Lawrence**

“Hey guys. I need Mr. Verdan and Ms. Johnson to Mr. Lawrence’s office as soon as possible.” Jack Fain said, standing in the doorway. “No idea why, but he wants you two.”

Abigail and Mitchell rolled their eyes, standing up and walking towards the doorway. They stepped into the music director’s office, standing with a straight posture. “You summoned us, Mr. Lawrence?” Abigail said, locking eye contact with the director.

“Yeesh,” Sammy said, somewhat scared of the 26-year-old. “Why do you guys keep on calling Mr. Lawrence? It’s not like I’m your school teacher, we’re coworkers…” He mumbled as he got up.

Abigail chuckled. “Alright then, *Sammy*,” She said, smirking. “Seriously, though, why are we here?”

“I just wanted to ask a favor of you two.” Sammy said, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “But obviously you two might not be fit for the job,”

“Okay, gosh, Samuel.” Mitchell sarcastically announced, trying to tip-toe to be taller than him. “We can do it, but why should we have to?”

Sammy stared at Mitchell, giving him a “what the hell” sort of look. “You know what, I’m gonna make you two do it. If you guys can’t tell, I’m not a big fan of your shenanigans. *Especially* that whole ‘Samuel is Susie’s boyfriend’ writing on the wall the other day.”

Mitchell snorted, covering his mouth. “At least you didn’t see the drawing-” He said, stopping himself.

“Excuse me. What.” Sammy said, obviously flustered. “Okay, what the actual-” Sammy cussed under his breath, pacing around the room.

“Well, uh,” Abigail said, rubbing the back of her head. “Mitchell kind of drew you and Susie… kissing?”

Sammy turned around, leaving his office. “I hate you two sometimes, I hope you know that. I’m still fairly certain both of you should be in kindergarten with this behavior.”

Mitchell punched Abigail in the arm gently, laughing. “Oh well, at least he didn’t see it.”

\* \* \* \*

Sammy stood in the band room, looking around at the musicians. “Alright, I need everyone out for now. We’ve got some recording sessions right now. One with our two vocalists and with Susie.” Everyone started to chuckle at the thought of Susie and Sammy in a small room where they’d be right up next to each other.

The band left the room, going on break. “Oh well, I kind of wonder who the vocalis-” Abigail said, looking back into the band room. “Vocalists are…”

Samantha stood next to Julian, who was standing next to Susie and Sammy. “Well, nice to meet you two! I’m Susie Campbell, but you can just call me Susie.”

Sammy nodded, barely smiling. That was an odd sight to see… Sammy *smiling*? “Nice to meet you two, too. I’m excited to finally have some good vocalists for the songs.” He paused for a moment, “And I find it amusing there’s another Sammy. I suppose we’ll have to find a way to distinguish which Sammy is which.”

Julian laughed, nudging Samantha. “I guess it’s Samuel and Samantha instead of Sammy and Sammy,”

“I could be Irish Sammy,” Samantha softly said. “Uncle Shawn would find that funny.”

Sammy’s eyes widened as he put the ‘Irish’ and ‘Uncle Shawn’ together. “OH, you’re Shawn Flynn’s niece, aren’t you? I was confused for a second since you don’t have much of an accent,” He said, scratching the back of his head. “Well that gives some context. I think I do know you, then!”

“I guess I came here when I was small, at least, I remember coming here. I think it was when I was… four or so. Definitely in the late thirties.” Samantha said.

Abigail laughed, realizing how young Samantha was. But, with laughing comes noise, and with noise comes being noticed. “Well, hello Abigail. You too, Mitchell.” Sammy said, saying each of their names with a wisp of saltiness. “I could have sworn you two were going to leave with everyone else.”

Mitchell opened his mouth to say something, but stopped. “Oh, *you two*.” Julian said, snickering.

“Ah, so you guys have already met?” Susie said, smiling. “Good to know!”

“I guess so,” Samantha said, avoiding eye contact with the two. “Anyways, something about recording vocals soon?”

Sammy nodded. “You two should do some voice warm ups first.”

Julian grinned, standing on the podium. “I advise you to plug your ears, Samuel, Susie.” Samantha said, covering her ears.

Sammy looked at her, then to Susie, a tad confused. “Alright then?”

And then,

*Julian let out a loud, piercing shriek, as if he had just been stabbed.*