Alison
Alison couldn't help but try to come up with an excuse as to why she couldn't perform for them but as she was about to speak Professor Smoak interrupted her.
"Come on guys it would be a great practice for your assignment."
Leo quickly asked, "What assignment?"
"They have to write a song together and perform it together for the class."
"Ahh, I see," he turned to Alison, " Well darling, I have to agree with Derek it would be a great practice for you guys."
Alison smiled as she got her answer, "I know it's a great practice but we can't perform because the song isn't finished as yet."
Dean quickly stepped in to take her side, "We just started the lyrics today we aren't even halfway finished yet."
Alison smiled gratefully silently thanking him.
Though it was obvious Professor Smoak and Ms Johnson had clearly planned out their actions.
"Well, it's a good thing Dean knows one of your songs already right?" Professor Smoak smiled.
Alison choked on air immediately. "What?"
"Professor Smoak not to be rude or anything but I don't really think we are equipped to perform together. We haven't ever sang together so ..."
"Well, Dean I guess this is who we will be able to tell if I have gotten rusty over the years."
"Sir, I doubt that but even the best bands have to practice before they perform."
"True, but those with great understanding can work together so tell me have I lost my talent for spotting talent?"
As Dean was about to respond Alison intervened. "Fine, we'll do it."
Dean turned to Alison shocked, "Are you sure?"
She sighed and rubbed her forehead, "No but they aren't really giving us a choice now are they."
"True."
Alison took a deep breath and made her way to the small stage as she was about to sit at the piano Alex jumped up and went into a room, only to return shortly with a wireless microphone on a stand that he placed on the piano.
"Well thank you, Alex. Always thinking ahead aren't you," Alison smiled sarcastically.
"You know it, Ali," Alex winked.
Alison couldn't help but mutter under her breath. Taking a deep breath she looked over to Dean who was waiting for her signal. She nodded calling him over and tried to calm her breathing as he approached.
Dean
Dean truly thought Alison would absolutely refuse to perform but as usual, she surprised him big time. He thought she was going to be furious and walk away but instead, she was walking towards the stage with her head held high. All he could do was support her decision and follow her lead though as he was making his way to the stage he couldn't help but look around the room. Both Professor Smoak and his aunt were smiling and clapping, Alexander and Olivia were smiling talking among themselves until Alison reached the piano and Alex rushed into the next room. The reaction that surprised Dean the most was Leo's, he was smiling with tears running down his eyes as Alison sat down.
Dean climbed the steps of the stage and stood by the mic waiting for Alison to call him over and tell him the plan. When she finally did he made his way over to her and noticed she was taking deep breaths as if trying to calm herself.
"Hey what's wrong?"
"I don't think I can do this that's what."
"Well you said it yourself we don't have much of a choice and remember I'm here with you."
She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, "How are we going to do this?"
"If you are open to the idea I can start the song while you play the piano like we planned and when you are ready you join in."
Alison just nodded, "Sure that sounds like a good idea."
Dean smiled and made his way to the mic and signaled for Alison to begin. Alison took a deep breath and began playing, Dean smiled, and right on queue, he began singing.
Leo
Leo was surprised when Alison didn't storm out of the room but he had faith that this was a sign that she would get on the stage and do what she was born to do.
As she took her seat at the piano he was already in tears, how could he not be. After all, Alison was an exact copy of her mother the love of his life, and to put the cherry on the cake Alison was starting to get over her stage fright.
As they all sat waiting for the two to begin, he noticed as Dean made his way to the mic and nodded to Alison.
Leo and everyone else seemed to hold their breath waiting for the next move.
Then Alison began to play, Professor Smoak being the only one who had heard the song before smiled proudly at his students while everyone else was in awe. Then Dean began to sing and the truth was Leo was not expecting Dean's voice in any way.
As Dean ended the first verse and began the chorus Alison joined in. Everyone straight away turned to stare at the beauty who was singing with an angelic voice.
Alison had her eyes closed and sang to the mic while still playing the piano and it was clear as day what the song was about. It was her life before she changed before she lost her mother, when she was still filled with hope.
As Alison sang Dean took a step back from the mic and picked up the guitar on the side and began playing along letting Alison take the lead.
Leo looked at the two on stage and couldn't believe it was their first time singing together. To anyone else they would have thought that the pair had been singing together for years. They worked so fluently together both complimenting each other's voice with their own.
Leo looked over to his friend and clapped.
Derek smiled and mouthed, "I know what I'm doing."
Leo replied, "Clearly you do," and gestured to the pair.
He then turned back to the stage and continued to admire his daughter as she sang her heart out to them and he noticed her eyes were still closed and she was crying but as she sang her smile never faded.
Leo couldn't be prouder of his daughter and he realized that Dean Ozeata definitely had a major effect on her and was helping her even if she didn't know it yet.
As the song drew to an end Dean stepped away from the mic and continued played the guitar letting Alison close of the song.
When she finished the last note she slowly moved her hands away from the keys and opened her eyes.
Everyone stood up and began cheering, Alexander with tears in his eyes ran to his little sister and locked her in his embraced. Alison was laughing and shaking her head as if amazing to know she was able to do to it.
She then looked over to Dean and mouthed, "Thank you "
Dean shook his head and replied, "It was all you," and began clapping.