An hour later, she was up. Wide awake and it was only seven in the morning; she crawled out of bed. Completely used to the fact that she'd most likely only get one hour of sleep a night, Maria was rather chipper. She hopped into the shower, got dressed in an outfit that was as far away from the uniform as possible and did up her face and hair. By this time it was nine. Maybe I should go cook them breakfast, it can't possibly be healthy for these boys to eat out every day.  And down to the kitchen she went. Opening every pantry and ice box in the kitchen until every piece of a traditional breakfast was found. I'm going to have to quadruple the ingredients to this to feed all these fellas.  Setting to work, she took out her ipod and flipped through to one of her favorite songs. A few seconds in, quiet notes came from her that soon turned full volume as she forgot where she was and began to get into the song.

   The smell of food was the first thing Jeff was aware of, his room was closest to the kitchen. The sound of singing was the next thing he was aware of; he sat up and listened hearing the words to the chorus of Somethings Got A Hold on Me. He smiled, and changed; shaking Nick awake on his way out the door and telling him to meet downstairs. Walking down the spiral staircase he listened as the song, apparently, changed and she began singing a new one.

A kiss on the hand may be quite continental

But diamonds are a girl's best friend

A kiss may be grand... but it won't pay the rental on your humble flat

Or help you at the automat

Men grow cold as girls grow old

And we all lose our charms in the end

But square cut or pear shape these rocks don't lose their shape

Diamonds are a girl's best friend

He smirked silently as he stood with his back pressed to the wall beside the open door, listening to one of the most beautiful voices he had ever heard.  Jeff peered through the window and stared to laugh silently when he saw Maria dancing to the music as well. She was adorable.

.. Tiffany's!

... Cartier!

Black star Frost Gorham

Talk to me Harry Winston tell me all about it!

There may come a time when a lass needs a lawyer

But diamonds are a girl's best friend

There may come a time when a hard boiled employer thinks you're awful nice

But get that ice or else no dice

He's your guy when stocks are high but beware when they start to descend

It's then that those louses go back to their spouses

Diamonds are a girl's best friend

She really was fantastic, and Jeff couldn't help but wonder if her voice would fit well with the rest of the Warblers melodious tunes. As he was thinking, her voice sank into background noise as he hatched a plan. He knew she wouldn't audition on her own, but maybe if they fooled her into performing... Nick appeared at his side, clearly amazed as the crystal clear voice singing from behind the door.

I've heard of affairs that are strictly plutonic

But diamonds are a girl's best friend

And I think affairs that you must keep liaisonic are better bets

If little pets get big baguettes,

Time rolls on and youth is gone and you can't straighten up when you bend

But stiff back or stiff knees you stand straight at... Tiffany's...

Diamonds... diamonds... I don't mean rhinestones... but diamonds... are a girls best... best friend

Both boys stood awestruck as she finished the last jaw dropping notes of the song and as she moved on to her next number. Jeff let Nick in on his plan, and told him to go tell the other Warblers. If his plan worked, the Warblers would have a new secret weapon by the end of the day.

All the boys were content to find a hot, delicious breakfast waiting for them as they woke up. Maria tended and waited on each one of them, definitely leaving a good impression on those who weren't quite sure of her yet. Every boy ate until he was on the verge of popping. As she carried some empty plates into the kitchen, Jeff clinked his fork against his glass and got everyone's attention. "Alright, so I know that Nick has done his job and informed you all of my plan. Are there any objections to it?"  In the back, David raised his hand.

    "It's not so much an objection, but can she fit with our voices. Don't get me wrong your ideas great, but she's shy. What if she doesn't join in?" Jeff thought it over as Maria came back from the kitchen to grab a few more plates. And cracked a few jokes to Sebastian who couldn't help but laugh.  Jeff smiled.  "Well she's warming up to us...the best we can do is try. Blaine? Bash? What do you guys think? Forgive me if I'm stepping out of bounds here," Sebastian interjected "You are. You should have talked to us about this before you decided to go and make this plan. But if it works then we'll have someone new.." He quieted as Maria returned once again, she grabbed a few more dishes then stopped as she realized all eyes were on her. "Yes..?" she inquired. "Nothing just surprised us is all. " Jeff replied and Maria seemed satisfied and carried on carrying dishes in. "What song did you have in mind Jeff?" Blaine asked.

   Maria sat in one of the fluffy arm chairs in the commons. Book open on her lap she was lost in the world of wizards and spells. And was surprised as the book was pulled away from her; Maria looked up, furious to be interrupted and forgave it when she saw Sebastian holding it. "Now, I hope you don't mind but here at Dalton the Warblers have a tendency to give impromptu performances for their fellow classmates. Mind if we rehearse?" Maria thought it over for a moment, thinking about how odd this was. Shaking it off she nodded her head, and settled in to watch them perform. Sebastian made his way over to Jeff as they got ready. "She's not going to jump in, I know she won't. This is a dumb idea Jeff." Jeff just shrugged him off, he had faith in his plan. He knew it would work. It has to.

With that, a squeak of a harmonica and a sudden burst of choreography, they started in.

I make them good girls go bad

I make them good girls go

Good girls go bad

(Good girls go bad)

Each boy fell into place and Sebastian took the first verse.

I know your type

(Your type)

You're daddy's little girl

Sebastian went and stood next to Maria, getting in her face a little and backing off again as she started blushing. He was getting into it dancing around her.

Just take a bite

(One bite)

Let me shake up your world

'Cause just one night couldn't be so wrong

I'm gonna make you lose control

Jeff took the last little hook before diving into the chorus, and joined Sebastian as he stood at her other side.

She was so shy

Till I drove her wild

The boys gathered around Maria as they started singing the chorus; feeling a glimmer of hope, as she seemed to be truly enjoying the performance.

I make them good girls go bad

I make them good girls go bad .You were hanging in the corner

With your five best friends

You heard that I was trouble

But you couldn't resist

I make them good girls go bad

I make them good girls go

Jeff thought it over and decided maybe now would be a good time to make a move. He grabbed her hand and pulled her up. Panic stricken she froze, they wanted her to sing.

Good girls go bad

(bad, bad, bad)

Good girls go bad

She stood frozen for a few seconds, as she realized what had happened. It clicked in her mind, that they had planned this. Her nerves hit her, she couldn't sing, not in front of the boys.

(bad, bad, bad)

Good girls go bad

Get over it. You'll be fine. You're here to get better.  To get over your problems. Go! Sing! Now!

I know your type

(Your type)

Boy, you're dangerous

Yeah, you're that guy

(That guy)

I'd be stupid to trust

But just one night couldn't be so wrong

You make me wanna lose control

Jeff smiled and looked over at Sebastian, who stood shocked behind Nick and David. Jeff went to her side and started singing again.

She was so shy

Till I drove her wild

Come on don't chicken out. Keep singing, keep singing. Maria joined them along in the chorus, this time. Letting some of the frigidness melt off her and she slipped into easier choreography alongside Blaine and Sebastian.  

           They wrapped up the song, and Maria stood embarrassed waiting for them to pass judgment. Definitely something that had happened more than once at Crawford Country Day. Instead she was gleeful to find that they praised her, "That was the best female singing I've ever heard! Your voice is like heaven. Oh my god it is amazing!"

  She smiled, then let it falter as she turned to them sternly. "Who's bright idea was it to ambush me?"

Instantly, ever Warbler pointed at Jeff, he smiled sheepishly and shrugged; "I heard you this morning, you were really good. Couldn't let the opportunity pass." He waited for her to yell, or hit him; but he got a smile and a tentative hug.

Sebastian sat down, watching as the scene in front of him took place. The boys were now testing her musical knowledge; the room sounded like a radio station. He locked eyes across the room with Kahlil. One of the newer Warblers, and an attractive one at that; tall, dark and handsome. Not to mention gay, he had hit the mother lode with this one. They had talked a few times, had a lot in common and Sebastian had to admit he felt a little something for this boy. Kahlil winked at him. Bullshit, I feel a lot of something for him.  He broke the eye contact out of fear of looking stupid, focusing back on the performances happening.

   Smirking, he fought back a laugh at poor Nick; whom was fighting back the green monster of envy. Nick watched angrily as Jeff pulled Maria into a waltz and they headed off away from Nick. Sebastian couldn't help but enjoy what was going on before him; then he felt the tap on his shoulder, as he turned his entire mind cleared.

"Hey Sebastian! How're you?" Kahlil said, his gray eyes locking onto Sebastians green ones. "I-uh---I'm fine. And you?" was all poor Sebastian could squeeze out, for the first time in his life; he was speechless.

"Fantastic, so I was just wondering, " Oh my god he's going to ask me out.  "If you weren't busy tonight, maybe you'd like to go out for a movie? There's a new horror movie playing down at ImageMax...I mean if you can't we can reschedule or um something.." Kahlil stuttered his way through the last part, breaking eye contact with Sebastian and staring down at the silver carpet.

  He asked me out. He asked me out. Use your words Sebastian; you look like a dumbshit. Answer him. For Gods sake say SOMETHING!

 "Yeah! I'd love to! Tell you what if we leave at 6, we can leave early and maybe have a little time afterwards...to chill." Sebastian winked, collected his things and strutted his way to his room. After he made it out of sight, the boy turned and peered around the corner and exhaled a bit at the sight of the smile creeping onto Kahlil's face.

Nicely done Bash, nicely done. You've still got it.  But he couldn't help but feel  weak in his knees just looking at Kahlil, Sebastian Smythe was NOT one to fall for someone; but he was oh so very close to falling for Kahlil Martinez.

And it scared the shit out of him.