Author's Note: As always, I don't mean to offend anyone with my writing. This story is complete fiction. Oh, and please leave comments in the BBS! Thanks.
Two giant green ovals glittered at me - one from each of Grace's ears. Not a pretty pastel green. Not even the kind of dark green that's just "okay". This was a disgusting, slimy green.
Even worse, they were huge. About three inches long, and practically dripping with glitter. Not to be rude, but they were completely hideous.
"Hey Summer, 'sup?" Grace was smiling.
"I . . . " I recovered from my shock. "Not much, you?"
"Just making costumes. These earrings are for the trees! Don't you love 'em?!"
No. "They're definitely hard to miss."
"Exactly! I want to make things really bright! So how did auditions go?"
This couldn't be Grace. Grace, my best friend, who was simple and casual, and not so -- so perky! Things couldn't get worse.
Until they did.
"Summer!" I could tell it was Ms. Wang calling me before I turned around. Oh yay. "Would you stay behind so I can hear your audition privately?"
Grace gave me a look that I'd never seen on her face before, but seemed to say "I'm sure you'll be great" and I walked over to the musty stage.
When everybody was gone, Ms. Wang clasped her hands and nodded encouragingly to me. "Whenever you're ready!"
That would be never.
Never didn't seem to be coming anytime soon though, so I cleared my throat nervously and sang.
"DohReMiFaSoLaTiDoh." I was rushing through it, I could tell.
"Slow down a bit, dear."
"Doh . . . " I took a breath. "Re . . . Mi . . . FaSoLa - " Oh boy, I was rushing again. "Fa . . . So . . . La . . . Ti . . . Doh . . . "
For a moment, she just stood there on the stage, staring at me. Then her face split into a wide grin. She laughed.
Was I really that bad?
"Brilliant!"
"What?" WHAT?
"I think we both know who's going to be in the front row! Thanks for staying behind, dear."
Had she gone tone deaf?
The next day came too quickly. Ms. Wang marched right up to the chorus and announced who would be in the first row.
"Let's see . . . Maureen, Lavender, Karen, Andrea, and Summer." She smiled at me -- I pretended not to notice -- and walked away happily.
Karen was with two other girls squealing. Not quite sure what to do, I looked around me.
Three boys and two girls were standing awkwardly against the wall. They must have been put in second row. One of the girls had light blond hair that went just past her shoulders and a few freckles, and looked ready to cry. I was shocked.
Just then, it dawned on me. These people cared -- they loved the stage, loved performing, and were desperate to have what I had. And there I was, this selfish, ungrateful girl who had no idea how much it all meant.
Right there, I vowed to myself that I'd take advantage of this opportunity; of being able to show my talent. Talent. The word felt new to me.
And then I went over to talk to the girl who looked ready to cry.
