Soaring [ej caswell]

Two: The Auditions

"People! Make sure your audition number is clearly visible on your clothes. This isn't a game" Carlos yells.

"Holy crap this is happening" I breathe out.

"We've got this, especially you, you kill it every time. You always get nervous for nothing" Ashlyn says messing with her ponytail.

"I just low-key hate this part of it all. It's always so nerve wracking"

"I know but it's fun. You got it" she smiles at me.

"I could seriously throw up right now" I say fixing my number, which was #2.

"Oh for crying out loud"

"Sorry" I smile nervously.

"You know, I'm actually kinda bummed that we don't have any competition here. It would make getting the leads all the sweeter" Ej tells Nini next to me.

Wow okay. Thanks Eej

"Could you stop tempting fate?" Nini asks, "You know what? You're right. Whatever"

"Okay, theater people" Miss Jenn says, "Let's do this"

Everyone squeals and runs out of the room and Ashlyn pulls me along.

We start off with what Miss Jenn calls a "warmup." I stand next to a girl who wore a cute black outfit, I have never seen her before, she must be new.

They start to play a piano instrumental of "Stick to the Status Quo."

"And a 5-6-7-8!" Carlos says and we all start to dance to the choreography.

I relax a little, doing one of the things I love most. But I can't help but notice the new girl next to me absolutely demolishing me so I put in a little more effort.

"Yes! Come on, #1!" Carlos says.

Bro seriously?!

I do a high kick and start to match "new girl"'s energy.

"Yes #2! Get it!" Carlos yells which makes me smile more.

And we finish with one last spin.

"Great! That's it with the warm up!" Carlos smiles.

I take a deep breath.

"You're really good" the new girl says.

"Thank you, so are you. I'm Bella Mitchell" I say sticking my hand out to her.

"Thank you. I'm Gina Porter"

"So, are you new here?" I ask.

"I am, just moved here over the summer. I'm a sophomore"

"Oh cool, it was nice to meet you" I smile.

"Nice to meet you too" she smiles back.

I go to walk away and I hear her mumble "May the best one win."

Oh great.

"Okay Miss Thing! I saw you kicking all of our asses!" Ashlyn says.

"Thanks Ash" I blush.

"You killed it, you got this!"

"We got this" I smile at her.

"We got this"

I walk backstage and Ej smiles at me.

"You killed it Belle! Gave everyone a run for their money, even that new girl, whatever her name is" Ej says giving me a double high five.

"Thanks Eej! She's low-key giving me bad vibes but I don't know, I could be wrong" I say looking over at Gina talking to some dude.

"Why is she giving you bad vibes?"