Happiness [Book 2]

Chapter 15 - Woman In Love

As the lunch bell rang the next day, I got yanked out of my seat by Jake. 

"Auditions!" He shouted, dragging me down the hallway and every which way to avoid all of the other students trudging to lunch. He led me around the back to the wings of the stage. He gave me a hearty pat on both shoulders, whispered "Good luck!" and pushed me out. 

I nervously straightened my skirt and pulled my hair in front of my shoulders. 

"Marley!" Artie called. He readjusted his glasses. 

"No partner, this time?" Mercedes asked. I simply shook my head.

"What role are you going for?" Tina asked. 

I stepped up to the microphone, which led out a loud screech. "I'm auditioning for Fanny Brice."

"Lead, again." Finn smiled, looking down at a piece of paper.

"You ready? Mike asked.

I nodded. The music started up around me, and I took a deep breath. I let my body feel the music, even slipping into a daggy little dance move every now and again. 

Life is a moment in space
When the dream is gone
It's a lonelier place

I kiss the morning goodbye
Down inside, you know we never know why

The road is narrow and long
When eyes meet eyes
And the feeling is strong
I turn away from the wall
I stumble and fall
But I give you it all

I am a woman in love
And I'd do anything to get you into my world
And hold you within
It's a right I deserve
Over and over again
What do I do?

I forced myself out of the moment to watch the panel high above me. They all looked pleasantly impressed. Still doing my daggy dance moves, I did a spin and checked out Jake behind the stage. He gave me a strong thumbs up. I felt that was enough to keep on. 

With you eternally mine
In love there is no measure of time

We planned it all at the start
You and I live in each other's heart
We may be oceans away
You'll feel my love
I hear what you say

No truth is ever a lie
I stumble and fall
But I give you it all

I am a woman in love
And I'd do anything to get you into my world
And hold you within
It's a right I deserve
Over and over again
What do I do?

I am a woman in love
And I'm talking to you
You know I know how you feel
What a woman can do
It's a right I deserve
Over and over again
I am a woman in love
And I'd do anything
To get you into my world
And hold you within
It's a right I deserve
Over and over again

I grinned excitedly as the music faded out around me. 

"That was awesome!" Tina shouted. 

I gingerly took a bow before backing up from the microphone.

"That was amazing, thank you." Finn shouted. 

I rushed backstage to give Jake the biggest hug I could possibly give in that moment... but Kitty stopped me dead in my tracks. 

"How'd it go?" She asked. It seemed sweet, but there was an undertone of bitterness. 

"Fine." I simply stated. 

"Hm," she said, brushing back her ponytail, "let the best woman win." Kitty strutted onto the stage, not before barging me hard with her shoulder. 

Jake came up to me. 

"How'd I do?" I asked him. 

"You did great." 

"Do you think I've got a chance?" I looked up at him through my eyelashes. 

He let out a breathy laugh. "Yes, Marley Rose."

***

I was so excited by my audition. It was all I could talk about for the rest of the day at school and the rest of the day at home. I sat with mom on the couch that afternoon, giving her the run through of every last detail. And just when mom got me to stop and focus on my homework, a certain someone called and I just had to share it all over again. 

Without even a hello, Ryder asked me: "How did your audition go?!"

"So great!" I squealed. 

"So, do you think you got it?"

"Well, I hope so!" I laughed. He laughed, too. "Kitty auditioned as well, though."

"Oh, you'd make a way better Fanny." Ryder said. "So... if you get the role, which I'm sure you will, what song are you most excited about singing?" 

"Hmm," I said, taking a moment to think. "I've always loved You Are Woman, I Am Man. It's such a funny one, but I think it's just... cute?"

Ryder hummed. It was absent minded, distant. 

I tried to cut through the silence. "I love you!"

"I love you too," he replied. Another moment of silence later, he continued. "Marley, are you okay?"

It made me sad to think he wasn't quite listening to me. "Yeah." I said, tears prickling at my eyes. 

"Marley..." Ryder said in a warning tone.

"Yeah?" I whispered, my throat feeling croaky as the tears began to spill over.

"Are you okay?" 

"Fine." I laughed.

"Are you sure?" Ryder asked.

"Yeah..."

"Okay." Ryder said, so plainly. "Hey, Marls, I've got to go eat dinner now, but we'll talk tomorrow."

"Okay." I replied. 

"Love you," he whispered.

"Love you too." And with that, he hung up. I sighed and tossed my phone on the bed, staring as the lit screen went from bright, to dark, and eventually off. For some reason, I felt that was what our relationship was doing, and the distance was burning the thread between us. I promised myself it wouldn't happen. And I was going to stick at that as best as I could.  I then felt my cheeks become wet and the tears roll off my cheeks and onto my bare legs. 

"Marls," I heard my mom's voice from beside me. I quickly stood up, just as she was opening the door to my room. "Are you okay?"

I nodded. "Yep, fine." We stared at each other for a moment. "What'd you want?"

"Why are you upset?" She asked. And I started crying all over again. "Oh, Marley..." Mom said, pulling me into her embrace. 

"Damn it!" I sobbed. "I promised I wouldn't cry." 

"Marley, this is so normal. You miss him."

"I just... I love him so much." I whispered with heavy sobs.

There was no doubt about it; I am a woman in love.

--------------------

Song: Woman in Love by Barbra Streisand.