⭒𝙔𝙤𝙪'𝙧𝙚 𝙄𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙨 ⭒

May The Best Succeed

   I pushed through the tall doors, angrily swinging my bag over my shoulder. Jane chased after me, trying to catch up. "What happened? You did perfect in there!" She asked, breathing heavily.

  I looked back at her, still speed walking through the corridors. "I cant do it, sorry." "Why not? You promised!" She begged. I turned back, crossing my arms tiredly. "Is Gabriel going to play the prince? Because if he-" "Maybe- it depends." Jane grabbed my arm, frowning. You could tell she was upset and disappointed.

  My eyes softened as I felt sympathy for her. "I did promise. I'll still audition.. but if I don't get the part, don't be disappointed." I sighed, brushing my hair behind my ears.

  I dreaded disappointment. I hated when others were disappointed in me. And I hated when I was disappointed in myself.

  Jane smiled, hugging me gently. "Thanks Jasmine. We can do this, together." 

~
7:05PM

  The chilly breeze rolled in like waves through my window. I covered myself in my wool blanket, shivering. I wrote in my pretty green planner.

Tuesday, March 13th - Auditions
Wednesday, March 14th - Auditions
Thursday, March 15th - Auditions
Friday, March 16th - Auditions & Practice
( some roles will be assigned )

I sighed, setting my pen down on my bed. I didn't really want to play the lead role, but the attention seemed nice. I was good at remembering things and from what Jane said, I was good at acting. But I didn't really believe that.

A buzzing came from my phone. I looked, seeing a call from Noah.

"Hello? Noah?"
"Hey, what's up?"
"Nothing much, why?"
"Wanna hang out? You know.."

I looked back at my planner, then remembered the play.

"Oh, uh. I cant.. sorry. I have this thing-"
"I thought you said you had nothing much?"
"No, yeah. But I need to practice for this play."
"A play?"
"Yeah. Eternal Heart."

Noah laughed through the phone, and it slapped my face.

"Eternal Heart? Really? It's an Eternal fart."

I rolled my eyes.

"Real funny, Noah."
"I'm being serious though! Did you watch last year's play?"
"A cold summer?"
"Yes! It went terrible. I'm not trying to poop on your party or anything but- I just don't want you to embarrass yourself."
".. I need to go. Bye, Noah."
"Wai-"

  I hung up the phone, putting it on silent. Now I was determined to get this lead role.

Here's the thing. I hated disappointment, but I hated it when people underestimated me even more. It makes me want to push through it, and prove them wrong.

"Jasmine! Dinner!" My mother called.

  "Coming!" I rushed downstairs.

  My mother was in the kitchen, stirring a pot filled to the brim with hot tomato soup. I sat down at the dinner table, greeting my father. She set down a bowl in front of me, filling it to the top. I put my phone in my pocket, grabbing my spoon. "Eat up, darling." My mother smiled at me, watching me stare at the bowl. "Mom?" I asked, putting my spoon back on the table. "Yes?"

"I'm auditioning for a play." I admitted, fearing the disapproval. My mother put her hands on her wide hips, smiling at me. "Really? That's amazing! Which role?" I sighed with relief.

"The lead role, Amelia Boyd."

~
10:00AM

"Okay everyone," Ms. Viviana gently placed her hands together, smiling. We were in the auditorium once again, sitting in the rows of chairs in front of the stage. Jane sat next to me, holding my hand with excitement.

"Eternal Heart is a story about a pretty poor maid living in a big royal castle. She works day and night, serving the royal family. Her name is Amelia Boyd. She's in love with the prince, Archie Norodom. The prince falls in love with her, but he has an arranged marriage with a beautiful princess from Belgium. Do we get the big idea?"

There was only ten people in the auditorium. Ms. Viviana decided to only invite small groups of people one at a time so that we would be comfortable auditioning.

"Can we get.. Jane Collins up on the stage please?" Ms. Viviana called out, looking down at her sheet.

Jane looked at me, smiling before she got up slowly. She made her way onto the stage. Ms. Viviana sat down on her fancy chair, looking up at her. "Which role are you auditioning for?" She asked. Jane looked at me, then her paper. "Uh, Mary Norodom? The sister of Archie Norodom."

  Ms. Viviana nodded, writing a couple words on her paper with pen. "Mhmm.. go on."

"Don't be nyce, Archie. You have upset thy father and thy mother." She spoke, dramatically turning her head in disappointment.

  Jane continued on, putting on a show. We sat there for a couple of minutes before she finished her audition. The audience clapped loudly, echoing throughout the auditorium. Ms. Viviana looked pleased with her performance. "You did great Ms. Collins. Next up is.. Jasmine Bennett please?"

  I stood as Jane gave me a thumbs up, walking back to her seat. I made my way onto the stage, my knees feeling weak again. I felt nervous, noticing my body tensing up. I looked down at my paper. "And who are you auditioning for?" "Amelia Boyd. The maid and servant for.. Whitstone Palace."

  Ms. Viviana nodded again as I took my place on the stage, closing my eyes.

  "Breathe my soul before you go, and make my heart your guide. Let your longings freely flow, and rush in with the tide." I spoke softly, looking beyond the crowd. Suddenly, a deeper voice came after me.

  A boy walked on stage, a fake crown laid on his head. "Breathe my soul before you go, and futures close at hand. Let fortunes soft and slow.. wash over heart and hand." He spoke, slowly walking closer to my figure. 

  I stared into his eyes, anger filling my stomach. I batted my eyelashes, walking closer to him.

"Breathe.. my soul before you go, and move to distant shores. Let the air that tastes of home be my breath, my love and more."

  It was silent for a couple of moments. He stared back at me, no visible expression on his face.

  "Wonderful!" Ms. Viviana stood up, clapping louder than the audience itself. "Gabriel, thank you for helping with her audition. And Jasmine, you did amazing. I will definitely put you on the list for the lead role." I smiled at Jane, who was clapping for me still.

  "But," She continued. "You will have loads of competition. There's plenty of girls who would kill to play as Amelia. Just practice until the final audition."

I nodded, walking off the stage with a smile. Before I could reach my chair, someone grabbed my hand. I looked behind me, meeting eyes with Gabriel. His grip on my hand was firm.

"May the best succeed." He smiled at me, mischievously, letting go of his grip. I watched him walk away until Jane pulled me down in my seat. She seemed oblivious to the situation I was just in.

  Ms. Viviana cleared her throat, looking back down at her clipboard. "Okay.. next up is.. Leah Baker? Can we get a Leah Baker up on the stage please?"

  Leah proudly made her way on the stage, swiftly walking up the steps. She wore a pretty french braid and an awfully short light blue dress.

  "And what role are you auditioning?" Ms. Viviana asked, chewing on the tip of her pen.

"Amelia Boyd. Lover of Archie Norodom."