Leaving The Friendzone

Chapter 35

Elena Sergio.

Inhale. Hold it in, one, two. Let it out slowly.

I did just as my mind told me to, inhaling deeply, holding it for two seconds, and then letting it out.

Now do it again.

Again, I followed the instructions of my mind. I took in another deep breath.

Hold one, two, three, four, five...

"You want me to suffocate even before I get to present?" I chided myself, a small smile already forming on my lips.

Okay, sorry, my mind laughed. Take in another deep one?

"Sure," I muttered and took a deep breath.

Now let it out but slowly, very slowly. Once more, I heeded its instructions, letting out my breath slowly.

Okay! You're good to go now.

Are you sure? I wondered.

Yep, go get that role!

"Okay!" I beamed.

I was pretty sure that anyone looking at me right now would think I had gone crazy with the way I was huddled by the door to the hall where the musical audition was to be held, talking to myself and laughing at myself. Thinking about it, putting myself in the shoes of an onlooker, and what their expression would be like on watching me, I chuckled. But I didn't care though. I didn't care what anyone thought of me now, well except for my close friends, the people I love, Matthew. Asides from these, I didn't care anymore what anyone thought of me, or my pale skin. I owed it to myself to be the best of the best and I was already working towards that, the first step? Ignoring everyone's judgmental, holier-than-thou attitude.

With one final exhale, I pushed my weight off the wall, adjusted my backpack on my shoulders, and headed on into the hall.

There were rows of wooden benches to the left and right and an aisle leading up to a wooden stage with a red curtain backdrop. On the rows of benches were already some students sitting in wait for the audition. I could count a total of twenty on the left and fifteen on the right.

Jeez, there were so many.

The fact that I had begun developing thick skin didn't mean I now liked the idea of attention and standing there at the start of the aisle, looking around awkwardly did just that—drew attention to me. A couple of heads and eyes turned toward my direction when I walked in and remained on me.

A mild but invisible tint forming on my cheeks, I ducked to the side and took an empty bench by the right. Sitting down, I got my backpack off my shoulders and placed it on my lap, resting my back against the wooden rest.

Where was Matthew? Why did he always seem to go missing in school most especially when I needed him? Like now. I needed him now by my side, seated here with me, as my emotional support, plus he was auditioning for a role in the musical too so why was he late?

"Dang, Matt," I muttered, glancing around, wondering whether I'd missed him in the crowd earlier. "Where are you?"

After looking around, I confirmed he wasn't in there. Unzipping my backpack, I took out my phone, and turned it on, deciding I was going to call him.

I went straight to my call log and began browsing through my call log when a voice drew my attention.

"Hey."

At once, I looked up from my phone and to my right in the direction of the voice that'd called me.

Beside me, looking down at me with a small smile across his lips was a redbone guy whose face was oddly familiar. Oh yeah, that's right. This was Daniel, the lacrosse team's captain.