Cherries and Moonlight

The opportunity of a lifetime

Earth crumpled the sixth newspaper that week, the headlines relatively the same throughout the different companies clearly lacking any creativity Earth thought. He didn't even bother to read the rest of the articles, the headline reading 'Pirapat makes a comeback. Is it too late for the injured star' together with a picture of when he was injured enough to deter him from reading. And who reads newspapers anyway Earth thought as he walked amongst the crowd towards his destination.

He knew that disappearing at the height of his career due to an injury would impact him in the long run, but it was still disheartening to see that most reporters cared more about him flopping instead of coming back stronger. Earth knew that he should be grateful that even though two years had passed, his fans even if small in number remained loyal and were voicing their support for his comeback on social media.

But it still made his blood boil that critics were downright dismissing him already ever since the news of his casting. Taking a deep breath in, Earth stopped right in front of the baroque-style building and steeled himself before entering. His steps were sure and confident albeit his left leg still shook sometimes, especially when he was nervous probably a lasting memory of these last painful two years.

Two full years of being constricted to a bed and later at his home and unable to even walk for months. Earth still got terrible nightmares of that day when essentially his entire career crashed down just as it was starting to settle, a performance that will probably never leave him. Earth shook himself off as soon as these thoughts resurfaced in his mind, he was done moping around especially with this golden opportunity right in front of him.

The last time he stepped foot in this theatre was exactly two years ago, but no matter how much time passed there was no way that he would have forgotten his way. The red carpeted stairs and dangling silver chandeliers felt welcoming as Earth made his way upstairs and as he turned on his left through an open archway he couldn't help but sigh in relief as the familiar stage came into view.

The stage was a second home to Earth, it was thrilling and frightening sometimes but also comforting and welcoming as lights shone upon it and Earth could do what he did and loved the most, performing. He loved performing ever since he was a child, singing, acting and dancing from the age of six, through high school and through university until finally becoming a talented theatre actor through sheer willpower and work.

He had made it, but he also lost it quickly, Earth looked further ahead in the dim light until he spotted the slim figure of his director just under the stage. He knew that he was going to be nervous coming back after such a long time but as soon as P'Aof, the director and almost a second father to him hugged him and patted him on the back, Earth knew that he was going to give his all.

"Good to have you back," P'Aof said between them, the director patted Earth one last time before breaking their embrace, but his sure smile didn't leave his face. "Are you ready to find your Kru Tian?" P'Aof teased and dammit Earth had missed him, P'Aof was the first person to believe in Earth's abilities and give him his first job. And even now he was the one to call Earth and offer him an opportunity once more when everyone else didn't want to risk it.

"Ready as I'll ever be," Earth said confidently as P'Aof directed them to a table with chairs just in front of the first-row seats of the theatre. He sat comfortably on the chair with P'Aof right beside him as they waited for the first audition for the role of his co-star to begin.

Earth couldn't help but be nervous as he waited, the role of Tian probably the most important of the entire production. It was useless for him to give the performance of his life if the main character of the show was lacking, and truth be told it wasn't an easy story to tell either. Earth had never heard of this particular book before but as soon as P'Aof had called him he couldn't say no, rushing immediately to the nearest bookstore to find 'Tale of a thousand stars'.