Friends With You

One | Audition

'I still can't believe how you've just never kissed a boy Kay,' says Michelle sitting next to me.

Here we go again, I say to myself, frowning. If there's one thing that gets me as silent as the graveyard is Michelle teasing me about never getting a kiss. She had her first when we were both thirteen. Since then, I fail to keep count of how many she's had after.

'But you're freaking sixteen, Kay!' she continues now turning her entire body towards me. 'And stop playing with your phone!' She snatches my phone from my hand. Clearly, she's aware that am just doing it to avoid this dumb conversation. But now I regret it because I know she's not stopping.

'Hey,' I finally speak. 'I think we have more important things to worry about. In case you've forgotten, we've just finished our NXY auditions!' I snap.

'But you've never kissed Kay.' She nudges me. OMG!  I know she's just doing that to pursue me into doing it. She just wants me to get my first kiss.

I gotta admit, am kinda frightened by the thought of doing so. I get so nervous imagining myself kissing someone, although if am also being honest, I can't say I wouldn't want to do it.

I tighten my small fists in frustration. 'Oh my God! I hate you!' I say, half screaming, half smiling. She's laughing too. An old man sitting in a bench opposite ours looks at us and shakes his head. What's his business? I wouldn't be surprised if he had heard all the details of our silly conversation. If there's someone who can get really loud without trying is Michelle Jerome. I wish I had something too that I could use against her as well, but what can I bring up against this too smart for her own good girl?

It's been about thirty minutes since we've been here, waiting for the judges to announce who's made it. Michelle and I have always loved singing ever since we were kids, specifically from church. It was her idea to try out for the NXY singing competition for next year. Contestants always need to qualify the year before.

Gosh! I hate waiting, especially with my bestfriend tormenting me like this. Whatever the judges have decided, I want to hear it already. I can imagine them coming out, announcing the names and our names missing out.

'Kay, am talking to you!' It's Michelle. God! I didn't realize how long I had been daydreaming.

'Mmm?' I ask. No idea about what's going on.

'The judges are gonna be here any minute, you ready?' She says, holding my hand. She's just as nervous as I am I can tell.

'Yea,' I respond. Then I figure that just waiting alone is going to kill me. 'Mi, can you destruct me with your stories?' I request. 'Even though you usually find something annoying. Am too nervous right now and waiting silently is not helping.'

She chuckles. 'This time Kay,' she continues. 'You should really kiss Tyler. I'll help you do it.' I knew what I was getting myself into.

'Oh, so you can have one more reason to make fun of how I never kissed until you stepped in to help me? No.' I laugh.

'I mean no. But seriously though, can you even do anything without me?'

'What? That's what you think?'

'I mean, I was the one who made you meet Tyler because you were too afraid to even saying hi to him.' Okay, that's true but it also stings. That's exactly what she'd be doing if she was to be the reason I kissed Tyler.

But does she have to take credit for anything like that? Am her bestfriend. Being her bestfriend, I do lots of favours for her but never do I take put praise on myself like that.

'So you think I can't do anything on my own?' I ask her.
 
'No, am just pointing out how am always there for you.' She defends herself.

'No, I think you're trying to say 'can you even do anything without me?'' I quote her. Am not giving in. Not this time.

'You don't appreciate me Kay. All I do is support you.'

'And so do I. But I don't act like that.'

'Like what?' She knows am not usually the argument type. These type of questions can easily make me give up.

But I don't. 'Why? Because you think you're better than your bestfriend who's never kissed a boy?' I say, looking directly at her. 'So you think just because you've kissed a lot of boys, you're suddenly better than your bestfriend? Wow!' Maybe that's a little too far but am not in the position to give up. And am getting mad.

'What?'

'I can do anything on my own if I have to you know.'

She smirks which from about ten years of knowing her, it means she's infuriated. 'Yea, just like you're going to do with the competion. Am out.' She utters. And she grabs her bag to leave. No, please don't go. I silently say in my head. Michelle and I have fought before but not over something this silly.

'Wait.' I grip her left hand tightly when she stands. 'That's not what I...' She doesn't let me finish as she leaves and shoves my hand away. Leaving me standing here all alone. I want to go after her but I know her too well to do that right now. Why didn't I just keep my mouth shut. All this wouldn't have happened if we had just waited in silence.

The old man stares again, like he's trying to get the story from where he is observing. There are a few stares from the other contestants. I don't mean to be sulky but they all need to mind their own business.

When the judges show up to announce the names, I suddenly realize how much I don't really care about the competition at the moment. I just want my bestfriend back. I feel like running to her to tell her how sorry I am. I love her and I need her.

But I know it'll be of no use in her state. Once she gets like that, she's impossible to convince. Maybe tomorrow we will work it out and promise to not have fights anymore.

Everyone gets closer to hear from the judges.

What's the point of any of this anyway if you can't be a good friend?

'Attention everyone,' miss Ledge, the female judge addresses us. 'I have the list of everyone who is to advance into the NXY competition at district level. I'd like to congratulate those who have made it in advance. For those that won't make it, always remember that this isn't the end. Rather, it is your opportunity to go out there and get better. There's always next time.' The judge looks at me for a second and turns back to her paper. Now I know we've definately not made it. And what's the point anyway?

'Okay, here is the list: Alya and Peter, Aya and Jacob, Ade and Jack....' Now am praying that I shouldn't be on that list, 'cause, how am I going to tell her we're not proceeding anymore?

'...and finally Kayla and Michelle.' I freeze. Now what? Go over to the judge and tell her that Michelle and I have changed our minds 'cause we had a fight? Of course no, that'd be crazy.

Some of the contestants are hugging and jumping in excitement while some curse and some are silent in disappointment. Am just like an idiot not knowing what to do.

'For those who have made it, our next meeting will be in about a week, next Friday. Get yourselves ready till then and good luck everyone. If you haven't made it, don't lose hope. Everyone has their time and your will come.'

I don't try to go over to the judge and tell her that we won't make it because a part of me hopes that Michelle and I will work things out.

I go home, exhausted from everything as I throw myself on my bed. Then I face the roof. That's when everything hits me again and I sob in the darkness of my room.

(Welcome to Kayla's little world. I hope you enjoyed this first part. Don't forget to vote and comment.:)