Waiting on a Miracle

Rehearsals

The next day at school, the students were rehearsing their lines for the play, and right now, Amber and Margarita were at the scene where Abuela Alma and Mirabel were arguing.

"Look at the mess you've made! Look at this place! Look at your sister! Mirabel, you are a serious disgrace! The cracks started with you. Bruno left because of you! Luisa's magic is fading and Isabela is out of control because of you! I don't know why you weren't given a gift, but that's no excuse for you to hurt this family!"

Amber said that very well, but then she added her own unpleasant lines. "Oh, and I know why this show is going to be a serious disaster: because obviously, the lead happens to be you when you're not even perfect for the lead! I should be the star because I'm obviously perfect, but no, they had to pick you to be the star!"

The audience got awkwardly quiet after that, and everyone just stared at Amber, including Margarita. Margarita looked at Mrs. Thomas, who urged her to go along.

Margarita said Mirabel's response in the most heartbreaking way she could: "I will never be good enough for you, will I? No matter how hard I try—no matter how hard any of us tries, Luisa will never be strong enough, and Isabela won't be perfect enough. Bruno left because you only saw the worst in him."

"Why are we bringing this Bruno into this?" Amber asked as Abuela Alma.

Abuela Alma never actually said that, but Margarita went along with it anyway. "Because Bruno loves this family. I love this family. We all love this family. You're the one hurting our home! You're the one that doesn't care!"

"What are you saying?" Amber asked as Abuela Alma.

"What I'm saying is that the miracle is dying because of you!" Margarita spat while in character, going along with what Amber was saying.

"Very good," Mrs. Thomas said. "We'll work on the collapse of the Casita this Saturday afternoon, but for now, let's work out the Dos Oruguitas scene."

Everyone thought Margarita did a good job as Mirabel, but they all knew that Amber still needed work as Abuela Alma although judging by the lines she'd thrown in, they could tell that she was mad that she didn't get the lead. Enrique and Olga did a good job as Pedro and young Alma. The rest of the rehearsal was fine, but Amber didn't quite do a good job.

"Okay, folks, let's call it a day," Mrs. Thomas said. "Amber, may I talk to you please?"

"Yes, ma'am," Amber said proudly.

As soon as everyone was gone, Mrs. Thomas stayed behind with Amber.

"Amber, I know you're upset that you didn't get the lead, but I've already made my decision," Mrs. Thomas said. "Margarita is playing Mirabel, and nothing will change that. Now I recommend you watch the movie more and practice your role frequently until opening night, okay?"

Amber was dismayed that she was scolded for being upset over not getting the lead, and she was especially upset that she had to watch the movie and practice the role she'd gotten. "Okay," she sighed.

After school, Amber was gathering her stuff together, still livid that she didn't get the lead. Once she got her stuff, she saw Margarita gathering her things—and the girl was rather jumpy about the play.

"Hello, Margarita," Amber sniffed. "Congratulations on getting the lead in the play—are you nervous?"

"A little," Margarita admitted. "But I should be okay."

"Oh, I don't know about that," Amber smirked. "This isn't going to be like your first-grade play or singing in a church choir—this is a serious musical, where you'll be singing all by yourself onstage in front of a huge audience. Everyone will be looking at you, silently judging you."