Coming of Age: My Story

The Results

Now that all of my friends are done auditioning, I decide maybe it's time to catch up on the sleep I lost this morning when I woke up at 4:30 am. I pull out the pillow and blanket I brought, (yes I brought a pillow and blanket to a singing competition). I lie down and immediately drift off into a slumber.

(Now, I'm going to say straight up that what happens next is 100% accurate! You can ask anyone. And yes, it scared the living crap out of me!)

A few hours later, I find myself stirring in and out of my nap. I look up and notice Marie is lying down in front of me. I slowly lie back down. I then jolt awake to notice that a beautiful head of reddish brown hair is 5 inches away from my face. I yelp as I fall off of the bench I was asleep on 10 seconds earlier. I hit my head on the hard marble floor. As I sit up, I realize I have awoken Marie who is now laughing at my embarrassing demise. Then again, that's not what she is truly doing. I start laughing out of my own spite. My friends and I all burst out in laughter. She isn't laughing at me. She's laughing with me. The one big thing I've ever wanted in a girl is a good sense of humor, (although "good" isn't exactly the best word considering my comics). I look over to my side to find the other girl who was trying to join our conversation laughing AT me more than anything.

I set my pillow back down and wrap myself in my blanket, attempting to return to my sleep. However, no matter how hard I try, I can't erase the image from my head. I sit up, admitting I'm awake.

The announcer goes on the loudspeaker, "ATTENTION CONTESTANTS! Everyone has auditioned!" Cheers fill the room along with a sense of completion. "The judges are deliberating and will release results within the next half-hour to your choir directors!"

I look over at my friends with the hope that we all get into region. I know that we all have the talent to become amazing singers. Especially one of us. I look over at Marie who is just waking up.

"Did they announce something?" she yawns, still half-asleep.

"Auditions are over," I tell her.

"They are deciding the results as we speak," Makayla adds.

I can almost see Marie shiver at the news.

Although mainly speaking to her, I tell the whole group, "I've heard y'all sing, I know we've all got this! Besides Calvin."

Calvin looks over at me after gobbling down a chicken sandwich. "Huh?"

The three of us laugh until out of the corner of my eye, I see Ms. Tucker coming toward our table. It's almost as if the entire choir got up to hug her.

She holds up her phone. "I've got results!!!" she announces.

We are all standing outside of the high school with suspense built from the bottom of our feet, oozing out of our ears.

"Now, before I announce the results, I want to congratulate you all for your hard work! You are all part of my choir family and I'm so proud of all of you!"

This is it. The All-Region Choir results. I have been practicing my music for months. All of my hard work, sleepless nights, and even sore throats have prepared me for this very moment. And despite my failure of an audition, I am ready.

The first person she announces, I do not know. The second one, however, "Lindsey Haneline!" is someone I've known for a couple of years. She and I are okay friends and she is a great singer.

I find myself praying for my friends and me to make it to region.

"Makayla Lamb!"

We all applaud for her, so glad that she made it. That's one of us down, three to go!

She calls out another girl that I don't know. That's when I find myself whispering under my breath, "Marie... Marie... Marie..."

"Davian!!!" Ms. Tucker announces with excitement.

At first, I laugh realizing she didn't even try to pronounce my last name. Then, the second thought, I realize the gravity of what he just said. I am one of the greatest singers in the state of Texas! I feel a smile spread across my face.

"And those are Alvin Junior High's All-Region Choir Members!" Ms. Tucker announces.

"What?" I ask myself. I look over at Marie who is coming over to me to congratulate me.

"See? I told you it couldn't have been that bad!" She encourages me.

"I just can't believe that you didn't make it! You are so dang talented! You are such a great singer!"

"Eh, I guess the judges don't think so," she says as we walk back onto the bus.