A Thing Called Love

The Auditions - Part 1

ON THE FOLLOWING DAY...

POV JULIETTE

That's the day. The day that will change my life forever. My first day of school.

I'm so happy and nervous for it, because, after years of school trauma and home classes, it still haunts me sometimes. But it's freaking East High School! The same school that was stage of Disney's High School Musical! So, maybe, people there are great. Maybe, with some doubt. I'm kinda a cynic on believing in new things and experiences. But I think it's going to be great.

Now, I ended my bath, dressed myself up and I'm eating breakfast watching Ice Age (again).

- Hey, sis! - Johanna, my sister, comes inside my room. She is a veterinary. - Don't you get bored of watching the same thing millions of times?

- You know that I eventually do, right? - I say, smiling.

- I know, Ju. I was just kidding.

- I know, sis. I love your jokes.

- You're nervous, right?

- I admit, I am. I'm kinda scared too.

- You know you can count on us if something happens, right? And if someone messes up with you...

- You're gonna kill 'em. - I laugh. - I know.

She hugs me and I hug her back. I love hugging, but it depends on the person.

- I gotta go. I love you, little sister. Good luck with the new school.

- I love you too, big sister. Good work and bye-bye!

- Bye! Bye, Mom!

- Bye, Johanna!

- Bye, Grandma!

- Bye, love!

- Bye, Auntie!

- Bye, kid!

And then she takes her car and goes to work. At the same time, I end my breakfast. When I get back to my room to get my purple backpack, I start to feel my heart running fast. Not now. I swallow and breathe deeply and it slowly calms down. Then I hear a knocking at the door.

- Sweetie, are you ready? - it's my aunt. - Your mom is waiting for you downstairs!

- I'm coming!

Then I pick up my backpack and check on my phone if I did everything in my checklist. Thank God, I'm all done. I guard my phone on the back of my books and I go downstairs.

But before it, a little look on my mirror. It kinda looks like Evil Queen's Magic Mirror, but normal. I'm wearing big black pants, a big colored t-shirt with no sleeves, and a red coat, with various pins, including one of the autism symbol. My hair is on a ponytail, and I'm wearing no makeup.

I close my eyes and I breathe one more time. I open them and stare at my image on the mirror, and I smile.

- You're going to make this right. You don't need to be nervous. You're going to start again. And conceal, don't feel, mask yourself and you're going to be fine for the rest of the day. You're going to have a good day.

Then I finally go downstairs, looking beautiful.

- Aww, there she is! - Grandma says, excited. - You're so beautiful, my precious!

- Oh, Grandma! It's nothing! But thanks for the compliment. ❤️

- Ready to go East? - my Mom asks.

- Ready as I'll ever be!

- Then, let's go!

- Bye, Grandma! Bye, Aunt Jenna!