A Thing Called Love

The Auditions - Part 3

POV JULIETTE

It's 15:00 now, and I'm in my mom's car, riding home finally.

- You look good, darling. - she breaks the silence.

- Yes, mom. It was cool right there. But let's wait until we get home to tell you everything.

- All right, July.

"July" is my nickname for my family. It can be "Ju" too, for short.

As soon as we get home, I think about tomorrow's audition. Kelsi Nielsen is the role that I want to get, and absolutely nothing will get in my way! Unless my anxiety gets the best of me.

- She's back! - Aunt Jenna says, hugging me.

- Yes, I am!

- How was your first school day, my darling? - Grandma asks as I sit and put my backpack on the sofa.

- It was great, actually. Everyone was great. I just had the best day. A few people talked to me today.

- Really? - my mom says. - And they were good to you?

- Yes, Mom. Also, there's a new drama teacher there, her name is Miss Jenn and she's gonna make a musical of "High School Musical"!

- Oh my God! - my aunt excitedly gasps.

- And... I'm gonna audition for it tomorrow.

Then the three look at me, surprised.

- Wait, what? - my mom asks. Suddenly my stomach drops.

- You just said that you are going to audition for the play? Tomorrow? - Aunt Jenna asks, also surprised but also happy.

- Y-Yes. Is... there something wrong?

- Um... - my mom starts, stuttering. - N-No, darling. It's because...

I think I know what she's trying to say. She's already worried about me going to school, and now I say that I'm going to be part of the drama club, and she worries about my anxiety attacks, meltdowns, burnouts and depressive episodes. I recognize that it won't be easy, but I think it's going to be worth it. At least for me.

- ... it's because it's happening so fast. You're already trying to adapt yourself at these changes and... I'm worried about what can happen.

- I know, Mamãe. But remember what my therapist says about living the now instead of worrying about tomorrow? - she nods her head. - I'm trying to go through it. And I promise you that I'll be okay, and to tell you everything.

She smiles.

- I know, Juliette.

- And do you think about auditioning for what role, my favorite new star? - Grandma says, smiling.

- Oh, Grandma! I don't think about a lead role, but my goal is to get the Kelsi part. She always was my favorite character, and she's like me.

- And the way you're so obsessed with musicals and with that movie, you're gonna get that role tout-de-suite!

- I hope it, Aunt Jenna! I hope it.

Then we four hug.

- Okay, I need to make my homework, take a bath and watch the first High School Musical the rest of the evening.

- Go, my love. - my mom says, laughing.

I go upstairs to my room, and take my things out of my backpack. Lucky for me, there's only two homeworks today: History and Biology, two of the easy subjects in school for me. The only ones I hate are Math and P.E. I mean, who doesn't, right?