Down My Path

Chapter 4

                     For days now, Adam had given me rides home and to school. We got closer and closer everyday, talking about our days as soon as we got to my place and about our past and what we wanted to do in the future. "Can I have your number?", Adam asked. He handed me his phone and I placed my number in it. Later that night, he called. "Hey, you! What are you up to?" I put my book down, "Nothing really. I was just reading." On the other end of the line I heard him chuckle, "On a Friday night? Come on, man. Wanna hang out for a bit?" I looked at the time and saw it was relatively early. "I mean I guess sure. I'd have to ask my mom though so hold on." I put the phone down and when she said yes I immediately told Adam and started getting ready.

                    I went downstairs and headed toward Adam's car. I got into his car and the smell of cologne drifted up my nose. I smiled and enjoyed the lovely scent. "Hey", I buckled myself in. "You don't seem to excited to hang out. Do you want to go back and read your book?", Adam laughed. "It's a good book! Don't laugh at me!", I laughed as well. He drove us to see a movie and when we got there, we couldn't decide on a film to see. Eventually when we did, he bought us snacks, since I had paid for tickets, while I went and found us seats. He sat down after he got the snacks and smiled at me and started eating. "You look really nice by the way", he smiled. "Oh, thanks. You smell really good", I smiled back at him. The lights dimmed and the movie started. Halfway through the movie, I was pretty bored with it. "Hey, do you like the movie?", Adam whispered softly. "Do you?" I replied. "Not really. If you like it, we can stay." We got up quietly and walked out of the room. "Ok, literally, that was a boring ass movie." I laughed and he joined along. "Hey are you hungry or do you want to go home or what do you want to do?", he looked at me like he didn't want me to leave. "I could go for some food."

                     We walked to the burger joint across the street from the movie theater and ate. "Are we doing anything after or am I taking you home?", Adam asked. "Do you want to do anything else?", I continued eating my burger. "Let's just drive around and see where we end up?", he took a bite of his burger. I nodded and we continued eating. After we were done, we got back in his car and started driving on the freeway. "This is my song oh my gosh", I started singing without thinking. "You can sing really good! Can you promise me something?", he asked. "It depends", I said. "Please, at some point in your life, audition for a show and when you get in, do it. If you audition, I'll audition too.", he sounded eager. "Fine. Only because I want to see you audition. Are there any shows being put on right now though?" Adam laughed. "Funny you ask that. I saw a sign earlier downtown that showed a community theatre was holding auditions for a show." I looked up at him. "Is that why we're going downtown now?" I asked freaking out inside. Adam nodded. "Adam! No! I can't just go in and audition tonight! I don't even have a song prepared and I haven't auditioned for a show in over a year! Maybe longer! I can't do this now." I vented. "Diego, I just heard you sing and the other day I saw sheet music in your bag. You're doing it.", he sounded very firm. I didn't say anything until we got to the local theatre. "I don't know about this, Adam. I haven't even practiced my song. They're doing two shows" I looked up at Adam who was beaming with his radiant smile. "Yeah! So you'll definitely get into one of them. Come on, Diego! It will be fun." I looked at the posters that said the name of the shows. A Chorus Line and Into the Woods were two of my favorite shows but now seeing them there, I felt a huge knot in my stomach.

                      "Do you have a song prepared?" I asked. Adam nodded. "I don't have dance shoes." I stared blankly at him. "Just use your converse?", he smiled at me. We walked in, signed up for a number and sat down and waited to be called on stage. "When we call your number, come up and stand where I am standing now. Hand your sheet music to our pianist and then tell us your name, what parts you are auditioning for and if you have a preference for a show. Thank you", the director walked offstage and sat down. He began calling numbers and I felt butterflies in my stomach. Adam must have noticed because he leaned over and whispered, "You're ok. You'll be amazing. Watch, they're going to want you in both shows." I smiled at the words of encouragement. "Number 32!", the director called out. I looked up and felt the blood rush to my face. I grabbed my sheet music and and started walking to the stage. Once there, I handed my sheet music to the pianist and stood on a tiny red x where the director had stood. "Hello, my name is Diego Garcia and I will be singing Proud of Your Boy from Aladdin. I am auditioning for The Baker, Jack or any other male role in Into the Woods and Paul and any other male role in A Chorus Line. I have no preference of a show", I looked at the pianist to make sure I knew he was starting. The piano started playing and when I started singing, all my emotion went into the song. When I finished, I felt like a part of me was back. "Thank you", I said before I walked off the stage. "Please stay after the audition is over." I looked to see the director. He smiled at me and called for the next number who was Adam. He sang Dancing Through Life from Wicked and he didn't sound bad.

                    During the dance audition, they taught us a combo for the beginning of Chorus Line. I nailed every step and gave everything I had to make it the best audition. In a way, I guess it was my comeback into this world and I wasn't trying to make it a bad one. When they started calling us on by groups to see us more individually and closer, Adam rushed to me. "Diego, I cannot do any of these steps. I'm sorry if they don't cast me but at least you got casted in a show!" he said excitedly. After the dance audition, Adam and I stayed. The director called me up onstage again. "Please sing Giants in the Sky, if you know it of course." I sang it and he smiled and wrote something down. "This isn't how things usually work in the theatre world as you may already know but, I believe that you are now my new Jack in Into the Woods. Congratulations and I will see you after Christmas to begin working with you", the director said. I looked at Adam who immediately gave me a hug. "Oh my god! Dude! I told you!", he exclaimed. He drove me home and all we did was talk about the shows and if he got in or not and that I got in and how excited we both were for both of us no matter what happened. When we finally got to my place, I was sad the night was over and I wanted to spend more time with him. "Hey, Adam? Thank you for this amazing night. I had a lot of fun and thank you so much for getting me back into theatre. I sincerely couldn't have done it without you", I smiled at him and I didn't realize that we were both staring at each other for a bit. I snapped out of it and i stepped out of the car. As I was walking up to the gate, I heard his car door open and close. I turned around and right there, under the moonlit sky, Adam kissed me.