Chapter 1
2 weeks earlier
My alarm clock will really be the death of me. Why did my mom choose to buy the alarm clock with the really annoying ear bleeding inducing alarm? I slam my alarm clock repeatedly and head directly to my bathroom to start my daily routine. I turn on the shower faucet to hot and begin undressing myself. I love my shower so much, it is one of those really nice showers that mist and have steam. It really makes my morning ten times better. When the shower finally gets hot, I enter and let the droplets splash against my skin.
I don’t really like mornings because I hate waking up. I love sleeping, but most importantly I love dreaming. The mind is a beautiful thing and dreams are a real gift. You can be whoever you want and be with who ever you desire. To be honest most of my dreams are love and dating Harry Styles but none the less they really are great. My social life isn’t really killer so dreams are the one place where I actually have friends, friends that would never turn their back on me and always be there for me no matter what. I know it is really odd for a girl not to have friends but it’s really hard when you have social anxieties like me. I can barely speak to people I don’t know, all that comes out is mumbles and I end up just walking away from the entire situation. I have tried talking to people but it’s really a struggle. People at school think I am weird because I don’t talk, but it’s not that I don’t want to talk. I just can’t.
After my shower is finished I head directly to my closet and pull out some clothes for school. I usually wear blue jeans, a t-shirt, and a hoodie. Then I proceed to the mirror to control my mane. My hair is wild and frizzy and I hate it with a burning passion. I spend about 45 minutes to straighten my hair. It’s a real waste of the morning but I am not going to school with my frizzy mess. I manage my hair today in 40 minutes which gives me 5 minutes to grab a quick breakfast at home. I run downstairs to grab my book bag and snag some smores Poptarts and head out the door to walk to school.
I live about ten minutes walking distance to school so the bus only comes to pick up the elementary and middle school students. I like walking to school though, it really is nice to get some fresh air everyday. Plus it gives me some exercise, which I don’t really do. The walk to school today is ok. It seems like today it might storm but besides that the sky looks really peaceful.
I finally get to school in time for my first course to begin, Drama. Even though I am really bad at speaking with people I enjoy drama a lot. I love reading plays and watching musicals. My favorite is the Choir, it’s this French musical about an all boy choir and it is really great. My Drama teacher, Mr. Treble, is a really nice guy too. He understands my social problems and lets me do the costume makeup and technical things for the musicals and plays for credit instead of doing the acting. I wish I could do the acting though, it seems like so much fun.
When I get to class I notice all of my classmates surrounding the bulletin board at the back of the classroom. I walk up to the board and see what everyone is talking about.
Do you have a talent? Come tryout for the 25th annual Crooked Springs High School Talent Show. Prize is $1000 dollars cash. Where: The School Auditorium When: May 24th See you there!
The yearly talent show is coming up. I forgot all about it. I wonder who is going to enter this year. The entire class is chatting and exclaiming about the show and what they are going to do for the show. To be honest we all know who is going to win, of course Amber Evans. She is the reining champion for two years. Also she is lead in every school musical and play. She has a beautiful voice but sadly a horrible personality. She loves being the center of everyone’s attention and is very stuck up to everyone who isn’t as talented as her. I don’t like her very much but I sort of envy her talent and ability to get what she wants. Amber is in the center of the crowd of people talking. She’s chatting everyone’s head off about what she is going to perform and what is she is going to do with the prize money.
“Well of course after I win I am going to take myself on a shopping spree, I deserve it,” she says as she flips her blonde locks.
I go to my station in the classroom and look through my to-do list for today’s class.
- - Organize the costumes
- - Pass out scripts for today’s lesson
- - Comb and spray the wigs
- - Put the CD attached to this list in the player and turn it to track 3.
I get to work as soon as possible and finish the tasks before Mr. Treble comes in, of course fashionably late. Mr. Treble is dressed in black skinny jeans, a white collared shirt and a striped bow tie. He looks amazing as usual and all the students take their seats in the center of the class room.
“So class today first we will be talking about the talent show, and then we will do a scene from the play Jane was so nice to pass out for me,” He says and winks at me.
Amber raises her hand and begins to speak without being called on, “Well Mr. Treble is the competition prize going to be given in cash or check, because I will give you my checking information when the time comes.”
Mr Treble looks at Amber then continues speaking, “Before Amber the prize will be given in cash but already know that, but anyways before I was interrupted I have instated a new rule about the talent show,” he suddenly turns and looks at everyone. “Due to low entries and student participation, it is mandatory for all of you to participate in this year’s talent show.”
What. I drop my script and stare directly at him. He smiles and continues, “This will be your final exam grade and your grade will be judged by your performance.”
He then turns at me, “Don’t fret Miss Stevens, I am making you my stage manager.” I take a deep breathe and relax.
“You will be helping me run this show but I have another task you need to do to get credit,” he says. My body tightens. “Since you will not be performing yourself you need to find me another entry to replace you, and don’t bring me some random student with a stupid talent like card tricks. I want a real performer or group with talent, musical talent and how well they perform impacts your grade.” He says with a stern look then smiles and continues, “Class turn your script to page 14 and we shall begin!”
I feel as if the wind was knocked out of me. I don’t know anyone, none the less anyone with a talent. This is the worst thing that has ever happened to me. I have never been put in a situation worse than this. I am going to fail the class. The final is 50% of our grade. Is he trying to ruin me? Am I being punk’d? While the class acts out the scene I sit in the back having a panic attack. I maintain that way the entire school day till I get home.
