Playing Cinderella (an original love story)

Chapter 2

       I wasted no time changing both my work and school schedule to work around my rehearsal schedule. Today was our first rehearsal. Wesley gave us a week to get everything settled. My mother was weary of my role but supportive. "Alright Nina you have fought long and hard to be where you are now. Don't screw this up." I said looking in the mirror. I said goodbye to Adrianna then caught a cab to the theater.                         

                 I walked inside the theater and allowed myself to soak it all in. "I'm really here. I finally made it." I whispered to myself. "Ms. King everyone is in the meeting room." one of the workers said. "Alright um can you show me the way?" I asked nervously. "Yeah follow me." he answered annoyed, I did so nervously. I walked inside and was welcome with warm smiles. "Hey Nina I'm Joyce the vocal coach." Joyce introduced. "I'm Sean and this is Maria. We're the choreographers." Sean introduced. "Nice to meet you three." I said.                      

                 "Go ahead and take a seat next to your understudy Laura." Joyce said. "Nice to meet you Nina." Laura said. "You too." I replied sitting next to her. Laura was beautiful. She was the same height as me. She was skinny and had this grace to her. She had long dark brown hair and brown eyes. The difference between us physically is that she was skinny and white while I was overweight and black. I had brown skin, long dark brown hair, and brown eyes. Looking at Laura I can see that she would make the perfect Cinderella. Why did Adam have to stick up for me?       

                        The slam of the door shook me out of my thoughts. "Where's Adam?" Wesley asked sitting at the head of the table. "Not here yet." Josh, Adam's understudy, answered. "Alright well we'll start without him." Wesley said. "Charlie here is handing out the contracts and your scripts. You have two months to memorize your music and lines. No later than that. That includes the understudies."                 

                      "Now we are booked to perform at the 86th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. It's now June and that is in November. Do the math." Wesley said. "Now Charlie is handing out the rough draft of the poster for the show so everyone knows what it looks like." "Um excuse me Wesley?" Laura said. "Yes?" Wesley replied. "Shouldn't we do a photo shoot or something before you make the poster or is no one going to be on it?" Laura asked/stated. "We will not be using a picture. A silhouette will be used." Wesley answered.         

                      "I want no arguing when I make this next statement. For performances such as the Ma-" Wesley was cut off by Adam coming in. "I'm sorry I'm late the guy who was supposed to take my place showed up late." Adam said slightly out of breath. "That's perfectly fine take a seat next to Josh."  Wesley replied calmly. "Now as I was saying. For performances that gives a sneak peek of the show Laura you will be playing Cinderella. Nina you will be part of the chorus during that time." "What?" Laura, Adam, and I said in shock.          

                     "I said I want no arguing." Wesley sternly said. "Can I ask why?" Laura said confused. "I don't want the world to know that we have a girl as wonderful as Nina here. She needs to be kept a secret." Wesley said with a sickly sweet smile. "That's not the truth and you know it Wesley!" Adam said with a hint of anger. "Fine I don't want the world to know she's African-American. How in the world will people react knowing one is playing one of the most famous princesses. She is only to play Cinderella on our performance days. This is a secret and I don't want it to leave this table." Wesley admitted.              

                     "Well how about we have Laura do the recording for the soundtrack too." Adam said clearly upset. "There is nothing wrong with Nina's voice." Wesley said calmly. "No just the way she looks." Adam said deadly calm. "Well now that everything is cleared up Adam, Josh, Nina, and Laura I want you to work with Joyce. Sean, Maria, and I are going to work with everyone else on stage." Wesley said dismissing everyone.