Stage Fright

Chapter 5

Ding dong!

I rush to the door, anxious to see who it is, hopefully Matty. Ever since the kiss yesterday, I've been wondering if he wanted to date me. Although, it was kind of a downer when I saw the mail man.

"Delivery for Jennifer Bethany Adams."

"That's me," I said, taking the envelope and closing the door. I watched him leave before opening it. I checked the envelope before opening it, to see if it was a prank. But it wasn't.

"Who was at the door?" my sister asked, noticing the envelope in my hand.

"What's that?"" Juliet said, taking the envelope out of my hand and running away with it.

"Give that back!" I yelled, running after her.

"Mom! Jennifer got an envelope!" Juliet sat on the couch with my mom.

"Open it." My mom opened the envelope, but I already took what was inside.

"Looking for something," I said, showing them the paper that was in the envelope. I went to sit on the couch, on the other side of my mom. Then, I gave her the paper.

It said:

Dear Jennifer Bethany Adams,
After watching your school play The Wizard of Oz, I saw your amazing talent, and knew immediately that I wanted you to co-star in my movie. It is called Struck, and will be filmed in New York City. Enclosed in this envelope is a ticket to New York, leaving on January 14, at 7:00am. I will meet you at the airport in NYC. I hope to see you there!

Sincerely,
David Haynaw

I look at my mother in astonishment as we finish reading, and suddenly Juliet starts jumping up and down.

"Jenny's going to New York! Jenny's going to the Big Apple!"

"I know," I said. "I can read."

I was so excited. I was going to New York! But then it hit me. If I was going to New York, I would have to leave my family and Matty behind.

I couldn't eat during dinner. My mom works hard to make us food. Today, she made mashed potatoes and picked fresh fruit from a garden. But I couldn't eat.

I had mixed emotions about leaving for New York soon. How would I tell everyone that I was leaving?, I thought.

I tried to eat my dinner, but excused myself from the dinner table.

I went to my room to think. I sat on my bed for at least half an hour before I decided to start packing. Luckily, I made a checklist for what to pack and got my sister to help me.

"Do you have 10 pairs of shirts, shorts, and pants?" Juliet asked.

I looked in my huge suitcase. I had enough.

"How about shoes, socks, undergarments; that kind of stuff?"

"Yeah," I replied.

"What about bathroom supplies?" Juliet said, as I leave my room to grab what I need and out it in my suitcase.

"Mom said bring swim gear just in case." I open a few cupboards before finding a one piece swimsuit and a pair of goggles. Juliet gets me a towel to pack.

I suddenly hear a knock on my door. My mom enters the room.

"Bring this just in case," she said, handing me a camera before leaving the room.

"Thanks!" I shout, as she closes the door.

When I finish packing, I zip up my suitcase and leave it by the side of my bed so I know where it is. Juliet leaves my room after. I decide to go finish eating my dinner, and I see my mom there.

"Hey Jennifer," my mom said as I sit down beside her. "I just want to make sure that you stay safe during your trip. Don't hang out with dangerous people, check things before you buy them and-"

I stopped her there.

"Mom. I know your worried, but I'll be fine. You should be happy for me because I get to do what I love. So calm down. After everything you've taught me, I know I'll be ok."

Instantly, a smile spread across my mom's face.

"Thank you for that," she said, giving me a kiss before I went to my room to go to bed.

There was only one problem I had to worry about. That was telling Matty that I was leaving. We've been close lately, and I don't know how to tell him such big news.