Taking My Shot- Adopted by Hamilton

Chapter 4-A Gentle Puerto Rican Koala

After doing nine more performances it was time for the last one, this was the one I was the most anxious for. I mean the end of the show is make or break, so if I screw this up it could very well ruin all the other performances I did. I clap as Benny finishes "I know him". Then I head backstage with Alex and the choir. While my teacher introduces our scene Alex pulls me aside, "Hey you're gonna be great don't be scared, okay?" I smile, I wasn't expecting him to say anything, I mean this is the boy I've had a crush on since 6th grade and he's standing in front of me telling me I'm gonna be great. I know it's probably not a big deal to him, but it is to me.

"Thank you Alex, you'll amazing too and I can't wait to get killed by you," he laughs and I immediately regret opening my mouth, good job Riley you made something sweet awkward. He hugs me, which I also wasn't expecting and then we hear our music start and the choir goes out to open the number. Alex gives me a thumbs up and goes on as well. I wait and try to shake the nerves, then I hear my cue and walk on stage. I'm following the staging Alex and I had made earlier, I look around 'examining the terrain' and look at my gun, concentrating. I listen to Alex's words closely so that I can portray what he's saying with my movements and expressions. We then get to the count down and the choir chants "123456789 number 10, places, fire!" I point my gun at him on 'fire' and he freezes, now it's my turn, I stop and wait until I hear the bullet noise on the track and then begin: "I imagine death so much it feels more like a memory. Is this where it's gets me? On my feet, several feet ahead of me? I see it coming to I run or fire my gun or let it be?" I'm still holding my gun looking at Alex as he and the choir are still frozen. "There is no beat no melody. Burr, my first friend my enemy, maybe the last face I'll ever see. If I throw away my shot, is this how'll you'll remember me? What if this bullet is my legacy? Legacy!" On the last legacy I jump back as if coming out of a trance and I turn away from Alex towards the audience. "What is a legacy? It's planting seeds in a garden you'll never see, I wrote some notes at the beginning of a song someone will sing for me. America you great unfinished symphony you sent for me!" I cross the stage becoming less enraged and more sad. "You let me make a difference, a place where even orphan immigrants leave their finger prints and rise up." I start speeding up because I am running of time and the words become stressed and sad. "I'm running out of time I'm running, and my times up! Wise up! Eyes up." I say the last words like I'm taking a breath of air and accepting my end. "I catch a glimpse of the other side, Laurens leads a soldier's chorus on the other side, my son is on the other side, he's with my mother on the other side, Washington is watching from the other side." My words become faster and hastily thrown out of my mouth, and my boy trembles as the tears falling down my cheeks. "Teach me how to say goodbye rise up, rise up, rise up, Eliza!" I stop, and take a breath. "My love take your time, I'll see you on the other side." I say softly. I very slowly raise my gun and say "raise a glass to freedom...." The music comes rushing back and Alex and the choir sing "He aims his pistol at the sky, wait!" I fall onstage as soon as the gunshot sounds and I'm carried off by some members of the choir.
Once I'm off stage, Alex finishes the song and I dry my tears. He finishes it beautifully and when he's done he motions for me to come out and we bow together, and the whole theater cries out in cheers. I look at Alex and smile and he hugs me. We head backstage and I grab his hand, "We did it!" I say, I'm so excited I cannot stop smiling.

"I know you were amazing," he says, smiling back at me.

"All I did was die, you were incredible," I say, he laughs and hugs me again, we pull away from each other and he looks me in the eyes and I lean in and suddenly we're kissing. He puts his hand on my cheek and I gasp in pain since my jaw and cheek are still really sore. He pulls away and looks at me, finally noticing the bruises.

"Riley what happened to you?" He asks. I'm not sure if I should tell him or lie and as I'm debating the backstage door opens, its my teacher.

"Riley your father is here he says he needs to talk to you," she says I mentally groan I knew he'd be mad but I didn't think he'd follow me here. I give Alex a small smile and follow my teacher to the lobby where everybody is eating pizza for lunch, I see Mr Brown standing by the door and I walk over to him, knowing he won't hit me in front of other people.