Could be a Star

Chapter 6

Wow that film that actor who even why even how am I going to do that? Jamie Bell, that's his name and he's amazing. Like super. I knew basically nothing about the story before but now I love it. Also, I'm not too sure I knew what I was getting myself into. I mean it's going to be fab, I know that, but it just looks so hard and is going to take a lot of practice if I want to be even slightly good. And I didn't realise the whole thing with Billy and Michael but I'm sure it'll be fine now that Max and me are friends, or it could a been really awkward.

I get off the bus and meet Ricky by the wall.

'Good weekend?' I ask him

He nods and chews his gum as we walk. We don't talk for a while.

'I got the part,' I say

'Oh,' he sounded like all emotion had been taken from him by a tall man in a black cloak. 'Well done,' he says flatly.

'Yeah, so I won't be with you at lunch, I'm sorry,'

'It's fine I guess,' his face looks sour 'I'll fine someone,'

We walk the rest of the way in silence. I hate silence it makes me think the other person thinks I'm too annoying or boring to have a conversation with. To Ricky, I'm probably both. I feel terrible.

When we arrive in school, the casts list is up on some of the walls. I stop too examine the it and get a surge of excitement run through me because there's my name, right at the top.

Billy Elliot: Jack Stanford

It says that only main parts are to come to Mr Sharp's room at lunchtime for an introduction. I can't wait!

I turn around to walk to form with Ricky, but he's vanished. Oh.

***

'So,' says Mr Sharp enthusiastically 'As you all know, you've been picked because I think that every last one of you is going to be fantastic and I think you're all going to work well together,'

We're all sat round in a circle, I'm next to Max. You can tell that some people have done this before and others are new, like me.

'Now then,' says Mr Sharp 'I want us all to go round the circle and tell us who we are, how old, what part your playing and something about yourself. Oh, and who better to start us off that Kate. You know the drill, what is this, your fifth school production as a main part?'

'And last,' the girl Kate smiles. She has brown hair, white teeth and welcoming eyes. I like her already.

'So I'm Kate, I'm in year 11 and I'm playing Mrs Wilkinson. When I was in year 7, I was Chip, you know the little tea cup, in Beauty and the Beast. I threw up on the first night but went on stage anyway because hey, the show must go on!'

'Thanks for that, Kate,' says Mr Sharp looking startled. Kate looks a little embarrassed. 'Moving on, who's next?'

'Well,' says the boy next to Kate 'I'm Liam, year 10, I'm playing Tony and I've never danced in my life,'

You could tell he was not a dancer. Liam was slouched in his chair with him arms folded, a cheeky grin on his face which was surrounded by messy dark curly hair.

The boy next to Liam speaks next and when he does, there is a sudden silence which is weird because nobody was talking in the first place. He sits up straight.

'Oliver,' there is a certain sense of authority about him when he speaks 'year 11 and Jackie. Jackie Elliot,' as soon as he speaks I know how I feel about him. I like him but I am scared of him and something inside of me wants for him to like me and respect me. He has importance but modesty about him. How can I tell that from just one sentence?

'And something about yourself, Oliver?' says Mr Sharp looking over at the tall skinny boy with dark eyes.

'It's just Oliver. Not Ollie or anything else you can think of. Just Oliver,' he sits back in his chair and I swear I hear the room sigh. When he spoke it was tense, but somehow not in a bad way.

Next in line to speak is another girl with blonde hair and rectangular glasses.

'Hi,' she says looking very serious 'I'm Kerry and I haven't been sober for over 2 years,' she looks down at her shoes, completely in character.

Me and Max and some others giggle but the older ones sigh and moan.

'Oh not again Kerry!' says Kate, slouching.

'Yeah you make that joke every year!' Liam sighs.

'Yes thank you Kerry,' says Mr Sharp flatly 'Although that joke gets funnier every time you say it, I would like to remind the cast that this is not an alcohol awareness meeting. Now please tell us who you're playing,'

Kerry giggles to herself through a toothy grin.

'Okay, okay. I'm Kerry, year 10 and I'm playing Grandma,'

I might have guessed.

'Thank you Kerry, next!' says Mr Sharp.

The next girl is chewing gum with her mouth open and wearing too much makeup.

'Hayley, Debbie, year 9 and yes, I'm small for my age,' she announces with little or no emotion. She's right though, if it wasn't for all the makeup, you wouldn't think she was 13 or 14.

Next in the line was a big guy with a big smile. We learned his name was Dom and he would be playing Mr Braithwaite. He also had a toy poodle named Dora. How nice for him.

A girl called Lucy with ginger hair and a fringe is playing Billy's Mum. She's a year 9 and tells us it's her dream to be on the west end.

The Boxing instructor who's name is Henry is maybe not the best for the part. He has very thick glasses and says he likes Spiderman. We'll see though, I'm not one to judge.

Finally, its Max's turn.

'Hi,' he waves a little with a smile 'I'm Max, aka Michael, year 8, and I've been tap dancing since I was 5,'

'Well that's good, very useful for the role!' smiles Kate and Max laughs nervously.

I'm last out of everyone. Well, here goes! Best make a good impression.

'Hi!' I beam 'I'm Jack and I suppose you've all guessed by now that I'll be playing Billy, unless Mr Sharp has made a serious casting error,' I hear people giggle at my joke 'And all I can say is that I'm so excited nervous and happy to be here,'

I look around the circle. Most people are smiling right at me, welcoming. I feel so content, like this is exactly where I need to be.