Smoke

18: Auditions

Our group of ten eventually walked into the auditorium. It was dark, except for the stage, which was lit up brightly. It make it look like it was glowing, and the rest of the space was just deep black in comparison. We all were seated around the auditorium behind the teacher, who had papers in front of him and was writing on them.

I was sitting by Oliver, silent, when my name was called to go up. I folded up my script and put it in my back pocket. My legs were weak and shaking as I walked up to the stage. The lights hit my skin harshly.
My mind went through what some of the other people did, and I tried to copy what they said.
"I'm Cecil Janes and I am auditioning for the role of Juliet." I said nervously, my voice fading out from lack of breath. Some other students looked at each other, and I looked away from them nervously.

As I spoke my monologue, my body felt light. I could hear the silence and the rustles and my breaths. There was nothing cutting the silence except my own voice, quiet in the giant room. The light was bright in my eyes, lighting the stage sharply. I caught eyes with Oliver, who was nodding encouragingly. The silence buzzed in my ears. At least after the monologue I could go home.

As I continued talking, I could hear my own voice loudly against the silence, and it shook my thoughts. I stuttered and took a few steps across the stage, trying to expel the nervous energy. Strands of smoke were curling up past my face, through the air. The teacher was watching me, their eyes widening, and my face reddened as I talked. It got worse, getting thicker and darker and almost making me cough a few times. Some of it was suspended around me like a fog, thickening the rest of the air, lingering. I finally ended the monologue, hoping I did well enough that the smoke didn't matter.

"Thank you, Cecil. You may go." The teacher smiled at me, repeating the same phrase he said to all of the other students before me.
"Thank you." I said quietly and nodded, a puff of smoke leaving my mouth as I said it. My heart was beating so fast, so loud through the silent auditorium. I took a shaky breath, but dark smoke left with that also, and I closed my mouth. The fire was close to coming out. My body burned. I walked off the stage, majorly embarrassed. At least I was able to go home and didn't have to stay and sit here and be reminded of my poor audition.

I took my stuff and walked out, hearing the teacher, hearing another person start their monologue. When I reached the door, I looked back. Oliver had just got on stage, looking pretty tense as he spoke, seeming very uncomfortable. His eyes met mine and were locked on, and I smiled, momentarily distracted from my own embarrassment, trying to make him feel more comfortable. He smiled back quickly, nodding, loosening up, sounding instantly better.

He would definitely get that role.
I opened the door, electric lights pouring in, and slipped out quickly, hearing it shut quietly behind me.
Taking out my phone, I texted mom to pick me up.