Beast

Chapter Two

I practiced my tryout piece for hours every week. I denied playing dolls with my little sister and missed several parties.

Well the second part wasn't true. I was a theatre geek, not a popular kid.

The 25th of September rolled around and I was beginning to think that classes today were just to jitter me even more. I could not wait for the end of day when I would walk onto the stage and the piano would play and my voice would ring through the auditorium and-

"What do you think?" Julia's voice punctured through my daydream.

My confused look must've told her the whole story. She sighed and repeated her statement I so blatantly missed.

"I was thinking about the Winter Formal and-"

"You seriously can't be thinking about that now."

Julia gave a small shrug and said, "Well, not the dance part. Just planning the decorations, hanging lights. You know, things like that."

I munched on a carrot then replied. "You are aware that the Student Reps plan the dance."

A look came across her face that clearly stated that I wasn't going to like whatever she was going to say next. And my carrot tasted bad. Horrible lunch so far.

"I was thinking about joining SR..."

It's a good thing the carrot tasted bad, because I spit it out in complete astonishment.

"WHAT?" I'm pretty sure my voice was heard throughout the school. Julia looked embarrassed and her face turned bright pink.

"But you absolutely hate SR girls and every day after school there's something and that means you can't do the musical."

"We'll not everyday."

I had a theory. What if-

"Musical theatre just isn't what I want to do," Julia said.

My jaw dropped. No, that's an understatement. My jaw unhinged from my skull and clattered onto the ground. I couldn't believe my friend, my best friend whom I've known for ten years, is quitting her passion. Her life.

"But, Jules, I thought you wanted to go to Broadway?"

She started to twist her hair around her finger, something she does when she's nervous.

"Eh, not really. I just got interested because that's all you ever talk about."

"So, you're quitting on me?"

Julia furrowed her eyebrows. "Stop acting like it's a big deal. It's not, really."

"My best friend is joining the popular kids. How is that a big deal?"

"Would you stop being sarcastic!"

"Are you against everything I do now?"

Julia stood up, and I knew I just lost my friend.

"If you can't handle this conversation then I'm leaving."

And just like that she walked out of the cafeteria doors. I picked up another carrot.