Falling From It Again

89

CAI's POINT OF VIEW
OPENING NIGHT

The nerves that I were feeling felt as if they were controlling me. I've learned my lines, I've got my blocking down and now, the day is here. The day of me finally getting on that stage and showing not only my family but my peers what I can do.

My entire family was here; Ma, Dad, Ciyle, Grandma and even friends like- Inaya and her kids.

I was pretty happy but at the same time; I was shocked about my Mom and Dad even being here. However, I'm not gonna think about that- I'm gonna think about doing good tonight. The first night.

I stood on stage left sweating and shaking. I could hear the crowd talking and laughing along with each other. The house seemed as if it were packed.

I took a few deep breaths and tried to shake off the nerves. When I get nervous, I start to cry but hopefully that won't happen tonight. I'm not gonna let that happen tonight actually.

I just hope that my parents are happy after this. I'm mostly doing this for them.

Backstage was busy. People were running around, changing mics, fixing makeup, practicing their lines with others around them, laughing and making too much noise. Soon, they would have to be silent.

I couldn't think to myself because of all of the things that were going on.

I then closed my eyes and said a small prayer to myself. Hoping that it would calm me down and make me feel better.

"God, please let me do well out here. I don't wanna mess up because my family is here and that would be embar-...." I said but my Director said my name to catch my attention.

"Caiya!" She said as she stood in front of me and smiled. "The first show! Are you excited? Do you have your mind together? Nervous?" She asked me in a preppy voice.

"Uh, Yeah-...yeah, I'm-...I'm good. I'm very nervous actually." I said as I laughed nervously.

"Don't be nervous, hun. You're a natural. Also, why didn't you tell me who your parents were?" She asked me in a shocked voice.

"What do you mean?...." I asked. I didn't want anybody to know that they were my parents.

"Caiya, no need to hide it any longer. They're your parents and guess what? They are In the front row. They love you." She told me as she softly touched my shoulder.

"Yeah, I hope so."

"They do, Caiya. You're gonna do just fine. Watch." She said as she smiled a warm smile.

"Thank you." I said in a low voice as I looked towards the curtain.

"No problem, lead." She said as she winked at me.

Next, I heard the stage manager talking. "Curtain in 5 minutes. Take your spots and keep your voices low!" He said loudly.

"Thank you 5." The entire backstage said to show that we all heard what he said.

"Alright, break legs." She told me. The same thing that Demetrius told me.

"What does that mean....exactly?" I asked as I furrowed my eyebrows together.