Could be a Star

Chapter 28

'You're what?!'

I'm frozen, stunned because I can't quite believe what I've just heard. The sun is blazing down and heating up the rain that feel just a few minutes ago.  I sit in the little bus stop with Max next to me, unable to process what I've just heard.

The past two days at school have been a blur. We've been rehearsing the whole time, not doing any lessons. I swear Mr Sharp has lost hair over these two days because he's so stressed out. Apparently its harder than I expected to prepare for a school production. Its not even the acting or singing or dancing that's the problem, I would say we've almost nailed that, but its making sure all the props are in the right place and that everyone is quiet backstage when we're trying to run through. Making sure everyone will definitely be here for all three performances, making sure nobody's costume has fallen apart and making sure everyone is in the right place at the right time. Kate has been on standby with a box of Malteasers the whole times just in case Mr Sharp needs to be calmed down.

He gets particularly stressed out with scene changes. The cast have to do all of these because there's not enough room backstage for stage hands and stuff. Turns out that girls in tutus aren't ideal for carrying large heavy objects around. On Monday afternoon, Max and I were having a hushed conversation about what it would be like to live in London when Mr Sharp turned around and shouted at us to be quiet and have our conversation somewhere else. Needless to say that we were both shocked, so we shuffled out of the hall and exchanged plenty of 'What was that all about?'. Kerry came out to us and told us to not take it personally because he always gets snappy around this time.

People in my year are starting to ask me about the show too.

'So are you Billy in Billy Elliot then?' one girl in my maths class said

'I am!'

'And is that the main part?' her friend asked

'Erm, yes,'

Some people have told me they're coming to see it. The more popular people have been saying things like 'I didn't know you could sing,' or 'I never knew you could dance' or 'Are you any good?' which of course I can't really reply too without sounding either big headed or too modest, so I just tell them I try my best and enjoy it.

'Aw, cute,' one girl in my year wearing top much makeup said, which made me feel very small.

Truth is, I'm enjoying the attention. I mean, I'm obviously not shy or anything or I wouldn't be in the show in the first place. I like that people are acknowledging me for this.

On Tuesday, when we had to get into costume at lunchtime, Max and I stayed with Kate, Liam, Kerry and Oliver to eat lunch. I held my head high because I wanted people to see me dressed like this and with them.

'Yes,' I said told all the popular people (in my head, of course) 'These are my friends and they're all older than me and I'm eating lunch with them because were doing the school production together which, by the way, I'm the main part in,'

We did our run through on Tuesday afternoon and, for the most part, it went smoothly. At the end, Mr Sharp sat us down and told us how proud he was and how he expected the show to be fantastic.

'Also,' he said 'Before we start tomorrow night, I'd like you all to write you're message on The Board of Inspiration. For those of you who don't know, The Board of Inspiration is a big piece of cardboard we put backstage every year for everyone involved to write their motivational and inspirational messages on. I look forward to reading all of your's,'

Tickets are sold, we're all rehearsed out, and I couldn't feel more ready, excited or nervous for tomorrow night.

And that's leads me to now.

I have walked to the bus stop with Max. We were still in our costumes because there wasn't time to change after school so we had to swear on our lives that we'd bring the back tomorrow.

'What time does your bus come?' Max had asked as I sat down on the yellow bench under the shelter. I checked my watch.

'Not for another seven minutes,'

'Good, because I've got something to tell you,' Max sat down next to me.

'What's wrong?'

'Nothing's wrong. Everything couldn't be more opposite from wrong. Everything is amazing, incredible even!'

I blinked at Max.

'What's going on?'

'I don't know how to say it Jack,'

'Say what?'

'I feel like I should have a speech planned or something. Ooo erm oh okay, I'm just going to come out and say it,'

'Please do,' I had said, eagerly.

Then Max had spoken faster and more breathlessly than I'd very heard him speak before.

'I'm going to London to be Michael in the Victoria Palace Theatre in London on the West End!'

'You're what?!'

'Jack, I auditioned and I got in and I'm leaving in a month,'

I can't move. I feel like someone has actually pressed pause on their T.V set which I was on.

'Pinch me!' I manage to say.

'Jack, it's true it's really happening. This is it!' Max is grinning so much his face might stretch apart at any moment. I spring up and hug him tight, laughing.

'Max! Oh my god!' I can't seem to much else 'Congratulations! That's amazing! I'm so happy for you! I'm so happy!'

It's true. I don't actually think it could have turned out any better for a kind, talented, amazing boy like Max.

'How long have you known?' I ask, exhilarated.

'Well, since just after we came back from London!'

'Really! And you've kept it quiet all this time!'

'I had to!' he sequels 'They wouldn't let me tell anyone until now!'

'Wait a minute,' I say 'When you were off school that week?'

'I was down there, meeting the director and stuff!'

'But Mr Sharp totally knew!'

'Yeah, well I had to tell the school where I was all week! But Jack, outside of that and my mum, you are the first person to know,'

I hug him again as my bus roars past. I don't care, I'm not going to get on a bus and end this moment.

'When did you audition then?'

'Oh ages ago, before we even met,'

'I can't believe it,'

'You can't believe it!' he says 'I can't believe it!'

'I'm so proud and happy and not even slightly surprised,' I tell Max.

He giggles.

'You, Max,' I say 'Are going to knock them dead, my friend,'