Soooo Not Normal

T E S S A

This is going to be so embarrassing! They'll all be watching me! What if they don't like it? What if I-

"Tessa, you do realize this is just a rehearsal, right? No need to get all worried about it." Emma says as if reading my mind.

"Worried? I'm not worried. Why would you think that?" I stutter nervously.

"Seriously, it's written all over your face." Am I that easy to read? Emma isn't like this. She is confident and hides her feelings well, and is everything I'm not. I smile. But I love her anyway. Bighead and all.

"Okay, I can do this!" I pump my fist in the air then let it drop, a wave of self-doubt washing over me. "No, I can't!"

"Yes, you can! We'll be cheering you on from the audience!" She pats me on the shoulder, then turns to go join Cicily. I take a deep breath. This is just a rehearsal. This is just a rehearsal. Breath.

Who am I kidding? This is our first public rehearsal! What if Mrs. Cahn decides to replace me?

Speaking of Mrs. Cahn, I could hear her introducing our play. I let out a deep breath and walked on stage, along with Mya and Lori, who played my sisters. I looked out to see if I recognized anyone. And by that, I mean that I wanted to see if Jack was there. He knows how much this means to me, right?

But it's okay. Football means a lot to him, and I need to be understanding.

I listen for my cue as I walk around the stage. Jacob is doing a good job compared to the last few times we've done this scene. I try to wipe the sweat off my hands onto my leggings but it doesn't work. The slippery fabric only makes it worse.

I finally spot Emma and Cicily way in the corner. They were watching the stage, the lights glowing on their faces. I smile. I wish I could see what they were seeing. The lights, the costumes, the people. It's one thing to see it from the stage, it's another to see it when it's all together.

But I still prefer being on stage.

I smirk, then smooth my expression. I'm supposed to be emotionless, not enjoying myself. But I really am enjoying myself. I love the stage. I take a deep breath and open my mouth to sing when I hear a phone's ringtone go off.

Twenty four carat magic in the air... I see a girl in the back turn red and leave. How rude. Doesn't she know that we worked really hard on this? Whatever. The show must go on, I guess. I start singing again, and as I do, I can feel myself relax.

Soon the song is over and I'm forced backstage. We make it about a quarter of the way through the play when it's time to go home. We had to stop a lot so the drama teachers could change something or correct someone. I walk down to Emma and Cicily. They're sitting there, quietly talking and laughing. Then Emma sees me and stands up, practically running to me. She pulls me into a hug, then pulls away, holding me at arm's length to look me right in the eyes.

"You were fantastic! It was so good and that wasn't even the real thing!" She says it so sincerely. I wish Jack could be like that. I think.

"Yeah, it was awesome. I wish I had your talent," Cicily adds in as she comes to join us.

"Thanks. I was so nervous." I chuckle.

"I know. Now come on. I'm hungry!" Emma says turning around suddenly and marching out the auditorium door. 

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