Skinny

Triumph, Tragedy, and.... Tension?

Chapter Thirty-Four:

Kali and Zane hadn't talked to me in four days. They had stopped sitting at our table and it was almost the audition day. No one had even brought up the fact that they weren't present at the table. Maybe it was because everyone was excited about the upcoming audition, even the boys had entered. Mia was going to play her instrument with Gabe, while I sang. I had asked them to be up there with me because I would need their support. I was getting more anxious every time we practiced my audition song. Mia was lending me one of her many dresses. It was royal blue and came to my knees in a poofy skirt, it had short sleeves and made me feel like a woman from the 50's, almost.

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I sat in the seats behind the judges. I was so anxious to get up there and just get it over with. I had seen so many good performances. There were even a few magicians and jugglers. I saw a break dance crew and a tap dancing group. I kept thinking about how I couldn't compare. I hadn't seen too many singers, though. Most people played their instruments or did tricks or danced. Someone even tried to bring fire on stage but they were quickly pulled off the stage for safety reasons.

"Garcia, Raven with Harrow, Mia and Wainwright, the third," the gruff male judge said. He reminded me of Simon.

I stood and made my way to the stage. I wasn't sure who was in the audience but all the seats were filled, even in the balcony above. I waited while Mrs. W and Mia and Gabe took their spots and then they counted and began to play along with Mrs. W on the piano. I sang 'Think of Me' from Phantom of the Opera. I started out softly and then I gained my courage as I belted out the long notes. I felt like a real opera singer at that moment and I owned the stage. I sang my heart out and hoped they would think of me and pass me onto the next audition.

I stopped singing and everything was quiet for a second before Andrew jumped up and started whistling and cheering and applauding me. He wasn't alone for very long because he was drowned out by the entire student body clapping for me. I blushed and curtsied. I waved a hand over to my accompaniment and they also bowed and we all walked off the stage.

"Wow, a standing ovation for an audition?" Mia asked, excitedly.

"Your voice is pretty moving, Raven," Gabe said, smiling. I blushed.

I had never thought I was that great, but that reaction was definitely giving me a different perspective on that thought. It was just me up there, that time, with no background voice of a karaoke jam or anything. I was singing with live music being played and everyone loved it.

"Way to go! That was awesome!" Andrew said and lifted me up in the air. I laughed as he twirled me around holding me up by my waist, my hands braced on his shoulders. He put me down and hugged me. "Maybe, I can really congratulate you later?" He asked suggestively, his voice muffled in my hair.

"There isn't a reason to celebrate yet," I said, when I could speak. I had no idea why the huskiness in his voice had sent chills down my spine, but it didn't feel bad at all. Damn, he's getting to me. He seemed hopeful at my response.

I bent over and clutched my stomach in pain. Oh no! I knew this feeling. It was the same physical pain that I had gotten after I had seen my grandfather that last time, the night they said that he passed on, it wasn't peaceful. The feeling that made me hug him extra hard and tell him that I loved him was overwhelming the pain. Everyone was asking me if I was okay and what was wrong, but I was busy staring at my cellphone. Waiting for that dreaded call. I knew it was going to come soon.

When it did ring, I almost dropped it. We were outside the auditorium now and I opened my phone and quietly mumbled a hello.

"Raven, it's your father. He's been in an accident. We're going to the hospital now." I nearly fainted.