DRIVING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS // CHRISTMAS CALENDAR 2020

Wednesday December 23rd

It was the day of the show, and we were all rushing to prepare to rehearse for the last time. Damon had decided to help us out today, since we were so far behind.

"This mic is not working." I told Caroline. She took the mic and went to the sound assistant so he could fix it. The stage had been moved to the gym a few days ago due to rough weather. She came back with a new mic and reached it up at the edge of the stage. I jogged to grab the mic, not seeing the speaker located right in front of me. I tripped, feel off the edge of the stage and collided with the floor. A second went by before I felt the intense pain in my wrist and I screamed out.

It felt like a while, but had probably only been a few seconds, before I was rolled onto my back and Stefan was over me, rubbing my shoulder and combing his fingers through my hair. It took even longer for me to be able to open my eyes and see his face.

"Damon! Get an icepack!" Stefan yelled. He helped me up, but I was barely able to get up on my feet. Stefan helped me to a seat. I was sobbing.

"What hurts? What hurts?" He asked in worry and tried his best to comfort me.

"My wrist." I cried. Damon came rushing back with and icepack and Stefan gently rested it against my wrist.

"I'm driving you to the ER." Stefan said.

"What?! We have a show to run!" Caroline argued.

"She's hurt, Caroline. She needs help!"

"So give her some of your blood!"

"It won't work! Her wrist is broken!" Stefan yelled and Caroline bit her lip. She nodded a little as to give us permission to go. Damon asked if he should come along, but Stefan shook his head and led me to the car. He kissed my head and helped me buckle up. Then we drove to the hospital.

It took about an hour for a nurse to lead me to an exam room, and another 20 minutes for the doctor to show up. He took a look at my wrist and asked me some questions, then sent me to get some X-rays. He showed me the fracture, told me that it wouldn't need surgery, prescribed me some medication and lastly put a cast on it.

Stefan picked up some pills for me at the pharmacy before driving us back to the school. We walked into the gym and people shot me sympathetic glances. A few wanted to sign my cast, and both Stefan and Damon joined in on that one. Stefan helped me get my arm in a sling he had bought at the pharmacy and then we started rehearsing again. Showtime was 8PM, and we finished rehearsing during the afternoon, so we had a few hours before having to do the soundcheck and get into costumes. We all decided to book a table at the grill and have dinner together. We were about 50 seniors, so we basically filled the entire restaurant. It was the first time we really bonded, and Caroline seemed less stressed in that moment. I shared a table with some random people. Stefan was at another table, but we caught each other's eyes.

"I love you," he mouthed. I smiled and formed a heart with my uninjured hand and my cast. We went back to the gym after a few hours and got ready for the show. We did our soundcheck and hung out backstage until we heard people fill up the room and taking a seat on the chairs we had borrowed from the cafeteria.

"Nervous?" Damon asked, walking up behind me. I looked at him and nodded. He rested his hand on my shoulder and rubbed it gently with his thumb.

"She'd be proud, you know." He said.

"Yeah, I know." I answered. "I would just wish that they were here."

"Maybe they are." He smiled to me. "Break a leg, but not literally."

I chuckled and he left to help the rest of the PR-team. I heard the first act start. The actors entered the stage and the audience cheered. I had no idea what the act was about since I hadn't really seen the full show yet myself. I started doing some warm-ups for my voice. The act was done and the audience cheered. Now it was my time to shine. I brushed of my white sweater with my hands, took a deep breath and entered the stage. I was met by bright lights and lots of cheering.

The drummer of the band counted down by tapping his drumsticks. The band started playing he intro and I let my fingers tap the mic in the rhythm. I smiled to the audience. Tried to find people I knew. Liz Forbes was there. Jenna was there. Jeremy was there. I started singing, focused on not screwing up the notes or the lyrics.

The song was Here For Christmas by Lukas Graham. He wrote it about his father, who passed away and I felt like I could relate to this song.

I tried to let go of all my nerves and just live the moment. Give the performance of my life, and I think I did okay. The song was over before I knew it, and I finished the song with; "Cause inside all of here."

Cheers filled the room and I smiled widely. I bowed and waved to the youngest kids before jogging off stage. Next was another act, then the acapella-group, who performed Sleigh Ride. Then another act and then it was my turn again. This time with the song: Christmas Day by Christ Tomlin and We The Kingdom.

I calmly entered the stage, not as nervous as I was previously. I waited for the intro to start, to which I air drummed a little. As soon as the intro had died down I started singing the calm verse and slowly built up to the chorus.

People started singing along when they knew the lyrics and I smiled. The song was very powerful and gave good vibes and people seemed happy.

The audience cheered a lot when I was done. Once again I bowed and waved before stepping off the stage.

The last act started and we all prepared for the finale. As the last actors came back, we split into the groups we'd go in as. The actors were split into four groups and entered the stage one at a time while the band played some instrumental upbeat Christmas music. Then it was my time to enter. I jogged onto the stage, bowed a few times and waved before standing in the left side of the stage and clapping as the acapella-group entered the stage. They all bowed and waved. Then the PR-group came in. Stefan's face lit up seeing the crowd cheering for him. He smiled and waved kindly before jogging with the rest of the PR-team to the right side of the stage. Lastly Caroline entered the stage, waved and bowed. Then we all waved and ran off the stage.

We all hugged each other and wished one another congratulations for the successful show. We complimented each other for our work. Caroline apologized for being mean to Stefan and it was all good. Damon laughed by the sight of his little brother's joy. He walked to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

"Thank you for helping us out," I said.

"No, the pleasure was all mine." He smiled.

Stefan, Damon and I said our goodbyes and left the gym and the show group. We went home. Straight to bed. Stefan and I chatted about the show for a while before laying down, and I fell asleep with a smile on my face.