Alright, so I had to leave everything that happened to me behind and move on, because the play is this month! Well, actually, tomorrow to be exact. The actuality of being the lead in a school musical hasn't hit me until now. Huh, that's odd. Maybe because I have had so much going on! Oh my gosh, play rehearsals have been so stressful! I mean, Mrs. Morris is just freaking out! She thinks that we won't be ready, which that statement is subject to disagree. I am Belle, and I feel perfectly ready! As a matter of fact, all that I have been singing lately is these stupid musical songs, I even have solos! Who would have thought that me, Emily John, would have solos! And don't even get me started about my lines because they have been going through my mind constantly too. As a matter of fact, yesterday, me and Layla had gone out for pizza and she asked me a question and I replied with, "I didn't escape Papa, he let me go!" Then I realized how that sounded because everyone in the pizza parlor turned to look at me and Layla. She grabbed my wrist and we ran out of the parlor (and I didn't even get to finish my pizza!). I don't think they'll ever want us to go back there again.
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I'm backstage, and someone's mother is putting the finishing touches on my makeup. Layla (who has the role of Mrs. Potts) comes waddling back to me and says, "Emily, there are a lot of people out there. You know, I admire you for being able to go out there and not be nervous at all!"
Ha! She isn't in my mind right now, because I keep thinking, what if Beast steps on my dress while dancing, and, are they using real fire in the scene where everyone chases after Beast?! Holy cow! What if the school burns down! Well, that last line apparently slipped out of my lips, and Bubba's mother looked at me. I forced a smile and leaned back in my chair, close to hyperventilating. I listened as the school filed in to the auditorium. Man, and I had always thought that we had a small school.
"Finished. You look gorgeous, if I do say so myself," said Bubba's mother. I looked in the mirror, and I did. I really did. If only Greg could see me right now...
"Um, is Mrs. Morris back here?" a voice that was all too familiar to me asked. I turn around and Greg is there, holding a clipboard and wearing a headset. He is looking around for Mrs. Morris. Holy cow, that's right! He is in charge of stage crew.
"Why do you need her?" asks Bubba's mother.
"Well, the spotlight that goes on Belle isn't working. Oh, um, hey Emily. You look, wow. Really good," he manages to sputter out.
I bite my lip.
"Thanks Greg, er, you do too?" I say, then turn bright red and turn around. Wow, talk about epic fail. Mrs. Morris comes walking in right at that moment.
"Oh dear oh dear. I am in a predicament. Paul slipped on someones banana peel and he can't play the role of Beast. And, our understudy is in Montana. What am I going to do?!" she cried. I looked over at Layla, and she turned bright red, immediately swallowing the rest of her banana.
"Does anyone else know the lines for Beast?!" she yells, and everyone freezes.
"Mrs. Morris, I think I do," says Greg.
"Oh Greg, really?" Mrs. Morris asks, with a hint of hopefulness in her voice.
"Yea, I was at all of the rehearsals and I pretty much memorized Paul's lines, and I wouldn't mind," Greg says.
"Greg, you are my lifesaver. Get Hailey in here, she is in charge of stage crew. Go find the costume labeled Beast 1 and put it on, then take a quick run through the script and get familiar, we are on in half an hour people!" she yells, then walks out of this wing of backstage.
Thanks a lot Layla.
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Ten minutes. I really should go to Greg and try to practice lines with him, but I just can't bring myself to do so. My face is buried in my copy of the script. Holy cow, I am supposed to kiss Beast at the end. Layla comes and peeks over my shoulder.
"Man, you are in luck sister! You get to kiss your man!" she says, whispering the last part.
I glance up at Greg and see him smiling at me. I bite my lip and turn away.
"Layla, I am going to hurt you so badly when this is over," I say, glaring at her.
"Hey, sweetie, be happy that I am helping you. I could just laugh and roll my eyes at you," she says.
"Yea, I'd rather you do that then help me. This isn't help Layla!" I cry.
"Em, you are just stressed. I'm sure it will all work out in the end," she says, then pulls me into a hug.
"You are the best and most beautiful Belle that I have ever known, and your acting and singing will make the crowd stand on their chairs!" she says to me.
Mrs. Morris walks in and calls us all together for scene one. Layla squeezes my hand and smiles as I walk out, ready for anything.
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The play is almost over, and I've got to say, the audience is loving me! We are lining up for the last scene, it is after the crowd has come to bang down the doors. Surprisingly, they didn't use real fire! The stars are on my side tonight. But I spoke too soon.
Greg and I are dancing, and I just can't look him in the eyes. My stomach starts to churn as the rest of the cast gets their last lines out. I glance over Greg's shoulder and see Mrs. Morris on the side of the stage, smiling. Chip says his line, and then Greg cups my face with his hand. I take a deep breath. It will all be OK because he is supposed to kiss his thumb, not me. Ha. I watch as he leans in, closer, and closer. And then I feel his lips on mine. I hear Adam and Tyler cheering the loudest. He tightens his arm around my waist, then releases me.
"Em, I'm so sorry, could you please forgive me?" he asks, still holding on to me.
"JERK!" I scream, smacking his face and running off the stage. As I open the side door which exits down to the basement, the first of my tears come, and I let them come, running down the stairs and leaving everyone else behind me, including Greg.
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I hope that you guys enjoyed this posting. I really liked writing it! The year is ending for Emily, she is 12 and three quarters, almost 13! Please keep reading and commenting and following, it will keep getting better!
Megan
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