Story, An Untitled

Copyright Julia Bydulia

Part I of an unfinished story

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"Auditions for the play will be next Monday, after school." Mr. James was walking around the quiet room with what he must have thought was great purpose. His chest was pushed out and he kept on pulling on his belt or just his belt loops. "You will need to prepare a monologue and a song. Both can be up to two minutes."

Michelle sat in her assigned seat in the chorus room and laughed quietly at the confidence in his stride. Who could be that confident with no reason? she thought to herself as she continued staring. The thought for auditioning for the musical of Little Women both frightened and excited her. She started to chew on the nail of her index finger, and the rest of her fingers curled up and rested on her chin as she gnawed.

"Should we bring our own accompaniment?" Lee asked. She was sitting on the other side of the room from Michelle. Her long, dark, and wavy hair was down and resting comfortably on her shoulders. Lee was very beautiful and very talented with delicate features, porcelain skin, grace, an amazing soprano singing voice, and the ability to act. Of course she had taken lessons and acted before, but, as Michelle would watch her, it just seemed natural. "Is Brianna coming?"

Mr. James stopped walking and heaved a long sigh, turning his eyes to the ceiling as if Lee had asked the one question he had been trying to avoid. Mr. James addressed most problems this way, big or small. "She may, she may not. You need to bring something. A CD or sheet music." His hands were still resting on his belt loops. Michelle could feel herself making a face. "I'd rather no one did their audition a Capella."

Elena and Michelle turned to each other. They tried to communicate through their thoughts to tell the other that they were planning to audition, then turned back to Mr. James who was still talking and sauntering around the room.

"Brianna told me she's playing piano for another show right now, so she might not have time. But, the show will be over by the time we need her for actual rehearsals." Mr. James went on, leaning on the piano and fidgeting with his free hand.

Of all the piano players Michelle had ever met, Brianna was in her top two. Granted, she had only technically met three piano players in her life. Brianna was a short woman who wore glasses with thick frames and sweaters with bold prints. She played piano for the chorus concerts and shows at the school, when they could afford her. Everyone loved spending rehearsals with her rather than having to listen to Mr. James desperately try to pound out a simple series of notes.

After class, Mr. James pulled out a thin folder of paper and announced that they were some of the monologues everyone could choose from. Michelle and Elena rushed over and started to scan each paper to find one that was a good length and a good fit. At the top of each page was an explanation of the situation the character is in while speaking and the name of the character. Michelle read each one aloud and tested the sound of it on her lips.

"Kayla...Liane...Hannah..."

The bell rang, so Michelle left the room with the monologue that was in her hand and she and Elena headed to their separate classes.