G4+Group+1

Attaining My Dream by Nicole Ackman, Serena Advani, and Josh Kennedy I can hear the audience finding their seats, waiting for the show to begin. I tremble with nervousness as I tiptoe to the side of the stage curtain. I peer out and see a full house. My breath is coming fast now, as I turn around to get ready for the curtain to rise. On my way backstage I think about the events that had led to this night…  My mom was hugging me like crazy. I could barely breathe, so I gently pushed her away. “Mom, please. I have to go now!” I said. “I’m gonna be late!” “Hurry up! We’re leaving!” called Rose, who had already disentangled herself from her parents. “I’ll be right there! Save me a seat!” I replied. I heard a faint “okay” from Rose. I turned back to my parents. “I’ll miss you, but I’ll email you every day. And call when you’re awake.” I turned to my sister, Bella. “And don’t forget to feed my fish.” Bella replied in her sweet, small voice, “I won’t forget. Do you promise to call every day?” “Of course I will. But I have to go now! The plane’s about to take off,” I said. “I still can’t believe that our little girl has the opportunity to go to London with her class! This will be such a great learning experience for you, even though you’ll be away from us,” my dad said to me. “I have to go now. I love you!” I said. “And I’ll call you as soon as we get to the house.” I started to walk away, waving to my family. I watched them waving and saying, “Bye, Alice! We’ll miss you! Don’t forget to call us as soon as you land!” I walked into the airplane, and saw Rose waving at me, while saying “Hurry up! I saved you a seat!” I walked up next to the seat, and put my backpack on the floor. I took out my iPod, and sat down, ready to take on what London would bring me. * The bus doors opened. Mr. Alden, my teacher, said, “Come on in everybody,” as he stepped inside the three-story brick building. Ms. Hudson, my other teacher, walked in behind him. I could feel the cold air blow through my hair as I walked inside. I noticed that I was in a large room with an elegant spiral staircase, a beautiful porcelain vase with many flowers in it, and a large crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. I could hardly believe that this was where we would be staying. Mr. Alden kept walking, through two grand double doors. Everybody followed him. We walked into the kitchen, where a person wearing a tall white hat and apron was stirring a bowl. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">Rose whispered, “No wonder we had to do all of that extra work last year to get the chance to come here.” I nodded silently. We had done a lot of extra credit work in order to get into this history program which let us come here. Then I knew that it was all worth it. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">We went up the staircase to find our rooms. Ms. Hudson walked all the girls to our rooms. She started calling out each of our roommates. I kept wishing that I would be roommates with Rose. I looked over and saw her crossing her fingers. I would hate to be partners with someone like Amanda Meyer, who had hated me since the 4th grade when I spilled chocolate milk on her. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">Ms. Hudson started listing out roommates. “Julianne Moor, you will be with Isabel Smith. Amanda Meyer, you will be with Stephanie Taylor.” I heard Amanda and Stephanie squeal in delight; they were best friends. “Alice Bloom, you will be with Rose Pale.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">I grabbed my suitcase and followed Rose to our room. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'"> <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">Rose called, “I’m getting in the shower, Alice!” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Okay, I’ll just…I don’t know…start unpacking or something,” I yelled back to her. I heard her turn the shower on and slowly turned around to face my suitcase. I couldn’t believe I was finally in London! I took the stacks of clothes that my mom had so carefully pressed, folded, unfolded, and refolded, and put them in the armoire drawers. I hung my nicer clothes and my jacket in my half of the closet and sat down on the bed. I yanked my backpack up so that it sat next to me on the fluffy bed. I pulled out my laptop and took it over to the desk. I would have to find an internet café in the morning. I took out the books I had bought, my favorites, the ones I knew would keep me company, and set them on the nightstand. __Pride and Prejudice__, __Twilight__, __Wuthering Heights__, and a worn and limp copy of __Romeo and Juliet__. I heard Rose turn the shower off, so I returned to the bed and pulled out my cell phone. I pressed the speed dial, number 2. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Mom? Hey. I just wanted to tell you we got here safe.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Thanks honey, how are you? How’s Rose? Are you rooming together?” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“We’re all fine, Mom. Really. Rose and I have a great bedroom together. Yeah, it’s really pretty, light blue, with white furniture. I’ll call you again later.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“I love you, Alice.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“I love you, too. Bye.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">Rose opened the bathroom door and asked, “Can you hand me my comb?” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Here,” I said as I handed it. “I’m going to go downstairs to explore the house some.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'"> * <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">I yawned widely. I hadn’t gotten used to the time difference here in London. I looked over at the clock on my bedside table; it was six thirty. I didn’t even get up this early for school! I yawned again and then threw off the covers and got dressed. I tiptoed out of our room, so I wouldn’t wake Rose. Quietly, I got out my computer to go to an internet café and email my sister. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">I walked through the enormous house, trying not to step on any of the squeaky floorboards. Soon I was at the door, and I pushed it open, embracing the cool, brisk air of England. I decided to walk to the café, instead of taking a taxi, so that I could relish the freedom that the teachers had given me. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">I finally found a café that said “Free internet” on the door and walked in. I welcomed the warmth that the café provided. I took out my computer and booted it up. I opened email, and sent my family a note like I had promised I would. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">I gently closed my computer and looked up, to see a waitress coming over to me. When she got to the table, she introduced herself, “Good morning, I’m Charlotte, and I am going to be your waitress today. What can I be getting you this morning?” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">I looked over at her nametag and confirmed that her name was Charlotte Logan. She looked to be in her early twenties. “Oh, nothing. Thank you though,” I told her. Suddenly I remembered that we were going to Kensington Palace that day. I walked out the door and back to the house to get ready for the first site of our trip. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">When I got back to the house, I could tell that everyone was waking up. Mr. Alden and Mrs. Hudson where going around knocking on people’s doors, telling them to get up. Soon enough, all of the students clambered out of their rooms for breakfast, before we took off for Kensington Palace. Rose was one of the students that had just woken up. I went into our room and urged Rose to hurry up and get dressed for breakfast. She groaned and grumbled, but we got out of the room right before everyone else did. We walked downstairs for breakfast and we were greeted with a pleasant surprise. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“A buffet line?!” Rose exclaimed. “Wow, this really is something Alice, isn’t it? There’s bacon, potatoes, eggs, even croissants!” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Wow, that is nice,” I replied. “Let’s get eating, before it’s all gone.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">We sat down on one end of a long table in the dining room, and began to eat. We were some of the first to get food, so we didn’t have to deal with a line. Everybody else came down a minute after us at the same time, so they had to wait for a while. After everyone ate, Mr. Alden stood up and motioned for silence. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Today, we are going to Kensington Palace,” and with that, all of us got up and followed him outside to see a bright red, double-decker bus parked outside. We rode over to the beautiful palace and got off. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'"> “Come on everyone,” Mr. Alden called. “They’re opening the gates!” We walked over and into the Palace. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">* <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'"> “Now, students. Settle down. I know this is exciting, seeing the Globe Theater. But we have to get going soon; we have a very busy day ahead of us. We have to leave by three, and it is already twelve thirty. You girls and the time it takes to do your makeup…” Mr. Alden said. Amanda and Stephanie turned their heads so all that Mr. Alden couldn’t see their eyes. “Okay, so the schedule for today is to tour the Globe Theater, at three o’clock go to official orientation for all students for this program. I can’t believe that they had to change the date to today! Anyway, after that, at around seven o’clock, we have to go home, eat, and rest up because tomorrow will be even busier!” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">I looked over at Rose and said sarcastically, “Wow. And I thought we would be rushed while we were here!” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">She smiled and said, “Hey, I’m actually going to go get some coffee really quick. There is a Starbucks right at the entrance. Do you want anything?” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Yeah. A grande caramel cappuccino with extra foam. You know, my usual. And thanks,” I said. She ran to get the coffee while I stayed with the rest of the class at the entrance to the Globe Theater. Something caught my eye as I scanned the entrance. I spotted a giant red poster with the words “Romeo and Juliet” written on it. There was more, so I walked a little bit closer to read the small words on the bottom of the poster. //Have you ever wanted to act in one of William Shakespeare’s original plays? Now is your chance. Contact Lauren Dawson at// //ldawson@globeplays.com////<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'"> if you are interested. //<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'"> I knew that I would not be able to audition even though it was my dream to act in one of Shakespeare’s plays. I was stuck on a class trip in England, and with the busy schedule Mr. Alden thrust upon my entire class, I would not have any time. Something made me take out my notebook and write the email address down, just in case. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">Ms. Hudson called, “Class, we’re entering now! Let’s stick together!” just as Rose walked up to me, breathless. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Sorry I’m late,” she said as she handed me my coffee. “There was a really long line.” We walked through the entrance, both of us expecting something different. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'"> * <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">I awoke to Rose shaking my bed, saying, “Hurry up! Today is the day we see the London Eye and the Tower of London! I’m going to take a shower.” I groaned and got out of bed. Last night, I had stayed up until the early hours of the morning thinking about the new idea that had crossed my mind. I thought that since I never had the chance to audition for “Romeo and Juliet” before, I should actually consider emailing whoever Lauren Dawson was. The only solution to how I would do this while on a class trip was to skip the tours. When Rose came out of the shower, I told her about my idea. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'"> She stared at me like I was crazy, and said, “What were you thinking? You can’t just skip these tours! Do you remember how hard you worked for this? Do you know what some of the people in our school would do to be on this trip? And even if you decided to go through with this crazy plan, how would you plan on doing it?” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">I looked at her for a second, unsure what to say, but another idea crossed my mind. “You could cover for me, right? Can’t you say I am sick? It is very common for people to get sick when they come to London. And my cold needn’t be contagious, so you’d still be allowed to talk to me, right? Come on, you know it would work. And I even have the email address of the woman who is holding the auditions.” I could not believe that I myself had just agreed to this plan, but something in my head told me it was the right thing to do. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">Suddenly, Rose’s expression changed. “If this is what you want to do, I won’t stop you. Just tell me what you want me to do.” I squealed and ran to hug her. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“You know, I’m actually surprised that I tried to talk you out of it. I’m supposed to be the outgoing one!” she said with a smile. “Come on, let’s go to breakfast. We have to head to the London Eye!” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">* <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">I awoke with mixed feelings of dread and excitement. It took me a few seconds to remember what was happening today. Rose sat up and asked, “Are you sure you want to do this?” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“I’m sure,” I replied, even though I wasn’t. Today our plan was for Rose to tell Mr. Alden and Ms. Hudson that I had a bad cold. While everyone else went to Buckingham Palace to see the Changing of the Guards, I would practice for the audition. “I mean, what’s so special about seeing some men in weird hats walk around anyways? But are you sure you’re willing to miss it to help me?” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">Rose gave me a look that quelled my fears. I knew she would do anything to help me make my dream come true. She quickly dressed and then commanded, “I’m going downstairs. You have to stay in bed and act sick.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">About twenty minutes later, she returned. “They’ll be gone in a half-hour. Mr. Alden says he hopes you feel better. Ms. Hudson was so concerned, I was worried for a while that she would come up and figure out you aren’t really sick. I’m going downstairs until they leave.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">While I waited, I dressed and then picked up my worn copy of __Romeo and Juliet__ and quickly flipped to the page I had dog-eared the night before. Act two, scene two, lines 38 to 49. I quickly scanned the worn page. <span style="font-family: 'Centaur','serif'"> <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">I could hear voices downstairs and then the door close. A few minutes later, Rose walked into the room. “They’re gone,” she announced. “We can start now.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Alright, here it is. These lines,” I showed her. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">We set to work, me ardently saying the lines and Rose holding the book and making suggestions here and there. An hour later, Rose smiled at me and said, “I think you’ve got it. One last time now.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“’Tis but my name that is thy enemy,” I started. “Thou art thyself, though not a Montague. What’s Montague?” I questioned further. “It is nor hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor face, nor any other part belonging to a man. O, be some other name!” I passionately pleaded. “By any other name would smell as sweet; so Romeo would, were he not Romeo called, retain that dear perfection which he owes without that title,” I insisted clasping my hands. “Romeo, doff thy name, and for that name which is no part of thee take all myself,” I finished spreading my arms out wide. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">Rose sat, captivated for a few seconds longer, and then said, “Rose, that was great!” I smiled and walked across the room to look out the window. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Now we just have to plan how I’m going to get to the audition,” I said turning back to face Rose and the pressing problem of how to slip away twice, without being noticed or arousing my teachers’ suspicion. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'"> * //<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">I looked at Mrs. Dawson. She stared at me, waiting for me to begin. My thoughts whirled around me, making me forget my lines. I saw Mrs. Dawson shaking her head disapprovingly. I tried to remember my first line, but I couldn’t. All I could hear was someone saying, “Alice, Alice!” //<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'"> <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">I woke with a start, sweating, and moaning, “I know my lines! I know them!” Rose shook my shoulder. “Wake up, sleepyhead. You have a big day ahead of you,” she said with a smile. I groaned with the thought of everything I had to accomplish today. I stumbled out of bed and headed to the bathroom. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“I’ll go downstairs and tell them you’re still ‘sick,’” Rose said as she walked out the door. I sighed. I had found out yesterday, that today everyone else was going to Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s home! To get the chance to be in his play, I would have to miss seeing his home! It annoyed me very much that I had to make all these sacrifices just to get the chance to attain my dream, which might not even happen anyways. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">Rose walked through the door, her face oddly pale. “What’s wrong?” I asked. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“It’s Ms. Hudson. She’s suspicious. Mr. Alden said that we could stay, but Ms. Hudson said that I need to go today because I missed so much yesterday. She said if you’re going to stay, Amanda will stay with you.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Amanda?! This is so not happening!” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'"> “Well, whether it’s good or not, it’s what we’ll have to do. You’d better get ready and come up with something to tell Amanda. Good luck!” she said with a sympathetic smile, as she grabbed her purse and left the room. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">Twenty minutes later, I heard a pert rap on my door. I said, “Come in.” Amanda opened the door and walked in, surveying the room with disgust. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Okay, so they said I have to stay with you, which is so not fair, for your information, but that doesn’t mean I have to stay here with you. So, I’ll see you later,” she said turning to leave. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Actually, Amanda, you don’t have to worry because I was just about to leave.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“What do you mean? You’re sick! And even if you aren’t you’re not going anywhere because if you get caught, I’ll be in trouble.” She’d never seemed concerned about getting in trouble when she had cheated on tests in school, but maybe she was scared they would send her home. I decided to explain to her where I needed to go; I didn’t have much to lose now. I didn’t like to talk about my infatuation with Shakespeare at school, because people looked down upon drama. But that day, I was willing to do anything to get my chance to be Juliet. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Well, you see, there’s this audition today. It’s at the Globe Theater, you know the one we went to, and it’s for the play “Romeo and Juliet”. I’ve always wanted to be Juliet, so I signed up to audition and I’ve been practicing, so I’m going to go. You can come or you can stay, but I need to leave now.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Fine. I’ll come, but we’re going straight there and back with no dawdling. Okay, can we go yet?” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">I grabbed my purse and threw my cell phone in it and said, “Sure. I thought we’d take a double-decker bus.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">We left the house, locking the door behind us, and walked to the nearest bus stop. Amanda and I stood awkwardly, not knowing how to act around each other. She finally said, “Uh, so, I guess this is pretty important to you…I mean…you usually, like, behave don’t you?” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Well yeah, I do, but this has been my dream since I was twelve. I mean to play Juliet, not to sneak out on a history trip,” I answered with a smile. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">The bus pulled up and we entered. I climbed the stairs to the top and Amanda followed. The bus glided through the streets until it pulled up by the theater and we descended. “This is it,” I said, catching my breath. I’d never had stage fright, but I was still in shock that this was actually happening. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">We walked into the theater and I saw, in addition to many boys, men, and older women, about twenty young girls who must be auditioning for the part of Juliet. I recognized the waitress from the internet café. She was too old for the part of Juliet, but apparently no one had ever told her that. She must have recognized me too, because she walked towards us. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Hi,” she said, “I’m Charlotte Logan. Are you here to audition too?” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Yes m’ am,” I said, “I am, but my friend, Amanda, is just here with me.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“I’ve been playing the part of Juliet since I was your age. I was even in a TV version. I’d like to play it one last time, but maybe you’ll get the part. Are you American?” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Yeah…um, I mean, yes. Do you think they’ll count that against me?” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Not if your acting is good enough. I’ve gotta go practice now, but good luck!” she said as she turned and walked away. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“You know her?” Amanda asked. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“I met her in an internet café, but she’s really nice!” I responded in awe. //<span style="font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">She was on TV, she was so good? She must be amazing! I have no chance //, I thought. I didn’t have much longer to think because a women, who I figured out was Mrs. Dawson stepped out of a room and said, “Alice Bloom!” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">I told Amanda, “Wait for me here. I’ll be out in a few minutes.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Good luck,” she called and I turned around, awestruck at the change in her personality. I guessed she’d forgiven me for spilling milk on her. Maybe all I had needed to do to break the barrier between us was show her some kindness. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Thanks.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">I walked into a room where Mrs. Dawson, an older grey haired lady, sat. There were also two other people, a smiling man who looked to be in his thirties and a pretty, blonde haired lady. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">The blonde lady said, “Hi, I’m Elizabeth Jennings. Can you please say the audition lines for us?” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Yes m’ am,” I said and then launched into the lines, becoming Juliet and building momentum as I went. I finished with, “Take all myself,” and looked at the judges. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Wonderful,” the happy, still smiling man said. “You’ll receive an email of the cast list tomorrow.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">Mrs. Dawson and Ms. Jennings were still scribbling furiously on their sheets of paper as I walked out of the room. I hoped that was good. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">I looked around for Amanda, but didn’t see her. //<span style="font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">Did she leave me? // I wondered. Then I heard the sound of her voice drifting from around a corner. I walked over to see her signing her name on the art crew sheet. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Hey,” she said with a grin. “This art crew stuff is so amazing! Anyways, it will be easier for you if I have to sneak out too. How’d the audition go?” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“It seemed good to me. We’d better go now, before they get back.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">* <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">The next morning, I rose extra early and walked to the same internet café. I took my usual table and pulled my computer out of its bag. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Hey,” Charlotte said, as she walked up. “The cast list is up!” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Did you get the part?” I politely asked her, while trying to contain myself. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“See for yourself. I’ll be back in a minute.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">I quickly opened my email and clicked on the email from Mrs. Dawson. There was a brief paragraph on when we were expected to be at rehearsals and everything, but I scrolled past that as quickly as I could; I would go back and read it later. I read quickly, //<span style="font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">Romeo- Jack Weller, Juliet- Alice Bloom, Lady Montague- Charlotte Logan //. I squealed and everyone in the café turned to look at me. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">Charlotte walked over and said, “I look forward to working with you.” Another waitress brought me a tea and a chocolate chip scone. “On the house,” Charlotte said, “for the American Juliet.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">Twenty minutes later, I bid Charlotte goodbye and went back to the house. I truly felt like I was “walking on air”. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">I opened the door to the house and walked to the breakfast table. Everyone stared at me. Rose and Amanda walked over and looked at each other knowingly and said, “She got the part.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">Unfortunately Ms. Hudson was standing behind them and said, “What part? Alice, what’s wrong with you?” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Yes m’ am,” I said absentmindedly. “I mean nothing.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">Ms. Hudson stared at Rose. “Explain, please,” she commanded. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">Rose spilled out the whole story, with Amanda adding in things here and there, while everyone stared at me as I sat starry-eyed, amazed at my good fortune. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Well,” Ms. Hudson said as Rose finished. “Congratulations.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">Everyone began congratulating me and high-fiving me and Rose hugged me. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">Mr. Alden said, “Alice, you should have told us and we would have helped you! You don’t need to hide things from us.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“I’m sorry, Mr. Alden, Ms. Hudson,” I said meekly. “I realize that now. It would have been a lot easier too. Maybe you can help me get to auditions. Oh, Amanda needs to go too because she’s on art crew.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">They smiled and Ms. Hudson said, “Certainly.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'"> * <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'"> <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">Earlier today, when I came downstairs, Mr. Alden had said, “Congratulations Alice, for your part as Juliet. We all wish you luck in your performance, even though we can’t be there. Mrs. Hudson and I would like to present to you the historian award. This award we give out every year to the student who gets most involved with history, and this year, you won in a landslide.” He went over to the end of the buffet line, where a cloth was draped over something. He pulled off the cloth, unveiling a bust of Shakespeare with a plaque at the bottom that said: //Alice// //Bloom, Historian of the Year//. He then walked over to me, along with Ms. Hudson, and presented me with the award. I felt so honored, that out of the thirty some odd students, I was singled out to receive the reward. The only thing that troubled me was that the class wouldn’t be allowed to make it. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Why?” I asked Mrs. Hudson. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“We have a surprise trip scheduled then. I’m so sorry. I’ll try to get a camera set up so that we can watch it later, but we can’t make it.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Can’t only Rose go? You have got to make an exception. She’s my best friend.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“I //am// sorry. If we let one person go, all of them will be clamoring to go as well. It’s inadvertent. I really am sorry.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">I then retreated back to a table and sat down. I had felt so elated, only to be let down. It wouldn’t really be a play without my friends there to see it. I walked back to my room, found my Romeo and Juliet book, and started practicing. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">Over the last week and a half, I had practiced all that I could on the trips I made, and practiced even harder during rehearsals. One thing had held me back, and that was Rose not being able to make it. Every day, I went to rehearsals with Amanda and met Charlotte on the bus ride there. Some of the trips I had to leave early from and some of the trips I couldn’t make at all. That didn’t bother me though, for I knew about many of them. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'"> <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">I am //<span style="font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">so // lucky. My parents and sister are flying over in time to see the last show, at the end of this week; they’re so supportive of me. I walk into my dressing room and Amanda is waiting there. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Good luck,” she says, “Break a leg. And have fun! I’ll be backstage.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Thanks. You have fun, too,” I return. After she leaves, I pull on my costume and put on my stage makeup. I hear a rap on my door. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Play’s about to begin.” <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Thank you,” I call. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">I carefully walk to the stage wings to wait for scene three and my first entrance. I watch the actors, who are all now my friends say the lines they have toiled over for so many practices. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">I’m sad that my class couldn’t be here to share this with me. I scan the crowds to see how the people are reacting. Then I see them. My class! Rose! They’re here. Rose sees me too and we lock eyes. I nod my head and she returns to watching the play. Mr. Alden and Ms. Hudson are so nice to surprise Amanda and me with this. The actresses who play Lady Capulet and Nurse walk onto stage. I wait for my cue, “What Juliet!” There it is. I walk onstage. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">“Here now! Who calls?” I say, already, not Alice, but Juliet. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">The play goes extremely well, and I can hear many in the audience crying by the end as I utter my last lines, “This is thy sheath; there rust, and let me die” as I pretend to stab myself with the dagger. I fall and prepare to wait out the end of the play, where I lie, acting like I’m dead and trying to make my breathing small. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; color: black; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">At the end of the play, the audience claps and rises to their feet. That I don’t expect and all the cast exchanges awed glances as we take our bows. For while “there never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo” //<span style="font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">my // story has a perfectly happy ending. But it isn’t really an ending; it’s rather the beginning of my career in theater. <span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Centaur','serif'">