No, no, no. It can't be My heart was beating frantically as I stared at the school's notice board. My name was there. It was in number three.

Oh my God. This can't be happening. Who signed me up for this audition? Who did this? Someone is definitely trying to make a joke out of this. I thought. If there was a way to erase my name, I would've done it. This is not funny.

I heard the sounds of footsteps and chatterings. Students were coming in this direction.

"Oh my God. Guys,The list is out!" I heard one of the girls scream. They scurried towards the board, pushing me away like I wasn't even there.

They were all bickering, trying to spot if they were chosen to compete or screened out.
"Guys, did I just see Chidinma's name on the board?" One of the girls asked.

As if on cue, they all turned towards my direction, finally noticing that I was actually there with them.

I became uncomfortable and uneasy with their stares. I felt as if they were scrutinizing and sizing me up. I could see it in their eyes.

As if on cue again, they all burst out laughing uncontrollably, pointing fingers at me.

"She won't even make it to the first round" One of them said.

And this comment increased their laughter.

I felt like an idiot. I felt like laughing with them too. But I also felt like crying. I didn't know what to do as tears started forming in my eyes.

I didn't know when I burst out crying.

*        *          *           *          *           *        *
           When I opened my eyes, I squinted as rays of sunlight streamed in through the curtains. I got up, rubbing my eyes to remove eye boogies but I noticed that my eyes were wet.

I didn't cry last night I thought. I wracked my mind over the events that happened in school.

My eyes widened as series of events came flooding back.

The audition is today.

What am I to do now?

I spotted a long mirror fixed on the wall. As I stood in front of the mirror. I could see my reflection. I wasn't proud of the girl staring back at me.I felt like a stuffed teddy bear.