When I get up in the morning the next day I  feel a tinge of excitement. Today the results are going to be out! I may get a good role! What if I got the lead? Oh my God, that would be so cool! I imagine practicing with Nancy the day before the competition all excited and nervous at the same time. It's going to be so much of fun! And if I act well I'll make mom and dad proud. I imagine them sitting in the crowd and clapping loudly while mom has tears in her eyes.  But wait why do I feel I'm forgetting something? Something happened yesterday? 

I get up slowly trying to remember and it suddenly hits me. Yesterday I was late, I didn't get a chance to give the auditions! Today the results will be out today for everybody but not for me! I'm just going to be backstage the entire time! I'm going to be working tirelessly trying to make everyone look perfect and seeing the show from the back. I'm not going to be practicing with Nancy nor am I going to make mom and dad proud. I feel like crying. All excitement has vanished and I sit tiredly on the bed, rubbing my eyes. I try to remember what Nancy told me yesterday. Think positive Elsa, everything happens for the good.  

I get ready quickly and go downstairs, I don't want to miss the bus today. Mom is making my favorite chicken ham sandwiches. I know she's feeling really guilty for not being yesterday. When I told her that I didn't get a chance to give the auditions she was about to cry. But seriously it isn't mom's fault. She had clearly told me to wake up early and it was all my mistake. Why do I always have to mess up things? Is it a universal law or something?

"Elsa look what I made!" says mom showing me the sandwiches.

"Thanks mom," I say smiling slightly.

I sit down taking a sandwich in my plate. I really love chicken ham sandwiches, whoever invented it is a true genius. It's the best thing in this world. I'm about to eat it when my sister comes striding inside the house. She's looking super classy as usual, in red high heels and a short red skirt. She looks at me with disinterest and places her bag on the chair. She walks towards me, her eyes filled with pity.

"Somebody missed the auditions!" she says.

"Yes," I say quietly.

"Oh, so sad!" she says laughing loudly.

I just look away desperately trying to think of a way to escape.

"But you know what Elsa?" asks my sister  placing her hand on my shoulder.

"What?" I ask.

"In one way this is a good thing that happened. At least you didn't make a fool of yourself. We all know what happens when you go on stage. Now we all will not have to get embarrassed!" she says laughing loudly.

Today, I just can't hit back at her. I feel like crying. Why can't my sister ever be nice to me? I am already so upset and am trying so hard to stay positive. The least she can do is just keep quiet and not BULLY me!

"Now, now, now Catherine!" says mom, "There is no need to be harsh to your sister. Behave yourself. I'm sure she would have done a great job if she was on stage!" mom gives me a warm smile.

"Fine...I was just saying the truth!" says my sister.

Mom gives her a stern look.

"Fine....I won't say more," she says sitting on the chair.

"Ah! The bus has come!" says mom.

I get up, picking my bag.

"Elsa, you haven't eaten your sandwich!" says mom.

"Somebody made me loose my appetite!" I say glaring at my sister.

"Will you eat it when you come back?" asks mom.

"Yes....bye mom!" I say hugging her.

"Have a good day Elsa and don't let anyone spoil your mood!" she says.

"Ok!" I say stepping out of the door.

As soon as I enter the bus T feel everyone staring at me. I try to hide my embarrassment and quickly go and sit next to Nancy. 

"Are you okay?" asks Nancy concern lacing her face.

I nod my head slowly.

Nancy is about to say something else when a girl interrupts her. She has short, blonde hair. She is slim and has dark brown eyes. She's wearing a plain top with shiny over bright pants and super high black heels. Seriously why do they all dress so much? They are going to college not to a disco party!

" Hi I'm Maddie!" she says.

"Hi!" says Nancy and me in unison.

"You sang really well yesterday!" Maddie says to Nancy.

"Oh! Thanks!" says Nancy blushing slightly.

"You got late for the auditions, didn't you?" asks Maddie looking at me.

Why are everyone constantly reminding me that! The more I try to forget it, the more everyone is reminding me of it!

"Uh....yes," I say looking away.

"What a pity!" says Maddie giving a sad look.

 "Anyways Nancy I was thinking if you want to come and sit with my friends in the first row? It will be fun!" she says looking at Nancy.

She suddenly becomes aware of me being there too, "There's only one seat left . hope you understand, Elsa!" 

Ouch! Why do everyone have to be so mean!

"It's all right!" I say looking away,

"I want to sit with Elsa. So maybe some other time....." says Nancy.

Maddie's face falls and she looks at Nancy like as if she's mad to decline her very kind offer.

"Fine....if that's what you like!" she says before walking back to the front row.

"Nancy really you don't have to sit with me," I say.

"Elsa I want to sit with you!" says Nancy smiling warmly at me.

"Thanks!" I say smiling back.

Even though I pretend to be happy I'm actually quite hurt from inside. This day  is just getting worse and worse and I'm not so sure its going to get any better as it proceeds! I feel like escaping!!!

Miss Honey's class goes normally. Nobody talks that much and she keeps on speaking. I try my best to pay attention and not think about anything else. At the end of the class everybody leaves while I stay back as usual.

"So what are you going to sing today?" asks Miss Honey cheerfully.

"Shall I sing the last song from Anne?" I ask.

"I've never heard it. Go on, sing it!" says Miss Honey.

Singing is really the best thing for me. Singing makes me feel lighter and so much more better. I am transported to my imaginative, beautiful land of dreams where nothing wrong ever happens. Though it's a sad song, I really feel good singing it. When I open my eyes, I see tears in Miss Honey's eyes.

"Elsa, you sang that song so beautifully!" she says walking towards me.

"Thanks!" I say smiling slightly.

"How come you sang a sad song today?" inquires Miss Honey.

" I don't know....maybe because I'm a little sad," I whisper.

"What happened Elsa?" asks Miss Honey with concern.

"I missed the auditions yesterday!" I exclaim.

"That's all right....." says Miss Honey coming and sitting next to me.

"But ma'am....." I say.

"Elsa you'll have many more opportunities in the future." she says,

I nod, not saying anything.

"In fact I have some news that might make you happy!" says Miss Honey happily.

"What?" I say looking up.

"There's a fest coming very soon in college. You can sing and participate in that fest!" she says.

"Oh!" I say a tinge of hope on my face.

"This is the form," says Miss Honey giving me a piece of paper, "Fill it and you'll be able to participate!"

"Thank you ma'am!" I say carefully putting it in my bag.

"I told you Elsa, opportunities will always come! All we have to do is not lose hope!" she says patting me on the back, "Now stop being upset!"

"Yes ma'am," I say my face brightening with excitement.

"Off you go," says Miss Honey.

I feel so much more better now. Finally I got another opportunity! All my hard work hasn't gone down the drain! For the first time in the entire day I  don't feel like a loser! I can't wait to find Nancy and tell her this! I know she'll be happy for me! As usual I see her waiting for me next to the classroom.

"Nancy guess what?" I say excitedly.

"Elsa, I need to go for a minute, the results of the auditions are going to be out!" says Nancy looking very nervous.

"Oh! All the best!" I say before Nancy rushes down the corridor.

I really do hope Nancy gets a good role. She's been so helpful all this time. She does deserve the lead role. My stomach is grumbling. I think I'll have to eat food alone today. I hurry to the cafeteria to find a place but there's not a single table left. The one table where Nancy and me usually sit has been occupied. I see a place next to a girl in one of the tables and make way towards it.

I'm about to sit when the girl stops me, "I'm sorry but this is saved!"

"Oh! Ok!" I say.

For the next five minutes, I'm desperately searching for a place to sit but I don't find one. I'm about to make up mind to just stand and eat when someone calls me. I look back to see Luke. 

"Hey Elsa! Why don't you join us?" he says calling me.

Oh God! This is going to be so embarrassing. Clearly he's sitting with all of his friends. What am I  going to do there? I'm not even his friend or am I? Okay, I'm officially going crazy! Without thinking anymore I make way towards his table.

"Thanks!" I say sitting next to him.

"Don't mention it. Meet my friends Ryan and Becky." says Luke.

I look at his friends. Becky is a beautiful, thin, lean girl with curly, red hair. She's wearing big, black spectacles and smiles at me politely. Ryan, who is sitting next to her, is chubby with dark brown curly hair. He give me a wide grin before shaking my hand vigorously.

"Hi! I'm Elsa!" I say trying not to freak out.

"We know you," says Becky, "Luke's already told us about you!"

Luke's already told them about me! What did he tell them about me? Suddenly I feel seriously self conscious. Did he say something good about me? Does he like me? Seriously, what's wrong with me? Why would he like me? 

"Oh!" I say.

"Luke we'll just wait for you outside!" says Becky and Ryan who have clearly finished eating.

"It was really nice meeting you!" says Becky kindly to me.

"Thanks!" I say smiling politely.

"How's your day going?" asks Luke after they both have left.

"Normal.....how's yours?" I inquire.

"Normal," says Luke.

I smile, reaching out for the ketchup while Luke does the same. His hands meet mine and for a moment our eyes meet. I feel like the world has frozen, I'm just so lost in his sea blue eyes. I know a normal person would have removed their hand and apologize politely. But I just can't do that. My eyes are locked in his I don't want this moment to ever end. But ....... the stupid bell rings!

Luke withdraws his hand and I quickly look away. 

"I've got to leave...Nancy will be waiting for me!" I say getting up.

"Oh....." says Luke.

I'm about to leave when I remember about  the fest Miss Honey spoke about. Luke, just like me, was really upset when he missed the auditions. Maybe, I should let him know about the fest. It may make him feel a little better.

"Luke there's a fest...you should participate too!" I say.

"Oh! What's it about?" asks Luke getting up.

" I don't have much time now to explain it. Maybe I could......"I say lost for words.

"You could message me the details......" says Luke.

"I need your number for that," I say.

Luke quickly removes a sheet of paper from his book and writs his number on it.

"Here's my number, " he says passing me the sheet.

"Okay!" I say taking it and running downstairs.

As soon as I reach down, I stop and look at the paper in my hand. It has Luke's number! I feel so happy! I finally got his number! Carefully I place it in my bag. I don't want to lose it, ever!

I'm lost in my own, sweet thought when Nancy calls me. Her face is all bright. She looks so so happy!

"Guess what?" she says coming towards me.

"What?" I ask with excitement.

"I got the second main lead role!" she says her voice jumping with excitement.

"Oh my God! Nancy that's great!" I say hugging her, "I knew you were going to rock it!"

"Thanks!" says Nancy reddening.

"Let's talk more about it in the bus!" I say.

Something in Nancy's expression has changed. Guilt is written all over her face.

"Elsa some of the girls had requested me to sit with them......" she says not meeting my eyes.

"Oh!" I say trying to hide how hurt I am, "Ok......"

"Elsa I don't want to sit! But they forced me and now I don't have any option! It's only for today......" she says.

"It's all right Nancy.....I really don't mind," I say giving her a fake smile.

"Are you sure?" asks Nancy.

"Uh......yes!" I say quickly walking away before she asks any more questions. I know I'm overreacting but I can't help feel really hurt! Why does this always happen to me!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author's Note:

 Hi Everyone!! I hope you liked this chapter and I'm really sorry for the late update! If you liked it please do vote and comment! It really motivates me! 

There also some new characters to be introduced in the later chapters if you want me to name them after you just let me know in the comment section!!

Will Elsa and Nancy's friendship last?

What's in store for Elsa?

All these questions will be answered in the next part! Love you all!! Thank you! Take care!

Love,

Vanshika.