"Now the last student Elsa, please come on the stage."

I walk to the stage try to calm down my nerves and start singing. But the voice is not mine. It's a screechy, unpleasant voice. Fear grasps me, I try to stop but I just can't. Nothing is in my control. The teachers are yelling at me to stop, all the audience are laughing and pointing at me. I look for Nancy in the crowd and when I finally spot her she gives me an insolent smile and walks out of the hall. I start crying desperately trying to stop myself from singing. The one thing I feared the most has finally come true. I feel like escaping, my vision is becoming tunnel like, I'm slowly falling down and down and down.....

"No!!!!!!" I yell getting up.

Thank God it was only a dream. Sweat is trickling down my neck and my hands are cold and trembling. I get out of bed and wash my face in cold water. In three days we have the second auditions and to say that I am nervous would be an under statement. I am terrified and now this whole idea of participating is seeming like a terrible idea. I'll never be able to do it, not in a million years. I'll humiliate myself just like how I have done before.

At breakfast I can barely have anything even though mom made my favorite breakfast. I am so lost in my thoughts I don't realize the bus has come and it's time for me to leave for college. Quickly, I pick up my bag and rush out before the bus leaves.

As soon as I enter the bus the girls occupying the front seat start speaking to me which is actually kind of weird as they usually ignore me.

"You are taking part in the second auditions, aren't you?" says one girl with curly hair and fake eyelashes.

"Umm yes," I say.

"Best of luck!" she says.

As I make way to the last seat so many people wish me, it feels unreal. Nancy as usual is sitting on the seat next to mine listening to music. When she sees me, she gives me a wide grin and says, "Hello Ms. Popular."

"Nancy, stop it!" I say, "I am already so nervous."

"Don't worry, we still have three days time to prepare," she says.

"Still..." I say looking out of the window.

I never thought that people will acknowledge me. For an introvert like me being treated like an extrovert is something so new that I can't believe it. Though somewhere deep down it all feels very good I can't help but think that now if I mess up the auditions, I am going to be humiliated worse then ever before.

"You won't get humiliated," says Nancy reading my thoughts.

Hold on, how did she know I was thinking about that?

"How did you know I was thinking about that?" I say looking at her with surprise.

"Oh, have I never mentioned I have very special mind reading powers," she says laughing loudly.

"Ya right," I say rolling my eyes.

Nancy's confidence is so much that nothing can make her doubt herself. She's so positive and fearless. Her positivity and confidence is actually quite infectious. When I'm with her however low I'm feeling she still makes me smile and forget my stupid insecurities. I just wish I had the confidence that she has. The confidence to say what you want ,when you want ,without caring what the other person thinks of you.

"Thanks for being my friend Nancy," I say.

"Correction," says Nancy, "Best friend," she says nudging me.

I start laughing when Nancy says, "You are a very very good best friend Elsa."

I give her one of my warmest smile.

Miss Honey's classes are always lovely. Usually, I'm very attentive but today I can't help but be a little distracted. At the end of the class, I stay back as usual.

"I observed you at class, you were very distracted," says Miss Honey giving me a look of concern.

"There is a second auditions," I say, "I'll have to sing in front of so many people on the stage."

"Elsa, you can do it," says Miss Honey giving me an encouraging smile.

"I don't think so," I say.

"Do you have the song you have to sing?" asks Miss Honey.

"Yes," I say giving her a copy of the song.

"Let's practice right now," she says, "Call Nancy too."

"She's waiting outside class, I'll go call her," I say stepping out of the class.

Nancy as usual is listening to music and humming a song. When she sees me she says, "That got over too quickly."

"No silly," I say, "Miss Honey's calling you inside."

"Oh," says Nancy.

Nancy and me sit on the front two seats of the class while Miss Honey's speaking.

"I want to hear both of you sing it separately," she says, "So who's going to sing first?"

"Let Elsa sing first," says Nancy immediately.

"No, I do not want to sing first," I say, "You sing first!"

"I like going second," says Nancy.

"I don't like going first," I retaliate.

"Okay girls," says Miss Honey laughing, "Both of you have to sing at the end of the day."

"Fine I'll go first," says Nancy clearing her throat.

I never heard Nancy sing and she actually sings really well. She doesn't stop even for a second and maintains constant eye contact with both Miss Honey and me. Her hands are not trembling nor is she sweating. She is so calm, it's shocking!

"That was good Nancy," says Miss Honey, "But you have to work a little more."

"Sure," says Nancy.

"Now Elsa your turn," says Miss Honey.

I try to sing but nothing's really coming out. My hands have become cold and are trembling as usual.

"Elsa, it's only me and Nancy here," says Miss Honey in a calm voice," Calm down Elsa."

I nod and start again. This time it is at least better than before but my voice is so soft I don't think either of them can hear.

"I can't hear you even though I'm right next to you," says Nancy, "You can do it Elsa!!" she says.

I start from the beginning once again this time closing my eyes. It comes out so much better and I actually don't feel like stopping singing.

"Wow!" says Nancy when I stop singing.

"That was good," Elsa says Miss Honey.

"But even you need to practice more," she says.

Nancy and me look at each other.

"Why don't both of you practice together after college," says Miss Honey.

"That's a good idea!" says Nancy.

"We'll practice again tomorrow, now off you go." says Miss Honey.

We both thank Miss Honey and leave the classroom As we are walking to the cafeteria, I ask Nancy, "Would you like to come to my house for a sleepover, that way we can also practice?"

I'm not really expecting her to agree. I mean I'm not the most fun people to hang out with. In my old school I was never even called for any parties, nobody used to bother. When I used to invite someone they used to make an excuse and leave me to myself. I'm very sure Nancy is not going to agree.

"Sure," says Nancy easily.

I am shocked. She didn't think twice or make any excuse. She just agreed without any fuss.

"Are you sure?" I ask.

"It'll be fun," says Nancy cheerfully.

I have never had anyone come for a sleepover before. This is going to be so much of fun!!!

Yes I am afraid of the auditions but I can't help but feel excited for the sleepover. I have so many things planned........