I close my eyes, my mouth still open. I breathe in deeply, only allowing a short exhale to escape. I start to sing, first softly and uneasy. I start to let myself go, free up and sing with more heart and passion. I put my hand to my stomach out of habit and open my eyes. The audience isn't watching the dancers- they are staring at me. I continue singing with the same energy, only now I move into a light section. When the pace goes back to its normal tempo, I add flare, moving my hands like a fairy spreading it's love for the lyrics across the theater. The audience is still mostly rivited on me, others are watching the dancers with amusement. I slowly sing the last few lines to end the song, and the dancers finish at the same time. To think that we never rehearsed together and we made out okay was a complete miracle.
The audience claps, so hard, fast and loud their hands must sting. But they don't care. They scream for more. Then it happens, the one thing I didn't ever expect.
My parents, far into the crowd, stand. They stand, chanting my name. Others around them follow, more and more people catch on. I feel a gentle touch on my shoulder. Nicole. She has a smile, so big it looks like the ones Colgate has for their billboards. The dancers rush over to me. Almost like a cheer team, they lift me by my feet into the air. The audience gets louder, louder, louder. So loud I can't hear them anymore. The dancers lower me and let me walk off as the spotlight dims and the stage lights go out.
"Oh my God, you said you could sing you never said you were a miracle worker," Nicole squeals, giving me a hug and twirling me around.
I slip to the floor when she releases me, my feet unable to realign.
"Thank you, really. You don't need to thank me any more than everyone has-"
"No, I actually really do. You are so talented, and all these years I never expected something so great from anyone other than myself. I'm seriously really sorry I ever doubted you."
"Wow, I seriously really don't know how to respond to that," I sigh, smiling with relief. I had hoped this day would come, I just always thought it would come later rather than sooner actually. My sister isn't just open and honest like that, it takes a lot to make her like that. She has only ever turned into a gushy mess in my hands once before, and it was during her last heartbreak.
She grabs me by the shoulder and pulls me into a loving embrace. She holds me tight. I feel something tap my head. Then again, and again. I look up, and see Nicole crying. Her body starts to shake and turns cold. Her releases me from her once warm hug, only to sit down in a puddle of her sobs.

We drive home in silence. No one speaks. The events of the night still fresh in our minds, we sit quietly and wait for the moments to pass faster.

Late that night, I lay still in my bed. The house feels empty, and I don't know how else to say I was really nervous when I openly sing like that. I get nervous and shaky, and I don't know how to react. Again, reasons why I can't strike up a conversation with boys. I know that kids from school were in that audience, and everyone stood up. I'm actually excited to see what people will say tomorrow. I shift my position, facing the wall now. I let my eyes flutter shut and hope the best comes out of tomorrow.