Elena Sergio.
My excitement couldn't be contained within myself. I couldn't hold myself from demonstrating how happy I was that I got the lead role. The way the judges appreciated my voice and how I took them to a different realm. Finally, everything was coming in together. My joy couldn't be expressed the way I pictured it. Right there I was ready to scream my ass out, letting the whole world know how far I've come.
I walked outside the hall and the first thing I saw what Clara's annoyance. She was disgusted by my presence and tried too hard to hide it. It was a competition for her from the start which was different from what I had in mind. I kept my happiness in check and of sudden, Matthews came hugging me from his seat. My excitement was quite contagious from where I stood.
"Oh my gosh! You made it. You got the lead!" Matthews exclaimed with his face all bursting in smiles. He hugged me again and left a kiss on my forehead. He was truly happy for me, the one person who believed I could do things like this apart from my parents and sisters.
"I know right! Thank you!" I appreciated back and left his embrace. It was my special moment which means I had to enjoy it. Soon it was time for Matthews to audition for a role. He left my presence after I wished him the best of luck and went in during his turn. Then she walked up to me, Clara with her face all squeezed like she smelled something offensive. Her hands were folded and I wasn't intimidated. I went on with the flow and listened to all she had to say.
"So you finally got the role," it sounded like she was forced to point out the obvious. Her eyes looked at me from up to down while she frowned. I was in no mood to exchange words or have an argument with her.
"Yes I did," I smirked while my pride backed me up. I'd have been good if I rubbed it all on her face but I wasn't so evil. "Even when you said I wasn't going to get the role."
"Oh please shut it," It didn't take that long before her talks for heated. "You were just lucky."
"Then I guess you ran out of your luck." That switched her mood to the next level. She stopped herself from talking the moment I ended the whole conversation by switching it back at her. She tried to say something but she was out of words. She picked up her script and exited the corridor where I was. Today wasn't just her day.
My day went through with me smiling all around. It was the main gossip on school grounds how Clara didn't get the lead role for the first time in history. Some would say it's because she wasn't seen as someone talented anymore, others kept saying I bodied her since I've been looking more confident recently and the rest kept spreading what wasn't true, all of which were in favor of me.
I didn't take it personally even if she did. School hours were over and all I had in mind was to go home and share the big news. Everyone in the classroom left in haste, leaving me alone to pack up my books and get them to the locker. Even Matthews didn't wait to escort me today, weird. My steps were taken to my locker, holding my books in my right hand and my backpack strapped around my left shoulder. I was so caught up in my thought that I didn't realize I was about to bump into someone and when I did, it was too late because I had dropped so hard to the ground, spilling my books from my hands.
"I'm so sorry," a familiar baritone said as he bent down, rendering a helping hand to pack my books and pull me up.
"Nah! It's fine," I was still distracted, looking around to pick up my books with him just to make sure I packed everything. It never occurred to me who it was until I looked right at his face. It was the guy from the audition who I spoke to earlier.
"Hey," when I finally realized, "Daniel! I didn't see you around after I was done."
"I didn't see you. Probably we left at different times," He could be right. I left after I was done even when it was Matthews' turn. "Congrats on your big W."
"Thank you," I replied with a slight smile. I was less surprised the gossip got to him since it became a topic on school grounds.
"Where are you heading to?" He asked about my future whereabouts.
"I'm heading home "
"Alright then. We see tomorrow, yeah?"
"Alright."
An awkward conversation with a new friend I just made. I couldn't help but commend his looks in my mind. Without further distraction, I got myself on my bicycle outside school, preparing to go home and take a long afternoon nap.
*****
"Food is ready Elena!" I heard my name from the ground floor while I was in my room, focused on my phone. Without taking any guesses, I already knew it was Mom. She'd scream my name so loud just to get me downstairs. Yes, I do complain about it but what can I say, a parent can never be wrong in their eyes.
My tabs were closed on my device after telling Matt I was having a family dinner at that moment. I felt a bit fatigued for a while. Sometimes I wished I created something that could lift me from where I was and take me downstairs by moving my fingers. My laziness was unexplainable. It had its seasons where I come and go.
I finally my Karen and my mom helped in the dining room, putting the plates and cutleries together on the table. Dad was engrossed with the television while he watched the news reporting. He loved when he follows the things he needed to know even when he doesn't engage in social media trends. Things like the weather conditions, politics, and also news about the entertainment industries are what he liked to hear.
I took my seat at the dinner while waiting to be served. Karen rushed to the kitchen, bringing the meal in the bowl one after the other we were to serve ourselves tonight. What mom cooked was definitely out of all my choices tonight and for a moment, I thought I was tripping. We were to have potato chips with chicken nuggets. My mood changes completely.
"Really mom? Chips?" I began to complain because I wasn't having this at all. She was meant to know my best and worst meal or did she make this on purpose?
"Yes, dear. Really," She smirked and took her seat. My point was proven and I became sad. She always did this and I hated it. I recalled back when I was in kindergarten, she would force me to like some meals by packing them up for me without my consent to take to school as lunch. Matthews would always come through and both of us would exchange lunches most times. He was a lifesaver.
"You know I hate chips, yet you prepared it."
"Girl! Whether you like what you see or not, you eat it," Karen was all hyped, backing mom up. My dad just sat there minding his own business. He knew that when the women in the house start their talks, he stays low.
"Can't wait for you to head back to school!" I frowned at Karen with my mouth squeezed. I'd pay her back for this but right now I had to battle with avoiding the meal or passing the night without eating. This was like a death sentence, especially the second one. How could I last the night with nothing in my stomach? I'd always keep in mind to make my dinner before anyone does.
"So sweetie, how was school today? We hardly ask about that," My dad proceeded as he involved himself in the conversation. This got my excitement all over my face and I composed myself to keep it in.
"Dad for the first time, I got the lead in the school musicals I auditioned for," I squeaked shortly after I told him, just me being dramatic. Everyone at the table cheered with joy as they celebrated one of my wins.
"Everything is coming up, Elena!" Karen stated and winked at me. I understood from her reaction that she was more excited than I was, now that I'm taking charge of what I want and how I want them to be.
"Congrats Sweetie," Mom gave me a side hug from her seat behind me. "You know what? We need to celebrate this."
"I concur," Karen added.
"Let me get the champagne," Dad said as he stood up, going to the fridge to get what he stated. For a moment I was a bit confused as the energy wasn't contained together.it seemed there were waiting for me this whole time to bring home juicy news like this.
"I'll get the glass cups," Karen followed. I sat quietly after my excitement died down, watching how they took my little wins seriously. I felt appreciated and it proved even more that they've got their eyes on me and are always ready to push me to greater heights.
"I think you guys need to calm down a bit. It's not that serious," I chuckled. We all forgot that we had a meal to eat. They paid no attention to my words and carried on with what they were doing. Karen got back from the kitchen sooner than my dad and arranged the cups next to our plate of food. Dad followed with a bottle of champagne in his hand, steaming cold like he just got it from the north pole. Mom sat beside me, smiling and eager to cheer to this moment.
"Are we all ready?" Dad asked as we got back to our seats.
"Yes!" We answered in unison.
"To our daughter," he lifted the bottle with his hands, "who has grown up to stand for herself and take a new path in our life, making history and breaking boundaries. Cheers to you darling."
"Cheers!" We replied as it felt like a call and response conversation. We shouted for joy with our faces filled with smiles. Soon, My dad popped the drink openly, leaving it to make its first spill with foams-like things all over it. He poured into our cups in moderate proportions.
"Silence everyone, silence," Mom called our attention by hitting her spoon slightly on her cup while she talked in a British accent. It sounded like she was about to imitate the Queen of England or perhaps, one of those movie characters.
"We weren't even making noise mom," I muttered under my breath but she hardly heard.
"We are going to cheer for Elena's success in getting the lead and also her future victory as she's going to crush this play like a champ! Cheers everyone!"
"Cheers!" We all stood up, hitting our glasses together gently then resumed back to our seats. At that moment in time, everything was right. We conversed while we ate and dine together at the dining table.