In the Spotlight Read Online Free PDF Page B

It seemed almost incomprehensible that I’d willingly put myself into the same category as Michelle, but I just had to try. Honestly, the fact that Michelle would clearly get the role of Kelly helped relax me enough to almost look forward to my audition.
    As Michelle wrapped up her audition, my mind wandered to my conversation with Kyle. How could he be mad at me for auditioning for Kelly when Michelle was clearly going to get the part? A little flicker of hope danced in my chest that maybe Kyle would actually be proud of me for putting myself out there in front of the whole drama crowd.
    When Ms. Bard called my name, I snuck a glance at Kyle. He didn’t flinch or turn toward me. In fact, he made no sign that he’d even heard my name read. My heart sank. Maggie and Kaylee squeezed my arms and murmured positive things. With shaky breath and knocking knees, I climbed up onto the stage. The minute I opened my mouth to speak Kelly’s part, the miraculous transformation that makes acting totally worthwhile happened. I fell into the role, becoming Kelly inside and out. When I spoke the words they were truly Kelly’s words, and I felt like I was channeling another whole person.
    My voice shook as I began the audition song, but in the moment, I wasn’t sure if it was because of nerves or emotions.
    Regardless, the song was a fun one to sing, and throwing myself into the part, I could easily forget about the audience watching me.

    The melody of the song was fairly simple, but there were complex undertones that sifted through the song like sand in the wind.
    Applause raced through the auditorium when I finished; a pleasant surprise after watching Michelle perform. I took my seat, careful not to look at anyone but Maggie and Kaylee. True to form, Maggie began to inform me of all the reactions in the audience, and Kaylee’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears. They both went a little overboard, in my opinion. Still it was flattering to hear myself praised on the same level that I would praise Michelle.
    Ms. Bard made a few more notes on her clipboard before climbing up to the stage, and saying, “Call back lists will be posted by lunch time tomorrow. I will tell you that I’ve already made my decisions for the main roles of Chad and Kelly. Those will be posted with the rest of the cast list on Friday. Please don’t bother me about who got the parts. You know I won’t tell you, and all the nagging gets quite tiresome. Please remember that there are no small parts, only small actors. And I’d like everyone to consider helping out in other, behind-‐-the-‐-scenes areas, beyond your required ten hours. If you have any pertinent questions, please stay after and ask me. Dismissed.”
    Maggie had to get to band, and Kaylee had to work, but I pretended I needed to ask Ms. Bard a question so I could mill around for a bit, hoping to get a chance to talk to Kyle. I stayed in my seat for a minute after Kaylee and Maggie left, quickly organizing my reasons for auditioning when I’d promised not to.
    My thoughts were interrupted by someone’s throat clearing.
    I looked up to see Josh Larson standing in front of me, shifting awkwardly from foot to foot. He gave me a tentative half smile, and I couldn’t help but smile back.
    “Hey,” he said, smiling a little bigger. “You’re the girl from the basketball game, aren’t you?”
    My smile drooped. “Um, yeah,” I replied. “Thanks for that, by the way.”
    Josh ducked his head in that “aw-‐-shucks” move again, but grinned at me through what, up close, were impossibly long eyelashes. “You’re welcome,” he said. Then he added, “I couldn’t have let a pretty girl like you go around with a black eye because of some jerk from Central throwing the ball at my head.”
    I raised an eyebrow. So that’s what had happened.
    Interesting. And even more interesting, Josh Larson was flirting with me. No doubt about it. Strange and exhilarating, to be honest.
    Stranger and even more