Story by Amanda Walgrove, Grade 10

The heavy barricade suffocated her mind from all reality as it closed with a thud.  Her stomach dropped freely and with a quiet blink she saw the words "Stage Door" one last time.

"Break a leg, sweetie" and "You're gonna be great!" were phrases she had heard only seconds ago, yet they disappeared into another world once her eyes discovered the stage before her.  The other side welcomed her with a shock of icy air that could've come from a crisp winter day; she didn't care to remember that outside those four midnight walls, the sun was reaching its peak. The frosty breeze filled her mind and pumped warm blood to her heart which danced inside of her.  The contrast was invigorating. Her monologue became a catchy tune that jogged through her memory in preparation.  It drowned out the high notes that bounced off of the balcony of the hushed audience.  She told herself to have fun and enjoy the experience as if it was just that simple. When she finally came to peace with her thoughts, applause filled the auditorium and her heart kicked.  Her legs carried her center sage and when the bright red "X" was greeted by her toes, she lifted her eyes to the lights and sang her song.

Even though her heart felt as if it would explode inside of her, she delivered the piece with accuracy and ease.  She knew it like she knew her own name, her birthday, her favorite song.  Even though her listeners were nothing but a dark screen under some blinding yellow headlights, she felt their presence and approval with each laugh that hit her ears. A week overwhelmed with practice and tears and confidence and hope was lifted by clapping hands.  Only, it was rushed away after five delightful minutes of selling her soul to a group of people that wouldn't have known or cared who she was a day before.  It didn't matter.  She stole time from their busy schedules and stopped the hustle in the city streets and made them laugh.  It was a second home that she would never forget.  Once she let those years of practice and that week of endless rehearsals become the adrenaline that ran through her soul, this moment couldn't be replaced by anything else, she knew.  Her eyes greeted the lights one last time and she exited the stage: not a name, not a face, not a notable character. But a performer in her own eyes, and perhaps the few hundred people that just watched her pour her heart out.