And....Action!

Beep Beep. Beep Beep I pulled myself off of my bed, groaning, when I looked at my calender. I gave a little shriek, and all my feelings of sleep disappeared. My performance! In the Lion King! At my Saturdays Acting Camp! Today! I paused in my small white room, unsure what to do.

I ran out of my bedroom door, shoving on my fuzzy white dressing gown as I went. "Mom! Dad!" I called, thumping on their door. I heard shuffling from inside, and my Mom appeared at the door. Her black hair was frizzy, and her blue eyes were bleary. "What is it, Holly?" She asked, looking slightly annoyed. I had no idea why though. Weird. "Come on, Mom! Wake up! It's my performance today!" My Dad, who had obviously been listening, said to me "Holly, it's 8 in the morning. The performance doesn't start until 1 in the afternoon!" I rolled my eyes. Honestly. Parents don't know a THING about early preparation! "Yes!" I chirped "But, it's best to be ready NOW!" I hurried out of their door before saying another word.

I ran to my room, and shot right into a small annoying thing. Two, actually. My little brother and sister. Oh perfect. "Megsie! Alan! I need to get to my room!" The two 7 year olds stared at me blankly. I hadn't dragged THEM out of bed. They looked wide awake. Megsie even looked like she might have brushed her shoulder length light blonde hair. They were dressed in identical Paddington Bear pajamas. "Why are YOU up so early?" asked Alan. His voice was so funny. He spoke like a four year old, with a big lisp. Megsie had almost lost her lisp. I hope I NEVER had one. I mean, come on. I'm 12 now.

"Um" I said " 'Cause I need to get ready for my performance!" I physically moved them out of the way, and walked into my room, shutting the door and locking it. Families. Sigh. I frantically started shuffling through my drawers to find my script. I had memorized it, but maybe I should go through it once more. There they were! Were these the right ones? Yup. They said 'Simba' on. That was my character! But the moment I looked at it, the words started to swim on the pages. I threw them down, papers falling over the floor. I decided to repeat them off by heart. I started to talk, but my mind was freshly blank. Wait! Did I have to pause on Scene 7! Right after Kaylee said her lines? I panicked. Was I hyperventilating?

I lay on my bed. 'Never mind' I told myself 'We've been through this in every single play you've done.' I took a deep breath. It was a lot smarter to get ready. I opened my oak closet (Requiring some force). It didn't matter what clothes I wore. I'd be changing soon enough anyway! I put on a turquoise t-shirt that said 'Road-Runner' on, and scuffled through my jeans, trying to find some that fit. I grabbed a pair, and wrestled them on. In the bathroom, I didn't brush my teeth. I hadn't had breakfast. I brushed my light brown hair through. It looked nice now, but in just an hour it would be tangled. Whatever! In about 5 hours I'd be in a lion costume!

The next few hour went by like a flash. Soon enough, we were in the car, Megsie and Alan in their booster seats, squabbling as usual. Of course, I had to sit in between them. But for once, I wasn't bothered about that. I was starting to hyperventilate again.

Then we were there. Paula Anne Theater. It was so big. I walked inside, my parents holding my hand like they did when I was 6, but for once, I didn't protest. Once we were in the brightly patterned lobby, we waited awkwardly. Then, a man with salt and pepper hair, and grey eyes appeared. Michael! He was our Acting Camp's main instructor. "Hey, Holly!" He smiled, his eyes twinkling "Ready?" I smiled slightly, still feeling terrified. Hey, I'd been on a stage since I was 8, and still freaked out over every performance. I shook my head in answer to Michael's question, and he grinned understandingly. Michael looked at my parents, who were breaking up a fight between Megsie and Alan. "Well, Mr. and Mrs. Greenfield, I'll be taking Holly then." Mom and Dad smiled at me "Break a leg!" said my Mom "Not literally!" She laughed. Dad said "We'll be in the front row, honey!"

Michael led me off to the dressing room, which was a little room behind the curtain. I saw Kaylee there, her face paint being put on. She was Scar in this play, which was a funny role for the tiny, sweet little girl. She saw me, and though she couldn't move, made eye contact with me, and smiled. "Hey, Holly Berry!" said a voice. I rolled my eyes at this nickname. Emma Gates appeared. She was, like, junior acting instructor. She was about 16, and I was almost the same height as her. She also did make-up sometimes. I walked over to her "Hey, Emma!" I grinned. Emma took out her make up bag, and said "I shall make you look like an epic cool lion." She did a fake evil laugh, (Which didn't help my nerves), and began to paint on my face.

Finally, I was ready. I felt like I hadn't blinked in hours. Kaylee had finished before me, and she giggled at my face paint. "What?" I said "Did Emma paint me like a clown or something?" Kaylee laughed some more. "No. Just i'm not used to seeing you a lion." Then Michael appeared again. He clapped his hands. "OK, mini-actors. Curtains going up in 5 minutes." There were sounds of panic over the room. Kaylee held up her script "Practice?" she asked. I nodded. We began murmuring our lines together. I could hear the buzz of talking from the people in the audience. Then Michael said "Quiet everyone!" Silence came everywhere in the entire auditorium. Lights were going out , so the parents and people in the audience stopped. Then the curtain slowly rolled itself up...