The Audition
My name is Azura Kioni Gilbert. I'm 17 years old and I'm about to start my senior year of high school. I have black curly hair that stops at my chin, light brown eyes, and skin the color of milk chocolate, or so my aunt tells me.
I can't believe school is about to start in less than a week. That means I have less than a year until I get out of this hellhole I call a home. Ever since my dad married that woman Harper my life has been a living nightmare and her two demon spawns she call children are no better.
Whenever my dad is around, she's the doting stepmother, but when he's not around she's the devil himself. He calls me once a month to check on me and I can never bring myself to tell him the truth about his new wife and her kids. It would break his heart if he knew how evil his wife was.
I sigh as I get up and get ready for school. I shower, brush my teeth and get dressed in under thirty minutes. I take off my bonnet and gently brush my hair until it nice and smooth then grab my backpack to head downstairs. I ignore the glares while walking into the kitchen to grab an orange and head out the door.
My car is in the shop and my stepsisters go to a private school on the other side of town, so I have to make the twenty minute walk to school by myself. I don't mind walking though. It's good exercise and it gives me a chance to relax and enjoy the morning air.
If things go as planned, I will be attending a different school this year. It's called Dillard Academy of Performing Arts. I was originally going to Aurora High, but I had to transfer due to us moving during the summer. Today is my audition. If I pass, then I get to spend my senior year here. If not, then my stepmother is going to make me stay home and work, which is the last thing I want. My talents are singing, viola, piano, and dancing. I'm no Mariah Carey, but I've been told I'm pretty good.
My heart races as I finally make my way onto campus and head towards the auditorium. I let the headmaster know I was ready after I changed into my leotard, skirt and ballet slippers.
"Ms. Gilbert, the stage is yours when you are ready."
The headmaster was pale, 6ft2, with brown hair and blue eyes. You could tell he was first by the way the suit fit him.
Then a red haired guy sat down on the piano. He was very handsome. His red haired brought out his blue eyes, even though he wore glasses. He stood at 5ft10 and had the body of a swimmer. He was dressed in a black button down shirt and white skinny Jean's with black high tops.
I turned slightly and nodded to the pianist and grabbed the microphone.
Ever have the feeling
That something's not right
There are things hidden
But in plain sight
My life's no fairytale
Like everyone believes
I have hidden scars
That may never heal
But my father's love for me is real
My heart aches with sadness
At the loss of my mother
The woman I never knew
But still loved like no other
I finished the small verse and was greeted with silence. I looked into the audience and and gasped when I saw the tears in everyone's eyes. All ten of them.
"That was beautiful Ms. Gilbert. Did you write that yourself?" The headmaster asked.
"Yes sir. It's not completely finished yet." I told him.
"Will you sing it for us when it's finished?" He asked smiling at me.
"I'd be honored sir. Would you like me to continue?" I asked picking up the viola.
He nodded and motioned for me to continue.
Taking a deep breath, I began to play Frank Sinatra's Moonlight Senata. I moved with music and couldn't the smile that spread across my face when I saw the look on the pianists' face. He was awestruck and blushed when he saw me looking at him. Toward the end of the song I played a bit slower and slowly brought it to the end. There was more silence.
The ten people watching me were conversing with each other while I put the instrument away. The guy at the piano gave me a small smile before getting up to leave.
I turned to the judges to wait for the verdict.
