Third person's pov
-Afternoon-
"Can I back out?" Dara nervously asks.
"Of course not, we're already here. Just try ok?" Uriah replied.
They are heading toward the auditorium where the audition would take place.
Uriah asks their manager if he can have an early out. Happily, they said yes and both of them could go for the audition.
"But I'm feeling nervous," Dara replied, who was about to go home, but Uriah grabbed her hands to stop her.
"Come on, they won't eat you alive," Uriah responded, but Dara still refused and insisted on going home. "Look, you need money, right?" he added.
"Y-yes," she answers, but hesitancy is all over her body.
"Then think of this, if you won't try. Eli will cease studying after this semester. You don't want it to happen, right?" Uriah said, reminding her of what she needed.
Uriah's words helped Dara regain her composure and remember why she had come here in the first place. She could sacrifice everything for Eli since she values her more than anything else.
" Fine, I'll do it," she bravely said.
"That's my girl. Be confident! If we can't make it till the end at least we tried," Uriah said and headed toward the room where the casting call was held.
They reach the line where another auditionee was sitting in the waiting area, and fill up the form. Dara looks around when she notices people are looking their way. She feels a little insecure about the look of others because they are all wearing decent yet elegant clothes that suit their style, unlike her just wearing a plain white shirt and pants.
She feels to back out again but she remembers Eli. To avoid losing the courage she collected, she turned her attention to Uriah.
Uriah was wearing dark khaki pants, and under a simple white shirt was a blue cardigan. He usually wears a neckerchief but not this time.
Dara leaned over him who was sitting next to her, and whispered, "What's with your outfit?"
"What's wrong with it? Do I look weird?" Uriah said while checking his clothes.
"Nothings wrong. It's just that," Dara stops and scans Uriah's appearance from head to toe. "You look manly but cute today? What happened to your neckerchief?" she asked, confusedly unsure.
Uriah expected her to say more than that but he didn't expect her to notice that of all things.
"Shhh," he sounded annoyingly. "Don't say it out loud. I remove it earlier before we enter," he added, whispering back.
"Are you planning to keep it secret? About you being gay?" Dara elaborate things that make Uriah nervous.
He immediately shut her down by blocking her mouth using his hand. "Shhh, Don't say it out loud!" he said, giving her death glaze.
Dara on the other hand can't speak and nod slowly as a response that she now understands. Uriah let her go after knowing their current situation and acted as if nothing had happened. He looks in front of them when Dara taps his shoulder.
"What now?" Uriah irretably said.
"Chill, I'm just curious why on earth you want to hide it?" Dara whispered.
"Tss, because I don't think they would allow me to act if they knew I'm gay," Uriah whispered back.
"Ah!! That's why," Dara unconsciously said.
"Yeah, so enough with this topic and shut up, ok?" Uriah annoyingly said.
Dara soon gets what Uriah wants so she nods and leaves him alone. A minute of silence when one of the staff distributes numbers and script.
"Hmm, excuse me. What is this?" Uriah asked the staff.
"Oh? This will be your number, 117, and this paper is the sample script. You can choose which character you want to audition for and memorize some of his lines. You'll present it later in front of the director and other staff members so they can determine whether you are a good fit for that character or not," he explained.
"Ah! Got it, thank you," Uriah smiled, which made the staff blush before continuing to hand out the sample script.
After the crew had left, Dara asked Uriah,
"What should I do? I'm scared." Dara said.
"Don't worry, I'll help. Which character do you want to play?" Uriah asked, looking over the characters' list.
"I dunno, anything easy will be great to me," Dara replied.
"Hmm, how about the main role?" Uriah asked, which made Dara look at him in shock.
"What? No! I can't do that," Dara immediately opposes. "Don't make fun of me. How can I do that?" she added, lowering herself.
"I'm not making fun of you. The description matches you. Pretty, not too tall but not short, with long hair and, has a perfect black eye color," Uriah answered.
"But I'm sure they won't give a rookie like me the lead role," Dara replied.
"Maybe you're right? Fine, I won't force you if you don't want to but still consider the possibility. If the female lead role is still available, you have 90% chance," Uriah replied, browsing the character list again.
"Hmm, how about Athena?" he asked.
"Hmm, Athena?" Dara asked and look for her character description.
"The female lead's close buddy is one of the supporting characters. A little sarcastic and fun-loving, but devoted to friendship. What do you think?" Uriah said?
"Yes. I can try," Dara replied and read some of Athena's lines. The line is when Athena is being accused as a traitor." You don't know how much I value this friendship, but I didn't expect you to believe them easily. I thought you knew me, but just simple words from them is enough to make you like this!" she said.
"It's good, kinda long, but that's all right. Just puts more feeling while saying her lines. Try putting yourself in her shoes," Uriah suggested.
"ok," Dara answered. "How about you? Do you have any character in mind?"
"Of course," Uriah proudly said.
"Who?" she asked.
"France," he simply said with a wide smile on his face.
"Who?" Dara asked as if she didn't hear and looked for that name on the list. She was shocked when she realized who it was. "Are you for real? You're going to audition as the male lead?"
"Why so shocked? Do you think I can't get the role?" Uriah response.
"Of course not. I'm just surprised by how confident you are. Do you have any history of acting?" Dara asked.
"Yup. I used to be in the theater when I was in high school. Also, the description is the same to me so it's a piece of cake for me. Handsome, Tall, can play instruments, and more. I'm the complete package," he replied with full confidence while sitting straight and chin up.
"Hmm, well, you have a point. I wish you good luck!" Dara said, cheering him up.
They stayed quiet, memorizing their lines while waiting for their turn.
The line gradually moved and the staff called their number.
"Number 6,7,8,9?" The staff called.
Uriah and Dara didn't notice the time memorizing the script and they are already in front of the line.
"117" a young lady said.
Uriah took a deep breath before he stood up. "Huu!" he seems confident but you can see his nervousness.
"Good luck" Dara whispered, supporting him. Uriah nods and walks confidently towards the room.
*Theater Room*
Inside the room is a giant theater vibe. There's 4 men and 1 woman sitting in the front seats while the other seats are empty.
"Hi, who's this handsome young man?" one of the men said.
Uriah walked to the middle and answered.
"Thank you, I'm Uriah and I am here to audition as France, " he said in a manly yet confident voice.
He notices one of the girl judges is the famous actress Sophia Monroe and beside her is Kart Perez, one of the popular directors.
"Ow, the male lead ha? You can start anytime then, good luck," the judge said.
Uriah took a deep breath again to compose himself before starting.
"Actors cue!"
The scene is when someone shot the love of his life. The girl is on his arm and panicking while his bodyguards are just standing watching him.
"No! Please, no! You can't die! " Uriah said, acting as if he was holding someone in his arms while kneeling on the floor. "Stay with me, ok? Will get you to the hospital. Just stay with me," he added. His voice was shaking while saying those lines.
That's the only line France has on that screen while crying so Uriah ad lib and say some few more.
"What the f*** you doing? Get the da** car, now! Faster!" Uriah shouted, acting like there's someone just watching them.
The judges were amazed by his acting and gave him a round of applause.
"You're talented and handsome at the same time. I also like your confidence in choosing the male lead even if it's your first time. Good job," one of the judges said.
"I agree, you're indeed talented. I can guarantee my support to you for male lead," the women judge said and they all began to write.
"You're good. By any chance, did you attend acting workshops before?" the famous director asked.
"Yes sir. I'm also a part of the theater club before when I was in high school," Uriah answered.
"Oh, that's why you're great. Anyways, that's all I want to ask. Thank you," he said and slowly put his mic on the table.
"Thank you too," Uriah replied.
When no one wanted to comment anymore, the staff near the judge spoke. "We will send the confirmation via email, 2 to 3 working days. Thank you. You may now leave this way," he said pointing to the exit.
On the other hand, Dara was nervous, waiting for his turn.
"118!" the staff called.
"Wohh! (Blow) I can do this!" she said to herself and walked towards the room when unexpectedly someone bumped her.
"Oh, sorry," a tall, tan, and handsome guy accidentally hit Dara's shoulder which caused her to drop her belongings.
"It's fine," Dara replied and kneel to pick up her things. The man was about to help her when someone called his attention.
"Sergey! Let's go!" The other man shouted like he was in a hurry.
When the man whose name is Sergey looks back at Dara, she is already done. Because of the situation, they don't have a chance to talk and rush towards their destination.
"Come on, hurry!" the other man grabs Sergey's hand and drags him.
On the other hand, Dara immediately runs towards the door where the staff is waiting for her.
"Sorry," Dara breathlessly said.
The staff didn't respond and guide her inside.
"Stand on that red spot. Don't feel too nervous. Just do your best," the staff said lastly.
"Thank you so much, I need that a lot," Dara replied with a smile. The staff nod as a sign of response before she leaves.
"I can do this!" Dara took a deep breath before she walked to the spot with a full smile on her face.
"Hello, Good afternoon," Dara treated the judge happily.
~
Author's Note
Dear,
I sincerely apologize if I just uploaded it. I am a victim of the Paeng typhoon, and since there is still no electricity in my area, Im having trouble uploading chapters. Hope these 2 chapters will please you. Thank you for the collection. It helps and motivates me.
•Grasyang Manunulat.