Yuree
" And I will not love you but pity you ." I said to the girl who sat on the floor looking at me with teary eyes .
She sniffled pitifully ," But what did I do wrong ? Why can't you love me ? " she said and I sighed heavily .
I sat down next to her and grabbed her hand . I smiled compassionately enough ," It's not you , it's me . I love -"
" Cut ! " a loud voice yelled entering the auditorium .
Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at the entrance doors . Mrs Wen was storming forward , her movements fast and easy , which belied her middle ages .
" What are you doing ? " she said reaching the stage . She was talking to me and the girl next to me , we quickly stood up and looked at her with docile expressions .
" Well Yuree ? " she said , oh so she was talking to me specifically .
" We were rehearsing , Mrs Wen ." I explained , " Tessy agreed to help me with my lines ...since we haven't gotten a female lead yet ."
" A female - wait a moment ." Mrs Wen said walking briskly up the steps . She glared at Tessy and the girl seemed to squirm like a worm on a hook infront of a fish . Mrs Wen could be intimidating when she wished . And she wished to be intimidating alot of the time .
She folded her arms and looked at me .
" What do you mean female lead ? " she said ," The important female character is barely important . She barely has that many lines except at the end ."
I frowned confused ," But Mrs Wen the female lead has multiple scenes she appears in . And her lines are always the longest ."
" What are you talking about ? " she said frowning at me ," Didn't you get my Memo ? "
" Memo ? " everyone in the auditorium said at once . The other kids who had been watching us from the seats looked at Mrs Wen in confusion.
" What memo ? " asked Gerry from behind the stage , he was incharge of props .
" The one I sent to you all, two days ago ." Mrs Wen said annoyed with us for slowly getting her meaning . But we had no idea what she was talking about . Atleast I knew I didn't .
" Mrs Wen ...we didn't get any memo ." Tessy said putting her hands up .
Mrs Wen scowled at her as if irritated she had even spoken .
Then she reached into her coat and pulled out a mobile phone .
She quickly turned it on and started flipping through it .
" Here it is ...oh I forgot to send it ." she said tapping her phone , she put her phone back in her coat and then smiled sardonicly at us .
" Well my bad I suppose ." she said apologetically , but she said it in such a way that it sounded as if it was somehow our fault .
" Alright , here's the situation ." She said turning to the kids sitting down as if it was a full crowd in the auditorium. " The story has changed alittle bit . I already have a new script set , the same props we have will still be used but some characters are going to have to change position according to the story ."
Wait what !
" Mrs Wen ...I don't understand . Are some of us losing our parts ?" Tissy asked fearfully and I also shared her fear . Was I going to get cut out too ?
" Tissy dear , " Mrs Wen said mockingly with a icy cold smiled ," I said the characters are changing position but if you want me to cut you ...I can happily do it . "
Tissy put her head down and seemed to shrink away .
" What exactly does the new story say ." a boy with ginger hair asked from the seats .
" It's the same story line as our previous one but with changes ," Mrs Wen explained ," The original story was not going to work , obviously ." When she said ' obviously ' she looked at me . Did that mean something ?
" What's the difference in the story ?" Tissy asked quietly licking her lips and not raising her head .
" Well to accommodate my leading actor ," Mrs Wen said distinctly and pointed at me , I was right , she had meant something with the ' obviously '
" I've changed the romantic structure of the story . It's now a Boy love play ." she finished .
The auditorium became still and silent . Everyone turned from Mrs Wen and looked at me .
I swallowed heavily , I felt uncomfortable with all those looks .
" And also because there just isn't any raw talent in alot of the girls I've seen . No offence Tissy ." Mrs Wen said and Tissy slightly flinched as if from a slap .
" A Boy love play will be simpler and my leading actor over here can project the necessary emotions ." she said pointing at me again .
" Did the school board approve of this ?" one girl with a high-pitched voice asked , Mrs Wen threw her cold smile at the girl who looked down at her hands which had suddenly gotten interesting .
" You think I would have made the alterations without getting their go ahead ? " Mrs Wen asked sarcastically , " The principal thought it was a great idea to promote free expression and social equality . The rest all agreed with him . "
" But how does the story work with a Boy love couple ? What about the girl in the play already and who is the couple ? Who dies ? Is it the lover , the partner or the victim ?" The boy with ginger hair asked .
" Let me tell you something that has been told to many actors and actresses in Hollywood . " Mrs Wen said with sweetness like poison , " READ THE SCRIPT !"
She turned around and looked at me , " Yuree , have you found any possible prospects ? "
" For what Mrs Wen ?" I asked her .
" For the other male lead . " she said looking annoyed again , " Why do you think I created that blog for you ?"
My heart stopped dead in between it's beat . Did I just hear her right ?
She ... created that blog ?
" Mrs Wen ...you...you created - " I stuttered .
" Yuree-queen-of-hearts " she finished for me , " I made it so you could find possible prospects for the male lead . If you and him already have an external relationship then it will be more easier to project such emotions in your performance ."
I couldn't believe it . I honestly could not believe it . She had shoved me into a position where I was just a tool to achieve an end . She placed me as a prize for all those men on that horrible blog ! And just to ...to what ? To make it easier for me ? She just made it more harder than ever .
" No , Mam . I have not found any possible prospects ." I said evenly .
She waved her hand in the air , " Don't worry , I'm sure you will . As soon as you do , bring him over but make sure he has acting talent . And if you can't , I have friends in other schools who have actors ... like you ."
I felt degraded by that sentence . It sounded like it was my fault the story was getting changed . But it was , I realised . She was doing this all because of me .
I felt tears in the back of my vision . I bit my lip and before anyone could stop me I raced out of the auditorium using the side exit by the stage .
I ran and ran across the corridors and up the stairs until I made it near the restrooms .
I was about to go inside but I heard voices . I didn't want to be near anyone , I turned around with the intension of leaving but someone grabbed my arm .
" Your Yuree , correct ?" a rough voice said , I turned to its owner .
It was a tall guy wearing black jeans and a black t-shirt . He had black sunglasses even though it wasn't sunny , his hair was like smoke , grey and loose .
" Why are you crying ? " he asked me ,I snatched my hand away from his grip .
" No reason . it's nothing ." I said looking down .
" Alright , fine . " the grey haired guy said , " Although that is an obvious lie , I will let it go because I am in a rush . " He walked past me but as he reached the corner he turned back .
" Next time we meet , you will tell me why you cried . I won't accept a lie ...Yuree ." he said , his voice held menace in it I felt slightly afraid .
Then he was gone and I turned around and went into the restrooms . There was nobody inside . But I was sure I had heard more than one voice in here .
Who had that guy been talking to ?
And who was he ?