HOLY NIGHT SEBASTIAN
After a few days had passed, the long-awaited audition date for the role of Romeo finally arrived, coinciding with the upcoming school festival. As I sat in the holding area, filled with anticipation alongside the other auditionees, our attention was abruptly drawn to the swinging door.
"I really don't want to audition!" I rose from my seat upon seeing Leah forcefully dragging Rhyme inside. "Mommy used to be a fan of Romeo when she was still alive. Don't you want to make Daddy proud? This is your chance!" Leah insisted, still tugging at Rhyme's arm as he clung onto the doorframe.
"I don't care!" Rhyme stubbornly resisted. Oh no! If Rhyme agrees to audition, he will probably take on the role of Romeo. This can't happen. They might spot me here. I hope Rhyme remains firm in his refusal to audition. "I told you to audition! So, Just do it!" Leah yanked Rhyme's hair, causing him to release his grip in pain and be dragged inside by his sister. "What I hate the most is when you're being stubborn and trying to disobey me!" As they approached and ended up right in front of me, I hurriedly returned to my seat and shielded my face with my bag.
"Night?" Leah called out to me in surprise. Rhyme also stopped when he saw me. "What are you doing here?" Leah let go of Rhyme's hair as her brother stood up straight. I lowered the bag I used to hide and glanced at them. "So, you're auditioning too?" she asked. I nodded, and then she looked around. It was mostly boys in the room, except for the two of us. And I was pretty sure I was the only female auditioning.
"Fine. I'll agree to audition," Rhyme said with a smirk, looking at me. My whole face heated up with anger. It's like just a moment ago, he was almost dying to enter the holding area, but now that he saw me, he quickly changed his mind. It's obvious that he's trying to get on my nerves. I stood up and faced him, giving him a glare. "And who are you to audition, huh?" I asked angrily. Rhyme still had a smirk on his face as he crossed his arms. "I'm a student here, and I happen to be the child of the owner of this university. Got a problem with that?" Rhyme replied.
"Well, Rhyme, forget it then. Let's just go," Leah said, attempting to pull him towards the exit, but he didn't budge. "No. I've made up my mind," he said stubbornly. Frustration overwhelmed me, causing me to mess up my hair in exasperation. "Fine. Go ahead and audition. Let's see who's better," I said boldly. "Oh, so you're challenging me?" I noticed that some of the other auditionees were starting to leave. I wasn't sure of the real reason or maybe they were just annoyed with us.
"How about you? Who do you think you are to audition when you're not even suitable for this role?" Rhyme's words made me want to explode. I wanted to grab a chair and strike him with it. "You're so arrogant! Let's see if you have what it takes in your performance!" I shouted. I couldn't control my anger and frustration. "What's with this commotion?" We turned to see a woman coming out of the casting room. She was the club's vice president. Her slightly curly hair hung loose, and her lipstick was bright red. Her appearance clearly showed her strictness.
She paused when she saw Leah and Rhyme. "Oh, I'm sorry about that. We'll leave as well," Leah said, trying to pull Rhyme and me towards the door, but we removed her hands. "No, it's okay, Miss President. They might want to audition," the theater club's VP said, feeling embarrassed and nervous. Rhyme and I locked eyes, both giving each other a hostile look.
After all, I found myself standing on the theater stage, facing Rhyme. Almost all the members of the club were watching the two of us. Rhyme let go of one of the two wooden swords he was holding, which was one of the props of the theater club. He pushed the sword towards me with just one foot. I didn't expect that our argument would turn into a duel. The other auditionees quickly dispersed and didn't continue when they realized that Rhyme and I were fighting over the role.
Leah angrily shouted from below, near the edge of the stage, "Rhyme, enough with this nonsense!" We ignored her. Rhyme and I were dead serious, locking eyes. I've been preparing for this day for so long, and I refuse to let Rhyme snatch the role I want. I tightened my grip on the sword I held. So focused, all I could hear was my heavy breathing. The spotlight illuminated the stage, casting a dramatic glow on our figures while audience seems like a statue, watching us silently.
I ran towards Rhyme, my heart pounding with determination as I prepared to attack first. But to my frustration, Rhyme effortlessly blocked every one of my strikes. His movements were fluid and precise, and it seemed like he was completely at ease, even enjoying the challenge. "Guys!" A voice from the audience suddenly shouted, breaking my concentration. I couldn't help but turn my gaze towards that familiar voice. It was Moryn, her expression filled with worry. In that split second of distraction, Rhyme took advantage and launched a swift attack, catching me off guard. I was unable to evade it in time, and I lost my balance, falling to the ground. Gasps filled the air as the people around us witnessed my fall.
As I looked up, I saw Rhyme standing over me, a smirk playing on his lips. Anger surged through me at his smug expression. In that moment, I made a silent vow to myself. I felt a newfound determination burning within me, a determination to prove myself to Moryn. With a surge of adrenaline, I pushed myself up from the ground and faced Rhyme once again. "Rhyme, remember this. I will pursue Moryn no matter what," I declared, my voice filled with determination. Almost as if in response to my words, Rhyme launched another attack. This time, however, I was ready. I managed to block his strike, my focus unwavering.
Rhyme's smirk faded away, replaced by a more serious expression. We continued to engage in a fierce swordfight, each of us blocking and countering the other's moves with agility. The clash of our swords echoed through the theater, the sound reverberating in my ears. The audience watched in awe as we spun, parried, and dodged each other's attacks. But despite my best efforts, Rhyme's skill and strength proved to be formidable. With a swing of his sword, he managed to disarm me, sending my weapon flying through the air. I watched as my sword landed with a clatter, out of my reach.
I could hardly move because of what happened. Slowly, I redirected my gaze towards Rhyme. He looked at me seriously, and I couldn't quite decipher his true emotions. It felt like my heart sank when I realized I lost the duel. I glanced at the people surrounding us. They were still frozen, unable to speak due to shock. I lost. That just meant I wouldn't get the role I've longed for.
I looked at my trembling hands. It hurt so much, and it was incredibly disappointing. I did everything I could, but why was I still the loser? Frustrated, I couldn't stop my tears from falling. I quickly got off the stage and ran out of the theater. "Night!" I heard Moryn call out to me, but I ignored her. "Night, wait!" Moryn called out again and followed me. I kept running until I was finally outside.
I ran while crying. I noticed some students looking at me as I passed by. I entered the restroom and locked myself in the farthest cubicle. Thankfully, there was no one else here. I sat on the toilet bowl and covered my face with my hands as I couldn't control my sobbing. Why Rhyme? Why did Rhyme have to get the role I wanted? I swear at this moment, he's already laughing at me.
"Night, are you there?" I heard Moryn's voice from outside the cubicle, causing me to pause my sobbing. Lost in my tears, I hadn't noticed someone approaching, leading her to find which cubicle I was in. "Night, if you're not able to get that role, that's completely fine," she said, as if reassuring me. I didn't speak. I just stared at her feet from the narrow gap beneath the door. "Don't worry. I'll try to convince Rhyme to give up the role if you want."
I covered my mouth to stifle any noise. Is she going to plead with Rhyme on my behalf? That's even worse. It would only make me more of a loser in Rhyme's eyes, and I refuse to obtain the role that way. "Just stop crying, okay," she added. But I'm still grateful to Moryn. She's always there for me whenever I'm disappointed. That's one of the reasons why I can't shake my feelings for her. Even though her true desire lies with Rhyme, not me.
I wiped away my tears with my wrist and took a deep breath. I stood up and opened the door. I noticed her initial surprise, but she quickly smiled. She suddenly hugged me. "You don't have to prove yourself to me 'cause you're already worth it," she said, bringing tears to my eyes again, so I hugged her back. Maybe she heard what I said during our duel with Rhyme earlier. "Oh, I know!" Moryn began as she released us from the embrace. "Do you want to eat ice cream? I'll buy it for you." She cheerfully offered, making me laugh even though I was still teary-eyed. She really knew how to handle me in this kind of situation.
"Night, can you not cry like a victim next time you lose? It makes me look like I'm the bad guy," Rhyme said while eating a popsicle. Suddenly, Leah pulled Rhyme's ear. "Little one, you wouldn't want me to shave your head, would you?" Leah said with a sarcastic smile. Rhyme was surprised and nodded. "Good. So close your mouth," Leah added. Rhyme just nodded again. If I had a sibling like Leah, I'd surely be scared too.