Phantom Encounter

CH 5- I'm playing a damn tree?

"That's okay, at least we can prepare for the audition early! Leon you can start since you joined in first." Cyra called.

"Wait... early? I thought you said tomorrow?" I pointed.

"Precisely yes, but everyone's here and you're new here in our group so you'll be starting first."

"Uh... can someone else do it first? I... I can wait." I grinned sheepishly.

"What do you mean? Eveyrone auditioned when we opened the club, except for you because you joined recently." Cyra said.

"But I have nothing prepared!"

"Not to worry you'll get a chance to show us your talent. Preferrably you singing, dancing, acting and all the improv. Then, you'll be assigned a role that's most fitting to your abilities."

I can't do all those things. I can't perform well on stage with all eyes on me. Guess I'll have to ask the demon herself for advice.

"Uh... okay. Where can I practice my lines?" I gave a sheepish grin.

"The stage, obviously. Better make it quick so we can prepare and plot out our play early, so tomorrow Cordelia will design the costumes and props while we all practice our lines." She reminded.

"Fine, give me a sec to prepare." I suggested as I ran to the backstage room.

I hid behind the curtains so no one will notice me, talking to pain-in-the-ass-ghost. I paced back and forth rubbing my shaking sweaty hands together, generating heat in order to calm myself down and think properly.

"It's alright buddy take a deep breath, release all of the sounds that are trapped in your mind."

A sudden instinct made me jerked my head at the sight of the demon herself.

"This is your fault. Why do you have to put me into these situations? I'm not even ready at this point."

"Easy, easy. At least you joined a club right? That's the least of your worries now, and you don't even have to go to the principal." She reminded.

"Can I just join a sleeping club so I can sleep all day?" I crossed my arms.

"Ha, nice try. You get your butt out there and shine." She did a jazz hands.

"I can't shine, because I'm made of human flesh with a pile of garbage. I'm scared to even audition with everyone staring at me."

"Aw, how cute. Don't worry I'll be your support! Get your head in the game and knock em dead." She smiled.

I suck a large air puffing my chest out, and cough rapidly. I strut on the stage pulling out the curtains to see the members are already waiting for me. God I hope I know what I'm doing.

I slowly appear out of the curtains, looking at each of the members judging me. With the large stage and the intense pressure coming from my chest, I began to hyperventilate my vision was piercing sharp but my head is throbbing, rhyming at the beat of my heart.

"The stage is yours Leon!" Cyra shouted.

I glanced over my shoulder, looking at Nora beside me. "What am I supposed to do?"

"Don't look at me, neither do I." She raised her hands in surrender.

"What do you mean you don't know? You're the reason why I'm here!" I yelled.

"It's okay we can fix this. She did mention about dancing, do you know how to dance?"

"I... no... I don't know how to dance, my body is stiff."

"Dang you live in the streets, you don't even know what macarena is?" Nora questioned.

"I know what it means but I don't know how to do it." I hissed.

"Alright, try to move different parts of your body simultaneously? Follow my lead." Nora ordered.

She began to sway her hips moving her body with the flow. I tried to follow her steps, but it seems I felt too uncomfortable with the moves and the members are gawking at me with disbelief. Even the new recruits are grinning and cringing at my audition.

The second-hand embarrassment is too powerful!

The moment I stopped dancing, my feet gor caught in the moment that I slipped from the floorboards. I looked up to see the members stared at me with no reaction. I would like to slap myself right now.

I braced for impact at their reaction, but I was stunned when I heard a clap echoing in the room.

"Bravo! What a powerful acting you've got there." Cyra cheered.

"I'm sorry what?" Nora predicted what I was gonna say.

"I get it now. It's a story about an insecure teenage boy wanting to break free from his inner thoughts!" Cyra exclaimed." How he challenged his demons by confronting them dancing." She placed her hands to her chest dramatically visualizing the metaphor of my audition.

I gaped at her answer, never expecting such a positive outcome. The others looked confused as I am, at least in my case.

"It was powerful, it was bold and has full of emotions!" She continued."Although your dancing could use some work, but all that matters is what you presented by showing it to us. Did I get it right?"

I glanced at Nora, she nodded at me mouthing the words 'seal the deal'

"Y-yes! That's what I was achieving you got it right." I forced a smile.

"Perfect! Now, what role should we assign you into?" Cyra thought.

"Oooh, maybe he should be Arbor." The girl snickered at the back.

"Who the hell is Arbor?" I questioned.

"Arbor is a powerful oak tree that guides the characters throughout the story with wishes and magic. That role is perfect for you!" Cyra suggested.

"I'm playing a damn tree? Can't I just play as a background character?"

"Nope. Already taken, besides it's not that bad. All you have to do is wear a costume!"

The members laughed, but Cyra sushed them immediately.

"You can't be serious! Can't that just be a prop with a voice actor instead?"

"The play is already set and there's nothing that can change. It is settled that's your role... otherwise you don't want to join?" Cyra grinned.

"Dang, she's good. Better agree to it Leon, this is your chance!" Nora nodded.

I sighed,"Yeah alright. I'm going to regret this."