BEASTLY

ii. johanna

Scott Hoying

As the week progressed, auditions became a bit easier in choir. The main dilemma resided on the big stage. The bad part about being in a Fine Arts Academy was all of the talent that bled through the school. 

I loved performing. I loved to pretend to be something I'm not, especially since sometimes being who I am and where I come from isn't all too appealing. It's nice to pretend to have somebody else's life for awhile, even if that somebody is a made up character. And, boy, did I want to be Sweeney Todd. Now, it's not about me wanting to be a deranged old man who murders people for revenge. It's the fact that I get to be somebody else. I don't care if that person is a sorry excuse for a man... which, Sweeney really is. But it's the fact that I get to forget about my own troubles for awhile. I don't even want to dwell on my own troubles. They put me in a dark place. I'd much rather listen to another person's troubles and be a good listener. That's one thing I don't mind doing... it's probably why a part of me wants to become a teacher. So that I can be there for other people, while also leading the young minds of America away from the awful shit that destroys them. For instance... get out of New York City while you can.

Now, I'm not talking about the beautiful New York City. I'm talking about the ugly New York City. The city that you can't feel comfortable walking around in because you feel like you're going to get mugged in an instant. The city where having anything of monetary value scares you because you just know it's going to get torn away from you somehow. But I don't have a choice but to live there. I live where my father lives. Where my mother lived.

One voice pulled me out of my musings. It was then that I realized I was sitting in the cafeteria, stabbing away at some lasagna that was probably too cold to eat.

"What's wrong, Scotty?" I felt a gentle nudge to my side. I turned my head and saw none other than the beautiful lioness, Tori Kelly. If anybody belonged at this school, it was her. She was more talented than any of us combined. In fact, she was considering auditioning for American Idol. Of course, I had to push and push her to consider it. She was almost as modest as I was. But if anyone could become famous and not let it get to her head, it was her.

I remembered that she asked me what was wrong, so I replied. "Nothing. I was just thinking about auditions." Not entirely a lie, I suppose. "You're a shoo-in for Johanna."

"There are plenty of fantastic sopranos that I'm up against. I'd be happy just to be in the chorus. There are so many parts to this musical." She took the last bite out of her apple before spinning around in her seat and tossing it towards the trash can that was close by. A perfect basket. She turned back around to me and I met her with a high five.

"Well, that may be true, but if I were casting, you'd be my Johanna." I grinned and decided to try a bite of my lasagna. At this point, I was hungry. Although it was cold, I ate it anyway. I just pretended like it was a warm, juicy steak. Works every time. "So, who do you think is going to get Anthony? Your lover boy?"

She laughed at me and sighed. "I kind of hope Joshua gets it. Not that I have the biggest crush on him, or anything..." She trailed off while her eyes scanned the lunch room. He was sitting with another group of friends. He was a football type, but actually he was the most athletic dancer I'd ever met. He could knock anyone out with his pirouette. "Um, I think Tony auditioned, too. His name is ironic for the part." A small laugh escaped her lips. And suddenly the smile dropped. He walked past her view.

"He auditioned, too." I groaned. A little too loud, actually. I covered my mouth and Tori turned around and giggled. I knew why she giggled, and I immediately touched her arm and put on my best stern face.

"No man can turn him from his evil ways, Tori. Not even me. I don't care how hot he is..." I felt wrong to have a small crush on Mitch Grassi. He was the biggest asshole FFAA has ever seen. The most arrogant, too. But, god, was he talented. The first time he opened his mouth to sing I practically got sent to the hospital for a heart attack. The most beautiful tenor I'd ever heard. I was amazed at how effortless it was for him to sing. And, in fact, I noticed something about this boy.