In the Spotlight

Chapter One: Crystal

"You're auditioning for Ivy Robinson?" The girl laughed bitterly. "But you're so young!"

Lily crossed her arms, glaring at her. "At least I'm closer to seventeen than you are."

Lily Heere was auditioning for the part of Ivy Robinson in her theatre group's production of Bare. However, one of the older girls was obviously jealous.

The girl glared at her. "That doesn't matter. Ivy's supposed to be pretty, so you should just leave now. You have no chance."

Lily tried to look strong and confident on the outside, but on the inside she was apprehensive. This girl was right. She wasn't pretty nor good enough to play Ivy.

"Are you blind?" Another girl walked up to them. "She's gorgeous!"

Lily timidly smiled at the girl. She smiled back.

"Well, she-"

"Fuck off, Addison," the new girl said. "Leave her alone."

The older girl- Addison- glared at the new girl before turning and walking away. "This isn't over," she called over her shoulder.

"Oh, I think it is," the girl retorted.

Lily turned to her. "Thanks for that."

"No problem. I'm Crystal, by the way. Crystal Martinez."

"I'm Liliana Heere. You can call me Lily."

"That's such a pretty name!" Crystal exclaimed.

"Thanks. I got it for my birthday."

Crystal giggled. "I can tell we're going to be good friends."

Lily smiled. "Me too."

A friend. A genuine friend.

Lily liked the sound of that.

***

"Next up are auditions for Ivy Robinson," Christine, the lady in charge of the theatre company announced. "We have three people auditioning. First up is Addison Gates."

Addison walked on to the stage with confidence. "Good morning. I will be singing Burn from the musical Hamilton."

She took a deep breath and the music started. "I saved every letter you wrote me..."

She wasn't a great singer.

Okay, that was an understatement. She sang completely off key and it didn't sound very pleasant.

After what seemed like an eternity of torture, she sang the last line and then walked off stage towards Lily. "Good luck beating that."

"Oh, I'll have no problem," Lily smirked.

"Are you kidding? I was great out there!"

She nodded. "Sure. Keep telling yourself that."

"Lily Heere!" Christine announced.

Lily walked on stage, smiling at Christine. She was good friends with her brother Jeremy.

"I will be singing Portrait of a Girl, a song actually featured in Bare," Lily said, looking at Addison smugly.

Lily's brother Evan had taught her the words to that song when she was younger. Apparently he sang it in a singing competition, which he had won.