"I don't care who you are, if you successfully play the music of my heart, then I will love you." - Dandelion
***
"I'm auditioning for the role of Marius."
Miss Mima looked at me, and almost managed to hide the flash of confusion that crossed her face, before grinning. "Fabulous, Emily. Would you like to begin?"
I knew she couldn't argue. Historically, gender roles had always been reversed in theatre. So what if I wanted to play a guy?
I took a deep breath, remembering the events that had lead to this moment, and reassuring myself that it was all worth it.
I had been a shy girl throughout my whole school life. I hardly contributed in class. I had a solid total of one friend. And I would never, ever have even considered auditioning for the school production, not even in senior year.
The reason all this changed was simple. Lydia Evans.
It was her who made me realize I didn't just like boys. She made me feel all those cheesy emotions you read about in romance novels.
This would have been fine, apart from three things:
1) I was convinced she was straight.
2) She had a boyfriend, Jack.
3) Quite possibly the most important reason, I doubted she even knew my name.
So, I decided to keep it a secret. And I managed, until one night with my best friend, Beth. We were sixteen at the time, and she had managed to sneak some of her parents' vodka upstairs during a sleepover. We didn't have much but it was enough to affect us. One thing lead to another, and soon we were playing truth or dare, and it was my turn.
"Truth." I giggled, drunkenly.
Beth, who was lying on her floor with her legs up against the wall, turned her head to face me. "Alright, if you could shag any dude in our year, who would it be?"
"Prolly Jack, but you know who I'd rather shag?" I slurred slightly, grinning. "Lydia Evans." I said her name in an over exaggerated whisper, before smacking my hand over my mouth and giggling. "Shhhhhhh. You can't tell anyone, okay?"
"Okay." Beth whispered back.
That was pretty much it. Nothing more was said about it, apart from the occasional teasing nudge when she caught me gazing at Lydia.
Two years later, nothing had changed. I still had feelings for Lydia. She still didn't know who I was.
Walking down the hall in between classes one day, Beth and I passed a junior who was sticking up posters all along the walls. We moved closer to read them.
"2019 SCHOOL PRODUCTION: LES MISÉRABLES.
Auditions will be held next Tuesday at 3:45 in the drama studio.
Come with a song prepared.
See me if you have any further inquiries,
Miss Mima."
Beth rolled her eyes. "Wow, she really knows how to go big and go home. Les Mis, that's like one of the biggest plays to exist. That's one way to make her last year here special."
As we made our way to Calculus, we passed a group of people crowded around one of the posters. In the centre was Lydia.
That was the moment my idea first began to take shape in my mind. Everyone knew Lydia was an incredible singer, as well as an amazing actor. I knew that, if she wanted, the part of Cosette was hers. I also knew that Cosette fell in love with a man named Marius. So, what better way to try and get to know Lydia better? You know, apart from the fact I'd get to kiss her.
This seemed like a great idea at the time, but standing on the stage, Miss Mima's gaze piercing my skull, I was beginning to have second thoughts. But then Lydia's face entered my mind.
