Character names belong to Stephenie Meyer. All rights of story and plot belong to operajewels. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy my first fanfic! Please review so I may hear your response to my story!
I'm sick.
I'm always sick when I go to important auditions... it's my curse.
I blame it on the planes. There is always one sick person on the plane, and that's all it takes! Plus they always have to sit in proximity to me. Especially, when my health means life or death! Okay... not that drastic, but it's still frustrating nevertheless!
The funny thing is, despite my disadvantage of sneezing, sniffling, and hacking up a lung every thirty seconds... I'm not that nervous. I know my music. I'm confident in my performance... I just pray to God my good technique and adrenaline get me through the next twenty minutes. Then I can suffer in silence at the hotel till tomorrow morning when I fly back home, hopefully not infecting more innocent travelers.
So much for a tour of the city before going home. It's sad because I don't know the next time I'll be in Boston... especially, if I don't make it in.
I look at the clock again...10:31 AM.
Wow, time goes slow when you're waiting for your execution, I mean... audition.
10:32 AM... not getting any younger people, let's go.
10:35 AM... shit, I have to pee. Do I have time to go to the bathroom...? Hm... maybe I should wait until after... though that would really suck when I hit the high notes at the end of my piece. I can just hear the panel say at the end of my aria, "Nice breath support, but next time wear a diaper!"
That's it! I'm running to the bathroom. But where is it?
I make my way towards the boy sitting in front of the door. "Excuse me?" Eric Yorkie, looks up at me. He introduced himself earlier to all of us auditioning today as a student council member and a 2nd year vocal performance grad student who is here to answer any questions or concerns we might have about The Boston Conservatory. A lot of people have passed the time by asking him important questions like,
"Do you like going here?"
"Are all the winters this F-ing cold?"
"Which voice teacher do you think is the best?"
"How many students are they accepting?"
"Yes?" Eric looks up at me smiling expectantly. He appears to be happy I've finally found a valid question to address him with.
I step closer to him, whispering so not to disturb the audition on the other side of the door, "I'm sorry, but where's the restroom?"
He blinks at me a couple of times and stares at me like he didn't understand my question. Then as it suddenly hits him, "Oh, uh... yeah, sorry. I just—they're on the other side of the building. Follow the hallway past the security desk and admission office, then turn left and they will be on the left hand side before you reach the elevator."
Of course...they have to be on the opposite side of where I need to be. Looks like I'm running in heels today. Oh joy.
"Okay, thanks."
He smiles again at me, then stops me before I get two feet away. "They're running on time today, so please be back by 10:40 AM."
"No problem."
That's your cue to fly Swan, move it!
I scurry past the security desk and squeeze by a few bass players who take up half the narrow hallway, then finally I reach my destination.
Five minutes left. Plenty of time.
After I do my business, I walk out to see my face in the mirror.
Crap... I look like Rudolf the reindeer's distant cousin, plus my nose is still running the Boston marathon. UGH! I'm buying a human bubble on my trip home!
Three minutes! Forget the bubble... focus, focus... what's my first piece, again? Oh yeah. I'm comfortable with my English piece... it's solid. Time to make my way back to the lion's den.
One minute. SHIT, time to RUN to the lion's den!
I hear Eric's voice as I'm turning the corner, "Swan? Bella Swan?"
"I'm here! I'm here! Sorry... I—AHHH!"
I go sliding feet first into Eric, crashing into him as he lands face down on top of me.
"Oh, my goodness. I'm so sorry! I slipped! The floor was...damn, are you okay?" I try to help him get off of me, but he's a little disoriented, and also kind of squishing me. Finally, he rolls off of me and so I can breathe.
"Yeah... no problem. The snow makes the floors really slippery. Are you okay?"
I try not to show my embarrassment, but I seem to fail miserably because I feel my face blushing a brilliant red. Eric helps me up, "I'm fine. It happens to me a lot with or without the snow...and high heels don't help my coordination either."
I hear someone chuckling behind Eric. I look over his shoulder slightly to see where the voice is coming from while he says, "Don't worry about it. You have two minutes to talk about your pieces with your accompanist before you're up, which is technically now..." I hear half of what he's saying because I'm too focused on face that's attached to the voice still chuckling behind Eric.
Wow... he's pretty.
"I hear you laughing back there, Cullen! It's not funny, dude! You both have one minute left!"
Then the very tall attractive man speaks very nonchalantly, "Relax, Yorkie. You're scaring the poor girl. I just wish I could have seen all the excitement. Hi, I'm Edward." He smiles a beautiful crooked smile, then holds out his hand for me to shake. He's wearing a black button-down dress shirt with a skinny gray tie, a black shiny belt with gray slacks, and fancy dress shoes. But seriously, I just can't get past his amazing British accent and crooked smile.
Hm, I wonder why he's wearing sun glasses in doors. Shit, he's still holding out his hand!
"I'm Bella Swan, it's great to meet you. I'm sorry, but I shouldn't shake your hand... I have the onset of a cold and I don't wish to spread it."
His smile broadens, "That's very considerate of you, thank you. There's no need to rush. They're all really nice and understanding in there so take all the time you need to collect yourself."
I finish fixing my hair and shyly look up at him. "I'm fine, honestly I just want to get it over with, ya know? AACHOO!" I blow my nose...ew, disgusting.
"God bless you," he chuckles again.
"Thanks."
He nods in understanding while bringing out the binder he had under his arm. He opens it then feels the page in front of him while speaking to me. "So the arias you will be performing today are 'Ain't it a pretty night,' and if they request a second piece, 'Nun eilt herbei'... is that correct?
"Yes. Do you need my music now?"
Edward shakes his head. "I have the copies you sent in with the application. Are there any changes I need to know about?"
I stare at him confused, then it suddenly hits me why he's wearing sun glasses and using his fingers to read.
Gosh, you're slow Swan.
"Nope, no surprises."
He nods his head and smiles at me. "Excellent. Please hand your music and audition sheet to Mr. Banner when he calls for you, and I will see you on stage. Good luck, Bella." He smiles once more then enters the audition room.
No minutes left... breathe... smile... don't screw up and you'll be fine.
A short balding man wearing an argyle sweater peeks his head through the door then gently says, "Isabella Swan."
Show time!
