Only seven years old, I marched confidently to the middle of the stage in my primary school hall. The play was in motion and the lead actor, eight year old Jimmy, was singing about how important it is to wash your hands before a meal. He kept his voice high and strong, even as I strode in front of him and began grumbling to him how unfair it was that I didn't get the lead role.
I heard a murmur of laughter from the audience of parents, but it didn't stop my rant, and I stomped my foot like a brat to get my point across.
My teacher whispered to me harshly to get back to my place as the back up dancer, but I ignored her, turning instead to face the crowd so that they couldn't see Jimmy. He was still singing somewhat uncertainly, but he stopped when I opened my mouth, took a deep breath, and let out the strangled cry that I considered talent.
A few parents had already been chuckling, but now they were roaring with laughter. The whole crowd was shaking and trying to hold back tears of joy.
At first, I took this as a good sign, but when I glanced out the corner of my eye to see my teacher shaking her head in embarrassment, I realised they found me amusing, rather than talented.
This caused an awful quiver in my voice, making my racket even harder to listen to, and eventually, my voice trailed off to silence. I felt a swelling in my throat, and a prickling in my eyes.
My confidence faultered, and my shoulders drooped.
The parents in the crowd were curiously wondering if this was a part of the play, my teacher was pretend to scratch her eyes out in shame, and my class stood awkwardly behind me, not sure whether to continue or end the show.
I was the center of attention, but not in the way I'd imagined.
My bottom lip quivered, and a single tear spilled onto my cheek. After that, I had no restraint, and I began sobbing loudly. I sat on the ground because I didn't know where to go, and I cried.
I don't remember much else, but eventually the teacher came and dragged me off stage, and the next act of the play began. My parents scolded me when I got home but I didn't listen much, just sat in silence until they ushered me to bed without dinner.