A/N: Sorry for the weeklong delay, readers, as I got a good scolding from my mom! (--;) She said that I should take my studies as my first priority over my writing. Anyways, I think she meant well (mothers know best, right?), that's why I try to catch up with my schoolwork. This week's the foundation day of my college, and with nothing to do in sight, I'll do my best to get over this for the sake of those following my story, and to concentrate on studying for my upcoming midterm exams. After this, it might be a long time before I write again.
So, here's Chapter 13 of "Chronicles of a Schoolgirl". Thanks for waiting for this!
Chapter 13- It's Showtime!
After a month long practice, the students of 3-A were now ready to perform their play for the school's annual Foundation Day. It was going to be celebrated for one week and a half, and will feature different booths and bazaars, a mini-fair, and of course, the different plays to be presented by the year levels.
A night before the play date of "Juris & Arlette," Leia wrote in her diary:
Tomorrow it's going to be showtime! I can't wait for what will happen. I'm excited and nervous at the same time, what with two presentations in one day. There's going to be one held in the afternoon for the students and teachers, and at night, for the gala presentation. Dad's going to watch at night, and I heard that some leaders of the Empire were going to watch the play (because the Academy is run by the Empire). Just the thought of Darth V., the man I hated the most, watching the play gives me the shivers. What more with Emperor Palpatine!
Have to go to sleep now, as I have to get a good rest for tomorrow. Wish me luck! By the way, being with Bearwin is not so bad anymore... I think I enjoyed being with him.
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(The Next Day...)
"Leia, stop being so fussy! I might burn your hair!" Siobe told her as she stood behind Leia while she curled her hair. It was an hour before the play, and the both girls were at the dressing room. Siobe was doing her hair and make-up. Nearby, the other cast members were in frenzy, fixing themselves up and reading their scripts for the last time.
"How long until you finish curling my hair? Why do you have to do this instead of pull it up in a bun?" Leia asked Siobe, who was starting to be irritated for sitting for a long time. She started tapping her fingers on the side of the chair.
"Keep still, will you?" Siobe pleaded. She was now curling the last strands of her hair. After a while she finally said, "Phew! It's over!"
"Thankfully!" Leia sighed in relief. She touched her hair gently, which cascaded in curls on her shoulder, and said, "How do I look?"
Siobe handed her a mirror and said, "Absolutely perfect. Curls look good on you," she complimented her. True enough, Leia smiled upon seeing her reflection in the mirror. Now I look like a drama princess, she thought.
"Now let me do your make-up," Siobe said, and motioned Leia to face her. She then started make-up her face.
"Why with the thick foundation?" Leia asked again. She secretly hoped that all this make-up sessions would soon be over.
Siobe brushed Leia's face with a wad of foundation cream and started to apply rogue on her cheeks. "So you'll look good on stage. The lighting will be very hot and will cause you to sweat," she explained.
"Is that so?"
"Will you just stop talking while I put on your lipstick?" Siobe asked. Now she was the one who's getting to be irritated with Leia's peskiness, and Leia could sense it.
"Aw, sorry," Leia apologized.
Siobe smiled at her, a sign that she forgave her for her inquisitiveness. She pulled up a stool and sat down in front of her. "Open your lips a little," she said as she opened a tube of lipstick. Leia did as she was told.
"There. It's over!" Siobe exclaimed as she stood back and watched Leia. "Now see it for you," she said as she handed again the mirror. Leia lifted it up and commented, "It's... so..." She was about to say "horrible", as it was the first time she had make-up that thick; matte-looking foundation and bright red lips, but reconsidered. "I think it's good, but..."
"I thickened your lipstick a bit," Siobe finished it for her. "I guess let's lessen it a little for the 'just-bit-my-lips-look'." She started to dab her mouth with a tissue paper and redid her lipstick.
"There! It's better!" Siobe exclaimed, as Leia looked better with less lipstick on her. She looked again in the mirror and said, "I like it now!" She smiled and thanked Siobe. "Thanks a lot!"
"Welcome," Siobe replied. "I'll do it for you again tonight, for the gala presentation.
Leia stood up and grabbed the gown she was supposed to wear for the play, which hanged nearby. It was am aqua-colored dress with a low neckline and flowing sleeves, with a matching headdress, a tiny round cap with a veil from behind, reminiscent of the Alderaanian dresses of old. She run her fingers through the sleeves of the gown, and remembered that her real mother once wore a dress of the same color. She saw it before in an old biography of Senator Padme Amidala. She thought of the mother she never met, and smiled sadly.
"Leia! Go get dressed!" Siobe exclaimed to her from across the room.
"Coming!" Leia exclaimed as she lifted the dress up and ran towards Siobe, who accompanied her to the ladies' room. Later on, she emerged, wearing the gown.
"Wow, you look so pretty!" Siobe exclaimed in admiration. Leia spun around a little and said, "I feel like a princess in this!"
"That's because you are one," Siobe replied. The girls laughed at the witty remark.
"Honestly speaking, you look like a walking curtain in that dress," a nasty voice said from afar. Leia and Siobe turned and, of all horrors, saw Tanya Strider fast approaching them. Leia felt all her blood froze in her veins. Then she recalled all the advices of her father, and the support of the cast. Don't mind Tanya. She's an idiot! The voice of Rhea played in her head.
"What are you doing here again, Tanya?" Siobe asked angrily as she shielded Leia, keeping her away from Tanya's grasp.
"I just wanted to say..." Tanya started, as she was about to come up with a nasty remark, but this time, Leia now mustered the courage to fight back. She motioned Siobe to stand away, brushing her off. Then she walked towards Tanya slowly, looked straight into her green eyes seething with envy and hate, and said firmly, "I do not like what you are doing to me. Both of us know that those rumors aren't true. Please stop and leave me alone."
Tanya's eyes widened in shock, and it was priceless. Then Leia pulled Siobe's arm and walked away without ever looking back.
As they arrived at the backstage, Leia breathed a sigh of relief. At last, I learned to fight back! She thought happily. Thank God for the Force! She realized that it was very much alive in her, and all she needs is a little prodding to let it out and show that no once can take it away from her.
"That was very brave of you, Leia," Siobe told her smilingly as she gave her a pat on the shoulder. "Now that moronic bitch won't bother you anymore."
"Yeah. I definitely showed her who's the boss," Leia said, smiling.
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(Ten minutes before the play...)
"Cast members, remember your blocking, don't forget your lines, and most of all, concentrate, concentrate, concentrate!" Ms. Zena, the director of the play, advised the cast of "Juris & Arlette".
"Yes ma'am!" the cast exclaimed, who were huddled in a circle.
"Where's Bearwin?" Ms. Zena suddenly asked. "I told him to come early and he promised me, but now it's ten minutes before the play and he's not here yet!" She exclaimed, frustrated.
"Ma'am, Juris is here," Rhea, who portrayed Arlette's mother, pointed at Bearwin, who just arrived.
"Mr. Krugg, where have you been?" Ms. Zena asked him angrily.
"Sorry, ma'am, I'll be ready," Bearwin replied sheepishly as he ran to the dressing room. Later on, after what seemed like an eternity, he came out wearing the costume.
"At last, Mr. Krugg, you're finally dressed!" Ms. Zena exclaimed as she hastily put on some foundation on his face.
"Do I have to wear make-up?" Bearwin asked complainingly.
"You have to, young man," Ms. Zena said as he finished the last of his face. When it was finally over, it was two minutes to the play.
"Okay, go to your places now, and concentrate," Ms. Zena advised them for the last time. "Run off now!" She said in a booming voice, and the cast scampered off to the stage. "Break a leg!"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Bearwin asked Leia.
"It's for good luck," Leia replied. She stewed a little and said, "Why are you walking with me? You're supposed to be on the other end of the stage!" she reminded.
"Oh, sorry," Bearwin said as he went to the other end of the stage. "By the way," he whispered as he stopped, "You look beautiful today," he complimented, and went off to the other direction.
Leia could feel herself blush. "Thanks," she whispered.
Beneath the heavy curtains of the stage, Leia could hear the buzzing voices of people. Many will be watching, she thought. She breathed heavily. Then she heard the narrator reminding the audience to be quiet, and then, was already narrating the synopsis of "Juris & Arlette."
"Juris & Arlette" is about the story of star-crossed lovers caught in the feud of each of their own families... The narrator began.
This is it. It's show time.