"Tori! Tori!" A high-pitched voice called from the end of the hallway. I rolled my eyes. Perfect, popular Tori and her adoring fan club.
"Tori!" The voice yelled again as it's owner grabbed my shoulder. I turned around, ready to bitch someone out.
"Oh, sorry, Trina. Have you seen Tori?" It was Cat. I couldn't get mad at her, she was too sweet. Plus, it would be a total waste, seeing as how she'd never understand why I was mad in the first place. Cat didn't really do jealousy. It was one of her qualities that I found both endearing and incredibly frustrating. And, we were both named Catrina, so we bonded over that.
"Don't worry about it. So why were you looking for Tori?"
"Auditions for the Spring Musical start next week! Sikowitz just put out the sign up list! He says she'd be perfect for the lead."
I scowled. Of course, everybody would be jumping all over each other to cast Tori as the lead. Why was it never me? Why did no one ever say, "Trina, this role was meant for you"?
"Oh, I think I see Tori! Bye, Trina!"
"See ya, Cat." I said half-heartedly as she ran over to Tori. I stood there, wallowing in self-pity for a few seconds before I suddenly brightened. What was stopping me from getting the lead? I was going to turn my pitiful existence at Hollywood Arts around. I marched down the hall to Sikowitz's room, and scribbled my name on the sign-up sheet, ignoring the whispers of "Who does she think she's kidding," and "How pathetic." Did they honestly think I couldn't hear?
I planned to start working on my audition song as soon as I got home, but when I walked through the door, my sister was already singing. And, Andre was playing along with her. Great! She got her own accompanist, too!
"Hey, Trin!" She said, smiling brightly. This was a major contributor to my constant, irrational annoyance at her. She was happy almost all the time, and I lived in a state of self-doubt and self-pity.
"Tori. Andy." I said, acknowledging them. Andre rolled his eyes, no doubt thinking that I should know his name by now. But he, like most of Tori's other friends, never wanted me around. They didn't like when I hung out with them, and made it no secret that they didn't like me. Except for Cat. And sometimes Robbie, but he was weird. Anyway, my method of coping with this particular rejection was to pretend that they were so insignificant to me that I couldn't be bothered to remember their names, and therefore, didn't care that they thought I was annoying. I wasn't gonna tell them how hurt I was that not even a bunch of sophomores would tolerate me.
"We're working on my audition for the Spring Musical. Want to hear it?"
I rolled my eyes. "Sure, why not?"
Tori immediately started belting out her song. I had to admit, she was good. Not as good as Cat, or even Jade, in my opinion, but my sister could sing. Plus, for some reason, everyone was in love with her, and she was basically guaranteed any part she wanted.
"Good job Tor! Keep working on it, and someday you'll be as good as me." I smiled sweetly and went to my room. Grabbing my laptop, I sat down on my bed and opened up my iTunes library. This song had to be perfect. Well, for me. Ginger Fox? No, her songs were so auto-tuned they hardly sounded like a human voice. Plus, they barely changed pitch the whole song. It was like chanting to a beat, meant for people who couldn't sing. And I could. I know what other people say about my voice, but I was actually decent within a certain range. Sadly, not as good as Tori or her friends, but I could carry a tune okay. Adele? Probably not. Her songs were for people who could sing really well, and that wasn't quite me either, as I was all too aware.
I scrolled through the list, growing increasingly frustrated. I finally saw a song I didn't immediately recognize. Curious, I hit play.
"Well, it's a marvelous night for a moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night to make romance
'Neath the cover of October skies
And all the leaves on the trees are fallin'
To the sound of the breezes that blow
An' I'm trying to please to the callin'
Of your heart strings that play soft and low
And all the nights magic seems to whisper and hush
And all the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush
Can I just have one more moondance with you, my love?
Can I just make some more romance with you, my love?"
I recognized the song from my Aunt Sonia's wedding a few years ago. I liked it. It was jazzy, sexy, like me! And if I sang it well, it would totally set me apart from all the other kids singing Ke$ha and Ginger Fox. Plus, it didn't go up that high, and was probably even in my range! I decided then. I would sing Moondance at my audition, and I would be marvelous, and Sikowitz would cast me as the lead. Me! Not my sister.
I printed up some sheet music and marched out to the living room to kick Andre and Tori off the piano. Lucky for me, it wasn't necessary. They were just leaving. I assume they were going to wherever it is that people with friends hang out. Cue self-pitying sigh.
I sat at the bench and spread the sheet music out in front of me. It was funny. We'd had the piano for thirteen years, and I was the only one in the house that ever played it. I pounded out the opening chords and started right in. Well, tried to, anyway.
"Well it's a marvelous night for a moondan… moondaaaaan…. moonda-Dammit!" I exclaimed, frustrated. One line in, and it was already too low for me.
"Careful, Trin," said Tori. "Wouldn't want the neighbors to file a complaint… again." She added, with a significant glance at her friend. "Oh! Hold on, let me go get my purse, then we can leave."
I glared at my sister as she went to her room. As soon as she was out of sight, I started with the opening chords again.
"Trina?" said Andre, interrupting me.
"What?" I snapped, annoyed that I'd have to start over again.
"You're trying way too hard. The lows will come out much better if you're less tense."
"Thanks, Andy. That's really helpful." I said, slightly sarcastic. It wasn't that I minded taking advice, but I didn't like that everybody felt entitled to tell me what to do. Still, it was nice that he was trying to help, instead of making fun of me like Tori.
"Andre, let's go!" Tori called out. "Trina, if Mom and Dad ask, I'll be home by eight."
"See ya, Tor." I sighed, turning back to the piano. "Relax." I whispered to myself. "That will make you better. Relax." I took a deep breath.
"It's a marvelous night for a moondance…"