I am really proud of myself. Do you know why? I have two reasons. Not just that I have the good fortune of being myself (which each individual should be happy about) but because I've taken a leap into what some might call "superhero territory"! I've prevented something bad from happening and didn't lose control over my abilities. Not once! The second reason is that the premiere of Grease turned out wonderfully… But let's take one thing at a time, shall we?

Eric Winslow (tall guy from CCMA) and I got together yesterday, at my place, to drink coffee and talk some boloney. He came by around two, carrying croissants and chocolate cookies, and stayed for a couple of hours. I can't remember that I've ever laughed so much in one sitting! He is a total goofball and jet he's also so committed to his passions and prepared to work extremely hard to reach his goals. I listened admiringly when he told me a story from his childhood, that he used to go with his mom on salsa classes.

"... I was only five and my dad had a hard time keeping me in the audience! I begged them to let me dance and after a year I got my wish granted. There was no doubt about me becoming a dancer…" I felt happy just by watching his eyes - they really shone of emotion! "You know, every time I hear a song I really feel the rhythm run through my veins!"

"I know exactly what you mean." I said. "And you're so talented, too!"

A saddened shade showed itself on Eric's handsome face. He looked down on his left arm, the one that isn't broken anymore but still keeps him from doing what he loves.

"Yeah, well, it seems to be of no use right now. Having nothing to do has never worked well with me… But I'll be fine!"

I nodded and wiped up the last cookie crumbs on my finger. Then you could see the beautiful, blue pattern on the English plate.

"You have every right to be disappointed, Eric." I comforted, then I smiled teasingly. "But in one aspect I think you're lucky, cause I still have to work with Gloria!"

He grinned and said that I was right, as always. Our eyes locked.

"I miss you, guys." he said.

I got a funny feeling in my stomach again, since I knew that he didn't mean all of us. Just one. But before I had any time to reflect on it, my thoughts were distracted by a strong smell...

"Is something burning?"

After we quickly got on our feet, we soon found ourselves standing outside my neighbour Johnson's apartment. The door was slightly open and we didn't hesitate to go in. In the small hallway a grey smoke danced its way out from the kitchen... A towel had caught fire on the stove!

"Go and see if you can find Johnson!" I ordered Eric as I picked up a wet cloth and started hitting the flame with it (like it's one of my everyday shores).

I seemed to convince him that I knew what I was doing, cause he disappeared for a few moments, which allowed me to do my thing. I dropped the cloth and took a deep breath. The room felt bigger at once, the air calmer, and the fire's life force vibrated inside my being. I closed my left fist and the flames were immediately sucked towards my hand, absorbed around its yellowness, and in two seconds it was over. When Eric came back the kitchen looked as normal as ever.

"What the hell are you doing in here?!" Johnson, bald and more frustrated than usual, exclaimed when he returned. "Explain yourself, Miss Zoe!"

"I put out the fire." I said with an assuring smile.

"What fire?"

I told Johnson that he had left the stove on and everything that had followed. (Not exactly everything.) He took the explanation as a pure insult and his face got the color of a tomato.

"The stove is flawless," he pointed out, correctly. "which makes you a terrible liar! I was seeing a client off downstairs and you couldn't miss out on that opportunity, could ya? What are you after, Miss Zoe? My 4 000 dollar couch? Or perhaps it's my…"

In that fashion he carried on. I've never met anyone so paranoid in my entire life! The thought that he could see me robbing him of his couch in just five minutes was hilarious. Even so, I couldn't laugh at him. He was losing what little sense he has and out of impulse I gently grabbed his arm. I wanted to calm him (for his own sake, actually) and something peculiar happened when my skin touched his... A brief light was reflected in his eyes, he stopped shouting and his face got all long.

"Forgive me." he said after a few seconds. "Thank you for stepping in like that."

I don't understand what that was! How can a person go from being totally ignorant (don't forget unfriendly) to sensible and grateful in a matter of milliseconds? It seems too good to be true. But I've been through stranger things, more dramatic things anyhow, and that's why I should be glad about this incident being milder!

The second reason why I'm proud of myself is that I survived the premiere of Grease! (I only missed out on two steps. Yeay!) There is something special about performing live, in this case with lots of gorgeous 50's costumes (especially the colorful dresses). Even if you've rehearsed every tiny detail of a show more times than you'd like sometimes, on the premiere it feels like you're doing it for the very first time: Everyone plays their part, the music adds to every emotion and the connection with the audience spurs you forward! It's magical. My family were there, of course, clapping and cheering like I was playing Olivia Newton-John's character and not one out of twenty non-speaking roles.

"You owned it!" Adam said afterwards and I gave him a high five.

I was holding a bouquet of pink peonies, which I was handed the last minute on stage. It's a gift from my very own fans.

"You were amazing, Olivia!" Lauren added and I got hugged by both her and dad at the same time.

"Watch the flowers!" I uttered.

The theater hallway was full of people and you had to speak very loud to be heard in all the buzz. Eric (who had cheered me on, too, just like he'd said) galloped to my side and kissed me on the cheek.

"Good job, Olivia." he said in a lowered voice and no one heard it but me. It felt like I blushed and I got that funny feeling in my stomach.

Someone called Eric's name from the other side of the corridor and both our heads turned to see who it was. A young man, latino-looking with long dark hair and an unbelievably cute smile, walked against us.

"Cisco!" Eric exclaimed, very surprised. "You're here!"

Behind Cisco came another young man, about Eric's height and with a high hairline. Cisco introduced him as his friend Barry.

"Cisco and I grew up together." Eric happily explained after hugging Cisco. "Our parents know each other. (He turned to his friend) I didn't expect to see you here, to be honest..."

Eric had obviously invited this childhood friend before Gloria suspended him from the production and then he'd just forgotten to tell him about it! Does that sound like something Eric would do? Not really. He's too organized. Although, given the feeling I always get when Eric shows signs of liking me, I believe he has had a lot on his mind lately. That counts for me to.

"At least you got free entertainment tonight!" I pointed out to the newcomers with a wide smile.

Cisco laughed and Barry smiled.

"Yeah, it's great to get some variation." Barry said.

"I should probably admit that I haven't seen a live musical before." Cisco added, still holding the flowers he had brought for Eric like he was about to walk down the aisle. "Or a play, for that matter..."

One of the beauties in life is individual taste, don't you agree? If everyone loved singing and dancing, I probably wouldn't be a student at CCMA and you always learn something new from people who like different things. For example, today I learned that a person working with technology - and brains - to solve crimes is called… What was he called? Faloistic scientist?... Foliumistic? No way. Something Scientist! (I know! I'm hopeless.)

Spring vacation is coming up next. Some of my classmates are going abroad, I heard Lily mention something about Thailand, but as for me I will love staying home. Maybe I'll re-read Kate Morton's latest, walk in the park or buy a dog. I don't know, I'll take each moment as it comes!

Olivia Zoe

19th of April 2015