"Detention"
Ch.2
Ch.2
I fumbled through my
bag looking for my apartment keys. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Mr.
Faraize down the hall looking at me as he unlocked the door to his complex. I
smiled back at him as he went inside. Hmm...maybe
he’ll invite me over without my Auntie or parents sometime. I was still
shifting papers around my bag to get the key when the door opened.
“Gracie. I thought I
heard you out here. What are you doing?” Auntie was puzzled as she saw crumpled
papers on the ground.
“Heh. I may have lost
the key to the apartment…” I winced a little in fear of her pinching me for
being so careless. I was right to wince, she pinched my arm. “Ouch!” I rubbed
my arm as I walked through the door.
“Gracie, your heads
are always in the clouds! I swear you may be related to that Lysander boy that
lives downstairs, the one who is always looking for that notebook of his.”
“I wish. He shows a
lot more kindness and respect to me than you do, Auntie!” I laughed as I ran
for my room but she caught me in the living room and tossed me onto the couch,
tickling my weak spot. “St-stop! Please, show mercy!” I laughed so hard tears were
rolling down my cheeks.
“I’ll show you
kindness and respect when YOU return the favor! As for mercy, never. Just not
possible.” She continued torturing me until the door opened once again. We both
look up to find my parents looking with disappointment at Auntie. Auntie
stopped and composed herself.
My mom spoke. “Oh,
April. What on earth are you doing? I thought you had an audition today?”
“Well, sis. You see…they
called it off, again.”
I felt sorry for Auntie
April, she worked hard to get a degree in acting and no one wants to cast her
for any roles. It had always been her dream to work in the town of Sweet Amoris
for the local theater but each upcoming play or musical she tries to audition
for, they don’t even give her the chance. Her high school enemy seems to have
reached a position of authority there before Auntie graduated. It’s unlikely
Auntie will ever be able to work at the local theater, but she keeps trying.
Mom and Dad moved here to give me a clean slate and to give Auntie a place to
stay now that she can’t hold up rooming with Boris. Boris and her were best
friends but his occasional substitute gym teacher gig wasn’t enough to pay for
both of them. He had to find someone else.
“April, this is
ridiculous and you know it. You have to move on. Sweet Amoris Theater will not
give you a chance with that girl in charge. Maybe you should have thought of
whom to become enemies with before you did so in high school.” Dad cared for
April but he always took the logical side of things over feelings. Supporting
April was draining him of his funds, I got a good peek at his bank statement
the other day.
“Greg, you know this
is my dream and I just have to keep trying. I can’t quit on my dream!” April
looked at Dad then at Mom with pleading eyes.
“April, honey. You
know I love you but it is best to move on. Go gain your experience where they
can appreciate you and if you want to come back, fine. I don’t think you’ll
enjoy working for that girl, though. But if it’s still your dream, try
accomplishing it with a method other than wasting your time trying to get an
audition. Go work elsewhere and create a name for yourself. You’ll look like a
better candidate with something other than a degree.”
April looked down at
the ground, “You both always thought with your heads...and look how successful
you already are. I’ll think about your advice, but I can’t retreat from Sweet
Amoris. I’ll look into other acting careers here. Maybe even become a drama
teacher at Sweet Amoris High if I have to.”
I facepalmed. If she worked at my school no one would talk
to me ever again. And, she might even find out about Faraize and I. That can’t
happen, I’ll have to find a local acting career that she can use as her
experience instead of my high school.
“Auntie, work at my
school and I die. I’m warning you.”
“Oh, Gracelyn. I know
you’ll LOVE it if I worked there. In fact, I might just start off there now. I’ll
talk to your teacher that lives down the hall from us. What’s his name? Ferris?
He’ll hook me up an interview with the principal. I have a degree and I did
cast as Queen Titania for A Midsummer
Night’s Dream back at my university’s local theater. I’m sure that’s enough
experience to get me through to working at your school. You are in for a treat!”
Auntie headed for the door with a sly grin on her face before stopped by Mom’s
voice.
“April, this isn’t to
be taken lightly. A position there could be just what you need. It’s a good
thing you didn’t get in too much trouble there as a kid, the principal might
not want you to work there. I understand that there is a constant need of
funding, they’ve cut back quite a bit on faculty who couldn’t take a cut in
salary. They may be looking for someone starting out who can accept the wages so
that they can still bring in the money from the occasional plays and musicals.
They could need you, April. Don’t screw this up.”
“I won’t, sis. I’ll
try to make a more formal appearance and go in tomorrow to apply. Gracie, just
make sure Ferris talks me up before I arrive at your school tomorrow.”
How about, NO. “Of course, Auntie. I know they need you as
much as you need a job. But I will hate you forever, just thought I’d let you
know that.”
Dad smiled while
pushing his glasses up—a common thing he does when he has sealed a deal at
work. “Then it is settled. April will work at Sweet Amoris High.”
At least I won’t have to ride the bus anymore
or spend ages outside my apartment looking for my key…wait. Where DID I leave
that key?
Until next time!
Elizabeth / LoveGraceTruth
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