The Audition Result

Thursday morning, three days after. I woke up in the morning feeling really tired and nervous. I was between giddy and anxious about the result that will be announced in the afternoon. Also, those magical moments I had with Clayton feels slowly fades away, because ever since he asked my number on Monday night, I didn’t meet him anywhere, and he didn’t contact me in any way. He must be working, having interviews, photoshoots, or something. He’s busy and a public figure, anyways.

Don't get your hopes up too high, silly girl. 

Well, fortunately, I somehow know I can’t expect that much, he most likely hasn’t had any interest in me, as more than acquaintances, or someone he barely more than knew each other a little. Maybe he just asked for my number so he can add me to his phone contacts as someone in the sophomore year. But on the other hand, being inside his phone contact is already something though.

Soon after I stepped out of the shower, my phone rang. It was an unknown number, not in my contact. I picked it up and said good morning.

“Morning, Anita, it’s Clay”, he sounds a little cheerful this morning, he seems in a good mood.

And so I did after heard his voice!!

“Hey, how are you?”

“Fine, thanks. Been outta town to work these days. How’s the campus? Anything new?”.

“Nothing much. No one’s caught in a big scandal, the building’s still standing, no riots, same usual boring days”, I answered.

I could hear him chuckled a bit, and it made my heart stop for a while. I can’t believe that there is someone in this world having a perfect laugh like his. And the more I know him personally, the more his personality seems attractive to me.

“You know, talking to you is really fun. I can’t even predict what the answer will be. Anyway, the result of the auditions will be announced today, right?”

“Yeah, it makes me nervous today (and so is talking with you but I’m not gonna say it). I don’t know if I'll get the part. Everyone else’s auditions for Lucy’s part looked way better than me”.

“Hey, you were doing great at the audition. Personally, your audition was my favorite. I’m calling because I wanna wish you good luck with the results. Hope you get the part. Well, I’m sorry but I must go now, gotta get a quick shower and go back to work. The schedule kinda sucks this week.”

Okay, what was that??? Can you repeat the part when you said ‘PERSONALLY, your audition was MY FAVORITE’ like a hundred times, please? I am between elated and dumbfounded here…

Take a breath, get a grip, Anita.

“So sorry to hear that, hope you’re not too worn out. Umm…. Is this your number?” I asked hesitantly.

“Yes, my personal number. Umm… call or text me sometime, okay?”

“Yeah, I’ll let you know as soon as the result is out, is that okay?”

“That would be great. I’m waiting for the good news”, he said.

I could hear a smile when he said that. He must be looking so fine at the end of the line.

“Thanks for wishing me good luck, Clay”.

“You’re welcome. See you in a few days, then.”

“See you. Have a nice working day. Goodbye...”

“Have a nice day to you too, Anita. Bye”.

I hung up the phone and smiled broadly, then giggled. After a few seconds, I realized Sasha was watching me from her bed. She just woke up when I was in the middle of the call.

“Is that a call from someone we’ve been waiting for?”, she asked.

“Yes, he wished me good luck for today’s casting announcement”, I answered, still smiling.

“Oooooh…that’s sweet… Did he say where he’s been going these days?”

“Yeah, he said he’s been working out of town these days, why?”

“That’s even better, you know! He’s telling you the reason why he’s not calling you before. He wants you to think that he’s not less interested in you, but he was just busy”, said Sasha. That’s so Sasha, always analyzing… “And when you first answered his call, what did he say?”

“Mmmm… morning, Anita..”, I answered.

“Good, he already remembers your voice. It’s the first time he's ever called you, right? If he already remembers your voice in real life, he most likely won’t be mistaken in recognizing your voice, even for the first time”, she said.

Yeah, more detailed analysis from my dating-expert roommate. No wonder she picked Psychology as her major.

“Saaasss…please, if I keep listening to you, I will blush and get embarrassed for sure.”

‘Well, I’m just telling you what I analyzed from his behavior. That’s a very good sign, really. You sure can get closer to him, if it keeps going on like this. Good luck dear, for the result and for Clayton!”, she said while grabbing her towel and going into the bathroom.

I couldn’t even concentrate on the class that day. My mind was skipping constantly from thinking about the result, and Clayton's morning call. One thing makes me nervous, and the other thing makes me happy. What a weird feeling.

Soon after the class ended I hurried into the hall, looking for the result announcement that will be placed on the hall’s door. When I arrived there, a few of my club’s friends were there, looking at the announcement and talking and cheering, but most of them were discussing the one cast as The Count Dracula. I saw the announcement, trying to look for my name on the casting row by getting closer to the door because I am indeed pretty tiny compared to the others around me, but suddenly felt struck by lightning when I saw a name written in the first line for the leading role, Count Dracula.

The name that I knew too well.

I read Clayton Sommers as Count Dracula.

WAIT, WHAT?? CLAYTON SOMMERS? CLAY?? He’s going to play Count Dracula???

Then I hurried my eyes down as the result of Lucy’s cast. And there it is, my name, Anita Meyer. YEEAAYY!!!! I got the role!!!! I FRIGGIN’ GOT IT!!

But wait, on the script, Lucy will get bitten by Count Dracula, right?? And the one who will act as The Count will be…

AAARRRGGGHHH!!!

How can I possibly act well if I have to act with him??? Just thinking about the scene is more than enough to make me want to bury myself in embarrassment.

Suddenly I remember that I promised Clay to tell him as soon as I got the result. What should I do now? Calling him and thanking him that I got the role? Then show him that I am confused but a bit ruffled because he didn’t tell the truth that he will also be taking part in this play too?

But what rights do I have in being ruffled or annoyed by his actions of not telling me? I am nobody to him, just an acquaintance, a mere underclassman that luckily got one lift with his car to get back to the dorm after midnight, a few short convos, and one phone call. He doesn’t need to tell the truth, he can hide anything he wants from anybody, especially me because I’m not important to his life.

Or should I actually be happy because we will be performing together? I mean, this is a huge chance to get closer to him, a big opportunity, and also a certainty that I will be meeting him more than once every week, especially two weeks before the performance because the rehearsal will be six days a week, Monday to Friday evening, then Saturday morning till afternoon.

Ugh!! I really don’t know how to process these mixed emotions, or how I reacted to this.