Loser

　　A hush falls over the hall, I start for the stage, nearly exploding with anxiety. My heart beats against my chest, I feel eyes on the back of my head and all I want to do is scream, instead, I hurry to join Miss Jota.

　　She points to a line in her script. Scene two. “We can start from here today,” she says. Unable to talk, I nod. Her hand lowers, she frowns. “Where’s your script?” I swallow, my finger juts in the direction of my school bag and she lifts a tiny brow, probably wondering why I left it there. In my hurry, I forgot it. “Do you know the lines?” I don’t know how I manage to nod but I do and she walks off the stage. “Start.”

　　Blondie puts two fingers in his mouth to let out a whistle of support, Miss Jota’s stern gaze lands on him. “Quiet.” He offers a sheepish apology and her eyes fall back to me. “Tessa, over to you. We are waiting.”