Chapter 11: Rehearsal Chaos

Monday – School Hall

The final rehearsals for the Stage Talent Competition were in full swing. The whole school was buzzing—students fixing costumes, last-minute script changes, teachers running around trying to keep everyone organized.

And me? Still a background character.

I wasn't complaining. Staying in the back, out of the spotlight, was exactly where I wanted to be. No pressure, no expectations, just vibing.

Except today, things went wrong.

"Where's Faiz?"

The question echoed through the hall like an alarm. Our class was putting on a play, and Faiz was one of the supporting characters with actual lines. But now? He was gone.

Madame Ju, our drama teacher, looked like she was five seconds away from losing it. "He has an important role! Where is he?"

Silence.

Then, Azri leaned over and whispered to me, "Bro, I saw him sneaking out to the canteen like twenty minutes ago."

Rina sighed. "Faiz is so getting detention."

Madame Ju turned to the group. "We need a replacement. Someone to take his role right now."

I took a small step back.

Not me. Definitely not me.

But then—

"Mana can do it!"

I snapped my head toward Azri, pure betrayal in my eyes. "What?"

Madame Ju's face lit up like she had just found the solution to world peace. "Mana! That's a great idea! You're already part of the scene. You just need to say a few lines."

I turned to Rina, silently pleading for help.

She smiled. "Good luck, Romeo."

Before I could protest, a script was shoved into my hands.

Madame Ju clapped. "Alright, everyone! Start from Scene Two!"

I sighed. This is my nightmare.

On Stage

I stood there, gripping the script like it was my last hope for survival. The scene was simple: Nad, playing the actual main character, was supposed to give a dramatic speech, and I just had to respond with three lines.

Easy, right?

Wrong.

Nad started her monologue, and I swear, the entire hall fell silent.

She was so good. The way she spoke, the way she moved—it was like watching a real actress. Even though it was just a rehearsal, she gave it everything.

And then—my turn.

I opened my mouth.

Nothing came out.

Nad looked at me expectantly.

Madame Ju frowned. "Mana?"

Azri and Rina were in the audience, holding back laughter.

I swallowed hard, looked at my script, and forced out the words. "Uh… but what if the kingdom falls?"

It was supposed to sound serious. Intense.

Instead, I sounded like a confused tourist asking for directions.

Nad stayed in character. She took a step forward, eyes full of determination. "Then we rise again. We fight for what we believe in."

She looked at me like I was supposed to say something else.

I panicked.

And completely forgot my next line.

Silence.

The entire hall stared at me.

Madame Ju sighed. "Mana, the line?"

I flipped through my script desperately. Where was it?!

And then, out of nowhere, Nad whispered it under her breath. Just loud enough for me to hear.

"The people… the people will follow your lead."

I exhaled, nodded quickly, and repeated, "The people will follow your lead!"

It wasn't great, but at least I said it.

Madame Ju clapped her hands. "Alright! Let's take a break!"

I practically ran off the stage, collapsing into a chair.

Azri grinned. "Bro. You choked so hard."

Rina nodded. "But hey, at least Nad saved you."

I groaned. "That was the worst experience of my life."

Then, I heard someone clear their throat.

I looked up.

Nad was standing there.

I froze.

"Hey," she said, smiling. "You did fine."

I blinked. "…Really?"

She nodded. "Yeah. For a last-minute replacement, you weren't bad."

I didn't know what to say. My brain had completely shut down.

Then, she stepped back slightly, giving me space. "Just don't forget your lines next time."

And with that, she walked away.

Azri smirked. "Bro. She talked to you."

Rina nodded. "Are you breathing?"

I wasn't sure.

Because for the first time in my life, I had spoken to Nad.

And I had somehow survived.

—Mana, Feb 2017