Another Day of Sun

 I attended every single speech, reading, writing, and storytelling contest since second grade. However, I always have a sick stomach whenever I stand in front of every single parent and sibling of every single student in the Fuhsing Bilingual Side from first grade until sixth grade. It all started when I watched the movie, La La Land. I was deeply attracted to the way the actors and actresses portrayed the characters. I went home that day singing, “The sun is nearly gone. The lights are turning on…” I sang so dramatically that my dad started suggesting me to go to the tryouts for this year’s Christmas Show, Annie. At first, I was skeptical about attending the audition, but my dad, who has always been supportive of me, told me to go ahead and try. Finally, I decided to go to the tryouts and maybe even receive a role in the play. 

          “Tippity tap, tap, tap.” I practiced my tap dancing steps and gave the floor a hard time staying clean. I was so nervous on the audition day that I could feel my hands turning colder and colder, whiter and whiter. I could feel the judges’ eyes focusing on me. “And it’s another day of sun!” I ended my performance with a bow. I felt like I was standing and jumping on the soft and bouncy clouds, far, far away from reality. I was so happy about finishing even better than I expected. A few days later, I hopped my way to the board to sneak a peek at what role I got. I had presumed to get a role as one of the orphans or even Annie if I was lucky. But I have never, ever thought about getting the role of the mean and malicious Ms. Hannigan, since I was as sweet as an angel…

          I was a bit disappointed, but my parents encouraged me and told me that I will do even better playing as Ms. Hannigan. My dad mimicked Yoda, “Do well, you will. Have faith, I do!” I was thankful for how Ms. Huang, the director and my homeroom teacher, inspired me. “You have to fully become Ms. Hannigan. This is how you can act well and be successful,” Ms. Huang taught me. “I believe in you and will be cheering for you, always.” As a very naive fourth-grader, I didn’t completely understand what she was trying to tell me. (Hey, I was only nine years old!) But I still tried my very best to be the most outstanding actress.  

          Friday came in a flash. People were gathering in the B3 auditorium. I was so nervous and cold that I shivered and pulled my jacket tighter around my shoulders in a vain attempt to trap my body heat. I had to steady my breathing, but I couldn’t. I had to calm down, but I couldn’t. I have never ever been so nervous in my nine years of living in this world. My mom and dad had told me to relax and to think back on how we trained together. They learned alongside me to make sure that I can learn acting tips more accurately and remember them better. My classmates and my friends all told me that I got this and there wasn’t anything to be afraid of, even if a meteor hit our school right in the middle of the show! The lights went out. It was my turn to shine. “Get out of here! LITTLE GIRLS!” I wrapped up my solo as the crowd burst into commendation. I could see my parents standing up to clap for me. “You go, girl!” I heard my dad yell.  

          I couldn’t help it, I burst into laughter as I knew that it would be another day of sun for me.