Chapter Text
RING
RING
RING
The bell buzzed as science class was led out for the hour as students flooded the halls, I took my usual route to choir ; taking the back halls instead of the usual crowded halls that id have to cross the cafeteria for. As I rounded the corner I heard the piano going off faintly inside. Was Mrs. E'laine warming up before class? The thought made me stop in my tracks, usually she loves to take time to warm up after her classes for the next class. The music grew louder as I heaved the door wide open to reveal a crowd of the choir girls surrounding the piano as the music got louder, I slowly climbed up the risers to get a better view of Mrs. Elaine when it wasn't her…
Sitting at the piano was a young woman, her eyes concentrating on her hands as her fingers brushed across the piano keys; the passionate melody echoed throughout the classroom, gasps of admiration from the girls as they watched on in awe. Her dark black curls bounced whenever she shifted from one side of the piano, as the side door opens more of my classmates piled into the room included one girl I spotted quickly.
" Psst- Flora! Down here!", Jada Lloyd waved to me as she bounded up the steps, her forest brown curls with gold bounce with every step as she took her place next to me. She's been my friend since 4th grade after standing up for me when I couldn't , we would talk about anything whether it would be about the latest gossip in school to a drawing idea I came up with.
"Who's that?", I whispered, pointing out the mystery woman. Jada shrugged her shoulders, " Mrs. E'laine been talking about getting a substitute while she goes on maternity leave", she turned her attention back to the mystery woman as the late bell rang. Walking in was our choir teacher, Mrs. E'laine. She's very beautiful with oak wood brown long curls that sat at her shoulders, her face was round and rosy like a Christmas bauble with dark sapphire eyes. My classmates walked off from the piano as some took their places, knowing that Mrs. E'laine likes to keep order in the classroom.
The mystery lady fully stood tall- quite literally- next to her as class began. "Before I begin, I'd like you all to meet Miss. Clara", Mrs. E'laine announced, presenting the timid woman,"Why hello there", Miss. Clara waved, as the girls greeted in return. "She's going to be your substitute teacher rest of the semester", Mrs. E'laine introduced the woman, who gave a kind smile as her raven black eyes shimmered, " As of right now I am teaching her the ropes on how we run our Spring Pop show and-".
The announcements continued as Jada leaned over towards me, "Y'know she's very tall for a young woman", she whispered never looking away from Miss.Clara,who wore a Betty Boop face as she listened along with Mrs.E'laine.
Although, there was something off with her… maybe it was how she carried as if she was from the older era my great-grandparents grew up in, seeing that she would adjust the pearls around her neck that contrasted her cream-colored button up shirt, "Wouldn't it be silly that Miss.Clara looks like your character that you doodle in your music sheet?", Jada whispered, chuckling. I glanced down at the song sheet I had pulled out for Today's rehearsal, black and white doodles of Siren printed all around the pages, same eyes and bobbed hair and everything! "No way!", I gasped.
"My girls", Mrs. E'laine called on us, her eyebrows furrowed, "Is there something you'd like to share with the class?", she said sternly. All eyes stared back at us as Mrs. E'laine wanted an immediate answer.
Jada stuttered, attempting to string up an excuse but her words failed as a squeak echoed from her mouth. I quickly improvised, "We're just excited about the pop show, is all", was all I could blurt out. Some of the girls giggled, including Miss.Clara who hid her smile behind her manicured hand. Our teacher furrowed her eyebrows before her eyes widen, "Oh that reminds me", Mrs.E'laine begins, " We have an open slot for our acts in the showcase due to a last minute drop out; If you girls are interested in auditioning see me after class".
Rehearsal went by real fast before I knew it, we ran out of time as the bell rang. My classmates had already bolted for the door, as Mrs.E'laine advised us to keep practicing as our rehearsal is a week before spring break. Jada waited by the door as I walked by the piano, noticing the flyer. I usually wouldn't care for auditioning but a chance to perform? Who wouldn't take the chance?
"Something catch your eye, Dearest?", Miss. Clara noticed my interest, as she looked down. My god-she's more taller up close, My sea-glass color eyes widen, feeling an instant chill shoot down my spine. She looked so sweet from far away but now she looks almost intimidating and…scary.
"Im terribly sorry", Miss. Clara shifted, her height so she was at eye-level, " I don't mean to frighten you. I am rather tall for my age", she rubbed the back of her neck, sheepish.
I wave my hands, frantic," Ah No no, I was just looking at the flyer is all; Mrs. E'laine had it up for a while". The woman turned her head to the paper, her lips curved upward, "Ah yes, the act for your concert", Miss. Clara sighs, " There's already a couple of contenders, Would you be interested in auditioning, darling?".
This could be my chance! I can be cool like the other girls and maybe the others can see that im more than a nerd but questions arose in my mind, what can I even sing on stage? Should I dress up in costume? I believe Mrs. E'laine said so and what if I get stage frigh-
"Ill tell you this", Miss Clara said, a reassuring smile plastered on her face as she wrote down hall pass, "Think about it and I can see if Mrs. E'laine can squeeze you in, Dearest".
I took the pass and headed for the door; when I entered the hall, I realized that Jada had left long ago for her gym class, Crap I didn't mean to take long, I scolded myself as I headed outside to my quiet area in the school's atrium, beneath the oak wood tree where other kids sat. The only area that surprisingly didn't trigger my asthma. I allowed my shoulders to relax as I took out my lunch, MP3 player and sketchbook. As much as id like a group to hangout with, Id prefer my own thoughts
While I was finishing my sketch piece of Siren from the previous day, Miss. Clara's face kept flashing in my head. Its as if my own drawing looked like an exact replica; bobbed wavy hair, vintage clothes and makeup. Its probably a coincidence or reincarnation. I looked back at my hall pass that sat in my homeroom binder, its cursive writing staring back at me.
Tomorrow
Tomorrow, Ill stop by Mrs. E'laine's classroom and sign up for auditions and maybe enlist a troupe for it. Ill talk with Jada afterschool and see if we can come up with an act or duet!
If I had only known taking the offer would unleash a chain of events that I could've said no.