Roam by C. H. Armstrong

Author:C. H. Armstrong [Armstrong, C. H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Central Avenue Publishing
Published: 2019-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

ZACH LEADS ME through the main door of a nearly packed auditorium. I had no idea there would be so many people, and I trip over my own feet and nearly fall to the floor.

“Whoa!” He catches me and pulls me close. “You okay?”

I breathe in the woodsy scent of his cologne and it calms me. “Yeah. I’m—don’t these people have class or… something better to do?”

“Breathe, Abs.” He places an arm around me and leads me to a seat next to Josh.

I collapse into the seat and he takes the open chair on my other side. His palm covers my clenched fists, gently opening one before weaving his fingers between mine. My eyes meet his at the same moment he brings our hands to his lips and kisses my knuckles.

“Close your eyes and tune out everything but you and me and the song you’re going to sing,” he says.

I follow his direction and take deep, relaxing breaths. When my heart rate slows, I turn my attention back to him.

“You ready now?” he asks.

I swallow the knot in my throat and nod.

There are seven auditions in the lineup, and I’m third on the schedule. Though I want to be polite and give the others my attention, I can’t. The more I focus on my turn, the more my stomach revolts. I close my eyes again and concentrate on my breathing until I’ve blocked out everything around me.

Zach’s hand squeezes mine and my eyes flash open. He smiles, his expression encouraging. “You’re up, Abs.”

“Abby Lunde?” Mrs. Miner says, clearly not for the first time.

Panic charges through me and my heart pounds so hard I think it’s going to break a rib. I can’t do this!

“Hey.” Zach squeezes my hand again. “You’ve got this. Just go up there and do what you’ve practiced.”

“I can’t,” I whisper. “There’re too many people.”

“Close your eyes and pretend they’re not here. Or pretend you’re standing in my room. You can do it—I have faith in you.”

Josh squeezes my shoulder. “C’mon, Ariel. You’ve got this.”

I blow out a breath. “Okay—you guys are right. I’ve got this.”

Leaving Zach and Josh behind, I throw my shoulders back and meet Mrs. Miner onstage.

“Are you ready?” Her smile is welcoming.

I shake my head. “No, but here goes nothing.”

I scan the audience for faces I recognize. Scott walks in and makes his way toward Zach, taking the seat I vacated. Standing together behind the back row are Mr. Thompson and my school counselor, Ms. Raven. Mr. Thompson winks and throws me a thumbs-up.

I grip the microphone in both hands. My body shakes and I’ve forgotten the words to the song. I stand there as silence echoes throughout the room. A titter of giggles reaches me from somewhere offstage and I swallow hard. I can’t move.

“I’m sorry. I—” What started as barely more than a whisper drifts to nothing as my throat dries up and refuses to release another sound. I stand there, alone, wishing I could be anywhere else.

“Take your time,” Mrs. Miner encourages.

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