was just in a bad mood or something.I now found myself riding back to school, compelled to see if I had actually gotten a part.As I walked into the school, I saw a small group of kids loitering around a piece of paper by the door that led to the gymnasium. This was it. I stepped toward it, muttering "excuse me to a pair of burly eighth-grade girls who looked quite disgusted. I scanned down the list, looking for my name, and I was surprised when I found it to be matched up with the role of Widow Corney. I then saw the short message at the bottom of the paper. "The first rehearsal will be in the gym. Please bring a water bottle and a pencil! See you there!"In the weeks that followed, I learned that this role was quite demanding, and that a few of the other students were resentful because I was playing a character that, "clearly should be played by an older and more experienced actor," as one of the prima donnas from the seventh grade put it. I didn't care, but it was a bit unnerving to only be in sixth grade and be acting with eighth graders who had been practically born onstage. I tried hard to do well though, mainly because the directors had so much faith in me. One of them had told me that she had put me in the role of Widow Corney because she "knew I could handle it." I just blinked at her and went on memorizing lines. I worked tirelessly for the whole school year, singing, rehearsing, and even working with the set crew whenever I had a chance.After school, I would quietly walk into the gymnasium, the platforms and tables still set up from the last rehearsal. Sometimes I would practice singing, do my homework, or recite lines. Eventually, I came to enjoy coming to rehearsal, and I would frequently show up early, just so I could get away from home. The gymnasium of the elementary school became my place to hang out, even if I wasn't in rehearsal. It was a place that I could be anyone, or do anything. Or if I wanted to...
