Taking a breath, I threw myself into the scene. I imagined the frustration, the anxiety of that young woman, standing in the chaos of backstage with the pressure mounting on her shoulders. In my mind, I was her, pushed to the edge.
When she discovers the gown is missing, there’s panic in her eyes—but then, she pulls herself together, channeling her anger into a fierce determination. She scours through the leftover fabrics and, with frantic hands, creates a makeshift dress.
The transformation is her rebirth, her step into a fierce world where she has to survive on her own terms.
I could feel every word, every emotion, down to my bones.
As I finished, there was a moment of silence in the room. Then I caught sight of the director and producer’s expressions—impressed, intrigued.
They whispered to each other, nodding as they glanced back at me. A faint smile crept onto my lips. I had given them a glimpse of the heroine’s true spirit, and I could tell they felt it.
After the audition, I walked out, feeling a surge of confidence. But as I stepped into the parking lot, I spotted Linda sitting smugly in her car, her lips curled in a knowing smile.
She looked at me as if she already owned the role, as If my audition had been nothing more than an inconvenience.
I ignored her, refusing to let her taunt get under my skin. Just then, my phone vibrated, and I pulled it from my bag, glancing at the screen. It was Ethan, calling.
“Hey, Ethan,” I answered, trying to keep my voice steady.
His voice was shaking, brimming with excitement. “Sophia! The university acceptance results—they’re out!”
I froze, heart pounding as his words registered. I’d nearly forgotten about my application to the University of British Columbia.
It had been a long shot; my grades hadn’t been ideal, but I’d spent weeks preparing the best application I could, pouring everything I had into the letters and on-site quizzes.
Nearby, Linda and Arman had overheard, their eyes snapping to me. Arman let out a harsh laugh. “Sophia, you’re delusional. Applying to a top school with that ‘pig brain’ of yours? You’ll only embarrass yourself.”
Linda giggled, pressing herself closer to him. “Some people just can’t get anywhere on their own, so they have to ruin things for others,” she whispered, casting me a pitying look.
Arman looked down at her tenderly. “Don’t worry, Linda. I’ll make sure your future shines brighter than anyone’s.”
I blocked out their whispers, focusing on Ethan’s voice, a tremor of nerves catching in my throat. “Well”?
“Great,” I managed to smile, though I could feel the hot tears streaming down my cheeks. Relief and joy mixed into a bittersweet sensation that overwhelmed me.
In the background, I heard a faint voice on the line. “Alpha, did Miss Sophia pass the test?”
Ethan must have been surrounded by warriors from the pack, his calm demeanor now drawing their curiosity.
I knew what they thought of me, the rumors that swirled around about me being a silly girl, uneducated and too focused on things that didn’t matter. But now, even their skepticism couldn’t erase the pride in Ethan’s voice as he answered, “Of course, she’s my sister.”
A hush fell on the other end, and then a murmur of gasps and whispers as Ethan added, “Sophia, you are strong. You did it, and I’m so proud of you.”
His words settled Into my heart like a balm, and I swallowed the lump in my throat, nodding as if he could see me. “Thank you, Ethan. I wouldn’t have gotten here without you believing in me.”
After we ended the call, I found myself surrounded by silent, bitter stares from Linda and Arman in the car.
Their faces contorted in a mix of confusion and resentment. Linda crossed her arms, her lips twisting as she muttered, “How could she possibly get into a school that good?”
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: After I left, the twin Alphas went crazy