//------------------------------// // A short Breather // Story: A Stellar Performance // by AppleJTZ //------------------------------// For the majority of the year the theatre of Crystal Prep Academy was an empty and desolated hall, only occasionally occupied by the theatre group. On this night however it had turned into one of the liveliest places in all of the school, overflowing with visitors of various age. Most of the seats were already taken, and as people still streamed through the entrance it was to be expected the empty chairs would soon be occupied as well. The noise of casual banter was filling the theatre. Not much attention was put towards the stage, for it was mostly hidden behind a pair of red curtains. Where the curtains met the thick fabric then rustled slightly. The head of a girl poked out between them, taking a glance at the audience. Her eyes scanned the ranks from the bottom to the top, the look on her face becoming increasingly uncomfortable. Behind her on the stage things were rather busy. Various members of the theatre group were preparing the properties, setting up the spotlights or taking a last peek into their script. Most actors were already in their costumes, while others dashed to the changing rooms or put on their outfits hastily on the stage. The air was filled with tension, everybody moving and talking hectically and in a rather stressed manner. Nobody really took notice of each other, especially of the girl looking out through the curtains. Only one other girl was watching her, apparently in worry. “Everything okay, Sunny?” Sour asked, approaching her. Still poking her head out Sunny gulped. “So many… people” she brought out. “I-I didn’t realize how many seats this theatre really has.” Her fingers tightly clenched the fabric of the curtain. Once more her gaze went over the rows, staring at the countless visitors occupying them. The seats were filled mostly filled by students, teachers, parents… “Oh my gosh!” she suddenly screamed, quickly pulling her head back. “What?” Sour asked, taking a peek through the curtains. With her right index finger Sunny pointed at a man sitting in the first row. “That’s the reporter from the newspaper!” she told Sour. “He will write a critic about the play - including our part!” Closing the curtain Sunny took a step back, the blue hue of her face becoming even paler. “Ugh… I suddenly don’t feel very well” she mumbled, holding her stomach. “M-maybe we should have just gone straight to detention…” She then felt a pair of hands gently a embracing her own. Sunny looked up at Sour, right at her comforting smile. Blushing Sunny smiled back. “Sorry” she muttered. “I’m getting all jittery here, yet I’m not even going to be on the stage.” Sour waved it off. “It’s alright” she assured her. “And if it helps, I don’t think at least the students will really pay so much attention to the play.” As Sunny was giving her a slightly puzzled look Sour opened the curtain pointed at a spot where a lot of students were sitting. Looking more closely at them Sunny then noticed almost all of them, if not everybody had books or notebooks lying on their laps, some scribbling around with pens in the pages. Furrowing her brows Sunny looked at them in confusion. “Did they bring something to read in case the play will be boring?” she asked, making Sour chuckle. “They would be playing around with their smartphones if they were bored” she said while letting for of the curtain. “Most of them are probably either learning for tests or doing homework.” Sunny raised an eye-brow. “They’re doing schoolwork while watching a theatre play?” she asked, crossing her arms. “That’s kind of pathetic.” “Then what do you call doing schoolwork while performing a play?” a fast-paced voice asked them from behind. Sour and Sunny turned around to see Sugarcoat standing behind them, pointing with her thumb to the edge of the stage. Indigo and Lemon were sitting on a crate, the latter reading a history book while the former was solving math homework with the notebook on her lap. “Anybody know the root of 274?” she asked, scratching her head with her pen. Sunny rolled her eyes, before the growing unrest on the stage made her realize the time. “You can do that after the play is over!” she hastily told them, taking a few steps away as she turned towards her actors. “Quick, the curtain will rise in a few minutes – change into your costumes and get ready!” All four of them nodded. Putting their books down Indigo and Lemon headed for the changing rooms, followed by Sugarcoat. Sunny watched them go, a look of concern in her eyes. “I hope they won’t get stage fright” she murmured. Sour put a hand on Sunny's shoulder. “Don’t worry” she comforted her. “Indigo is used to people watching her from all her sports, and I doubt Sugarcoat or Lemon really care about being watched by a bunch of strangers.” Sunny looked a little skeptical at Sour. “And what about you?” she asked. Walking backwards Sour headed for the changing rooms. “Oh, you know me” she chirped at Sunny. “I’ll just put on a big smile - and hope nobody notices how much my knees are shaking.” She winked at Sunny, before turning around and running after the others. Sunny looked after, chuckling. Butterflies were still going crazy in her stomach, but she did feel like some of the pressure had been lifted off her shoulders. “Um, excuse me!” somebody suddenly called besides her, sounding rather unfriendly. Startled Sunny turned her head, seeing one of the actors throwing a furious glance at her. He was wearing a large pointy hat on top of his head, while a long cape resembling the starry night sky was flowing from his shoulders. From his face an incredible beard was hanging down his body. Sunny’s gaze followed it down to the ground, the fake hairs curling up in front his feet towards her, until her eyes eventually landed at her own feet. With a sheepish grin she stepped off his beard. “Sorry, Star Swirl” she quickly apologized, before rushing off the stage. The boy looked after her, the anger in his face having turned into surprise. Another actor approached him, with a smug grin on his lips. “What’s that face for?” he asked, putting his hands on his hips. “Finally realized the main role is too much for you?” Ignoring the insult he pointed with his finger towards Sunny. “That girl just stepped on my beard.” “So what?” “She said she was sorry” he replied, both boys looking in bewilderment after her.