𝙳𝚊𝚠𝚗'𝚜 𝙿𝙾𝚅:

"Are you okay, Dawn?" Chloe asked, squeezing my hand.
I realised I had zoned out, but once I snapped back into reality, I saw Chloe looking at me with a concerned expression.
That's when I remembered everything...

The day started off with me waking up to the sound of my blue budgee named Piplup squawking. I sat up straight and looked over to see Chloe was using her pillow to cover her ears from the irritating, which made me giggle.
So I got up from the mattress and got some bird food before giving it to Piplup. Once he was finished eating, he tweeted with satisfaction and then flew out from his cage to give me a nuzzle, which was cute.
I dragged my girlfriend out of bed, and we headed into the living room, only to find that for once, we were the ones to wake up early. I sat her down and then got a Pepsi and Coca-Cola from the fridge for us.
We sat down and watched TV for a while until we saw the bedroom next door to ours open and find Ash slump out, looking very tired.
"I don't want to go to work today!" He whined and then sat down on the couch beside me.
"Come on, it won't be that bad!" I tried to motivate him.
"Uhhhh, but Jimmy is making my life a living hell!" Ash complained, "He's so paranoid about me stealing his girlfriend, and I can't work up the courage to tell him I'm dating a boy!"
After that, Goh walked out, and he looked a lot more cheery than his boyfriend did. With a smile, he walked over into the kitchen and began making himself a cup of tea.
"Hey Goh, do you have a job yet?" Chloe called.
Goh came back with his red mug and then sat beside her.
"Yeah, I do! Today is my first day working at a zoo nearby! I can't wait to see all of the animals there!" Goh replied, his voice full of energy.
"Wow, I guess it's just me who doesn't have a job yet..." Chloe sighed and slumped back into the couch.
"Well, I technically don't have one yet!" I said.
"What do you mean 'technically?'" She asked, using air quotes.
I can't believe I had forgotten to tell her all about it!
"Well, there is a theatre school nearby training young adults that have a talent for acting how to get by in show business, and I managed to be accepted into it!" I announced.
Chloe gasped and then wrapped her arms around me and squeezed me tight.
"Really? That's incredible!" Chloe exclaimed.
"Awww, thanks!" I replied, now blushing.
But then my girlfriend sighed again.
"But it just means I'll be stuck here all alone until I find a job,"
"Know it doesn't, you can come with me!" I suggested, "I could use the extra support!"
"Really?" She asked.
"Yes!" I responded.
So with that, we watched a little TV together until it was time for all of us yo go to our respective jobs. Once we were out of the flat, I unlocked my Renault Clio and me and my maroon haired girlfriend and I got in.
We clipped in out seatbelts, and then I started driving. As I did, I started to think of what my life might be like in the future..
One day, I could be so good as an actress that I can star in so many movies and become a famous actress. And then I could live a really big mansion (that Ash has always wanted) in Hollywood and we could all live together. Happily ever after...
But then, what would happen if I didn't get far at this acting school? I've already dissapointed my mom enough, but then maybe I would end up dissapointing my friends too. Maybe Chloe would leave me...
"Hey Dawn, are you okay?" I heard a voice asked.
I snapped back into reality and looked to my side. Chloe was staring at me with her beautiful green eyes, but she had a concerned look on her face.
"Oh don't worry, I'm fine!" I reassured her, although I did feel bad that I was now lying to her.
"Are you sure?" She asked again.
"Honestly, there is no need to worry!" I replied, and then began to focuse on driving again.
'No need to worry' is kind of my catchphrase at this point. I've said it all my life to help encourage my friends who have been struggling, but I've realised that whenever I told people that about myself, I've always been lying.
I know I seem like a very happy-go-lucky girl, but I do have a lot of problems of my own. I usually tell Chloe about them, like my issues with my mom, but I've never told her how I am being bullied...
And there goes me zoning out again! Luckily, my girlfriend didn't notice and we had now arrived in front of the theatre school.
She looked so excited, even though she wouldn't be attending. It made me smile nevertheless.
We unclipped our seatbelts and got out of the car. And as I did stare up at that big building towering over me again, my nerves began to kick in again.
But Chloe was still smiling, and I didn't want to dissapoint her, so I smiled too, and so we walked through the doors together.
We walked up to the reception and waited until the lady had finished talking on her phone.
"Hello there, what is your name?" She asked, putting her phone down.
"Dawn, Dawn Berlitz!" I answered.
"Ah yes, Dawn Berlitz! I hear you are quite a talented individual!" She replied.
"Oh really?" I questioned, my face going red with embrassment.
"Yeah! My name is Marian, and I used to be a actress and was originally this theatre school's director!" Marian replied, and then mumbled, "Until they demoted me..."
Me and Chloe burst out laughing, and that's when Marian noticed her.
"Oh, are you on my list too?" She asked.
"No, I'm just here because my beautiful girlfriend wanted some extra support!" My girlfriend responded, nudging me playfully.
"Awwww that's so sweet, you two can go on through to the stage now!" The receptionist replied.
We nodded and then began walking down the hallway and to the stage. But as we did so, I began to squeeze her hand very tightly.
I knew who would be waiting for me...
I got onto stage but I knew Chloe couldn't come on with me so she stayed behind the curtains, cheering me on. I looked around to see I recognised a few of the people on stage.
I recognised Nando, he was a very wise friend and even though I only knew him for a little while because he was quite a few years older than me, I knew he was a talented musician. But someone I was very excited to see, was Kenny!
We had been friends since kindergarten, and even though we haven't seen each other in years because the last time I saw him was back when we went to the same elementary school, I would still like to think we are close. So I ran over to him.
"Hey Kenny!" I called.
He turned around and looked shocked to see me.
"Dawn, is that you?" He asked.
"Yeah it is!" I replied.
We both then wrapped our arms around each other and had a tight hug.
"What are you doing here?" He asked.
"Training to be a famous actress!" I responded, putting my hands on my hips with pride, "What about you?"
"Same sort of thing," He replied.
We started chatting about random things for a while until he looked over and noticed Chloe.
"Who is that behind the curtains?" He asked.
I turned around to see my girlfriend, and I smiled because I missed her despite how very little time we have been apart.
"That's Chloe, my girlfriend!" I answered.
"You like girls?" He asked.
I nodded and smiled nervously, hoping he would accept me.
"Awesome! I've always wanted a gay best friend!" He replied, nudging my shoulder playfully.
"Bi, actually!" I corrected him, but still laughed anyway.
Just after that, I heard a loud voice and everyone went silent. I turned towards the audience seats to see a man sitting in a director's chair with a megaphone.
"Hello there young adults, my name is Mr. Contesta and I am your director!" He spoke using the megaphone, "Please line up horizontally across the stage!"
We did as he said and as we did, I could see that Ursula was here...
Ursula is a bully I have had ever since elementary school and everywhere I go, I am always reminded of her in some way. She used to beat me up, called me names, it even went so far that I started dieting because she kept on calling me fat, and I still do to this day...
After I started going to different schools from her, she managed to get my number and would leave nasty voicemails and messages. And later on when I went viral on TikTok, she found my account and started stalking me and even doxxed me, which then led to me deciding to move in with Chloe and the others.
Anyway, we listen to what he had to say and it turned out that next, we would be auditioning for the theatre school's version of Romeo and Juliet. I wanted to be Juliet, and also wanted to tell Chloe I wouldn't cheat on her for my Romeo.
So, we headed backstage to the dressing rooms. But before I could enter, I felt a hand on my shoulder and purple fake nails dig into my shoulder.
"Well look, if it isn't Dee Dee!" Ursula called.
"Hello... Ursula..." I mumbled, not wanting to turn around and look at her, but she spun me around anyway.
I could see why she is such a star on TikTok because she has shiny, ginger hair that she wears in the most unique set of ponytails.
"And how have you been?" She asked.
"Fine," I replied.
"It looks like you've been losing weight!" She commented, poking at my stomach, "But you are still never going to be as skinny as me!"
"Sure..." I mumbled.
"Anyway, I'm going to leave you alone for now, but don't forget that after the auditions are over, you'll have a beating stronger than the past ones!" Ursula said.
I nodded but before I could turn away, she pushed me into the changing room I wanted to go, and then locked the door. I started crying because this all brought back traumatic flashbacks from the stuff she did when we were younger.
After sobbing for a while, I put on the dress that had been picked out for me and then had to slide under the cubicle door because the door lock only worked from one side and not the other.
When I was done, I found Chloe still standing by the red curtains so I charged into her, hugging tightly.
After remembering all of this, I snapped back into reality...

"I-i-i..." I stuttered, not being able to get the word out and more tears falling down my cheeks.
"It's okay, take your time!" She reassured me.
After a few minutes, the tears were gone and I was ready to speak again, but the words that came out of my mouth didn't end up being what I had wanted to say.
"Could you please stay by my side while I audition?"
"Are you sure?" Chloe asked, "I don't really want to embrass you in front of people who could become great friends to you..."
"Please, I need the emotional support!" I begged.
"Okay, let's do this!" Chloe exclaimed in a determined voice.
I placed my hand in hers and we walked onto the stage, not knowing what to expect next...