A Diamond in You

Gasping, she turned around the corner. She was going to be late. Again. Heaving a deep breath, she began to jog, every so often raising her wrist to check the time. Two minutes late, three, oh boy, five minutes late! Mr. Werscher was going to be furious! She began to slow down as she reached her destination. Before pulling the red metal doors open, the girl tucked her wild hair behind her ears, and took a quick, refreshing breath. With a slight ‘click’ the doors opened. She heard the loud chatter of students.
“Alaya! Late? Again?” Mr. Werscher bellowed red in the face.
“I’m sorry sir, I missed the bus!” Alaya whimpered in her defense.
“Late for that too.” Mr. Werscher mumbled. Alaya narrowed her eyes and glared at the fat man. “Alright everybody, get to your places, and this time, try to keep your lines memorized, and no giggling, Trisha, no fooling around, Charles, and say your lines on your queue, and on time.” Mr. Werscher added, glancing at Alaya. Alaya responded by crossing her arms, and pretending not to hear him. “Okay. From the top.” Everyone began to scramble to their spots. Alaya went backstage with another half-dozen students. She spotted her friend Myra amongst them.
“Hi Myra.” Alaya waved.
“Alaya!” Myra whispered. Then, in a more serious tone, “You were late again.” Alaya flushed red. Mr. Werscher made everything so public!
“Oh well, what does it matter? Drama club would be flop without your talent!” Myra giggled lightly punching Alaya on her arm. Alaya soaked in the compliments. Indeed it was true; Alaya was quite a talented actress. She could play out any role. So far, she had been a mermaid, a witch, a lion, and a detective. All of these roles were prominent. Her talent was never curtained. Even this time, she was playing Miriam, the main character in this crime-play. Myra on the other hand, was simply in charge of the curtains. She wasn’t much of an actress. They both waited for the narrator to read out the beginning lines, and as soon as she was finished with her part, Alaya pranced onto the stage.
“Cut.” Mr. Werscher snarled. Alaya stood there, burned by this action. This was the first time in her life, that someone, even a teacher, had called ‘Cut’ on her. “Tell me Alaya, and explain it very carefully, where on this script does it say that you have to ‘dance’ onto the stage? Where?” Alaya stood their insulted, and angry.
“I’m sorry, but I haven’t even started yet.” She reminded the drama teacher.
“No Alaya, I’m sorry, but you started when you walked into this room. As soon as you enter, all of you, understand, that you are no longer yourself, you are your character. Got it?” Heads nodded. “Go ahead and try again.” He added, nodding in Alaya’s direction. She walked off stage grumbling. “And ACTION!” Mr. Werscher screamed. Alaya walked on to stage very slyly. The script insisted that she act as if she were an extremely wanted criminal committing a burglary.
“The diamond is gone!” Alaya gasped, as she pretended to search for something. “How is it possible? Who is it that has gotten the prize, before I, Miriam Willis?”
“Cut.” Mr. Werscher said in a bored voice. Alaya’s blood boiled like water on the sun. “What’s up with the, ‘before I, Miriam Willis’?”
“It’s called adlibbing.” Alaya drawled, trying hard to contain her anger.
“I know what it’s called, but, guess what? I don’t like it. From the top. Again.” Alaya repeated her part, and spoke with clenched teeth. Eventually, the second scene started, and Alaya wasn’t in it till the end. From behind the curtain, Alaya watched, as the cops, who were acting terribly, got by without a single ‘cut’. In fact, they received a round of applause for their act. It was Alaya’s turn again, and she got three cuts, for one line. Unbelievable. Finally, practice was over.
“Remember, performance is today at eight. And please be on time!” This time, Mr. Werscher didn’t look at Alaya. Good for him, because if he had, he would have gotten daggers.
“The final is tonight?” Alaya gasped. “I completely forgot!”
“Alaya? Do you want a ride with me?” Myra called from across the auditorium.
“No thanks, I’ll walk.”
“It’s fine by me.” Myra shrugged her skinny shoulders, and stepped into her black van. While walking home, Alaya tried to figure out why Mr. Werscher was picking on her so much during class.
I think he hates me… Alaya thought. Yep, I think that’s it. Or rather, he’s jealous of me. I’ll bet he wants to act like me. With that story giving her comfort, Alaya went home to practice for her part.

“Welcome everyone, to the original performance of The Craving Criminal performed by Sibyl Elementary School’s fifth graders. Please turn all cell-phones off, and please don’t talk. Also, please enjoy our performance.” With Mr. Wershcer’s words coming to an end, the lights dimmed, and the play began.
The curtains opened, and the crowd applauded.
The play was a huge success. All the students ran to see their parents and siblings, and as Alaya walked over to her parents, a surge of adults followed.
“Your daughter has a very bright future as an actress.”
“She brought tears to my eyes, that’s how real she made her character.”
“I completely forgot this was a play.”
Alaya’s hands were numb form all the hand-shaking she had done in the past ten minutes. As she turned from the crowd, she saw Mr. Werscher advancing towards her parents.
Oh boy. Alaya worried she had done something wrong on the play. She couldn’t recall. In fact, I followed all the tips he gave me during practice!
“Mr. and Mrs. Harrison!” Mr. Werscher cooed. Alaya narrowed her eyes. Something was wrong. She had never seen him this happy before. “Your daughter was absolutely fabulous.” Alaya’s mouth dropped, and her parents beamed. “I hope you don’t mind my impatience during practice,” Mr. Werscher said turning to Alaya. “It’s just that, when you have one diamond among a truckload of pebbles, you want to polish, and make it shine as much as you can! Don’t you agree?” It was amazing. Finally, Mr. Werscher had acknowledged Alaya’s talent! “Your daughter really is a natural when it comes to acting,” Mr. Werscher smiled patting Alaya on her back. “You should have her go a smite bit more public!” Alaya’s parents turned and grinned at her. Just then, a group of kids came, cheering, talking and laughing, and dragged the drama teacher away.
On her way home, Alaya couldn’t help thinking of what Mr. Werscher had said earlier. It’s just that, when you have one diamond among a truckload of pebbles, you want to polish, and make it shine as much as you can! Wow! I’m a diamond! Alaya thought, I really am a diamond!