Chapter 53 - Auditions (2)

After three more pairs, Ookashi and Nate were called upon the stage. While Ookashi carried out the scene with elegance, Nate stuttered a little. He wasn't used to this kind of thing and he was only doing it to please Ookashi. The committee was weary by now. They liked Ookashi a lot, but Nate was nowhere close.

Other than Ookashi, they couldn't decide on anyone else to play the lead roles. Because Dmitri and Keisha had come in last, they gave them a chance to audition. They both got up from their seats and walked to the stage. Keisha looked at Adrianna smugly. She held Dmitri's hand and when she noticed that Adrianna had seen it, she squeezed his hand. Adrianna once again diverted her gaze. Since Ookashi had finished, she said, "Ookashi, I have to go. Let me know the results later."

Ookashi smiled and said, "Sure."

Niiya had been busy with the committee people when Adrianna walked out without giving a look at Dmitri. He wasn't hers… She had to shield herself from more heartache…

Just as she had reached the entrance, a voice boomed, "I want to audition with Adrianna."

Adrianna looked back at him with shock in her eyes. He was staring at her intensely.

Keisha's mouth opened as she staggered back. She asked him, "Dmitri, what are you saying?"

He didn't hear her as he continued to look at Adrianna.

Niiya jumped out of his place and scolded him, "Dmitri, it is not your place to force someone to do anything they don't want."

The entire hall fell silent.

"I am sorry, but I am not cut out for this role…" said Adrianna as she once again turned to exit the hall.

"Adrianna!" shouted Nate. He ran to catch her before she exited. "You must try it out. Dmitri thinks he can do it better with you instead of Keisha."

One of the students of the committee agreed, "I think they will make a nice pair. Adrianna, you should give it a try."

Before she knew it, Ookashi was dragging Adrianna to the stage.

Keisha left the stage and walked out of the hall in a huff. Adrianna walked up onto it.

She had to do something before Adrianna took her place…

---

The scene involved lovers separating from each other. Although Adrianna was being given prompts from backstage, she couldn't execute them perfectly. All of her attention was on Dmitri who was standing close to her and explaining that he had to leave as he had been called to fight a war for his country.

Dmitri softly lined the contours of her face as he inched his face close to her. He leaned upon her and whispered, "Don't cry when I am gone."

Adrianna gulped. She was so captivated by his charm that she forgot to breathe. The attraction was driving her crazy.

The scene was short and it ended within ten minutes, leaving all the judges and the students present in the hall totally mesmerized. Dmitri had become an instant hit. Adrianna, on the other hand, was flushed. She ran down the stage, picked up her bag, and exited the main hall. Dmitri's gaze followed her actions as his lips curled up. All the girls in the hall were already swooning over him.

When Adrianna exited, she hurriedly walked towards the chemistry wing. Her adrenaline rush wasn't settling. She found a secluded bench in the gardens and sat there to settle her feelings.

"Adrianna, I have an important message for you," called Pryce from behind.

Adrianna was so preoccupied in her thoughts that she jumped. She looked at Pryce questioningly. Pryce took out an envelope from her bag, handed it to Adrianna, and left without saying another word.

Adrianna opened the envelope. It was a message from Keisha.

[I would like to meet you in the woods outside the college campus. I want to settle something with you. Meet me at 4PM after college ends.]

Adrianna smirked. She knew what Keisha wanted to talk about, and thought that it would be better if she settled it once and for all.