I awoke with a large gasp. Sitting up abruptly, I grabbed my chest as if I had just surfaced from being drowned. There were concerned faces looking down at me, and I realized I had been laying on the floor. But it was not just a floor I had been laying on, it was a stage. As I wobbled my way up, my eyes beheld a sight that they thought they would never get to see: a crowd, all supportively looking and listening to me.

The stage crew, no sooner after my personal realization, grabbed my arms gently and led me backstage. They took me to a quiet room and shut the door. Once I knew I was alone, I took the time to study where I was. The room was tiny, but it appeared to be more of a dressing room rather than one you’re supposed to sleep in.

The dressing room had a couch, a tv, and it had a stand with a mirror mounted on the wall. But most importantly, it had a glass of water on the stand that I desperately and so suddenly realized I needed more than anything.

I practically ran to the glass of water, but something stopped me in my tracks; my reflection was not my reflection. It was a strange looking woman. She wore red glasses and had her hair tied in a bun. She had brown colored hair, and a tan pantsuit on. She looked like somebody important, somebody people cared about.

Confused and still dehydrated, I searched for more clues on who this person could be. That’s when I saw the magazine on the couch. It was her! But this couldn’t be right. This women, however important, was a well know philosopher. She poses gracefully on the cover of the magazine, and I notice that there’s an article inside. It reads:

“Mayah Floy, a most intelligent, wise, dignified, and well spoken women, will be speaking on November 3 inside the Descola Theater. If you’ve ever wondered about the meaning of life and are lost on what we are supposed to live for, come on down at 8pm for a heart to heart with Miss Floy, the most famous philosopher of our time.”

This couldn’t be right. This isn’t me! I’m supposed to be living in my parents basement! I’m supposed to be eating junk food and strictly obsessing over what I’m going to wear to school tomorrow! I don’t know anything about the meaning of life!

Suddenly, a tall figure walks in my dressing room and hands me a cool towel. He speaks to me as if I am some sort of goddess. As if I am someone important.

“I know you’re nervous, Mayah,” he spoke. “I get that this has been haunting you all week and would understand if you wanted to cancel the speaking, but I want you to hear me out. Those people out there came for a reason. Some showed up to get a look at you, some showed up for the food, and some might’ve just shown up because they had nothing else to do tonight.” He jokingly says.

A smile creeps on my face, and he continues.

“But I want you to know that by the end of tonight, they will all be the same. After hearing you speak, they will be mesmerized of the words that come out of your heart. You bring people together and put meaning into their lives when they didn’t even know that was possible. You are the only one who can help these people find what’s really important in life. And trust me, I’ve tried to do it too, but I’ve realized that only you have that gift. Just you. No one else.”

I had nothing to say. I could only look into his eyes and realize that I was here for a reason. Whether I was chosen for some unknown destiny, or simply because some god out there was bored, I was going to change lives. I was going to go out there and tell them the words that have been stuck in my heart my whole life. And I could only hope that they listen and paint a meaning in their minds. I can only hope, that after I speak, they finally understand that each and every one of them is meant to be here.

I stand up as confident as I have ever been and begin walking towards the stage once more.