“Floris, they’re ready for you.”

I nodded and took a deep breath, my lines running circles in my head as I walked out to the stage.

10

I stepped up to the microphone and gave a smile to the judges.

“Hello, I am Floris Jansen and I am auditioning for Prior Walters.”

“Alright, we’re ready when you are.”

9

I took a deep breath and when I went to speak nothing came out. My thoughts had stopped running, they had come to a complete halt. I didn’t know what to do.

8

My thoughts started to pace as sweat started to slowly drip down my face, I wanted to run i wanted to hide.

“Floris? Whenever you’re ready.”

7

I took another deep breath, searching for the lines that never came. My knees started shaking, my chest got heavy as my head got lighter.

6

I could feel the judges eyes burning into my soul. I kept my mouth open as I tried my hardest to form words. I started trying to talk, hoping my brain would fill in the blanks but it didn’t happen.

5

My head started getting light and my vision got blurry as I looked out at the judges. Some giving me unimpressed looks and some looking worried as if something might go wrong.

4

My heartbeat got faster, my breathing quickened.

3

I didn’t know what to do. I was frozen I couldn’t move a muscle.

2

I was so excited for this role, this had been my dream since I was young.

1

I couldn’t take it anymore, my heart hurt, my head ached, my legs felt too weak to hold me.

0

I collapsed.

…

Darkness.

…

No more embarrassment.

No more nothing.