Standing Ovation

The final note of your ridiculous ballad echoes through the auditorium, and for one terrifying second, there's silence. Then the audience erupts. They're on their feet, stomping, whooping, shouting your name like you're a rock star instead of a sweaty seventh-grader in a borrowed cape.

By morning, the local paper calls it "the most original interpretation of The Moon Bandit ever staged." The drama teacher corners you at lunch, eyes gleaming, already pitching next year's show — written specifically for you. Mom just grins. Turns out drama club wasn't so bad after all.