It was the start of the Spring semester of my sophomore year in college, and I really wasn’t looking forward to being back here this soon.
I walked towards the Student Life Center building on this windy and cold Tuesday afternoon. My morning classes were easy enough for me to get by these next couple of weeks of the semester. Currently, it’s club hours on campus, which means the welcome-back show is happening later tonight.
I walked into the backstage area of the theater lab, putting my bookbag down in a chair. A bunch of other students are back here getting ready for the show as well.
“Alright, everyone,” the director of the event walked in and announced. “The show starts in 10 minutes; you guys can have a seat at the front table reserved for you all.” Everyone starts to walk out while I get my equipment together. My phone rings in my pocket. I take it out to see that it’s Kalia.
“Hey, babe,” I said, gathering everything I needed. “Are you close by?”
“Micah,” Kalia finally said; she spoke as if something was wrong.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, standing in place as I waited for Kalia’s answer. She simply sighed over the phone.
“Micah, I’m not going to be able to make it,” Kalia confessed, ripping the band-aid quickly. “Something came up.”
“Are you serious?” I spat back, annoyed. “I thought you were off work while you stayed here.”
“I am, but my father just booked me an exclusive interview with TDLR,” Kalia explained. “It will be my first solo interview about the upcoming movie.” I looked up after hearing the director once again tell us it was time to go out front.
“Whatever, Kal,” I answered back, not wanting to get into this with her. She didn’t get the hint.
“Micah, I’m sorry,” Kalia tried to apologize. “If I didn’t think this was important, I wouldn’t have done it.” The director of Student Life calls out for us one last time before the show begins.
“I gotta go; I’ll talk to you later,” I said, hanging up the phone. I should be used to this coming from Kalia, but every time she does it, it hurts me even more than the previous time. I put my phone in my pocket and begin to walk out of the room, towards the front of the stage.
…
“Alright, give it up for Tyler Stevens,” The host said, and the audience began to applaud. “Next on stage is Natasha Wellington, a sophomore here at the college majoring in Computer Science! When she’s not dissecting code in the computer lab, she’s spitting bars at the local poetry cafe on Terrance Avenue. Show her some love, y’all!” As the next performer walks on stage, I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. I take it out and look at the screen; it’s a message from Kalia.
Kalia: Call me when you can, please.
I quickly get up from my seat and exit the lounge area, immediately dialing Kalia’s number. It doesn’t take long for her to pick up the phone. “Micah?” Kalia said.
“Kal, is everything okay?” I said, pacing in the hallway with the ear on my phone. “I’m about to perform so–“
“I have to leave tomorrow night,” Kalia finally said. I didn’t say anything after that. I was at a loss for words, even though I had so much to say to her. I should be used to this coming from Kalia, but every time she does it, it hurts me even more than the previous time.
“What do you mean? You just got back; aren’t you on some vacation or something?” I responded back.
“They want us to go on a brief press tour before the premiere this Summer,” Kalia explained. “The promotions have been bigger than what we thought they would be and—“
“Let me get this straight,” I interrupted, getting visibly annoyed now. “They tell you that you’re on this vacation, then one day they want you to come back and promote this stupid movie?”
“It’s not stupid,” Kalia corrected, now defensive. “It’s my first IG role in a feature film, and you’re just going to downgrade it because of something out of my own control?” I looked toward the lounge where the showcase was happening, seeing the same girl still on stage as the audience applauded. “Are you still there?”
“I don’t have time for this,” I simply said. “Congratulations; talk to you whenever you decide to say something that’s not so centered on your damn career.” I hung up the phone and looked around, hoping no one was listening to this dumb conversation. I shook my head, feeling so fucking defeated. I just want to perform and get the fuck out of here.
Before I go back into the showcase, I hear the other door of the lounge open further down the hall. I quickly glanced at who it was; to my surprise, it was Rosie.
“Prescott, I’ll call you when the show is done; I told you I was here to support a friend,” she said to her phone. I should be used to this coming from Rosie, but every time she does that, it pisses home off even more than the previous time. Rosie is a smart girl, so why would she be so stupid to go back to Prescott? Like, is the dick that good?
She hangs up for phone and sighs loudly. She looks over at my direction and now we’re finally looking at each other. She takes a moment before she goes back into the student lounge; I do the same and go back to my seat.
”Alright, give it up for Natasha, y’all!” The host said as the audience cheered. “Up next is Micah Kamalani, a sophomore majoring in Music Production! When he’s not guest DJing at our very own radio station, he’s at the Oxygen Lounge showing off his talent as ‘Salem’. Give it up for Micah, y’all!” The audience applauded as I went onto the stage and I instantly smiled. No matter what stage I’m on, I know I belong on it one way or another.
“What’s up, Crove Creek!” I greeted the audience on the microphone. They respond with cheers and claps as I nod my head , satisfied with the outcome. “Now that’s what I like to hear. I hope everyone is having a smooth start to the Spring semester! In the meantime, lemme out you onto some new music I’ve been working on during the winter break. Of course, if you like what you hear, check out our very own school radio station every Thursday during club hours!” I look around the audience and notice Rosie all the way in the back. It pisses me off that she’s just scrolling mindlessly on her phone, but I try not to make a big deal out of it. “Tonight, ima play you guys something I think resonates with a lot of our young women still finding themselves. Sometimes they think their value comes to from the validation of a man, which fellas, if you’re not telling your girl that she’s the shit, then you ain’t shit,” I said, looking directly at Rosie, locking eyes. “This one is called “21st Century It Girl.”
The music starts and immediately the audience vibes with the beat. The fact that they quickly got into the song once I began to sing it made me realize that I don’t think I’ll ever understand why the rest of my family settled with their passion. Sure, teaching what you love to do is one thing, but to be able to be the center of attention as you perform something you worked so hard for is my own personal drug. It’s something I can’t ever get enough of, no matter how much or how long I do it.
I do this because I love it, and I’m genuinely having fun. Maybe that’s why I’m so good at it.
I took a quick glance at Rosie who’s intentionally not paying attention. It pisses me the fuck off. I never did what I’m about to do right now and I don’t know what truly made me do it. I run off the stage and begin dancing along the aisles of the audience. Once I get to the back, I walk to Rosie, dancing and singing to the song.
“Cuz if he’s not shouting this out to the world, lemme say it: you’re the 21st Century It Girl!” I quickly ran back to the stage, not giving Rosie any time to react. Once I turn back around to face the audience, I notice Rosie leaving the lounge through the back door. Well, fuck, that stings.
The song comes to an end and the audience cheers and applauds loudly. Some people stood from their seats as a standing ovation. I smile, feeling the adrenaline run through my veins after performing.
Yet, it immediately drains out from my body once I don’t see Rosie sitting in the back anymore.
Letters From Liz. 