But not as much as the backflip I saved for the final move.

Yeah, that’s right, Greenville. I can backflip.

After that I went right into my monologue, which I switched up as well. I did Romeo’s monologue from Romeo and Juliet. Why that was in my brain, I don’t know. But “But soft, what light from yonder window breaks,” just seemed like a legit follow-up to Gloria Gaynor.

The whole thing was like this beautiful carousel ride. I didn’t have to think at all. I just let everything come out. I was completely and totally me in Greenville.

Miracle.

Mr. Davidson’s applause boomed out over the auditorium again as I blinked and realized it was over. “Very nice, Anne. Very interesting choices. Bravo!” He looked at his notes. “Gilly? You’re up next.”

I floated off the stage like a tiny disco cloud, bumping into Gilly on my way up.

“You were awesome,” she said quietly.

“Thanks.” I beamed. “Break a leg!”

Gilly looked really nervous. On the stage, she shifted around like she was trying to get out of the light.

“I’m going to, um, also read, um, a scene from, um, Romeo and Juliet. The Juliet part. I’m not singing. Because I don’t want to sing. If that’s okay.”

“Sounds good.” Mr. Davidson nodded. “Whenever you’re ready.”

She turned her face away from the light. And let out a long sigh as she tilted her head. She clasped her hands together. Then she closed her eyes and lifted her chin. “O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?”

There was something about her, standing in the spotlight. Maybe because Gilly was always turning her head away, or looking down, there was something about seeing her whole face lit up. Like she was suddenly there. Like I could see how scared she was, but she was hanging in there.

Like how Juliet is standing there, hoping for this impossible thing to happen in the play. Even if that thing she hopes will happen will be the end of a part of her that used to feel safe.

It was really good!

I leaned forward in my seat.

Her hands fluttered by her sides till she held them together. Like she was steadying a creature. Her voice trembled, but her eyes were wide and searching.

And then, I could swear, she looked right at me.

“Romeo, doff thy name, and for that name, which is no part of thee, Take all myself.”

I mean. Maybe because we were doing two parts from the same play? Or?

But, yeah, I’m 99 percent sure she looked right at me. But then she looked up across the field of seats, and suddenly I was having a heart attack?

“Lovely!” Mr. Davidson hollered when Gilly lowered her head on her last line. “Just lovely, Gilly. Thank you.”