Facing Crossroads

XVII - Becoming Wendy

                                                         Shane

The curtains lifted. The spotlights focused on me and so were the eyes of many people in the auditorium. I suddenly feel like running, questioning why I was here in the first place. Why I felt so vulnerable under the scrutinizing stares of the parents of my school mates, strangers who judged me for who my father was. I knew my mother was sitting somewhere out there, wanting to be present in this kind of events. I just wished Uncle Freddie wasn’t here, though. His presence brought nothing but anxiety on my part, wondering what he was trying to play at. Didn’t he get my message the last time we talked that I did not like him lingering in my life?

Shiver ran down my spine, my heart beating double time. Be it because of the mobster watching me in this play or because of acting the main character for me to pass my Phil. Literature subject- I couldn’t say which one put weight on my shoulder more.

My hair was on big curls and I really liked the fitting of the flowy dress costume I had on. Today I have to be Wendy, a persona Theo created. A character so brave and strong that it made me want to absorb that part of her.

Today I am her. I am Wendy.

The instrumental background music started to flow and I could see Jellaine in my peripheral, signaling that I should now speak out my first line. So I did.

Wendy belonged to a clan of warlords. It was a new era for them, as they recently discovered how to forge a metal sword. The story started when another tribe arrived at their fields to take claim on their territory. They were taken by surprised since the conquerors used magic and killed them all— except for Wendy, who was forced by her father to run.

A century passed by and Wendy turned eighteen. She spent her years practicing sword fight and went back to their former territory. She wanted vengeance and also to stop the black magic of the warlocks, who were starting to spread their power to other clans, corrupting the people. Wendy executed her plan smoothly, earning the trust of Marren, the heir of the warlock's clan, and he fell in love with her.

Soon, she was recognized as an important traveler. At the sight of the first full moon, Wendy slit the tribe leader’s throat and Marren witnessed what she did.

Enraged, he cast a magic to her, lifting her in the air.

“My sword is not just a sword. It will free you from your black magic!” Wendy uttered, clutching her obsidian sword.

Marren looked betrayed. “I trusted you. I loved you!”

Wendy tried to be free from the invisible chains but failed. “Your family killed my family! What I did is my love for them.”

“I can’t believe you,” Marren whispered, eyes full of tears. “It is all a lie. All your love promises!”

Wendy flailed her hand and swung her obsidian sword, slashing her wrist, knowing there was an invisible chain binding her. When finally freed, she threw herself at Marren, pinning him to the ground.

“I have loved you,” Wendy uttered, sword pointed right at Marren’s throat.

“Lies!”

Wendy shook her head. “I have to choose. I have to cut the black magic you have. I have to free you from this. To free us from all of this.”

Closing her eyes, Wendy struck her obsidian sword to his throat. Black smoke emerged, making him nothing but ashes. After that, Wendy walked away, finally finishing her mission. She would take another road, far from that life.

****

Jellaine looked elated when I ran into her, her arms wide open. “You did great!”

Hugging her, I whispered a thank you.

“We did it,” she said, still sounded excited. “We really did it!” I shook my head, still holding J’s hand. “I almost forgot my lines in the end. That jump scared me!”

Kevin, who played the character of Marren, bounced into us at the backstage, embracing me. “Look at you, getting all the praise.”

I just laughed and tapped his shoulder, returning his hug. “Couldn’t have done that without you, partner.”

He smiled widely. He was as tall as Rocky, had a crew cut, upturned eyes and nice physique. He was just a junior, a basketball varsity player. He was one of the reason why I was able to pull it off. He had been patient with me ever since I started rehearsing with them, giving me my personal space. I could tell he was a nice guy.

Theo walked over to us with his usual body fit gray t-shirt and straight jeans. Rosie, Meryll and Jellaine huddled to his side as he put his arms around them for a group hug. He gave Kevin a high-five after and went to me with a dazzling smile.

I was about to embrace him and I think he leaned down to do the same but something pulled us back. Awkwardly, as we realized we wouldn’t exchange a simple hug, he gently squeezed my shoulder. “You’re amazing, Shay. I told you, you can do it.”

We exchanged a smile. “I just realized now, the story’s like a messed up fantasy version of Romeo and Juliet.”

Theo raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

“Because of the forbidden love story part. And their families are rivals, you know.”

A crooked smile touched his full lips. “Huh, you have a point.” He brushed a wayward hair our my eyes. His closeness made me swallow and I didn’t know why I suddenly feel like being closed to him. “We can all breathe now. Congratulations, everyone! You all worked hard.”

“Aw, why do I feel like crying?” Meryll chimed in. “This is your last play, Theo. You and Jellaine will be graduating soon.”

Theo kept her eyes on me. “Shay will be graduating too. All the seniors. But let’s not be too dramatic about it, okay?”

I waved my hand at him. “I should go changed into normal clothes now.”

“You do that. I’ll be just…” He trailed and gestured his hand. “I’ll be waiting outside.”

Everyone was busy at the backstage as we changed from our costumes in the dressing room. They all looked tired. I was exhausted. Meryll’s words echoed in my head, realizing we wouldn’t be here, in this moment, again. After my father’s death, all I wanted was to get out of this college and start my life somewhere far. But the people in this club made my stay worth while.

“What say you guys about having a vacation in our house in Tagaytay?” I asked, loud enough for everyone to hear.

They all looked excited, murmuring their yes.

“It’s settled then,” Jeallaine muttered. “Let’s pick a date!”

“How about after the Foundation day?” Meryll asked.

“Sure,” I answered. “Let’s do that.”

They all cheered, wondering out loud what to expect in our upcoming vacation.