Stage Fright

“Time for school!” Mom called.

Bella frowned at herself in the mirror. Her jeans felt tight, and her shirt looked awkward on her shoulders. She remembered what David said on the bus last week—“You’re so fat!” She knew she shouldn’t let his words bother her, but she couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Mom knocked on the door. “We’re going to be late!”

Bella grabbed her backpack. “I’m coming.”

“You look cute today!” Mom said.

“Thanks,” Bella mumbled.

As she walked to class later, she kept her head down. She wished she could be invisible.

“Hey, Bella!” Her classmate Ashley handed her a flyer. “Do you want to be in the school play? It’ll be really fun!”

Bella read the flyer. The auditions were tomorrow. Bella liked to sing and dance with her younger sister. Sometimes they put on shows for the family. Maybe it would be fun!

But then she remembered what happened on the bus. If Bella tried out for the play, so many eyes would be on her. She stuffed the paper in her backpack and tried not to think about it.

When Bella got home from school, Mom was making dinner. “How was school?” she asked.

“It was OK.” Bella put her backpack down and zipped it open. The flyer was still there.

“Oh, the school play!” Mom said, looking over her shoulder. “Are you going to audition?”

“Probably not,” Bella said.

“Why?”

Bella thought about it. “I just don’t like the way I look, I guess. I don’t want people staring at me on stage.”

Mom gave her a hug. “I know it can be hard to feel comfortable with your body,” she said. “But God created your body to be more than what people look at. Think of all the things it can do!”

Maybe I should audition for the play, Bella thought. It wouldn’t hurt to at least try.

The next day, she walked into the theater. There were lots of kids inside, laughing and talking. Maybe this was a bad idea.

When they called her name, Bella walked slowly onto the stage. Her heart was beating so fast. She said a quick prayer in her head. Heavenly Father, please help me not be so nervous.

Bella felt a little calmer. She sang one of her favorite songs and read lines from a script. After everyone was done, the theater teacher read a list of those who got a part.

Bella heard her name. She couldn’t believe it. She would be in the play!

Over the next few weeks, Bella practiced dancing, singing, and saying her lines. It was hard, but she got better every day. Her body was made for the stage! Her feet loved to dance to the music. Her arms loved to move props across the stage. Her brain loved learning the words to the songs. And her heart loved all the new friends she made.

Bella was so excited when the day of the play finally came. It was showtime!

She put on her costume and looked in the mirror. She loved how it sparkled in the light. During the show she danced, sang, and said her lines on stage. When it ended, she found her family in the crowd.

Mom gave her a hug. “You were so confident up there!”

Bella smiled. “God helped me!”

Illustrations by Shawna J. C. Tenney