Girl Trouble (Completed) - Ayesha Azhar (graded readers .TXT) 📗

married to someone else and starts his life there.And so does Mandy's fiancee, Michael if it is, they both get married again."

"Oh.And Sandy's parents?"

"They disown her, but that doesnt  really matter because Sandy never returns, atleast that's what the writer tells us. And Merope's and your mother lives forever in grief of loosing both of her daughters."

"So only Merope and Rose die, and all because I helped Ashley instead of Mandy."I said, feelig a weird sort of twinge in my heart.

"Ya, all because you were selfish.Well, you deserted your sister, you had to have your punishment."

  "But Mandy didnt do anything.She shouldn't have died."

"She dies in grief,because you went against her. Now, forget that,look, it's almost time for the bell. Ok, I'll see you later."

"Ok,later." Serena waved and then ran off.Most of the cafteria was empty now.Everyone was gone,except me.i couldnot help but think about that play.About what my character does. I act selfish and donot help Mandy.Mandy dies. And all because I went and helped Ashley instead of my own sister Mandy.

  

 

Chapter 16

It was when I was walking towards the auditorium for the first rehearsal that it occured to me that my part in the play was the same as in real life.Jake didnt love me. Or maybe he did, but just hadn't shown it yet.I couldn't be sure.But there was something between him and Ashley.Definitely.

"There you are, Steph?"

I turned to look at the source of the voice, it was Leah.I didn't like it when other people called me Steph, only my close friends could call me that.

"Stephanie." I said,"Yes?"

  "Ok, Stephanie, Mandy asked me this to you.Here."

She handed me a photo.I turned it over and smiled. It was one of me and her.Of me and Mandy, laughing together, happy.Oh, the good times we had.

"There's another one too,here."

I took the second photo, it was one of me and Jake.Wait, how come Mandy had one of these? What was this supposed to mean anyway? What was Mandy trying to show?

"Did she say something?" I asked.

"Nah.Just said that you had given her these photos once and she wanted to return them to you but couldn't do it herself."

"Oh."

  I had been wondering how Mandy had got hold of one of these pics, she had clearly denied having any knowledge of where mine and Jake's pics were.But now that I thought about it, I remembere that I had shown her Jake's picture once, and she had asked to have it.And I had given it to her.But why had she returned it now?And all at once I knew why.Because she knew that I had lost all other pics I had of me and Jake together.Oh! So sweet of her! I would surely treasure this pic.The only remaining memory of the good time that Jake and I had had togetether.

"Ok, thanks."I said.

"You are welcome."

  I started walking again and entered the auditorium.It was crowded.I searched for either jake or Ashley but there was still no sign of either of them.I chose a chair and sat down.Jake and Ash had better come quickly.Mr Owens wouldn't be too happy if they would be late on the first rehearsal.

"So, is everyone here?" Mr Owens asked.

"Yes."Many children nodded.I felt uneasy.Jake and Ash were still not here.Where were they?

"We will be rehearsing the first scene today."Mr Owens started again," This is between Sandy and her parents.She will request them not to marry her to Harry.Those of you who have read the script will know the end.Now, where is Sandy?"

I was about to point out that Ashley wasn't here yet, but suddenly there she was.Standing right next to Mr Owens as if she had been standing there all along.

"The parents, come along please."

I watched Serena and another boy from the same grade walk towards the stage. If Ashley was here, then Jake would definitely be here too.But where was he?I still couldn't see him anywhere.Had they both been hiding from me?Were they tired of me already?

I searched for Mandy.Yuo, there she was, as good as anything.i should probably thank her for returning that photo back to me, it was good thinking on her part.but why had she returned it with another picture of me and her together? To show that I was better off with her then I was with Jake? Atleast, she had done one good thing.I should not doubt her intentions now.

 Mr Owens throaty voice came from the stage,"Please everyone, eyes on the stage."

  Lots of eyes turned towards the stage.I too, instinctively opened my eyes wider so that I could watch better.As it was only the first rehearsal, the lights hadn't been switched off. But still, it was dark.I could make out Ashley, as in Sandy, talking to her mother.

"Mama, you putteth me to death!" She said.

"I do not do anything of the kind.Harry be the one for you, Sandy." her mother, Serena replied.

   "But I donot love him!"
"That does not matter. You will do as your elders say, you must marry him.You will-"

"Do not do this to me,Mama, do you not love me?'

 "I do not wish you to have a bad future, my daughter. I only think of the good of you."

"But this not be the good for me, Mama, you must understand.I can not love him!"

  "you must. You will get married in a few days, so you must love him."

"I will not, I will not marry him!"

The crowd broke into applause.Wow! Ashley was such a natural at acting.She exactly fit in the role of Sandy.There was no doubt that Mr Owens would be feeling satisfied that his choosing Ashley instead of Mandy for the role of Sandy was the right decision.

 "Excellent!" Mr Owens clapped."I think after a little bit more practise, you will be perfect in this scene, Miss John, and you too."He added, pointing towards Serena. Suddenly I understood what Serena had meant earlier. Lots of people die, but not all are remembered.Serena had an important role, but her role was nothing compared to Ashley, the lead. So like in a battle. Each individual soldier is important in deciding the result of the battle, but not all get the credit.Not all are remembered.Unfair life. 

"Now on to the next scene."Mr Owens was still talking.I sighed, wasn't it time for home already?"This will be where Sandy will tell Merope that she plans to run off with Justin.Come on up here,Merope."

I sat up straight.This was bound to be interesting.Ashley and Mandy acting like they were best friends, that would be a laugh.As I watched Mandy walk towards the auditorium, I was sure that she wouldn't even be able to act friendly with Ashley, let alone best friends.

"Up here, now start!" Mr Owens gave the signal for the start of the scene. Ashley walked towards Mandy and hugged her.

"Oh Merope! It has happened.The date is set!"

  "What has happened, my dearest Sandy?" I had to admit it, Mandy was good.

"The marriage! The date of the marriage is set!"

   "Is there no hope left?" Mandy asked.

"None! I have tried talking to Mama, she insists that their decision is the right for me. There is no other way now, Justin and I must run away."

  "You must not!" Mandy said angrily,"You cannot let your parents go to shame.You must no do anything of the kind."

  "But I have to! I cannot marry Harry. I love Justin."

"But he does not love you,Sandy, he is only playing with you."

    "Do you know who he loves then,Merope?"

"I....No, I do not. But you must not run away with him, I will not let you!"

    "You can not stop me, Merope. I know you love Justin too, but there is no hope for you, he doesnot love you, he loves me."

  "He doesnot love you,Sandy.And I donot love him.I merely ask you not to make a fool of yourself."

"It is not me! It is you who is trying to fool me,Merope.I have heard you talking in your sleep, I have heard you take his name!"

  "You have been mistaken,Sandy, I nurse no emotions of the kind.But I warn you this, I will not let you two run away."

"What will you do,Merope? I ask in you a friend.Instead, I find an enemy. I have been fooled! But I will not let you do anything to stop us.You can not go to either of my parents.No one will listen to you.They will consider you insane.You can not do anything."

 "I must! and I will, you will see,Sandy, I will not let you go to shame."

"Do not lie, you donot stop me for my sake.You can not part with Justin.That is all."

    "Fine.Then be it that. I donot wish to see you anymore.Do not come to see me,Sandy."

"That is the same for you,Merope."

     Mandy and Ashley turned and looked at their audience.Amazing! I had actually thought that it was all real.They both were so god at acting. There was alot of applause. In the midst of it all, Ashley climbed off the stage and ran towards Jake. Where did he come from all of a sudden? This was getting more confusing every minute.

"Wasn't I good?" Ashley asked, looking at Jake and breathing heavily.

  "You were amazing, Ash.Totally amazing."Jake smiled.

"Oh,Jake!" Ashley hugged Jake, I felt that twinge again. I thought of walking towards them but then thought otherwise when I remembered what had happened the last time I had done this.No, let Jake come to me himself.

   "You both were really good, Miss McHugh and Miss John." Mr Owens said, pointing towards Ashley and Mandy,"I think this is enough for today.We only have 13 more days left now.You must learn all your lines by tommorow.You can go now."

 Everyone started walking out of the auditorium, some talking about how good Ashley had been, others about Mandy and some even about Serena. I waited for Jake, but it didn't seem like he would come towards me, he and Ashley were still talking excitedly. I walked towards Mandy. there were alot of people around her, congratulating her.

"Hey, congrats Mandy."I said, you were really good."

   "I know, thankyou Steph."Mandy smiled.

"And thanks for returning that pic,Mandy, it means a lot, that you thought of me-"

   "I did not do it for you, Stephanie, I only gave it back because I felt that there was no need for me to keep it anymore.Now excuse me, but I have to go."

  I stared after her as she walked out of the aditorium. I looked around for Jake or Ashley, they weren't here.

     "Hey, Sam."I said, walking towards a boy,"Have you seen Ashley or Jake?"

  "They left already.Just a while ago.Why?"

      "Nothing."

Jake and Ashley had left.Left without even greeting me. The realization seemed to sink in that there was no point waiting here anymore.There was no one here.Mandy had left, Jake and Ashley had left.I was alone.