Song 32

Aggie shifted uncomfortably in her seat as the waitress brought over their drinks. The waitress bowed her head before leaving Aggie and Meloria to their conversation. Meloria sighed, playing with her fingers under the table. She couldn't help but feel bad for Aggie, feel self-conscious, and yet she still wasn't sure why Aggie wanted to speak to her alone. She shifted her gaze to the stack of papers Aggie was chasing down earlier. Through the creases, she was able to make out the outline of a stage and dates written between the curtains.

“I-I wrote the play,” Aggie spoke with a shaky voice. Meloria smiled widely, grabbed one of the papers, and examined it closely to see if there were any hints as to what the play was about. “A-a princess runs away from her life in the palace following the announcement of her royal engagement.”

“Oh,” Meloria pursed her lips and nodded, her eyes looking into Aggie’s, wanting to give her full attention. “Tell me more.”

Aggie's eyes widened, beaming with renewed excitement. With a smile, she pulled out a notebook from her satchel, turning it to the doodles. “So, the princess finds herself wanting a humble life,” Aggie began to explain. “And in the story, the main character explores the idea of how, when lavished in riches all her life, having everything controlled for her, how a newfound freedom can bring true happiness.”

Meloria gave a toothy grin, pushing the page of the notebook down, leaning over, and getting a closer look at the character sketches. “You have quite the imagination, Aggie,” she complimented, looking back at the papers. “So, were you promoting it this morning?”

Aggie nodded. “I'm trying to pre-sell some tickets for the show,” she replied sheepishly. “But there’s one problem.”

“What is it, Aggie?” Meloria asked, moving her hand on top of Aggie’s, giving it a comforting squeeze. “If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know. I’ll do my best.” Aggie looked at Meloria’s determined face; she was a stranger, yet Meloria seemed open to the idea of helping her. “You said you wanted my help for something, right? What is it I could help with?”

Aggie gulped, taking a deep breath through her nose before speaking up. “Meloria, be my lead,” she exclaimed, looking straight into Meloria’s eyes, her loud proclamation getting the attention of some of the other customers in the coffee shop. Blushing, Aggie pulled her hands away, putting them into her lap, speaking up with a quieter tone this time; “I-I would like you to be the lead in my play. Please.”

“You want me,” Meloria pointed to herself. “To act in your play.”

Aggie shook her head. “No, not just act,” she alliterated. “But my lead. I think, no, you are just the person I have been looking for.

Melroia couldn’t believe what she was being asked. In her previous world, some idols would branch out to acting and television appearances all the time, though it wasn’t something Meloria ever saw herself doing. I suppose memorising a script and performing on stage is no different from remembering lyrics or choreography, Melroia hummed, putting a hand on her chin. Ideally, if this play were a musical, then the idea of performing on stage as an actor would be more appealing. Then again, this could give me some massive exposure. But only if the play is a success. “Do you have a copy of the script at all?” she asked, placing both her hands on the table.

“Yes, of course,” Aggie nodded, reaching into the bag beside her, pulling out a large stack of papers, and sliding it across the table. “Here, this is the finished script. I already have a co-star for you and all the other roles filled, but I needed someone with star quality to play the princess.”

Meloria felt giddy as she picked up the script. The idea of her having ‘star quality’ is something she had always thought, but hearing someone else say it made her feel warm inside. “Would you be okay if I read through this tonight?” She asked with a soft smile. “Perhaps tomorrow we could catch up here again?”

Aggie smiled brightly, nodding rapidly, causing her glasses to move up and down. Meloria couldn’t help but laugh, finding something cute about how excitable Aggie was about her play. Though who wouldn’t be this excited to have their play put onto the big stage? “Let’s meet back around lunch time!” Aggie declared, standing up and gathering her items. “I’m going to go work on selling more tickets.”

“Whoa there,” Meloria laughed. “I haven’t agreed yet.”

“But I know you will,” Aggie smiled, holding her belongings tightly. “Because you belong on a stage.” With those words, Aggie ran out of the coffee shop, papers flying out of her hands.

Once the tab was settled, Meloria managed to find a hotel for a few nights, wanting to get settled in quickly and read the script. Placing the script on the table, she looked up at the mirror, seeing the exact reflection she always saw, but this time it was a little different. She looked a little older, a little bit more mature, but she was also glowing.

Having Lucan by her side, she always felt like someone was cheering her on, right by her side, believing in her. Coming to this town on her own, there was not one person who knew about her, or at least that’s what she thought. Hearing the painter speak about her performance in Uki Uki Theme Park, and then Aggie telling her she belonged on the stage.

Meloria ran her fingers along her cheek, smiling to herself. “I can do this,” she proclaimed, sitting on the desk chair as she pulled the script closer to herself. “I can do this.”

Through the night, Meloria hummed a tune as she read the script, the room illuminated with just the light from the reading lamp. She used her finger to guide her eyes along each line, taking in the words Aggie had written. Aggie truly had a way with words, a way of conveying her message into something beautiful, and not being a part of it would be a crime. “Guess Aggie was right,” Meloria laughed to herself as the sun started to rise and the light seemed to shine through the window. “I was never going to say no.”