The lights shone bright as a roar of cheer erupted around the stage. All the performers wore big grins on their faces as their act ended.

When the acrobats went backstage, they were greeted with compliments from their co-workers.

"Great job out there!"

"Glad you stuck the landing!"

"Your timing was perfect!"

"The audience just loved your routine, guys!"

Everyone congratulated each other on a job well done with a pat on the back or a thumbs up.

Or at least... Most of them did.

"You fool! What do you think you were doing?! You had a simple part and you messed up."

"I-I'm sorry Miss Oswin. It won't happen again!"

"Your career is on the line so it better not! Ugh, I don't know why you even try." Everyone glanced at the scene in front of them, making sure to stay their distance so they do not get tangled up in the mess.

I let out a sigh and pinched the bridge of my nose. 'And there she goes again, beating up the new guy. Sure it was his second performance; it was still his first week here. Yet it makes me sick seeing her belittle him.' And with these thoughts in my head, I walked towards them. "Give him a break Sarah, he's still new. Don't treat him badly because of a few hiccups." I took off my costume hat and placed my free hand on my hip.

Sarah Oswin. The best performer of Star Dream Stage. A beautiful woman with long, shiny black hair and royal blue eyes. She takes the lead role in basically all the performances.

Not to mention, she's a total snob.

"Well I'm sorry, Erin." She said my name with such distaste. "I was only thinking of our reputation. I didn't know you wanted it to be ruined by an amateur." She practically spat the word.

Did I mention that I hated her?

I opened my mouth to say something, but someone else interrupted us.

"What is all this commotion?" A slender man walked up to us. He wore thin framed circular glasses and a white polo shirt with a navy blue bow tie. His black pants were straight and neat, held up by suspenders, going well with his black shoes. He narrowed his eyes at the two of us.

"Mr. Epp, I was telling Sarah to not be so harsh on the new kid, Timothy." I gestured to her with my hat. She fully faced me.

"I'm telling you, if he wants to stay here, then he has to up his game! I will not allow weaklings to perform on stage with me," Sarah replied venomously. The kid on the spotlight shrunk back in shame.

Mr. Epp furrowed his brows in thought. He looked from Miss Oswin, to Timothy, and finally to me. "She is right, you know. You have to fulfill your role here, or you are out." The black-haired snob smirked and put her nose to the air. "However," he added, "such harsh words can break one's spirit, Sarah. So please refrain." Now it was my turn to hold my head high. She looked at me with a glare. "Now, if you two are quite finished, get cleaned up. It's time to go home and rest. We all have a busy week ahead of us so we must be ready!" He watched as Sarah marched off, obviously upset but still keeping a graceful walk, and he sighed. With a sharp turn, he, too, left.

I breathed out a silent sigh of ease, letting my arms fall to my side.

"Oh thank you! I was about to break down if you didn't stand up for me!" Timothy ran to me and grabbed my hands. His eyes were all watery and his face was red with embarrassment. I couldn't help but sweat drop.

"Heheh, it was no big deal, really. Someone has to get her off her high-horse now and then," I said to him with a kind smile. He looked at me graciously. "But," I said in a more serious tone, "you must work harder if you don't want Miss Oswin to yell at you again."

He nodded and wiped his tears. "I will! I won't let anyone down, I promise!" He turned his hand into a fist and looked at me with determination.

I couldn't help but grin. "I'm looking forward to it!"

He once again nodded his head. "Thanks again, Erin!" And with that, he ran off. By then, most of our fellow performers have left, and the stage crew was finishing up cleaning and packing up.

Suddenly, somebody slapped me in my back, causing me to stumble slightly. "Ow! What was that for?" I asked as I turned to my best friend, Kris.

"For standing up for the little guy." She grinned ear to ear. "But if I were you, I would've punched her in the face."

"Hah, glad you're not me then." She laughed and I couldn't help but laugh with her.

"Well, c'mon! Let's get out of these costumes, eat sweets, and then sleep!" Kris punched the air and we began to leave.

Besides the stuck-up jerk and the few mistakes in the show, I really enjoyed my time at the Star Dream Stage. The performances were amazing, the people I work with are amazing (except for you know who), and what's best is the audience. The smiles and encouragement they give during and after our acts make my heart swell with joy. Just thinking about how excited they get makes me excited!

"Time for wind-down exercises!" I yelled out, pumping my fist up in the air.

Kris looked at me with a pout. "Aww..."

"Hehe, and then we can have sweets!" I ran ahead of her.

"Fine, but you're providing!" She jogged after me.

I really love being a performer.