The Guardians by Katie Ashley Page A

walked out to the center of the stage. I feared my knocking knees might give way.
    “And what are you singing, Miss Christenson?” Mr. Conley prompted.
    “ Think of Me from Phantom of the Opera ,” I quickly replied. A murmur of astonishment rippled through the crowd.
    Mr. Conley also gave me a skeptical look before he mumbled, “Um-hum,” and sat back down. Out in the audience, Lauren smirked at me.
    Everyone’s doubt about my ability sent confidence, or maybe pride, soaring back through my veins like I’d been given a blood transfusion. As the pianist struck the opening chords, I tuned them all out. I became one with the music. I didn’t bother restraining myself or keeping it within the rafters. It’s just a fact that, even in human form, I could put some of the greatest vocalists in the world to shame.
    When I got to the first vocal break with a musical interlude, I slipped momentarily out of concentration to stare into the audience. I fought the urge to laugh at the expressions on everyone’s faces. The pen Mr. Conley had been aimlessly clicking was now frozen in mid-air. His jaw hung open in astonishment. Several of the others in the audience held the same expression. Lauren had narrowed her eyes to darkened slits of jealously. Next to her, Zach ceased twirling his guitar pick. He gaped at me, mouth wide, with a mixed look of amazement and fascination.
    Fueled by their reaction, pride ruled me for the rest of the song. When I came to the operatic flourish at the end, I truly let go, closing my eyes and letting my voice carry me up to the heavens where I belonged. My eyes were still pinched shut when the last chords of the song echoed off of the piano. Before I could open them, applause erupted all around me.
    My eyes flew open to see the entire auditorium, minus Lauren, on their feet and applauding wildly. Mr. Conley even had tears in his eyes. Yes, I must’ve totally aced it!
    Mr. Conley stepped to the edge of the stage. “Miss Christenson, you have one of the finest voices I have ever heard!”
    “Thank you,” I replied, as I tried to control my roller coaster emotions.
    “I assume you did a lot of theater and choral work at your last school?” he asked.
    I chewed on my bottom lip. I didn’t know quite what to say. If singing with the Angelic Host counted as choral work, then I suppose I was good to go. “Yes sir, I did.”
    “You have quite a stage presence as well.”
    “Thank you, sir.”
    Mr. Conley finally remembered himself. He turned around to the face the others. “I want to thank all the ladies who auditioned this afternoon. Parts will be posted in a few days after auditions for the guys. Thank you for your time.”
    I started off the stage where Rafe and Elijah were waiting on me. Rafe, still outfitted in his practice gear, shot me a look.
    I held up my hand to silence him. “I know, I know. I went a little over the top.”
    He cocked his head. “Just a little ? Nah, I’d say you went extremely over the top!”
    “I’m sorry, really I am. It’s just by the time I got out there, I’d taken on all the girls’ nervousness and anxiety, so I did the only thing I truly know how to do and that’s sing!”
    Elijah touched my arm. “It’s okay to admit you made a mistake, Cassie.”
    “But that’s all I do is make mistakes. It gets beyond frustrating messing up all the time.”
    “That’s what being a new guardian is all about,” he reassured.
    I looked at him in surprise. Why was he suddenly letting me off the hook so easily? He had been the first one to jump on me about Zach.
    Rafe sighed. “Jay-Jay’s right, Cass. You are going to make mistakes along the way,” he paused dramatically. “Many, many mistakes along the way—” I playfully punched his arm. “We just want you to realize what you’re doing and try to do better the next time.”
    “Okay, I will.”
    He nodded. “Good. Now that’s under control, are you ready to go?”
    “Um, just one sec. I left my bag