SWNOVELXO Chapter 1: Passion for history and Arts
"Chapter 1: passion for history and arts
Anita stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her hair for the third time that morning. The faint scent of toast wafted from the kitchen, but her mind was already racing. Today was one of those days—double history periods and play rehearsals.
“Anita!” her mom called from downstairs. “You’re going to be late!”
“I’m coming!” Anita grabbed her backpack, already stuffed with binders and a thick history textbook, and raced down the stairs. She snagged a piece of toast from the counter, giving her mom a quick peck on the cheek.
“Big day?” her mom asked.
“Biggest,” Anita replied with a sigh. “Mr. Grant’s breathing down my neck about the history project, and Mrs. Peters wants the first act of The Lost Empress perfect by Friday.”
Her mom smiled knowingly. “You’ll figure it out. You always do.”
At school, Anita met up with her best friends, Claire and Max, by the lockers. Claire was already doodling on the side of her notebook, her long black hair pulled back into a loose braid. Max, on the other hand, was engrossed in his latest science article, his glasses sliding down his nose.
“Morning, superstar,” Claire greeted, flashing a grin. “Ready to dazzle everyone in rehearsal?”
Anita groaned. “Barely. Between the play and the history project, I’m drowning.”
“You do realize no one takes Mr. Grant’s deadlines seriously, right?” Max said, not looking up from his phone. “Just turn in something passable and move on.”
“Passable?” Anita shot him a mock glare. “Do you know who you’re talking to? I don’t do passable. I do spectacular.”
“And we love you for it,” Claire chimed in, nudging her arm.
Their banter carried them through the hallway, but Anita couldn’t shake the gnawing anxiety. The school play, The Lost Empress, was the biggest production of the year, and she’d landed the lead role. It was exciting, sure, but balancing rehearsals with her history project on local legends wasn’t easy.
In class, Mr. Grant droned on about the importance of primary sources, but Anita’s mind wandered. Her topic—lost civilizations and their artifacts—had sounded fascinating at first. Now it just felt overwhelming.
“Ms. Taylor,” Mr. Grant’s voice snapped her back to reality. “I trust your project is coming along?”
“Of course,” Anita lied, forcing a smile.
He raised an eyebrow but moved on, leaving Anita to scribble half-hearted notes.
By the time rehearsal rolled around, Anita was exhausted but determined. She stood center stage, delivering her lines with as much conviction as she could muster. The story of The Lost Empress—a queen betrayed by those closest to her—felt oddly personal, though she couldn’t say why.
“Good, Anita,” Mrs. Peters called from the audience. “But let’s try that last line with more fire. You’re not just sad; you’re angry. You’ve been wronged, and you want revenge.”
Anita nodded, adjusting her posture. “I’ll give it another shot.”
When rehearsal ended, Claire and Max waited for her outside the auditorium.
“How’s our empress?” Max teased.
“Exhausted,” Anita admitted, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “But I think I nailed the angry part.”
Claire laughed. “Well, you’ve had plenty of practice dealing with Max.”
“Hey!” Max protested, but the grin on his face betrayed him.
As they walked home together, Anita felt a little lighter. Sure, her life was chaotic, but with her friends by her side, she was certain she could handle anything. Or so she thought.