| General Fiction posted October 16, 2025 |
  |
Short story for the Second Banana contest
Just Desserts
by June Sargent
Amelia had thought long and hard before deciding to take such drastic measures. Will she feel any regrets? Nope. Charlotte deserves what she gets. Amelia hated how Charlotte had maneuvered herself into the starring role a year ago.
Everyone knew that Charlotte's rival, Lily, had a peanut allergy. At the tryouts party, Lily suddenly began to choke. She could not breathe. Amelia called 911. As the ambulance drove away, Charlotte was smiling. The sign at the dessert table warning that the cake contained peanut butter had disappeared. Amelia was certain Charlotte was responsible, but couldn't prove it.
As a result, Charlotte got the role while Lily was recovering from anaphylactic shock. Amelia became the understudy. For the past year, Amelia worked hard studying and preparing on the sidelines. She was sick of seeing Charlotte get all the praise. Granted, she was a good actress, but Amelia was just as talented, if not more.
Sure, this is only a small town theater group. But now and then a producer on vacation would show up for a show. And a door opens for a bigger and brighter future for the lucky guy or girl. There were rumors that a New York producer was in town and may attend tonight. Amelia decided - it was now or never.
Charlotte loved her sweets. Especially gummy bears, worms, fish - anything soft and chewy. So, Amelia dropped by her dressing room in the afternoon and generously refilled the candy dish on her dresser with fruit-shaped gummies - mixed with a few other goodies.
Right before the opening scene that night, Amelia heard a loud knock on her door. It was the stage manager looking very frazzled.
"Amelia, you're going to have to take Charlotte's place tonight! Tell me you're ready. You can do it, right?"
"Uh, sure. Why, what happened?"
"She suddenly came down with a stomach bug. She can't get off the toilet!"
"Oh, what a bummer! Just give me a minute, I'll be ready."
Those fast-acting Miralax gummies are worth their salt!
The show went perfectly. The audience was amazed at Amelia's performance. More importantly, the producer was in the audience and he requested to see Amelia at his vacation home the next day.
The rest is history. Charlotte resumed playing her role in the small town theater. Amelia moved to New York and eventually invited her friend Lily to audition for a part in her play.
Second Banana contest entry
Artwork by Way West at FanArtReview.com
You need to login or register to write reviews. It's quick! We only ask four questions to new members.
© Copyright 2025. June Sargent All rights reserved.
June Sargent has granted FanStory, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.
