Capítulo 12: Chapter 12: The Class
Emma stepped into the acting studio feeling out of place. The building had an old-fashioned vibe, with dark wood-paneled walls and large mirrors reflecting every movement. The dim lighting made everything seem more intimidating. The sign on the entrance had been simple: "Beginner Acting Classes," but for her, it meant much more. This wasn't just about learning to act on a stage—it was about surviving the new world Ana had pushed her into.
She took a deep breath and walked further into the room. A few people were already sitting on the floor, chatting comfortably with each other, as if they belonged there. "They're here by choice, and I... because I have no other option." Emma couldn't shake the feeling that she was an outsider.
"What am I doing here?" she thought, her eyes scanning the room. She recalled Ana's words: "Learning to act is key. If you can't become someone else, you'll never survive in this job." She knew this was necessary, but the idea of performing in front of strangers made her uneasy. Her whole life was already an act. How was learning to pretend more going to help her?
The door at the back opened, and a tall, thin man entered. John, the instructor, moved with an authoritative stiffness that contrasted with his slightly disheveled appearance. His dark brown hair was messy, but there was an intensity in his eyes that immediately silenced everyone in the room. He wore a simple black T-shirt and jeans, but his presence said it all: he was in charge here.
"Welcome," he said in a deep, firm voice. "I hope you're ready to work seriously. There's no room for mediocrity here."
Emma felt her muscles tense. She hadn't expected the instructor to be so strict. No welcoming smile, no attempt to create a friendly atmosphere. This guy wasn't going to be easy. It felt like stepping onto a battlefield, not into an acting class.
"We're going to start with the basics." John walked to the center of the room, crossing his arms over his chest. "The goal today is to get rid of all those barriers that stop you from being authentic. You can't act if you're constantly hiding behind a mask. Here, you'll learn to be vulnerable, to show your true feelings."
Vulnerability? Emma felt a chill run down her spine. Everything in her life now revolved around hiding her true feelings, not showing them. She had to pretend, to lie, to act in her real life, and now this man wanted her to open up completely. How was she supposed to do that?
John didn't seem to notice her discomfort. He continued speaking with the same intensity.
"On stage, and in life, it's not just about pretending to be someone else. It's about becoming that person. You'll need to set aside your insecurities and learn to inhabit another skin. If you can't do that, you're wasting your time here."
Emma pressed her lips together, trying to hold back her frustration. Become someone else? She was already doing that in her life outside of this class, but she did it to survive, not for art. Did this guy really understand what it meant to act out of necessity?
"Stand up," John ordered in a tone that left no room for argument.
The students, including Emma, quickly obeyed. John walked around the group, observing each person as if evaluating every breath, every movement. When he passed by Emma, she felt his gaze linger on her, heavier than she had expected, as if he could see more than she was showing. She felt exposed, vulnerable.
"We're going to start with a simple exercise," John said. "I want you to look in the mirror and try to see beyond what you see every day. Look at your face and try to see someone else. Don't choose who you want to see. Let that person appear."
Ridiculous, Emma thought, but she did what he asked. She approached the mirror, staring at her own reflection. Her eyes, tired and full of doubt, stared back at her. She tried to relax, to let something new emerge, but all she saw was the same Emma as always—a girl trapped in a life she hadn't chosen.
After a few minutes, John interrupted the exercise.
"All right, who wants to share what they saw?" he asked, glancing around the room.
Several hands went up, but not Emma's. She had nothing to say. All she had seen in the mirror was her own reflection, and for now, that felt like more than enough.
The students began to share their experiences, some talking about deep emotions or vivid images. John listened intently, but he was brutally critical with some.
"That was superficial," he said to one student who had spoken about feeling like a warrior. "I didn't believe you for a second. If you don't believe it yourself, why should I?"
Emma tensed at the coldness of his words. This guy was harsh. Instead of motivating his students, he seemed more interested in pointing out what they did wrong. She knew that kind of toughness could be useful in some cases, but did he really need to be so ruthless?
Finally, the class ended, and the students began packing up. Emma was heading toward the door when she heard John's voice call out to her.
"Emma, stay for a moment."
Her stomach tightened, but she turned around, meeting John's stern gaze. What did he want now?
"I noticed you didn't participate today," John said, crossing his arms as he watched her closely. "You seemed distant."
Emma pressed her lips together, resisting the feeling of being criticized.
"I didn't have much to say," she replied, trying to sound neutral, though her tone was colder than she had intended.
John studied her in silence for a few seconds before speaking.
"You're not here to stay quiet. If you want to learn anything real, you'll have to stop hiding. These classes aren't for those who want to remain invisible."
Emma felt irritation begin to rise within her. Invisible? John knew nothing about her, but his words hit the mark. She had spent much of her life wanting to go unnoticed, to blend in, but now her entire job depended on being seen—but under a different identity. And she hated that he had seen through her so clearly.
Before she could say anything, John continued.
"Come back tomorrow and bring more of yourself to the class. If you keep thinking you can hide, you'll be wasting your time—and mine."
Emma opened her mouth to respond, but John had already turned and was heading out of the room. He had left her standing there, filled with a mix of anger and frustration.
Who does he think he is? Emma didn't need anyone telling her how to act or what to do, least of all this arrogant guy. But as she walked toward the exit, John's words kept echoing in her head. "You're not here to stay quiet. Stop hiding." She knew he was right, but that didn't make it any easier to hear.
She walked through the cold city streets, knowing that, despite everything, she would return the next day. She couldn't let John be right about her, and she couldn't fail this new challenge.
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
Antoniorodo
Antoniorodo "Hey everyone! This chapter was an important one for Emma as she steps into a whole new world—acting classes! But this isn’t just about learning how to pretend, it’s about mastering control and keeping her emotions hidden.
Her first encounter with John didn’t go so well, though. It’s clear that he’s going to challenge her in ways she didn’t expect, and the tension between them is already brewing. Do you think he’ll become an ally or just another obstacle for Emma?
I’m excited to see what you all think of their dynamic! Thanks for sticking with Emma’s journey—things are going to get more complicated from here. Let me know your thoughts in the comments, and as always, thanks for reading! "
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