“Sorry,” I stammer. “From the top?”
Zayne blinks several times. “What do you mean, ‘from the top?’ You don’t even have any lines in this scene!”
My cheeks burn. “I got distracted. I’m sorry.” Distracted by how good he is. By his ability to cry on command and then shut it off like it’s nothing. By how terrible I’m going to look in comparison while acting with him.
He searches my face before returning to his starting point. “Fine. From the top.”
He says his lines again, and this time, I remember to come in when I’m supposed to. And the more the scene goes on, the more impressed I am by Zayne’s ability to act so well. When we auditioned together, it was just a lighthearted scene from the middle of the play that we read. Nothing like the intense, emotional sequence I’m currently witnessing.
It bothers me that I’m so impressed.
It bothers me because I’m starting to see why Zayne got the part over Carlton.
He deserves it.
And if Mr. Saltzman deemed me worthy enough to be cast alongside him, there must be something in me that knows what I’m doing.
Knowing that feels good. Really good.
We run through the scene a few more times, until it starts to feel natural. Until my participation starts to feel less robotic, and more enthusiastic. Until I have the whole thing close to memorized and Mr. Saltzman comes in to witness it, looking more than impressed.
And all the while I’m overwhelmed, intimidated, and even a little inspired by Zayne Silverman.
Chapter Seven
I was starting to think Little Birdie was done gossiping about me. After days of no news on the app, things were beginning to feel closer to how they were before I auditioned for the play. Normal. Sort of. I stopped getting random waves in the halls, stopped being photographed like I was suddenly doing something spectacular.
Until today.
As Meredith is complaining to Mabel about the costume design for her role as Nelly, aLittle Birdiealert goes off. The sound of the familiar whistle echoes throughout the crowded corridor, both eerie and exciting. Where there are no whistles, there are phones vibrating. Every single person in view grabs their phone, some with both hands, and stares into the screen.
I can’t help but follow.
At last, fledglings! I have emerged. After a week of being good, I can’t stay silent any longer.
It appears Dot Bennett just couldn’t keep away. Though the new girl seems to be smitten over CarltonPeters while in the public eye, she leads a very different life in private.
Dot was seen at the house of none other than Zayne Silverman last Friday at 5:20pm! And better yet, alone with him—in his bedroom! How very risqué!
I just wonder what Carlton thinks of all this. Let’s hope he’s made of tougher stuff than thread, because it appears the new girl may, in fact, be stringing him along!
Yours truly,
Little Birdie
I lower my phone slowly. My face feels like it’s burning. My heart is beating at a rapid pace. How could this have gotten out? No one stopped by Zayne’s house while I was there, at least not that I know of. Who would have told Little Birdie? The only person it could have been is Lenny, but somehow I can’t imagine him doing such a thing.
I don’t know what I’m more upset about—the clear invasion of my privacy or being caught in a blatant lie. I told Carlton I was helping Beau with homework when he called me that night. But now, there’s no way I’m getting around this.
I glance up at him, but he’s not looking at me. Carlton is staring down the wall of lockers at Zayne Silverman, past the classmates in the hall watching us.
Without a word, he marches over to him. Zayne crosses his arms as Carlton approaches. I’m on Carlton’s heels in an instant. “What are you doing?”
But he’s ignoring me as he leads the way. I glance helplessly over his shoulder at Zayne, who meets my eyes ever so briefly before returning his gaze to Carlton.
I belatedly realize a crowd has formed around us. There are, like, three phones out and recording already. Great.
Carlton shows Zayne theLittle Birdiepost. “What’s this about, man?”
