There’s a part of me that wants to skip tech rehearsal to avoid seeing Zayne, but there’s simply no way I could do that this close to the production.
It’s been two days since I’ve spoken to Zayne, but I can’t hide anymore, not now that we’ll be forced to face each other. Now that his true intentions have been revealed, I just want to somehow forget him. I need to get through today’s practice without letting my emotions get in the way, but I can’t deny how much it hurts.
I get there early so I don’t have to endure the eyes of everyone watching me enter the green room. I find a seat at my usual table in the corner and rest my head in my folded arms. A full minute passes before I hear a voice above me.
“Dot?”
I glance up, squinting as my eyes adjust to the fluorescent lighting. “Mr. Saltzman?”
He cocks his head to the side. “Are you all right?”
“Yes.” I rub my eyes. “Just waiting for rehearsal to start.”
He nods, but there’s a frown on his face that only deepens. He lowers himself to sit in the chair beside me. “Well, while you’re waiting, I just wanted to let you know I’ve been very impressed by how much your acting skills have improved since the start of the season.”
“Wow. Um…” The compliment warms me. “Thanks, Mr. Saltzman. To be honest, sometimes I wonder why you cast me as the lead in the first place.”
He clasps his hands together. “Now, that’s one I’ve never heard before! Usually, students who get the lead expect it. But…you and Zayne make a great team, and an even better Cathy and Heathcliff. I suppose I saw something in your audition I couldn’t ignore. ”
I want to ask him what it was he saw in me. If it was only my chemistry with Zayne, or if it wasme.But he stands, motioning toward the door with his hand. The sound of chatter approaches, sending nerves soaring through my stomach. “It looks like your classmates are arriving.” He winks at me. “Break a leg.”
He leaves to stand at the front of the green room and I’m left staring at the door as everyone else arrives, including Meredith, Mable, and Rue. And Carlton. I wave at them, and Rue nods in my direction, leading the rest of them over to me. They sit at the round table with me, and I’m struck by how much this feels like old times, when I was still trying to win Carlton’s affection and fit into his group.
Now I have no idea where I belong. Once upon a time, I thought it was with Zayne.
My throat burns, so I clear it and try to smile at them. “Are you excited for tomorrow?” I ask Mabel.
Her eyes round as she smiles. “Heck yes!”
Carlton watches me, his head propped in his hands, elbows on his knees. He doesn’t say anything but studies my face like he’s not sure if I’m going to address him or not.
Spoiler alert,I want to tell him,I’m not.
Mr. Saltzman claps his hands together at the front of the room. “Welcome to the final round of rehearsals, everyone!” He smiles around the room. “We’re almost done! You all should be proud.”
The room starts to cheer, but the door flies open with a large slam, startling everyone into silence. Zayne stands in the doorway, his uniform disheveled and wrinkly. Some of his short dreads escape his usually neat bun, and when his eyes meet mine across the room, it feels like a spotlight shines right on us.
“Dot.” He pins me with his gaze, oblivious of how crazy he looks with the entire cast and crew staring at us—including Mr. Saltzman. He crosses the room until he’s an inch away from me and kneels at my side. “I need to talk to you.”
I stare at the ground, cheeks burning. “We’re at rehearsal.” The words come out in a mumble. It almost sounds like I’m embarrassed, but really, I’m not prepared for the surge of emotions seeing him again makes me feel.
Mabel moves to stand so her body is blocking me from Zayne’s view, and as if by command, Rue and even Meredith follow suit until they block me like a protective wall. Carlton stands so he’s towering over still-kneeling Zayne. He crosses his arms. “Not gonna happen, man. We all read Little Birdie. You’re a jerk.”
Zayne frowns and blinks like Carlton just spoke a foreign language. “I’m talking toDot.Not you.”
“No, you’re not.” Carlton doesn’t budge. “Not if I have anything to say about it.”
I roll my eyes. “I don’t need your help, Carlton.”
Zayne stands, shifting the balance so Carlton now has to look up at him instead of the other way around. His penetrating gaze finds me over the heads of my bodyguards. “Dot…” He holds his hands out, palms up. “Please.Talk to me.”
Mr. Saltzman removes his glasses to frown at us. “What exactly is going on?”
“Nothing,” I say.
“Good. Then if we can all focus on rehearsal, that would be great.”
Zayne sighs and sits at a table on the other side of the room.
