Page 20 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

“This is probably the hardest role I’ve played in a school production,” Mia says. “I’ve done some tough roles on TV and in movies, but it’s different on a live stage because you only have one chance to get the scenes right, unlike in film and TV where you have a few takes. And considering there’s no romance in this play, I have to work extra hard to keep the audience captivated from beginning to end. It’s always nice to have romance to fall on.”

“There’s no romance?” I ask. “Not at all?”

She shakes her head. “The writer of the play specifically wanted to focus on the relationships between the main character—my character—and her dysfunctional family. She didn’t want a romance subplot to take away from that.”

“Oh…well, isn’t that a good thing? Because the last time you had to kiss someone…”

She makes a face like she ate something extremely sour. “Ugh!”

This past summer, Mia and her dad worked on a movie and Mia had to kiss her costar. It was her first kiss. Apparently, it was so bad that they asked him not to come back for the sequel. And ever since then, Mia has been yearning to make up for it by experiencing a good kiss.

“I want my next kiss to be real,” Mia says. “With a real boy who likes me and wants to kiss me. Not my costar who’s being forced.” She sighs heavily. “But I don’t see any guy on the horizon.”

“Well, maybe your dreams will come true, since you don’t have to kiss anyone for the current play.”

“My days are numbered,” she grumbles. “Waning and waning as we speak. I know the next play will be a romance. Please, is there a potential boyfriend out there ready to profess his undying love for me? My lips are ready.” She puckers up.

That makes me laugh. Mia could be so overdramatic sometimes, just like her dad, but that’s what makes her her and I love that about her. Not to mention it’s entertaining, too.

Rylee joins the call. “Sorry, guys! I had this really hard paper to—why are you kissing me, Mia?!”

“It’s not you,” she says, her lips still puckered and her eyes shut. “I’m manifesting my perfect guy who will sweep me off my feet and show me what a real kiss is.”

“You’ll meet him soon,” Rylee assures her. “I know you will.”

She finally stops the puckering. “Doubt it.”

“I never imagined I’d meet someone like Mason, especially because I had my heart set on a football player.” Rylee shakes her head with a smile. “I can’t believe I actually thought the right guy for me was a football player. But Mason and I were thrown into each other’s paths at the right time.” She laughs to herself. “Well, had I not nearly flunked out of sophomore year, I never would have needed a tutor…”

“You’d better not be suggesting Mia fail school,” I say.

“No, of course not! I’m just saying that you never know where your guy will come from. Just keep being you, Mia, and the right person will love you for who you are.”

“Don’t worry, Zoey, I have no interest in failing school, even though I wish I could burn the very concept of math,” Mia mumbles. “But I just want someone to be obsessed with me, you know? And I want to be just as obsessed with him.”

“But that causes so much stress and anxiety,” I say. “I’m super happy Rylee is with Mason and I know they’ll live happily ever after, but what if you’re meant to meet the right guy in college, Mia? Or at your first job?”

“I don’t think I’m going to college. I’m going to continue pursuing my acting career.”

“Okay, but you know what I mean. Do you want to spend your last high school years agonizing over a guy who may never show up?”

“Yes.”

I give her a face.

She holds up her hands. “Okay, I know you’re right, Zoey. Always the voice of reason. I do want to have fun with you guys and focus on school and the play. But I can still hope to meet my perfect guy, can’t I?”

“Yes,” Rylee says. “You definitely can.”

I sigh. “I guess so.”

“Zoey needs to fall in love!” Rylee says. “She should fall so hard for a guy and—”

“No! Heck no to the extreme—”

“Yes, yes, yes! It would be so awesome.”

Mia smiles. “I think it would be totally awesome. Our little Zoey skipping and humming love songs, always daydreaming...”

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