Page 13 of Drama Queens Don't Fall For Charming Boys

“Or my math class,” I mutter. “No, wait. My PE class!”

Rylee and Zoey laugh, but they don’t hate PE like me, considering they’re both athletes. Rylee’s Dad—football coach Brayden Barrington—is also the PE teacher, and I swear it’s his mission to make my life miserable. Yeah, yeah, I’m exaggerating again. Brayden is actually pretty fair but tough. Still, I’m an actor and not an athlete. I only move when the director says, “Action!” Or when Miss Lane instructs me to say my lines.

“Attention all students!” Vice Principal Rivera’s voice booms over the loudspeaker. “First period classes will be delayed this morning due to an assembly. Please make your way to the auditorium.”

We meet Kade and Mason on the way to the auditorium. They, like everyone else, are wondering what the assembly could possibly be about.

My friends and I sit down in a row in the middle, with me sandwiched between Rylee and Zoey. As everyone settles down, Principal Nakamura and VP Rivera step onto the stage with Miss Lane behind them. Why is she here? She’s never been part of an assembly before. I hope this doesn’t mean they’re canceling the play…

Principal Nakamura steps up to the microphone and smiles. “Good morning, students. I hope you had a fabulous weekend. Before we get to the reason for this morning’s assembly, we want to make a few announcements.”

VP Rivera steps forward and gives us a run-down of the announcements. First, she informs us that this is the time of year when some students slack off. Many students set goals for themselves at the start of the year that this will be the year they will do well in their studies. But after a few months, the drive and desire dwindle. “Always strive to do your best,” she says. “The only person who can determine your future is yourselves!”

She makes a few more announcements, and then says, “And I’d like to congratulate our mathlete team for winning last week’s competition. Please, everyone, give them a round of applause.”

My friends and I clap and cheer while Mason blushes. Most of the other students clap unenthusiastically while others look around like they have no idea we actually have a mathlete team.

“And congratulations to the basketball team for an amazing win on Friday!” VP Rivera continues. “Go, Lions!”

At this, the students cheer and clap like crazy.

Principal Nakamura now takes the mic. “Go, Lions!” she repeats with a wide smile. “We can’t wait to see them dominate just like the football team. Now, I’d like to give the floor to Miss Lane, who has some news to share with you.”

My neck feels stretched like a giraffe as I study Miss Lane’s expression to try to figure out if she has good news or bad news to share with us. She’s got a huge smile on her face, so I hope it’s good news?

She takes the mic and says, “Good morning, students. As many of you know, the drama department has been having a hard time finding a male lead to star in this semester’s play. But I’m glad to announce that I found the perfect person to play William. I think many of you will recognize this young man…” She spreads her hand toward the back of the stage.

I, along with many other students, sit up in our seats to glimpse this mystery person. He’s a tallish guy wearing a red cap with the words L.A., and sunglasses. He looks kind of familiar…

It’s the lips…

“No,” I gasp as I stare at the guy in horror.

“What’s wrong?” Zoey asks as she leans closer to me.

“This is a nightmare. This has to be a nightmare.”

“Mia?” Rylee says.

“It’s Declan,” I hiss to them. “That guy is Declan Hart!”

“What?” they say, gazes flitting back to the dude on stage.

He walks toward the mic with that charismatic smile he always wears. “Hey, students of Edenbury High. Anyone know who I am?” He lowers his glasses a little so the kids can see his green eyes.

“Oh my gosh, it is Declan!” Rylee hisses back.

“Give the kids five seconds before they realize it’s him,” I say.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two—

“Is that Declan Hart???!” a girl yells from one of the rows behind us.

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