Page 61 of Drama Queens Don't Fall For Charming Boys

I think about it for a bit. “I guess you’re right. DH wouldn’t be caught dead wearing this.” I move my arms and legs around. “It’s kind of comfy, actually.”

We make our way out of the hardware store, glancing around to check if anyone recognizes me. A few kids take in my getup and giggle. One mom must think I’ve lost my mind because she yanks her kid close. Mia just laughs. I haven’t noticed it before, but she has a very cute smile. It lights up her entire face.

Some people narrow their eyes as they look at me. Then they glance away like I’m no one important to busy their time with.

“It’s working,” I whisper to Mia as we walk. “Thanks again for helping me out. I don’t know how I would have survived the mob if not for your quick thinking.”

She bows like it’s a curtain call. “I live to serve.”

I scoff, then she scoffs, and then we’re both chuckling. It’s strange to laugh with her. Just a short while ago, we were irritated with each other. And then we talked and realized that our anger toward each other was so avoidable. All because of a misunderstanding. Well, two.

“Are we going home?” I ask. “Or can I be Pirate Farmer for a little bit longer? I’m actually digging this role.”

“Pirate Farmer? That’s so funny. What crops will you plant today, aye matey?”

I laugh. “I’m digging for my booty, me hearty.”

“Aye, aye,” she says with a light laugh. “For sure. Where’s the booty hidden?”

I rub my chin as I glance around. We’re in the main lobby of the mall, with many different shops around. My gaze zooms in on an ice cream stand called Madame Freezie. “Looks like me treasure is there.”

“Ice cream?” she asks. “Shiver me timbers! I didn’t know Pirate Farmer likes ice cream.”

Some passersby stare at us as we act like complete dorks. Well, this doesn’t really feel like acting. I’m just having fun with my new friend.

I don’t know if Mia would consider me a friend, since we’ve been through so much, but I’d like to be her friend. Or at least, we should be friendly. Not only for the good of the play, but for the good of our careers. Who knows…maybe we can even do a movie together again one day.

I bend close to whisper to her, “Maybe we should take it down a notch with the pirate lingo.”

She nods. “Right. I think we got carried away.”

“Yeah, for sure.”

Awkward silence.

I clear my throat, shoving my hands into my overall pockets. Why did things suddenly get weird?

“So how about that ice cream?” I ask her.

“Of course. Madame Freezie is the best. You know they have a shop in Edenbury? They did so well here that they opened one a few years ago.”

“I didn’t know that, but I’ve only been here a week. If you say the ice cream’s good, I’ll take your word for it.”

There’s a small crowd waiting to be served. Mia and I stand in line and I notice that no one is paying attention to us. Most people are either chatting or are on their phones. This ice cream must be something if there’s quite a crowd here.

“When I lived in Alabama, my town was so tiny we only had one ice cream shop,” I tell her. “It was amazing. Every time my family wanted to celebrate different occasions, we always went there. It was like a family tradition. When I landed my first lead role in the school play in second grade, my parents let me have as much ice cream as I wanted. I got such a bad stomach ache I didn’t think I’d ever eat ice cream again. But you know what? A few days later, I was back there like nothing happened.”

She squints as she stares at me.

“What?”

“Trying to picture you as a little kid.”

I shrug. “I looked pretty much the same. Dark hair, green eyes. Though my eyes were really big. Like too big for my face.”

She laughs.

“Some kids teased me that I looked like a frog.”

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