Page 59 of A Game as Old as Time

Cheerleaders…

It may have only been the underclassmen who joined in, but it was still a big help. From what Hailey could gather, Peyton did not get along with the senior cheerleading captain and Gunner’s old girlfriend, Charlotte. While many around the school still believed that Gunner and Charlotte were together, Juliana had made it very clear that it was over.

It would be nice if she knew that.

Hailey was not used to being a topic of gossip in the girl’s bathroom, but the late nights that she and Gunner had spent on the stage had spread around the school like wildfire. To her, it was common practice for the two leads to work together on their lines. However, the looks coming her way in the hallways had made her realize that others thought differently.

I hate it.

“Oh, and Hailey,” Peyton said, interrupting Hailey’s internal dread, “I saw the dress you will be wearing for the big dance scene. I can’t wait to see you in it!”

Hailey blushed.

“Thanks.”

“Just…” Peyton glanced over at Gunner. “Just take it easy on the poor Beast. He’s not always the most graceful.”

Hailey’s face was on fire as Peyton skipped away with a giggle.

Not this Gunner.

Based on what she had seen, he was a fantastic dancer. He was also agreat singer. He would never star in a Broadway show, but for a high school musical, he was going to be great.

He’s so good at everything.

In fact, that was what was beginning to scare her. He was talented, and the more time they spent together, the more she realized just how smart he was. She had been so blinded by her rage at him that she had never realized he was in three AP classes. She knew how hard her father pushed his football players every day, yet Gunner always seemed in control, and he made it a priority to work with her on the musical while still succeeding at everything else he did.

“Hey!” Gunner’s voice surprised her.

Crap.

She had made her way toward him without even realizing it.

“Hey guys!” It took a second for her to steady herself. “How…is everything going between my father and his hideous captor?”

JT matched her sheepishness with a shrug.

“It’s…well, it’s going, I guess?”

Gunner shook his head and slapped JT on the back.

“JT, don’t be so modest! Sorry, Hailey. He is just worried that he won’t be able to fully portray his character. Which, I can tell you from working with him, is completely wrong!”

“Come on Gunner…”

JT smiled, but she could tell he still felt uneasy.

“JT.” He leaned in as she whispered. “The best part of acting is that you can put your own personality into any character.” His shoulders relaxed a bit. “Add a little Jefferson Taylor to it, and I promise you, it will start to come naturally.”

JT nodded just as Ms. Summers called his name.

“Thanks, Hailey,” he said, tapping her arm as he moved by. “For everything.”

Such a nice guy.

A quiet conversation behind her turned her around.

“So,” she said, grinning at Brad and Gunner, “what could you two possibly be discussing?”

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