Page 146 of Meet Me at the Metro

“They saw me trip and fall and royally screw up my audition.”

“And even with all that, you still managed to be captivating. Stop worrying. Trust me on this one.”

Though, my heart is still racing with anxiety as we near the end of the hallway.

Straight ahead, on the festively decorated bulletin board, lies the answer I’ve been itching to know since my audition. I halt in my tracks, not finding the courage to figure it out.

“We could always come to check the cast listafterthe holidays?”

“So you can yap my ear off about it until well after boxing day?” He yanks me from my standstill. “Absolutely not!”

Connor’s not giving up as he drags me closer to the board, which is already crowded with students, so I cover my eyes and vehemently shake my head. “I can’t look.”

“Would you stop?”

I feel his body lean toward what I know is the cast list. Unlike the chattering students around us, he’s silent, and it’s absolute torture.

Connor sucks in a breath. “Ellie, look.”

“I didn’t make it, did I?”

“Open your damn eyes and figure out yourself.”

Reluctantly, I do. My arm is a death grip around Connor’s as my eyes skim the scattered names on the paper.

Chicago (2024) Cast List

Velma Kelly...... Michaela Jones

Roxie Hart...... Jessica Beckett

Amos Hart...... Connor Pearson

Billy Flynn...... Harvey Webb

Matron Mamma Morton...... Tati Stevens

Ensemble:

Eleanor Mattice, Amira Bradley, Seth Hudson, Lucille Spencer, Brady Muir, Cole Vasquez, May Kent, Manisha Blackwell, Patricia Beard, Greg Storey, Esther Wu, Jacob Gardner, Ralph Hoffman

“Holy shit,” I breathe shakily.

“Is that a goodholy shitor a bad one?”

“It’s arelievedholy shit,“ I laugh.

Not only is my name on the cast list, but it’s also void of John’s. The relief that follows that realization feels like the first breath you take when coming out of the water for air.

So far, it seems that Kimberley has kept her promise to keep him away—far, far away. For that, I can only find myself thankful.

Connor pulls me close as our eyes do a once-over of the cast list again. “You got Amos! I’m so proud of you. You’ll be perfect.”

“Thank you, Ellie. I’m sorry you didn’t get the role you were going for. You would have made the perfect Roxie.”

“Don’t be,” I smile, hoping it’s enough reassurance for him to celebrate his well-earned win. “The ensemble is going to be just as much fun. Honestly, I’m just happy to have gotten a part.” Connor’s eyes are still full of guilt, so I do what I can to divert the subject away from myself. “Harvey’s going to have a cow when he hears that he got Billy Flynn.”

“You going to text him and tell him?”

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