Page 111 of The Facade

And even though my mom loved the rain, and it would have been fitting for it to have rained on the day of her funeral, the sun was shining all day instead.

My dad and I opted not to speak, since we knew we wouldn’t be able to make it ten seconds into our speeches without bawling like babies. But my mom’s siblings and Mrs. Hastings did a beautiful job of telling stories about my mom and even had us laughing through our tears here and there.

I went back to school the next Monday, deciding that it was best for me to try to get back into regular life again. It was a short school week since Thanksgiving break would start after school on Tuesday. But it was nice to be around my friends and schoolmates again. And with our basketball games starting the next week, I really did need to practice with the team in order to play my best for the scouts that Coach said would be coming to watch me later in the season.

The house felt empty without my mom there when I got home from basketball practice in the evening. She must have been too busy cracking jokes and becoming everyone’s best friend in the next life to come and haunt me. But it was probably for the best.

“What doyou think Miss Crawley wants to talk to you about?” I asked Cambrielle on Tuesday morning just outside of her U.S. History class.

Cambrielle’s audition for the play had been the day before, and Miss Crawley had told everyone that she’d be posting the cast list sometime later today so everyone could start memorizing their lines over Thanksgiving break.

“I have no idea,” Cambrielle said, a hint of anxiety in her bright blue eyes. “I thought my audition went pretty well. I wobbled a few times, but I don’t think it was too big of a deal.” She hugged her books to her chest. “Do you think she wants to tell me I didn’t make the cut before she posts the list?”

“No, I doubt that’s it. I’ve seen you practice. There’s no way she wouldn’t cast you.”

Cambrielle was an amazing dancer. And while I hadn’t been able to watch her audition since I’d been in basketball practice yesterday, a little wobble here and there couldn’t have messed things up that much.

“When do you meet with her?” I asked.

“During lunch.”

“Want me to wait outside her office when you go in? Or just save you a spot at the table?”

“Probably just save me a spot. I have no idea how long she’ll want to talk.”

“Okay.”

The warning bell rang, so I bent close and gently kissed her on the head.

“I’ll see you later,” I said.

“See you,” she replied, and then went into her classroom.

When I turned around, I saw that while we’d said goodbye, several classmates had stopped to watch us. At first I’d assumed they were just awkwardly watching the guy whose mom had died the week before, because I’d been getting a lot of awkward looks since yesterday. But when I saw shock instead of pity, I realized they were reacting to the way I’d just kissed Cambrielle’s head instead.

Which I guess meant that Cambrielle probably hadn’t told anyone aside from our immediate friend group that we were dating.

I just smiled at their curious expressions and planned to head to my English class without saying anything. But then I noticed Ben standing among the crowd of onlookers and couldn’t resist patting him on the shoulder and saying, “Thanks for messing things up with her, man. Because of you, she finally decided to give me the time of day.” Then leaning a little closer I whispered, “Also, before you try bamboozling any other girls, you might want to work on your kissing skills. Cambrielle wasnotimpressed.”

His mouth hung open, like he couldn’t believe what I’d just said. But instead of sticking around to hear whatever excuses he had for treating Cambrielle the way he had, I just kept on walking.

Cambrielle arrivedat our lunch table with her tray only a few minutes after the lunch period had started.

“Did you already meet with Miss Crawley?” I asked when she scooted into the seat beside me.

“Yes,” she said, her eyes bright and her cheeks somewhat flushed like she’d rushed here to tell me the news.

“And?” I asked.

A huge smile slipped onto her lips. “And she asked if I wouldn’t mind playing the part of Meg Giry.”

“Which I’m guessing is a good thing?” I wasn’t familiar enough withThe Phantom of the Operamusical to know who Meg Giry was, but I assumed from the look on her face that it was.

“Yes.” She nodded excitedly. “At least I think so.”

“So you won’t be dancing then?” I tilted my head to the side, still not knowing much about this role that she was excited about.

“Oh, I will be,” she said. “Meg is one of the dancers. But she also has a few lines. She’s the one Christine confides in about her lessons from the Angel of Music. It’s not a huge role, but I think I can do it.”

---