Page 81 of The Facade

“You think so?” he asked, his gaze flickering to me like he didn’t quite believe it.

“Of course,” I said. “Remember that I, as your sister, can say that even after living with you during middle school when you were at the peak of your annoying streak. But you’re in your senior year now, and you’re on almost every girl’s list of the top-ten most dateable guys at our school. Why wouldn’t a girl like Elyse fall for your special charm?”

“My special charm?” He cocked an eyebrow, like he wasn’t sure the description was something to be proud of or worried about.

“Just take it as a compliment.” I shrugged. “I mean, I’m your sister, so that’s as good as it’s going to get from me.”

“Fair enough.” He sat up straighter, and it did seem like my pep talk had boosted his confidence a little.

Which made me feel slightly less guilty about lying to him about Mack.

He stood. “Well, I’m probably going to go practiceThe Music of the Nightfor my audition.”

“Don’t you already know the whole musical by heart?” I asked.

“You never can be too prepared,” he said. “I don’t want to give Miss Crawley any reason not to cast me as the lead this time.”

He’d gone into a slight depression when he hadn’t been cast as Jean Valjean in last winter’s production ofLes Miserables. But as soon as Miss Crawley had announced what they’d be doing this winter, he’d immediately downloaded the music and started practicing. He’d even passed on the opportunity to play in this fall’s production ofThe Music Manbecause he didn’t want his role in that to possibly keep him from getting the lead in this one.

So yeah, saying my brother was invested in becoming the Phantom would be an understatement.

But I was sure he would get the part. He’d been trained by the best vocal teacher in New Haven and had taken acting classes over the summer to prepare for an epic senior year. No one was more prepared than Nash was to rule the stage this winter.

“Maybe I’ll come down later and practice my dance audition,” I said. “I can’t look like the lazy Hastings sibling when it comes to auditions in a few weeks.”

“Maybe you should,” he said.

He left my room then, and as soon as he’d shut the door behind him, I grabbed my phone from beneath the pillow beside me to see if Mack had texted me back.

He had.

Mack:I’m glad to hear you haven’t changed your mind because if you did, I’d just have to change it right back.

I smiled as a thrill of anticipation filled me. This was actually happening.

Me:I mean, if you convincing me includes more of what we did last night, maybe I do need my memory refreshed.

Because I was pretty sure I could kiss him forever and never want to stop.

Mack:If we weren’t having lunch with my grandma in a few minutes I’d sneak up your balcony right now and show you exactly why you don’t want to step away from this.

My stomach fluttered at the thought of him doing just that—fluttered over the fact that Mack Aarden, the boy whom I’d always thought was infinitely out of my reach, was even saying these things to me.

Like, was this even real life? Because I was pretty sure it felt like I’d stepped into a fairytale.

Me:If only you didn’t already have plans. Because that would have been fun.

Mack:It would. I’d love to say that I could come over after lunch, but if my mom is feeling up to it, I’m planning to spend the rest of the day with her.

Me:I totally get that.

As much as I wanted to spend all my free time with Mack, I was not about to come between him and his mom. Because while none of us really knew how long we had here on earth, they did know her time would be coming to an end soon and Mack would never be able to get these precious moments with his mom back.

Mack:But I’ll be in our foods class tomorrow, so you better be there too.

Me:Pretty sure it will be my favorite class tomorrow.

I felt bad that Elyse was stuck with Ben now because of our partner swap, but I couldn’t be any happier with the arrangement we had.

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