Page 13 of Dungeons and Drama

“Are you thinking board games? Because we have a lot over here.” I point to the shelf behind her, and she randomly picks up a game box.

“Sixty dollars?”She exchanges a look with Paul. “For cardboard? I definitely can’t afford that.”

I pray to the theater gods that I don’t lose my temper.This is just another scene,I repeat to myself.

“What about a card game instead? Magic is supposed to be popular.”

She frowns and nods. “Yeah, that might work. I think I’ve seen some of those cards at our house before.”

I lead her to that aisle. For a few moments, she and Paul stand together, heads tilted toward each other as they look through the options. Maybe I can slowly back away anddisappear into the ether? But then he steps away and turns to me.

“So, how are you holding up, Riley?”

“What?” Please tell me he’s not trying to talk about our breakup again.

“At the store? Is it horrible or are you liking it here?”

“Oh. Um, it could be worse.”

He gives me one of his smiles. His patented, charming, made-me-want-to-kiss-him smiles. For a moment I’m flooded with memories of us together. Running lines, harmonizing to “It’s De-Lovely,” getting soft-serve ice cream cones and trying to eat them before they melted down our hands. And the look he gave me as I licked my ice cream cone, as if he was two seconds from knocking it out of my hand and kissing me until neither of us could breathe.

I take a deep breath. I can do this. Maybe he’s trying to be friendly and normal again. If so, I can try as well. It would make life easier if I was on decent terms with Paul since we see each other in choir and around school.

“DidMusic Manend up going well? I’m sorry I couldn’t get to a show.”

He brightens. “It went awesome. Our director knows her stuff, but she’s also collaborative with the cast. I love her. And Lainey absolutely killed it.”

I nod and focus on not letting my smile slip. I’m happy for him—or, at least, Iwantto be happy. He deserved the lead role. And maybe Lainey deserved her role as well. But all I can think is how much I wanted to be there with them. I could have spent my summer rehearsing and performing, andthe pain of missing out is even worse knowing that there’s a good chance I won’t be part of a production this spring either. All I want is to review lines and memorize stage blocking and joke around with the cast. I miss being at my favorite place in the world—the stage.

Paul must notice some change in my expression because he tilts his head in concern and pats me on the arm. “Is this too much? Us coming here together?” He looks over his shoulder at Lainey, who is still busy searching through the different Magic card packs. “I wasn’t trying to rub it in or anything, bringing her here. Don’t worry, Riley. You’re great. You’ll find someone else, even if it takes you a while.”

I step back. Any feelings of sadness or nostalgia I was entertaining flee at his words and righteous indignation takes their place.

“I know I’ll find someone. I’ve already found him.” The words are out before I can think, and I almost slap my hand over my mouth.

“You have?” He frowns. “I didn’t know you were dating someone too.” His face is skeptical, and it eats away at me.

“It’s new.”

“Who is it?”

“Just someone. It doesn’t matter.”

His frown deepens and then his lips twist in a small smile. “Oh, right. Sure.”

Wait…is he insinuating that I’m making this up? That I’m some silly pathetic girl who is boyfriend-less and fabricating random relationships just to save face?

I mean, okay, yes, that’s exactly what I’m doing, butheisn’t allowed to think that. Why is it so hard for him to believe I could have a new boyfriend?

“Are you insinuating he isn’t real?”

He holds up his hands in surrender. “I’m just saying…either way it’s totally fine.”

My hands clench into fists. “He’s real.”

Lainey turns around to look at us. “What are you talking about? Who’s real?”

“My boyfriend.”

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