Page 12 of Dungeons and Drama

“I’m very sorry about these budget cuts. It’s shortsighted of them and will take a huge opportunity away from the student body. However, it’s not your place to fix this. Right now, you need to be focused on winning back our trust, and then you can think about the musical.”

I grit my teeth in annoyance. “But if I don’t do something now, there won’tbea musical!”

“Well, maybe that wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.” She pinches the bridge of her nose in frustration. “I know I sounded reluctant about your father’s store before, but I actually think it’s a good thing for you. You’ve become entirely too obsessed with theater lately. I mean, you drove to Columbus without a license just to see a touring Broadway production! You could have gotten arrested or killed yourself and Hoshiko. You seem to lose all common sense when it comes to the theater. Without the musical, you’ll have time next spring to explore other extracurriculars, join clubs, whatever. And there’s always the community theater production next summer.”

Next summer?!That’s nine months away! And the community theater production isn’t the same as our high school production. Those casts are filled with strangers and people double my age or more. I want to be with my friends onourstage atourschool. And, most importantly, I want to vie for student director this year. It would be my first time in a directing role, and I need the experience if I ever want to be taken seriously after high school.

I start to argue, but her lips press into a firm line, and I realize any arguing will only hurt my chances further. Suddenly, Audrey Hepburn’s voice isn’t so magical to my ears. I don’t care what Mom says, though—I’m not letting this go. I love musicals too much to let our school production slip through my fingers. Mom didn’t explicitly say I couldn’t research possible musicals in my spare time. Or have a casual conversation with my choir teacher about the future. By the time my probation is done, I’ll definitely be back in my parents’ good graces, and then I can get permission. I smile and take a handful of popcorn. No one needs to be the wiser until then.

When Dad and I arrive at the game store on Friday afternoon, he immediately gets pulled into a conversation with someone about donating for a nonprofit auction. Maybe this is the norm when you own a small business, but Dad is constantly being asked to donate to auctions or organizations or youth groups, and he says yes every time. I don’t knowwhy he agrees to sponsor so much stuff, but he clearly has a reputation because people keep asking him.

Nathan is nowhere to be seen, but Lucas is milling around the board games. “What are you up to tonight?” I ask him.

“D&D again. We play twice a week.” Lucas shrugs. “It’s a little intense, but I love it.”

“So, I can look forward to seeing Sophia again?”

“Probably not. She almost never shows.” He rolls his eyes. “Beyond the whole Nathan thing, it’s a real pain, because it makes it hard to run the game when players are coming and going. I’d like to have at least four reliable people.” His eyes flash in my direction. “Actually, you should join us! Would you want to? It’s really fun.”

“But I’m not here for fun.” I spread my arms wide. “I’m here to work.”

“I bet your dad wouldn’t make you work if you were playing with us.”

Hmm, well thatisan interesting proposition.

Before I have time to think about it, a flash of a familiar smile at the entrance has me swallowing a primal scream.

It’s Paul.

And he’s not alone.

He strides into the store, handsome and smug, holding hands with Lainey Lewis. The silent scream intensifies.Lainey?She acted opposite him inThe Music Man. Lainey is everything you’d want in a leading lady. Beautiful, tall, with an expressive face and a gorgeous voice. Even the alliteration of her name sounds like it was made for a Broadway marquee. I don’t know her since she lives in the next town over, but I immediately noticed her eyeing Paul at the auditionmonths ago. No wonder he was so quick to kick me to the curb after the cast list went up.

“Excuse me,” I say to Lucas, and duck behind a shelf before they can see me. Lucas gives me a confused expression and leaves for the back game room.

Why are Paul and Lainey here? I know he couldn’t care less about gaming, and I can’t imagine Lainey spends her time painting tabletop models. But Paul knows I work here now after I stupidly blurted that out in the choir room. Would he really come here—all hand-holding and lovey-eyes with Lainey—just to rub it in? Paul might be a pompous jerk, but I never thought he was cruel.

“Riley?”

I bite back a string of curse words. I should have kept my eyes circling the store the way my thoughts are circling my mind.

I straighten to find Paul and Lainey in front of me, Paul with an uncertain look on his face. “You…busy?”

I shake my head and try to act as if it’s a pleasant surprise to see them suddenly in front of me. Which I can totally do. I’m an actress. This is just like a play.

“Oh, hey! No, just looking over products here. You know, a little inventory.”

He smiles indulgently. “Uh, right. Well, Lainey needs a present for her younger brother, so I suggested this place since I know you’re working here now.” He gestures to her. “You remember Lainey, right?”

The girl who was cast in the part I desperately wanted? The girl who obviously flirted with you when she knew we were together? Oh yes, Paul, I remember Lainey.

I turn my full-wattage smile on her. “Definitely! Good to see you.”

She waves. “I’m so clueless about all this! It’s kind of dumb, don’t you think?” She lowers her voice and leans toward me. “Like, why are grown men still playing with this stuff?” She smiles as if we’re sharing an inside joke. “But I need something for the party Saturday, so here I am.”

“Yep. Here you are.”

I’m seething. Which I know is totally hypocritical because it’s not like I’m a big fan of gaming either, but does she have no idea that my father owns this store? And even if Paul didn’t mention it, it seems like she should start with the assumption that I might like gaming if I’m working here. I don’t know, maybe she’s just oblivious, but either way I loathe her even more than before.

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