Page 47 of Dungeons and Drama

I squeeze my eyes shut in embarrassment. “I just…I don’t know. Promise you won’t say anything to Lucas?”

“I would never!” She looks scandalized at the idea. “And if Nathan is too stubborn to ask, then you’ll be there with me.” She links her arm with mine. “Your momwilllet you come, and we’ll dance until we’ve sweated off our makeup. Do you think there’s any way I’d go without you?”

She grins at me and I grin back, trying to push away the faint disappointment I’m feeling. Thirty minutes ago, homecoming wasn’t on my mind, but now I’m wounded at Nathan’s reaction to the idea. Things were supposed to be so different this year. At one point, I’d imagined going to homecoming with Paul. It would’ve been the first time I’d gone to a dance with a real boyfriend, and I was lookingforward to having mypersonby my side—someone who got me and liked me and gave me goose bumps when he held my hand. But there’s no point in thinking about that possibility anymore. Even if I was allowed to attend, I’d never go with Paul. And Nathan…well, he’s not my boyfriend anyway, so it doesn’t matter.

Chapter Sixteen

“All right, everyone, settle down!” I call to the students milling around onstage. “We need to get started—we don’t have a lot of time.”

I stand back and put my hands on my hips, hoping that I don’t have to yell again. In front of me are twenty-five students who’ve all agreed to be a part of this musical preview. After Lucas gave me the idea Friday, I spent the weekend messaging everyone and getting organized. Luckily, Miss Sahni was excited about the plan and agreed to reserve the auditorium for us for the next two weeks, although she doesn’t have time to help with rehearsals. We only have it two days a week for forty-five minutes, which isn’t much, but I’m staying positive.

After lots of internal debate, I ultimately chose “Big Bright Beautiful World” and “Story of My Life” fromShrek the Musicalas our songs for the musical preview. They can showcase many different people in singing roles; there’s minimal dancing, which will make it easier to rehearse given ourlimited time; and there are small roles for townspeople so we can include everyone. I want the administration to see all the talent and excitement we have. Unfortunately, not everyone is excited about my choice.

“Shrek,though?” Kelly says again. “I mean, I wouldn’t mind playing Fiona, but you didn’t choose one of her songs. Can’t we do ‘Defying Gravity’ instead?”

I vehemently shake my head. “No, that song is a duet and it’ll be better if we can show off as much talent as possible. As I already explained.”

“What if we did something fromDear Evan Hansen?” Jeremy asks from the back.

“Guys, listen. Do you want to have a musical this year?”

They all nod.

“Then we need to work together. This isn’t about one of us; it’s about all of us. And just because we’re doingShrekfor this performance doesn’t mean we’re doing it for the actual show. But if we can’t pull this off, then maybe we don’t deserve to have a musical this year.” I narrow my eyes and survey them. A few people look sulky, but no one fights back. I’ve been in a lot of musicals, and I’ve helped run bits of rehearsals in the past, but I’ve never been in charge before. I roll my shoulders and give off an air of confidence.

“Okay, for the sake of simplicity, I’ve gone ahead and cast the major parts.” I start calling out names. Hoshiko will be Mama Ogre for the showcase, which means she kicks off our performance, along with Terrance playing Papa Ogre. The majority of students will be playing fairy-tale creatures for the second song, and everyone else will be in the chorus as townspeople who are scared of Shrek.

I catch Paul’s gaze as I call out the last of the names for chorus. His eyes are wide and he’s standing extra tall. He doesn’t need to say anything for me to know exactly what’s on his mind. He wants to know if I’ve cast him as the lead. I wondered if he’d be too busy or important to show up today, but I should have known that Paul would never miss an opportunity to perform.

I force myself to smile and make eye contact with him. “And, Paul, I have you singing as Shrek.”

A few girls, who are clearly still charmed by his good looks, squeal and applaud him. He smiles indulgently and bows his head slightly in my direction. I’m going to get a headache from clenching my jaw so tight.

This is all practice for the future, I remind myself. If I’m going to direct anything, from high school theater all the way up to a professional production, I’m going to be working with a range of people, some of whom will be unlikeable. But I need to stay professional no matter what. And the truth is, I need Paul here. He’s the best male performer we have in the school, and I want to make sure the principal sees what we have to offer. So, yeah, I gave him Shrek. But against my will.

“Okay, everyone, I think the first thing we should do is listen to a cast recording of the songs so we know what we’re aiming for.” I scan the stage. “After that, we’ll rehearse each song as a full group so that everyone is clear which parts they’re singing. Then we’ll break up into smaller groups to practice. When we come back on Wednesday, we’ll work on blocking, and Hoshiko has kindly agreed to put together some simple choreography for the townspeople and fairy-tale creatures.”

I pull out a stack of papers with printed lyrics since I don’t expect everyone to have the songs memorized. A moment later, Paul is by my side.

“Here, I’ll help pass them out.”

He puts out a hand, standing next to me like he’s become my assistant director along with lead actor. I’d much rather have Hoshiko helping me, but everyone is watching us, and I don’t want to make a scene, so I smile politely and hand him half the stack.

“I’ve labeled them by role,” I explain, and point to the top of the page. I spent last evening prepping these so that each person only has the lyrics they need.

“You’re doing a great job, by the way,” Paul says quietly. “Don’t let anyone make you second-guess yourself. They don’t know how hard this is.”

He turns away to pass out the papers and I stare at his back, my eyes narrowing at his words. Who’s making me second-guess myself? Are people saying I can’t do this? Or am I letting Paul’s words get to me way too much like usual?

I take a deep breath. I don’t know where Paul’s head is at, and it doesn’t matter. The only thing that’s important is pulling everyone together to produce the best showcase we can. I wish I didn’t have to deal with him along with everything else, though. Maybe I should try convincing Nathan to stay after and play the supportive boyfriend during rehearsals. The idea floods me with giddy joy, but I push it away. That would be so much fun, but having Nathan by my side would distract me even more than Paul.

Chapter Seventeen

The next few days go by smoothly, most likely because I’m becoming a skilled liar. In order to have an excuse to stay after school for rehearsals, I told my parents Miss Sahni had called additional choir practice to prep for the winter recital. They didn’t question it, and Iamstaying for a type of singing rehearsal that is supported by Miss Sahni, but there’s no question I’m pushing my luck with this. I hope it’ll all be worth it in the end. And, because I havenoshame, I’m still pestering them to give me a final answer about homecoming. They won’t say yes, but they’re hedging enough that they might be secretly considering it.

Nathan’s judging a Pokémon tournament in the game room on Thursday, so I don’t see him for most of my shift. I’m sure he’s busy, but he’s probably also caught up with Sophia, who came in halfway through the tournament and went directly to the back room. I want to go back as well, but there’s no way I can since Dad needs me at the register.Maybe it’s good to give them some time to talk so he can get to know her better and win her over.

Or, you know, so he can realize she’s the worst and give it up. Either way.

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