Page 19 of Isabella and the Slipper

The phone rang a few times before she picked up. “Hello?”

“Hey. You sound out of breath. You done cleaning?”

“Yes. Sorry, just going for a walk. But I can talk at the same time. How was your day?”

He sat down on his chair and leaned on his desk. “Long. How was yours?”

“It was ... interesting.”

“Really? What happened?”

She didn’t speak for a few seconds, and all he heard were the rustling sounds of movement. “I don’t know. Just things.”

“Come on. I told you some pretty serious stuff about me. And I don’t even know your name.” He picked up a pen and started doodling on the paper Isabella had left with him.

“It’s about a guy.”

He sat up in his chair. “You have a boyfriend?”

“No. He’s just a guy I like.”

Chase wasn’t sure why that annoyed him. “What happened with this guy?”

“Nothing serious. We talked. That’s all.”

“Then you had a good day?”

She let out a breath like he didn’t understand. “Yeah, I guess. It’s just kind of weird.”

That made Chase feel better. “If it was weird, then maybe he’s not the guy for you.”

She laughed. “Maybe.”

“So all weekend my mom’s been asking me if I thought that audition went well, and if I thought I’d get a callback, and I’ve been feeling guiltier and guiltier about throwing it, ya know?”

“Sorry, that was a bad idea.”

“No, it was a great idea because Mom would be livid if I told her I didn’t want to do it, but I really didn’t want that part.”

“Hopefully she’ll forget about it.”

“I think she will, because today she told me she got me another audition. It’s a small part, like I’ve been doing. But I’m not sure if I should I do it. I mean, like try out like I want the part.”

“Do you want the part?”

“I don’t know.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I sort of do, but I don’t want to get stuck in this rut, either.”

“Okay, I’m going to flip a coin. Heads, you do it. Tails, you don’t.”

“Seriously? That’s how you’re going to decide?”

“Bear with me. I’m getting the coin out now. Flipping ... and done.”

He waited for the results. When she didn’t speak, he said, “Well, what is it?”

“Which are you hoping it is?”

“Heads.”

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