Mr. Saltzman utters a nervous laugh. “Ididsay I was flying around the neighborhood, didn’t I? Perhaps, I hoped there would be something newsworthy to spread about you two after the holiday. And I was right.”
I gape at him. Tears cloud my vision as I imagine him witnessing the events with Mom. It’s humiliating.
Zayne shakes his head. “And what about my audition script? Did you already know what Carlton did to it?”
“Carlton?” Mr. Saltzman laughs like we’re all good friends sharing a joke. Maybe it’s his way of trying to calm us down. “I gave you both a marked up script.” At Zayne’s murderous scowl, he holds up his hands. “You have to understand how much everyonelovesyour feud with Carlton, Zayne. I was just giving them what they wanted.”
“You mean they were both innocent?” I ask. “And you knew they’d both assume the other was sabotaging them?”
Mr. Saltzman shrugs. “Before you two get mad, listen. I already knew who I was going to cast as Edgar and Heathcliff.” He turns his gaze on me. “Zayne and Carlton are both talented, qualified actors. It didn’t matter if they flubbed their auditions with those scripts. That was all purely to keep the feud going for the column. Same with the snake in Carlton’s backpack.”
I swallow back my tears so I can ask him the question I’ve been wondering all along. “Why about me? Why did you really cast me as the lead if you have so many people who want to be in your play?”
He bites away a grin. “Because you were pretty good, but better yet, you’re a new actress, and I knew it would make the others angry and jealous. Stir up more drama. I really meant it when I said you two have great chemistry.”
My stomach sinks at his words. “So, it wasn’t because you saw something special in me?” There’s a roaring in my ears I can’t ignore. All this time, I thought I had a natural talent Mr. Saltzman couldn’t resist. I’ve been storing that thought in the forefront of my mind to keep myself going. To keep me from quitting. Now that I know he cast me as the lead for the sake ofcausing drama, I can’t help but feel like an imposter who can’t act at all.
Zayne sighs. It’s like he can sense my disappointment. “You’ve become the best actress I know, Dot.” He touches my arm, sending warmth back into my cold limbs.
“And you’re the best liar I know.” I pull my arm away from him, but then realize what I just said. I turn to face Little Birdie himself. “Or…is he?
Zayne’s lips part. His gaze jumps to Mr. Saltzman, who is watching us with interest. “Tell her,” he grounds out. “Tell her the truth about that trash you posted during the dance.”
The drama teacher holds up his hands. “I didn’t lie. I said I got my information from an insider who claims to have heard you speak those words. I never said I heard them myself.”
“Who was your source?” I ask, my eyes narrowing.
But Mr. Saltzman shakes his head. “You’ll never get me to talk. Now give me back my phone.”
“Who is the insider?” Zayne takes an aggressive step toward Mr. Saltzman. “So help me, I will go to jail over this, and it will be worth it. Don’t test me!”
A pathetic squeal escapes Mr. Saltzman’s lips, and he shrinks back into his chair. “Carlton! It was Carlton. He sent in a very detailed tip. Please, don’t touch me!”
Zayne stiffens. “I should have known.”
My face burns like it’s on fire. I want to throw something, or yell at someone in frustration. But now is not the time. “Delete the site.” I make my voice as firm as possible. “Get rid of Little Birdie. Enough is enough.”
“Absolutely not.” Mr. Saltzman crosses his arms. “You can’t make me.”
“I can if you want to keep your job.” Zayne balls his hand into a fist, but I grab his arm to keep him from lunging at our teacher.
“It’s not worth it,” I whisper. By some miracle, he seems to relax his tense form. To Mr. Saltzman, I say, “You’ve broken so many school rules with this app. We could report you. If you care about your job so much, you’ll take this seriously.”
He pushes his glasses up his nose. He’s wearing a poker face, so I can’t tell if my threat makes him nervous or not. “I’ll offer you both immunity from theLittle Birdieplatform in exchange for your silence.”
“Or we could just get you fired.” Zayne crosses his arms. “And you just committed a crime called blackmail. That’s grounds for arrest.”
Mr. Saltzman shifts in his chair. His cheeks are set aflame, nearly crimson against his round, pale face, and a bead of sweat forms at his temple. “You can’t prove anything.”
“Actually, I can.” Zayne reaches into his pocket and points his phone in the teacher’s direction. I started recording when you first ran in, looking all nervous. Say hi to the camera.”
“I...” His chin wobbles like a nutcracker. “I’ll shut down the app. I promise. No more Little Birdie.” He presses his palms together. “I can’t lose my job.Please.”
The pressure in my chest eases. “You’ll have to make one more post, saying goodbye. That way we’ll know you’re serious.”
Mr. Saltzman gravely looks us each in the eye through his glasses. “You have my word.” Pain is visible in his gaze. I know he’s probably devastated that he’ll have to give up this ridiculous legacy he built on the backs of his students, but I don’t care. He deserves to feel every ounce of pain he’s inflicted on others with this mess.
“Then we have a deal.” I hand him back the phone.
