“Relax. All this fuss is ridiculous. I doubt Underwood is actuallythathard to get into. It’s not like it’s Yale or Harvard.”
“Well, literally every theater student at this school wants to get in, and to stay there through college.” The lines of Zayne’s forehead seem to become even more prominent. “Considering only two high school students get accepted every year—and on scholarship, I might add—the odds aren’t exactly in your favor.”
“Ha!” I laugh without humor. I don’t know why I’m letting him get to me, but something about his tone irks me. I should just go tell Mr. Saltzman I quit and be done with all this, but for some reason, I can’t let his jab go. “I landed the role of thisCatherine character easily enough,” I tell him. “I bet I could get into Underwood, too.”
Apparently, my comment doesn’t amuse Zayne. “Please, just drop out,” he deadpans.
“No.” If he thinks he’s going to get rid of me that easily, after everything he’s done, he’s got another thing coming. “Not after all that. I might have before you suggested my acting skills are lacking. But now? No way. Once I’ve set my mind on something, there’s no talking me out of it.”
I’m not sure where my sudden bravado is coming from, since I’ve felt nothing but insecure about my acting since the audition, but I roll with it. Maybe it’s the stupid smirk on Zayne’s face making me want to defend myself, or maybe it’s something else. Either way, the words are spoken now and it’s too late to take them back.
Zayne’s grip on his script tightens. He looks like he’s fighting for control. Good. Let him see how it feels to have his hopes and dreams possibly ripped away, like Carlton’s might be. If I were to actually get into Underwood, there would only be one more spot left. Him, or Carlton, but not both. Obviously, I have no desire to actually attend Underwood Academy. But just the idea of seeing Zayne’s face if I got accepted over him is too delicious to pass up.
“Whatever,” he finally says, and storms toward the classroom door, leaving me standing alone in the center of the room.
“Where are you going?”
“To have a word with Mr. Saltzman.”
“I thought you wanted to run lines?” I’m goading him now. Truly trying to infuriate him. And I can tell it’s working. I smile.
As he’s leaving, he practically spits his answer over his shoulder. “My house. Tomorrow. Five o’ clock.”
Latest on theLittle Birdiegossip feed:
Rumor has it that Dot’s got a thing for Carlton, but her acting says otherwise! Apparently, the chemistry between her and Zayne Silverman was too hot for Mr. Saltzman to handle. Why else would he cast an undeserving new girl like Dot Bennet to play the romantic lead alongside Zayne?
Let’s just hope Carlton can handle the heat. I, on the other hand, am melting for this love triangle.
My prediction is that Carlton and his rival will have something new to fight over.
As if they needed anything else!
Yours truly,
Little Birdie
Today, my presence has only produced half the amount of whispers as yesterday, but a freshman asked me to sign her drama class syllabus, so that was new, at least.
When the lunch bell rings, I keep my head ducked down and make for our table as fast as I can. Voices float around me, and I hear my name a few times. I resist the urge to cover my ears.
Someone grabs my arm. “Dot?”
I glance up at the unfamiliar face. “Yeah?”
“Congrats on getting the lead,” they say. “I remember the Evans twins got it their freshman and sophomore year, and they were really good. So, you must be good, too.”
“Thanks.” I walk away before they can say anything else. What good would it do to admit that, actually, I’m not talented enough? That I’m nothing but an imposter, but somehow my “chemistry” with Zayne Silverman was enough.
I ascend the long staircase leading from my classroom wing to the cafeteria. A cluster of girls stares at me from the top, resting their elbows on the railing. One of them pretends to adjust her knee-high sock when I catch her watching me, and another whispers in her friend’s ear. When I get to the cafeteria, I spot Carlton sitting with Rue, Mabel, and Meredith. I sit down and they all turn to look at me.
There’s a beat of awkward silence until Rue waggles her eyebrows. “So…you and Zayne Silverman, eh?” Her joking tone seems to ease the tension at our table. Even Carlton rolls his eyes, his mouth twisting into an almost smile.
My shoulders relax. “Please tell me Little Birdie isn’t as big of a deal as you guys are making her out to be.”
Carlton clenches his jaw, but his eyes are soft. “Sorry, Dot.”
“It will get better.” Mabel touches my hand. “Probably. And how do we know it’s a her?”
