I shut off my phone screen. “What?”
“Some of your new friends were at the door, so I let them in.”
“What?” I screech. I’m about to get out of bed when I hear their footsteps coming down the hall. My hopes lift momentarily.Maybe Carlton is with them. But I’m disappointed when Carlton isn’t with his friends, who are now my friends, too. Kind of.
“Hey, Dot,” says Rue. She smiles at me and sits on my bed. The twins, Mabel and Meredith linger in the doorway. They’re wearing matching white sweat-suits, but their hair is different.Mabel’s is out and curly, and Meredith’s is in a straightened ponytail. I recently discovered that they used to be baby models for a kids’ clothing company, and I can see why. They’re both not only beautiful, but also interesting to look at, especially since they would be identical if it weren’t for Mabel having two different colored eyes, one brown and the other green.
“How was your audition?” Meredith asks. “Who did you read with besides Zayne?”
I frown. “Uh, no one. Was I supposed to?”
“Usually you read with a few people,” shrugs Mabel.
“Well, that makes sense.” I blush. “I did horrible. I bet Mr. Saltzman didn’t want to put anyone else through my acting. It was cringe.”
Rue laughs. “Stop it.”
“Yeah,” Mabel says. “I bet you weren’t that bad.”
“Whatever you’re imagining,” I tell them, “I promise you it’s worse.”
“I did pretty great,” states Meredith. “Mabel and I will probably get the lead roles this year. Again.”
Mabel offers a shy, dimpled smile.
“I don’t care about getting a big part. As long as I have some lines this time,” says Rue.
I’m about to tell them I don’t even care about getting lines at all, when all three of their phones go off at the exact same time. The notification is a seductive whistle in a distinct tune.
Meredith rips her phone from her pocket. “Little Birdie.”
I’m left staring as they check their phones, my expression hopefully not as confused as I feel. “Little Birdie posted something? How can you tell?”
“The app alerted us,” says Meredith, as if it should be obvious.
Mabel’s mouth rounds into a giant O. “You haven’t downloaded it, yet?”
“I’ll send you the link, Dot,” says Rue, eyes still glued to her cell. “Guys, look at this. It says that Zayne and Carlton had to read together for the audition.”
“How does Little Birdie even know?” I ask, feeling like a complete moron. “And so what? Why is that newsworthy?”
“Um, anyone can send information to Little Birdie through the app.” Meredith’s eyes narrow. “And I thought you knew…Zayne and Carltonhateeach other.”
Before I can ask why, Mabel says, “Ask Carlton about it. I’m sure he’ll tell you.”
I try to keep up with the conversation as best I can, but I have to admit that I’m lost. I’ve only been at this school for a week, and all the names I’m still learning are starting to blend together.
Just when I’m about to give up trying to follow along, my brother knocks on the door. “Hey, Dot?”
“What is it, Beau?”
His expression is solemn. He’s silent for a beat, like he wants me to guess what he’s thinking so he doesn’t have to say it. The climate in my room shifts, the laughter and chatter of Mabel, Meredith, and Rue dying down and sizzling into nothing. Beau holds up his phone. “It’s Mom.”
My lips part. How could I have forgotten? Mom only calls one night a week, and tonight is that night. I glance at my friends. I’m not sure what the proper etiquette is for this type of situation. Do I ask everyone to wait here while I talk on the phone? Do I skip the call altogether because there’s company over? It’s been a while since I was last in school, which means it’s been a while since I’ve had any friends. And it’s starting to show.
But I’m saved from having to do anything because Mabel stretches her arms. “It’s probably time to get going, Mere,” she says softly.
“Me, too.” Rue stands up. “See you tomorrow, D.”
