“Are you heading out?” Jake seems to catch on.
I let go of him and sigh. “Yeah, off to rehearsals. Wish me luck.”
He pouts, similar to how Emma does. “I was going to buy breakfast at Roxy’s for everyone. Speaking of everyone, is Em still asleep?”
Tapping his shoulder, I say, “I’d love to go, but the first audition is this week. Next time,” I promise. “Also, yes, Emma is in my room.”
He scurries off, and a couple of seconds later, I hear Emma yelp as Jake comes back with her in hand. Levi and I laugh as she curses him out, still half asleep. She flips him off and walks to the bathroom. “Hey,” she says to us both before slamming the door.
Her and Jake’s dynamic is fantastic. Their chemistry is impeccable, but they do fight like siblings. It’s the only reason I’m convinced they’re not into each other. I’ve also seen Jake with other girls in front of her, and she’s barely fazed when he’s practically dry humping them on a dance floor.
Turning to Levi, I see he’s back to reading his magazine. I don’t want things to be awkward between us, especially since they were about to get heated…again. Hopping onto one of the chairs, I lean over and grab the cup of coffee he’s bringing to his lips. His eyes lift, and he raises a brow in challenge. Jake moves behind him, facing away from us. After swallowing two gulps of the bitter liquid, I hand the cup back, but not before slowly licking my lips. His jaw tics at the movement. “See you later, Hotshot.”
Levi’s face smooths out, quick as usual. “Break a leg, Bambi.”
Once I’m standing straight again, Jake has his two arms wrapped around himself, kissing the air in front of him. I let out a snort before Levi turns, and Jake straightens his back immediately, serving himself some juice.
“Bye, Jake.”
“Bye,Bambi.” He says the last word mockingly, and Levi hops off his chair to smack the back of his head.
“Um, ow.”
I laugh silently as I slip my boots on.
“I’ll say it a million more times just to annoy you, dude.” Jake sounds done with whatever Levi is saying. I’m happy he’s keeping my nickname exclusively for himself.
Em skips out of the bathroom and smiles as I throw my jacket on.
As I say one final goodbye, Jake tries to repeat my nickname before Levi slaps a hand over his mouth, knowing what his best friend was about to do.
Closing the door, I grin, feeling the best I’ve felt in a long, long time.
It’s fun to flirt again.
The next fewdays pass in a flash. I’ve been rehearsing my monologue and “She Used to Be Mine” nonstop, along with finishing the composition of my callback song. It’s called “Finally Me,” and I’m pretty confident about it. Brad is, too, and he’s been an amazing partner and supporter. He’s still flirtatious, but perfectly harmless, and isn’t disrespectful whatsoever. He’s even agreed to play the song on the guitar for my callback…if I get one.
Today is audition day, and I’m walking to one of the many auditoriums on campus holding the auditions. My heart thuds harder and faster in my chest as I walk closer to the building. I’m alone since I didn’t bother to ask anyone to come, and I regret doing that, since they’re posting the list for callbacks an hour after auditions are done. Auditions began on Monday, but the first two days were reserved for those auditioning for the two lead roles. Today is for those who want my part, the lead’s best friend, and tomorrow is for the villain in the story. I’ve never done auditions this way, then again, the last time I tried out for something was in middle school. It was for the gymnastics team, and yikes, that was bad.
I know I’m good for this role. The character is quirky and annoying at times, yet still manages to be a bad bitch when needed. She also has one solo and one duet in the show, both of which are fan favorites.
Jesus, I really should’ve asked someone to come. Levi wasn’t home, and I’ve been in the music building most of the week.Whenever I get home, I’m so tired from studying and practicing that I eat something small and go to bed. I think I might’ve accidentally ignored him the other night.
Not my problem right now. I need to focus.
Stepping past the glass doors and ticket booth, I get a view of all the girls waiting to audition, and oh. My. God. There have to be at least twenty people here already. Looking around, I attempt to find the person handing out the numbers.
“Hi, are you here to audition for the part of Daisy?”
I jump at the woman’s voice before turning.
She cringes. “Sorry about that.”
The tall brunette is wearing an earpiece with a small mic. Her freckles stand out against her blue—no,gray eyes, which study me with curiosity.
“Um, yes.”
“Great!” The girl sticks her arm out with a smart pad and asks me to sign in. She leaves for a moment and comes back with a number. Number twenty-five. That’s a lot of people. About seven minutes per audition?—
