“Some things are beyond my power to change,” she says. “But I made it clear if he said anything else unkind to you, or made fun of you, there would be consequences.”
I don’t know what that means.
“I understand if you’re still mad at me, but I hope you haven’tgiven up on Theatre. You’re talented and hardworking and an asset to the department.”
“Thanks.” I manage a little smile. “And you can’t get rid of me that easily.”
Dr. L laughs. “I didn’t think so. Now, I’ve got to get to rehearsal. I hope you’ll still come see the show.”
“I might.”
“Good.” She stands, gestures for me to leave first. Right as I round the corner, I bump into Paige.
“Oh,” I say. “Hey.”
“Hey.”
I swallow. If Dr. L is big enough to do this, so am I. “You have a second?”
Paige crosses her arms. “I guess.”
We used to be friendly. Maybe bordering on friends. Now there’s a wall between us.
I put it there. But maybe I can make a crack in it, at least.
“I’m really sorry. About that list I made. I was being petty and you didn’t deserve that. I think you’re pretty awesome.”
She nods. “Thanks.”
“Seriously. I’m glad you’re in the show. You’re amazing. I was just...”
Jealous. Angry. Hurt.
Lots of things.
“Anyway. You didn’t deserve that. So, sorry. And I hope, maybe, we can figure out how to be friends again. If you want.”
“Apology accepted.”
“Really?” I blink. “Just like that?”
“Just like that.” She relaxes her arms. “I’m still a techie. Techies have to stick together. And so do friends.”
My face is on fire, and my cheeks might cramp from smiling. “Yeah. We do. I’m sorry I forgot that.”
She looks past me. “Well. You had a lot on your mind.”
I glance over my shoulder, where Liam’s disappearing into the Little Theatre.
God, was it that obvious? My smile melts away again.
Paige gives me a sympathetic shrug. “I better go. See you?”
She joins the crowd headed into the theatre. I tighten the straps on my backpack.
Paige and I are going to be okay.
Dr. Lochley and I are too.
