She sighs but ignores the mess. “Anyway, I know Tisch was your first choice, but—” I lose what she says as she ducks under her desk to find the book she needs.
Cam winces, and his shoulders hunch up.
Tisch... like NYU?
Did Cam not get in?
A really small, really mean part of me does a little dance, because for once Cameron didn’t get what he wanted. But the rest of me actually does feel kind of bad.
I know how I’d feel if my dream schools fell through.
“Right,” Cam finally says.
Dr. L emerges from below her desk, a bunch of books in her arms. “Well, I think it’s premature to panic, don’t you? Ah, here we are!” She extends two slim pink volumes toward Paige. “Take a look.”
“Thanks.” Paige stands to grab them.
I can’t believe she’s auditioning.
I can’t believe she didn’t tell me.
Dr. L turns back to Cam. “NYU is just one no. Let’s wait and see what the others say.”
My jaw drops. He really didn’t get in.
Dr. L sees me gawking. “Jackson, did you need something?”
I shake my head. “Just getting ready for auditions. We can go.”
I risk another glance at Cam, whose face has gone pale, like he’s got mime makeup on. He’s staring at the corner of Dr. L’s desk.
We scurry out into the hall. I pause in front of the Theatre Board. Sure enough, there’s Paige’s name, right below Madison’s.
“You’re auditioning, then?” I manage to ask her.
“Yeah.” She shrugs. “I figured it would be fun to try. I probably won’t make the cast, though.”
“That’s cool,” I say, proud of myself for sounding like I mean it.
Paige hoists her backpack. “I’ll send you the spreadsheet when I finish?”
“Great. Thanks.”
She heads off down the hall, and then it’s just Liam and me. He crosses his arms and leans against the Theatre Board. His biceps strain the fabric of his T-shirt. I trace the cords of his forearms with my eyes.
“Well, that was awkward,” Liam says, and I snap out of it.
I shake my head. “I’m not mad at her for auditioning.”
Just... sad.
“No, I meant with Cam back there.”
“Oh. Yeah. I feel kind of bad for him.”
“Why? He’s always awful to you.”
“I know, but if I didn’t get into NYU I’d be...”
