{WATTYS 2021/2022 SHORTLIST}{Editor's Pick} {Featured Story}
One girl. Two boys. An impossible choice.
Stella LaFever, a theatre student from California, can't wait to spend a summer in Newport, Rhode Island, with her best friend. She is in despera...
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Chapter Song: Lights Up by Harry Styles
Spencer: I've wanted to bite that lip of yours since we first met
I smiled at Spencer's wake-up text before slipping my phone into my purse and pushing open the door to a conference room inside Salve Regina's auditorium.
Today was my first read through with the cast. My nerves were wound tighter than a music box as I took a seat beside a pretty woman with perfectly glossed lips and shiny auburn hair.
"Who are you?" she asked, flashing a bright smile.
"I'm Stella—or Babette rather."
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Lia. Just one of the girls who fawns over Gaston. It's only a couple of lines, but that's something, right?"
I nodded, trying to return her grin.
"We'll start the read through in just a few minutes!" announced the director. "Until then, could everyone find their name tags?"
Name tags were snatched until a handsome—yet slightly older man—slapped Lumière on his chest. He was tall and lanky and resembled a candlestick.
I grabbed mine and stuck it to my shirt, carefully avoiding his eye.
See, West isn't even here. You knew they wouldn't cast him.
I blew out a little breath, the knot of anxiety in my chest relaxing.
The day passed in a blur of laughter and lines and bursts of song. I was entranced by Blanca—the actress cast as Belle. She was petite and spunky and brought fresh energy to the role.
Afterward, Leona and I did chores around Snug Harbor, then had a lazy night at home with my grandma and grandpa.
"Do you mind if I drop you off tomorrow morning for rehearsal?" Leona asked as we slid beneath the covers after wandering back to the camper. "Graham asked if I could meet him downtown for breakfast at the Yacht Club."
"Wow," I said sleepily. "The Yacht Club. Look at you. This is getting serious."
"The only thing I'm serious about is waffles and maple syrup. And maybe thick sliced bacon."
That night, I dreamed of West. No matter how hard I tried to imagine Spencer's lips or fantasize about the dirty things he'd said, my tired brain always wandered back to West.
