{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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Everything was a shade of Stella.
Since first seeing her from across the stage, I'd been running on some crazy adrenaline high. She was in my arms. Her leg was around my waist. I wanted to kiss her so bad I could taste it.
Then this swell of hurt and pain flashed in her eyes, and she slapped me.
"I've been burned by you before."
My stomach tied itself in a knot. I eased Stella out of the dip and set her carefully back on her feet.
She hated me. The realization came as sharp as the point of a knife.
"Way to go off-script," Stella angrily whispered once she had smooth back her long hair. "Do you turn everything into a dance?"
She was so damn beautiful. Even with her nose scrunched like that, it was hard to concentrate. I wanted to run my finger between her eyebrows and smooth it out.
"Only with you."
Stella rolled her eyes, but it was true.
When I finally found the power to stop staring blankly at her, I glanced at the directors, unsure what to make of their reaction.
Their faces were hidden behind raised hands. Heads pushed together in whispered conversation.
"You were amazing, by the way," I whispered. Unable to contain the compliment.
Stella refused to meet my eye or acknowledge she even heard me, standing still as calm water.
"That was a very," the director paused, giving the two of us guarded smiles, "interesting performance."
Stella didn't respond, so neither did I. Maybe she thought I ruined her audition.
As if I could do anything more to hurt this girl.
"Miss LaFever, you have quite an impressive CV. I happen to know Tabitha Reins very well. She's an outstanding choreographer. And I see you've worked with Wren Wright as well. He's one of the best voice coaches in the business."
I shifted uncomfortably beside her.
The director steepled his fingers. "What are your acting goals, Miss LaFever?"
Stella pressed her lips together and closed her eyes, just for a moment—just long enough for me to wonder what she was thinking. It was like watching a storm cloud settle over pink morning skies. Beautiful, yet foreboding.
"To star on Broadway."
"Hmm," the director mused. "Then why aren't you auditioning for a bigger role in a more prestigious production?"
