Curtain Call

ACT 3: SCENE 3

THE COSTUMES WERE MISSING.

Aarav paced back and forth backstage. Everything used in the play from sets to minor props was carefully documented. After every rehearsal, each item was marked off as having been returned. How the fuck could all their costumes have been lost?

He couldn't believe the sight of the empty rack glaring before him. How could their school win without proper costuming? Everything needed to be perfect for even a chance at scoring in the top three. Without costumes, they might as well kiss their chances at first place goodbye.

The head wardrobe manager was wringing her hands, red-faced and ready-eyed as she explained to Mr. Wilson what happened. Aarav felt a twinge of pity and stepped between her and the theatre teacher's brandished cane.

"I'll find them. We'll find them." He turned to the cast and crew and straightened up. Now wasn't the time to break down and cry. Not win victory had dangled so close within their reach. His reach. "Everyone split up and check the area. There's no way the costumes could've vanished into thin air."

Not to mention that they were all rented due to budget cuts. If the costumes couldn't be found, the department was facing a hefty charge.

Aarav stalked out the tiny dressing room and into the dark backstage area. Inside the pockets of his woolen coat, his hands trembled. He inhaled sharply and pushed his glasses up his nose. His head pounded and his chest ached. In that moment, he wanted nothing more to give into frustration. His temper was hanging on by a thread, ready to snap at any second.

A tug on his sleeve made him flinch. Aarav turned to face Jackie beside him. Her usual cheery expression was carved into worry. "I'll look with you."

He forced a smile. "Why? Scared of the dark?"

"Maybe. It's like that haunted house."

Their carnival trip felt light years away. A rare carefree moment. But this wasn't an amusement park attraction. His stomach twisted. Their costumes were gone. Truly gone. He gritted his teeth and tried to focus on the search rather than the sheer unbelievability of it. Aarav ducked behind the curtain and traveled down the hall into another group's dressing room. This early in the morning, no one was running rehearsals, so the theater was dark and mainly empty.

"Are you just breaking in?" Jackie hissed. Her hands circled around his arm.

"The door's perfectly open." He flicked on the light and looked around. Maybe another group had mixed up their costumes. A stupid mistake, but it was a reasonable occurrence. There had to be a rational explanation for the whole situation. However, Westminster's costumes were nowhere in sight. Aarav sighed and backed out.

"We should check all the rooms." Already he was investigating the next one.

The thudding of footsteps made him pause. Only Westminster had booked the stage for early rehearsal. No one else was supposed to be around. At him stopping, Jackie walked into his shoulder.

"Ow," she muttered, rubbing her nose.

"Quiet," he hissed. "Someone's around." Obediently, she ducked behind him, her dark eyes growing wide.

"We're practically guaranteed a win," declared a voice. Male. But Aarav didn't recognize it.

"All the other schools were so lame last year. With Westminster out the way, we won't even have to try to win first," added someone else. A girl.

Aarav and Jackie shared a look. A growing pit formed in his stomach. Had a rival school really stooped so low as to steal their costumes? He gritted his teeth and his hands curled into shaking fists. The sheer audacity!