Tongue Tied

Chapter 9

Chapter 9:

Why did he ask me out if he was going to ditch me? I felt like I was in on a joke and I was the only one not laughing.. I was a third wheel. On my date. Should have let her go home. I should have told her to back off. To be honest, if I x'ed out Jessica, the night wouldn't have been off.I can't believe I thanked him for being him. I realized that night; I ignored how cocky he was. It's my fault.

I assumed it was all his charm. No. They deserve each other. Two egos make a couple. A toxic one. They end up coming back to each other, anyway. You know what? I'm used to getting rejected, whatever. It is what it is. It's probably a good thing. The way those two argue, I dodged a red flag.

Mondays. Whose idea was it to say this should be the beginning of the week? It should start on Tuesdays. I tried to convince my parents to let me stay home. They said no. Of course.

I tap my pen over and over, listening to the documentary on the tv our English teacher played. We had to take notes. I space, staring at the open door of the classroom. The doc turns off; he hands out a quiz for us to write a summary of the film and four question facts.

We all came before Ms. Laughlin in the drama room. I have a scene but I need a partner since it's a dialogue. I was wondering if I could ask Nathan. Maybe it could help my stage fright. Stepping away backwards, I bump into someone, stepping on their foot, "ow, watch it!"

"Sorry, are you ok?" I turn, realizing it's Sam. He squeezes his foot. "Oh, you." I push past him.

"You could at least apologize," Sam says in a factual tone.

"I did." I shrug, sitting back in my seat. I got a quick look at his face, there were circles around his eyes. His hair was scruffy.

"Still can't stand him?" Nathan sits next to me.

"Yes."

"Sorry."

"It's not your fault." I shake my head.

"Word on the street that he and Jessica are really over," he whispers.

"Huh," I simply say. It explains his appearance. He looks terrible. Bummer. "How do you know this?"

"Jessica post a story #singleandgirlboss."

"Wow." There was nothing for me to say. Not my problem.

"I have a favor to ask," I change the subject. "I was wondering if you could help me with my audition. It's a scene from Spring Awakening."

"Um I have a monologue," he tells me.

"You can still do yours. I just need a partner." I pout out my bottom lip.

"Ok," he agrees.

"Thank you," I side hug him. Everyone else chats amongst themselves while Ms Laughlin counts the votes.

"It's not the kissing scene, right?"

I snort, "it doesn't have to be."

"All right, settle. I hope you all are preparing for your auditions." She sets her bag down next to the box marked Wardrobe.

"Ok. So I'm still deciding on our production, hang tight. While we wait, you can all partner up if you want to. You can audition together or alone and both will assist and guide each other." Me and Nathan look at each other with a hopeful expression. Ms. Laughlin is reading my mind. In a good way.

"Nathan," Lori taps on his shoulder. He sits up straighter, trying to hide his blush.

"Yeah?" he asks in a squeak and then clears his throat.