Now Or Never ~HSMTMTS

Callback

POV Gina

I stare at Miss Jenn, her eyes are running through the information in the letter. Her face doesn't say anything, is it good, did we win? After what felt like an eternity, Miss Jenn looks up to us.

"What does it say?!" Carlos asks excitedly. "Did we win?" Nini asks. Miss Jenn shakes her head. "No, not really," she replies. "Not really?! Did North High win?!" Ashlyn asks. Miss Jenn shakes her head again.

"There is a tie," she says. I frown. "A tie, what does that mean?" I ask. "Dear Jennifer, With this letter I want to inform you that East High and North High both won the Menkies blah blah blah," she reads out loud.

"Here it is; to make sure that there is only one winner and one school who gets the prize, we will organize a callback," Miss Jenn says. "So, that means that we have to make another musical?" Ricky asks.

"Yes, mister Bowen, we have to make another musical," Miss Jenn says. "And there are some rules," she continues.

"Rule One, the theater group cannot extend to more students. The schools have to make a musical with the students it has right now.

Rule Two, the musical must be performed at a stage that the organization chooses. One week before the musical the stage will be revealed. We do this to prevent a possible stage war- meaning a war between schools who'll get the best stage.

Those are the most important rules," Miss Jenn finishes. Rule One, the theater group cannot extend. Shit. Have to make a musical with the students it has right now. I look at EJ and he looks at me.

I have to tell them. I have to tell them now. Maybe Miss Jenn can change something. Or call someone. Or, I don't know, find a look-a-like Gina.

"Uhm, guys," I start. Everyone stares at me. "I have to move," I state. I see some eyes widen. I swallow. "I have to move next week, I will not be at this school after the break," I continue.

EJ grabs my hand to comfort me. "Which means that I can't do another musical," I finish. My eyes get filled with tears. This was not how I wanted to tell them. EJ clears his throat. "I'm going to university after the break," he says.

The mood is painful in the restaurant. No one knows what to say. Suddenly, Carlos sobs and runs toward me to hug me. After Carlos, Ashlyn walks toward me and joins the hug. In a few seconds, we're in a huge group hug.

"I'm gonna miss you so bad," Ashlyn says. "Me too," I cry. Everyone lets go and takes a seat. Only EJ stands by me and keeps his arm around me. "We'll figure something out," Miss Jenn says. "I'll figure something out."

POV Seb

An hour later, I'm walking back home with Carlos. "Do you want me to come to your house? I'll help you unpack," he says. Yes. I really want him to but I can't because my parents are probably home. "No, I'll be fine," I say and I smile weakly.

"Okay, I'll text you," Carlos says and he gives a kiss on my cheeks before he turns around the block, walking to his house. I walk home and I see my suitcase on the porch. Carlos's parents dropped it at my house when they picked up the suitcases of Carlos.

Suitcases. Yes. Plural. Since I have a very fashionable boyfriend, he needed six suitcases. Six. I could pack all of my clothes in that.

I grab my suitcase and walk to the door. I knock at it and my mum opens the door. On her face is a big wound. It's normal. It happens all the time.

"Hi, mum," I say and I hug her. "Hi, Sebbie, how was your holiday?" she says. "Great," I reply and I smile. "Did you win?" she smiles. "Kinda, North High also won, though, so we're having a callback," I say.

"Another musical?" Mum asks. I nod. "Don't tell your father about it," she whispers in my ear. I nod. "I won't."

I walk into the living room. My dad is reading the newspaper in his chair. When he sees me, he looks up. "Drop your suitcase in your room and go to the cowshed, there's a lot to do," he says.

"Yes, father," I say and I walk upstairs to drop off my suitcase. A few minutes later, I'm in the cowshed, mucking out the stable. An hour later, my dad shows up and he helps me. I grab the wheelbarrow and I want to ride it to the dunghill.

While I'm riding the wheelbarrow, I fall over something, and the wheelbarrow tips over. I stand up quickly and look at the mess. Pizza, Chocolate, and Bananas. Those are my favorite curse words.

My father walks up to me and I cower. "You stupid layabout," he shouts. "Can't you do anything?!" He grabs my arm to make sure I don't run away. I try to escape but my dad is too strong.

"That happens after a little break, you turn into some lazy idiot," he continues shouting. "I'm- I'm sorry," I stutter.

I see the fist of my father coming toward me. I'm preparing for the pain, mentally.

He hits me right below my eye. That hurts. A lot. I'm home.

Tell me what you think! Thanks for reading!

Love, Anna <3