{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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I wasn't sure what I thought would happen to West and I at the end of the summer. I had a hazy dream that we could run off to New York City together and audition for shows.
But that dream seemed ridiculous now. West probably had a contract to finish school at the Naval Academy, and every member of his family was in the military. I should've known his father would make some power move to keep him in line.
My life wasn't any less complicated. I was supposed to have surgery next month, and then I had a year of school left to finish my degree in musical theatre at San Diego State.
Just thinking about school made me bitter. I'd probably end up teaching fifth graders how to sing "You're a Grand Old Flag" as a washed-up music teacher instead of living out my dream.
I ate a bite of my flourless chocolate cake and set my spoon down, unable to finish.
"You don't have to go back to school, Stella," West said in soothing tones. "You can get an agent and move to Broadway now. New York isn't that far away from Maryland. I could come see you."
At this, I actually laughed. Besides my problem, there was the issue of living in New York City, which was insanely expensive. Not to mention the cost of utilities and food. I couldn't survive on bar oranges and cherries.
"West, you make moving to New York City and getting an agent sound so easy. But it's not easy to get an agent."
He gave me an encouraging grin. "Have you tried?"
The weight of a hundred wishes gone wrong sat on my shoulders, and I picked up my spoon and pushed melting ice cream around on my plate just to have something to focus on besides the bad memories.
"Yes, actually, I have."
"What happened?" West asked. When I didn't answer, he added, "I understand if you're not ready to tell me."
I looked up at West, memories flooding the defenses I put up around the pain. This story was one of the many truths I didn't like to face, but I did want to share it with him.
Once the words started pouring out of me, it was like a dam of emotion broke.
"Mitchell Enterprise is the best talent agent firm for Broadway actors in the City. You want to be represented by them. The owner, Eleanor Mitchell, knows absolutely everything and everyone in the theatre business. Her husband, Jensen Mitchell, is a well-known choreographer."
West hadn't moved a muscle. He sat attentively listening with a concerned look on his face.
This was the part of the story that hurt. I took a deep breath and tried to keep my explanation short. "Eleanor flew out San Diego to see me play Angelique, the Angel of Death, in All That Jazz."
I paused, trying to collect the broken shards of my memory.
"What happened?" West asked. "Did she offer you a contract?"
