How We Wrote Us

one

In my junior year of high school, I decided to take drama. I didn't enjoy the theater or acting, but I wanted to be able to earn an A without busting my ass too much. However, I was unaware of how much work the drama club really was. Nevertheless, it was better than building a wooden clock that would never work.

He—Jacob Warner—was a senior at the time and head of the drama club. He was the director for the play I was about to audition for without even realizing it.

"Good morning, you useless wenches," he began once the first-period bell rang. I practically spit out a mouthful of my water as I listened to him insult us. "If you're here for an easy A, get the hell out now. The drama club is for artists, actors, people with a dream—not people who aren't willing to work," he sneered as he walked to the edge of the stage and hopped down.

He sat next to Mrs. Frita our teacher, before giving us instructions on what we would be doing.

"When I call your name, step forward and introduce yourself."

Unfortunately, my last name was Aubrey, so I knew I would be one of the first ones called as usual. My go-to fun fact about me was how much I enjoyed singing. However, that fact might be seen as boasting in theater, so I thought of something else to say.

"Lee Aubrey," Jacob called out so fast I didn't even realize it was my name. I was still thinking about my fun fact. "Aubrey!" He shouted a moment later. I jumped causing everyone but him to chuckle.

"Present," I squawked out pathetically. I sounded like a scared little mouse, and I immediately felt my cheeks heat up under the stage lights.

"I can see that," he muttered. "Tell us about yourself," he demanded as he crossed his arms and whispered something inaudible to Mrs. Frita.

"Well, I'm a junior, and—" I paused as I tried to think of anything to say. Anything at all. Without hesitation, I declared the first thing that popped into my mind:

"And I thought this would be like High School Musical." The whole place erupted into laughter, but Jacob eyed me severely. I thought my interrogation was over, but unfortunately, it just began.

"What a load of shit. I bet you're here for an easy A," he drilled me as he stood up and walked toward the stage. "Tell me something real about you, Lee, and I don't want any easy-out garbage facts I don't care about."

By now my cheeks were inflamed, and I was so nervous I blurted out my original true fact:

"I like to sing," I whispered.

"Thank you," Jacob nodded. He seemed satisfied with my answer because he sat back down and role-called the rest of the students. I don't remember anyone's name that first day because I was mortified by my introduction. What a jerk! Humiliating me like I was a freshman.

The rest of the class period went by with ease as Mrs. Frita took over and passed out the script for the play we were going to work on and audition for. Fortunately, the play was The Wizard of Oz which I knew a lot about.

"Before you heathens assume you know everything about this play since you dressed up as Dorothy in the third grade, we're going to mix it up a bit. I suggest you read through the script before coming back to class tomorrow," he eyed us as we stood in a line across the stage. "I will know who read it and who didn't," he warned.

"What a load of bollocks," I muttered under my breath as I tilted my head back toward the stage lights and sighed.

"Mr. Aubrey," his annoying, irritating, grating voice spoke up. "Is there something you'd like to say?"

"Actually, there is," I huffed as I put my head down and glared at him from above the stage.

Immediately, he hopped onto the stage and got as close to me as he could without touching any part of me or my clothes. "Tell me. What do you have to say that's so important?"