The Big Move

Chapter 3

The next day, Leah was signing up to audition for an upcoming play at Hollywood Arts. She had completed The Bird Scene when she auditioned for the school, so she was allowed to audition. As she signed up, a redheaded girl came by. She had braces and glasses. While some kids at Hollywood Arts might consider it a nerdy look, Leah actually sort of liked it.

"Nice penmanship," the girl said, looking over Leah's shoulder at the signup sheet.

"Thanks," Leah said. "Hey, are you a freshman too?"

"No, I'm a sophomore," the girl answered.

"Oh," Leah said.

"So are you a singer or an actor?" the girl asked.

"A singer, you?" Leah asked.

"I'm a triple threat. I can sing, dance, and act," the girl told her confidently.

"That is so cool. I may not have acting experience, but I can definitely learn. And I'm a good tap dancer," Leah said.

"Nice! I'm Trixie," the girl said, offering a handshake.

"Leah," she said, accepting.

"Uhm...forgive me for being a little forward," Trixie said, "but I think you're cute. Would you want to hang out?"

"Uh...YES!" Leah said with sudden confidence.

"In that case, can I buy you lunch?" Trixie asked.

"Absolutely!" Leah said as the two girls walked off.

At the Asphalt Cafe, Leah and Trixie got in line at the Grub Truck.

"What do you think you'll have?" Trixie asked.

"Not sure. I'm kind of in the mood for burgers and fries," Leah said.

"Sounds like a plan," Trixie said.

When it was their turn in line, Leah and Trixie gave Festus their orders.

"I'll have a burger and fries," Leah said.

"Taco for me," Trixie said, as she handed Festus enough money to cover both of their meals.

Once they sat down at a table, another student came by carrying a skateboard. He had a cap worn to the side, a red Hollywood Arts hoodie, and blue ripped denim jeans. "What's up, dudettes?" he asked.

"Oh, hey. Leah, this is my little brother, Sean," Trixie said, introducing him.

"Nice to meet you," Leah said, offering a handshake.

"Right back at you, dudette," Sean said, accepting the handshake and adding a fist bump.

"So how you settling in?" Trixie asked Leah.

"I'm settling in alright," Leah said truthfully as she played with a fry. Looking up, she happened to notice Clayton passing by, holding his lunch tray in his hand. "Hey, Clayton, you can sit by us," she offered.

He looked back. "Thanks," he muttered as he took a seat.

"Guys this is-" Leah started.

"Clayton. I know," Trixie said with a smile. "We've met a couple of times."

"S'up?" Sean asked Clayton.

"Nothing much," Clayton admitted. "Just getting caught up with homework."

"Me too, to be honest," Leah said with a sigh. "There's a lot of homework. And I'm not even exaggerating."

"That happens in your first few weeks," Trixie said, putting it out plainly. "You'll get used to it."

"I sure hope so," Leah replied. She picked up her burger and took a bite from it. She then noticed Michael, sitting at a table by himself. "Hey, do you guys know him?" she asked the others.

"Who?" Trixie asked, looking in the same direction Leah was. "You mean Michael?"

"Oh, so you do know him," Leah said.

"Yeah, only by name," Trixie said. "Nobody really talks to him and he doesn't have a lot of friends. People are actually intimidated by him."

"Why?" Leah asked curiously.

"Because of his looks," Clayton added. "And his personality. One of the reasons, he doesn't get bullied."

"Yeah, I get bullied a lot," Trixie admitted.

"Same," Clayton added.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. But hey – it seems that we all get on really well!" Leah pointed out. "Why not meet up after school every day?"

"Sure, that sounds like fun," Trixie said with a smile.

"Yeah, works for me," Clayon replied.

"Whatev' is good with you guys," Sean added.

"Say, you guys can come over to my house to study if you'd like," Leah offered.

"Sounds cool yo," Sean said.

"Yeah, that would be awesome," Trixie replied. "Where exactly do you live?"

"Well, I'm basically living with my legal guardians and not my birth parents. It's a long story, trust me," Leah said. "And my legal guardians are the Vegas!"

"Wait; you mean to tell me you're actually living at the home of the Tori Vega?" Trixie asked, impressed.

"Yeah. Why?" Leah asked.

"Leah, people at Hollywood Arts talk about her all the time!" Trixie explained.

"I'm assuming you know some of her friends too, then?" Clayton asked.

"Yeah, I do," Leah said easily. "All of them, actually!"

"Wow," Trixie said excitedly. "Looking forward to coming over after school!"

Leah updated her status on TheSlap which read: "I think I might just be.. socializing? - MOOD = Excited".

After lunch, Leah headed back to the halls, finally ready to customize her locker. Luckily she had brought along the things she needed, which included a cutout picture book and glue. After a few minutes of scrolling through her Pinterest feed, she decided to choose images of seashells, tap dancing, Disney Land, and rainbow stripes for one half; the other half would consist of images of labradors and other dog-related images, with some small hearts mixed in.. As much as she loved seashells, tap dancing, Disneyland, and rainbows, she loved her dog most of all.

When she was done, she took pictures of the decorated locker, and then snapped a selfie in front of it.

Leah updated her status on TheSlap which read: "Designed my locker! What do you think? - MOOD = Happy".