A Thing Called Love

What Team? - Part 2

POV JULIETTE

LATER THAT EVENING, AT BIG RED'S HOUSE/BASEMENT...

Big Red's room is pretty big for someone who lives in a species of a basement. No offense to it.

Ricky, as he said hours earlier, picked me at home and now, the trio is here, bored.

- It's weird not being at rehearsal. - Ricky says. - How stupid is that?

- I don't think it's stupid. - I say. - I guess it's just... A routine question.

- What if we just did the show without her? - the redheaded boy says.

- We can't even take a picture without her. No offense.

- No, you are right, dude. - he agrees, sad.

Then a pounding upstairs.

- Down here, Kaden! - Big Red shouts, and Kaden comes down.

- Hope it is cool I invited Stef and Rico. - she says, presenting her friends.

- What's up, guys? - Rico says awkwardly, and we smile, awkwardly too.

Then, another pounding.

- It is... open? - Big Red says, and Ash appears.

- Hey, guys. - she waves to us.

- Hey! - Ricky says. - Do you know how many people are coming?

- Actually, give it a minute. - she answers.

Then, a bunch of people come downstairs at the room, including my closest people.
In a few minutes, EVERYONE of the theater gang is here, sitting together, next to each other, without saying a word.

I take a milk chocolate bar out of my jacket pocket and take a bite.

- So... - I try to start. - ... anyone wants to say something?

- This is a terrible party! - Natalie complains. - There are not even pretzels!

- What are we all doing here? - a platinum blonde boy asks.

- We all ended up in the same basement after a really bad day, so someone should say something. - Ricky says.

- Fine, I will say something. - Carlos says. - I'm mad at Miss Jenn.

- Why? Because she has got a couple skeletons in her closet? - Gina asks him.

Wait, what does that mean?

- No, because she is giving up! She was the first teacher to not see me as a punchline and now she is not even a real teacher?

- Define "real teacher". - Kourtney says.

- He's got a point. - Seb says.

- Does he, though? - she retorts.

- Guys... - Big Red starts, but gets interrupted by Natalie.

- So, why are we all here then?

- Yes, good question. - EJ says. - This is a waste of time.

- Honestly? - Carlos retorts EJ. - Because she gave me a shot. And it has been a long time since someone gave me a shot.

- Yes. - Seb says, touching his right leg.

- She gave me a voice. - Nini says.

- Yes, and now nobody is going to get to hear it because Miss Jenn screwed up. - Kourtney says, bothered.

- Okay, does anyone here actually care if her past is a little bit sketchy? Anyone? - Carlos asks to everyone, that stays silent.

I balance that "no" with my head in response.