two young hearts | ej caswell

The Read Through

Addison Bowen stood at her locker, packing up the things she would need for her homework tonight. Granted, she was not going home right away. Today was the day of the first read through. 

She looked down the way, seeing Alyssa and Jason laughing at his locker. Addison rolled her eyes, shoving her calculus notebook in her backpack.

"Hey. First practice on the field! Are you excited?" Olivia, another East High cheerleader asked. 

"Shit, uh-" Addison looked up and saw her cheating boyfriend and teammate kissing. "I quit." Addison said, shutting her locker.

"Wait, what?" 

"Yeah. The new drama teacher made the schedule so demanding and-"

"Is this because Alyssa? Because-"

"Partially yes. But it's mostly me doing what I want to do my last year of high school. I got an amazing roll for this show and those people love and support me-"

"We do too."

"You do, yes. The other girls have been either glaring or laughing at me since the video of Alyssa and Jason at the party was posted."

"She's actually benched for the first two games because of theat." Olivia said. The two were quiet for a moment before Olivia let out a sigh. "But I support you."

"Thanks, Liv."

"Heyo." EJ came up next to the duo. "Ready for the first read through?" 

Let's do it." Addison smiled. "See you, Liv."

"Bye Ads." The shorter girl smiled, walking off in the opposite direction. 

The two friends walked passed Jason Alyssa, Addison trying to hold her head up as they did. Alyssa glanced over, laughing slightly before falling further into Jason.

"Not fazed. I am not fazed." Addison mumbled.

"No you are not." EJ confirmed. "I am however, since your brother stole my roll." 

"Hey, you may be my friend, best friend at this point, but that is my baby bubs and I am happy for him. Even if he did invade my thing." EJ smiled down at her as she spoke about him being her best friend. 

"I can still be upset, especailly since my girlfriend, which is his ex by the way, is playing his love interest." 

"Relax, you missed that conversation in the hallway, Nini is over him." She shook her head as they turned the corner in the hall.

"Really?" 

"Yeah. Eej, you're fine." She patted his arm as they two went into the bomb shelter.

Some set pieces were already in there, but in the middle was desks creating a big circle. Each desk holding a name tag. 

"Well, Chad, this is where I leave you." She said, stepping forward to find the Martha Cox name card. She was next to Ashlyn, who was playing Ms. Darbus, across from her brother and EJ.

"Can everyone find their assigned seats please?" Miss Jenn called out, finally looking up from her phone.

"Hey, Addie." Ashlyn smiled at the senior girl.

"Hey Ash." Addison smiled back at her, taking her seat.

"You have no idea how happy I am that you changed your mind on doing the show this year. EJ was so mopey about it. Not even the thought of getting Troy and Gabriella with his new girlfriend made him feel better.

"Wait, really?" Addison looked over, noticing a still moping EJ. "He looks mopey to me."

"Well, it's different now because he didn't get Troy." Ashlyn started opening her script. "Honestly, if he wasn't with Nini, I would have thought you guys got together."