Play The Part (Player Next Door Book 3)

56 | Hall Pass

Heyooo, we're heading into competition territory... makes me feel like I should be studying math right now. I hope you're not feeling that way. Imagine coming to read a story and just thinking about math the whole time. Eesh.

Chapter 56: Hall Pass

*Cearra's POV*

Waltzing into the Preston Oakes auditorium with Austin to my left and Chad to my right made me feel like Destiny's Child.

A little nineties throwback.

Like we're about to bust a move together. The way they strut down that aisle-

I don't know how we ended up here, but here we are.

The grand auditorium with its plush red seats and red curtains on the stage. An announcer telling everyone to get to their seats.

There was a lot of commotion around the stage area as the teams assembled in their places. Parents and friends crowded the seats, and I was trying to see if there was anywhere near the front available.

Austin didn't seem concerned.

He confidently marched down the aisle, with a bucket of popcorn in his hand. He'd made us stop by the cafeteria to pop a packet before coming here.

Seems like he has a hidden stash of popcorn packets that he keeps with one of the cafeteria ladies. I wish I had a deep relationship with the cafeteria staff like that.

Austin had literally picked up popcorn and Chad on his way over.

"Where are the cheerleaders?" Chad called out, staring at the stage in horror.

"I never said there were going to be cheerleaders," Austin replied, waving back at a girl who called out his name.

"They are the opposite of cheerleaders. Then why are we here?" Chad accused his friend, "Have you tricked me?"

Austin stopped in the middle of the aisle, one hand on his waist as he stared out into the crowd, "Somewhere in the front row will do."

I stared at the crowded front, "There's nothing available in the fron-"

"Why does anyone want to be here?" Chad looked appalled and confused.

"Austin! Austin!" someone popped up waving at him, "Come over here, man."

The perks of being Austin Taylor, I guess.

Austin winked at us, "Problem solved."

The wink, though.

Swoon.

As Austin charmed his way over to the front row, I looked around for the lady of the hour. My math genius bestie.

Millie.

There she was, looking petrified in her little mathlete jacket hiding amongst her mathlete crew.

She caught sight of me and mouthed, is Luke here?

My heart panged for her.

Please tell me he didn't stand her up again.

I shrugged back at her with a pained expression, looking around to see if I could catch him in the crowd. He usually stands out from any crowd which makes searching easy... but this emptiness was painful...

I looked over the crowd at every tall boy I could see.

Every muscular set of shoulders or head of dark hair.