Temptation

Chapter Thirteen

As Tuesday rolled around, Tom had cancelled his later office hours to make sure the class' rehearsal time was well spent. Once everyone was seated in the theater, Tom gave them his notes from his last rehearsal and went to block the next few scenes he had scheduled. Those who weren't in the scenes were running lines or warming up. Towards the end of the rehearsal, Tom stopped them short and gathered them around to make a few announcements.

"Now, as you all know, I've started to make it a tradition of appointing someone from each cast to be my assistant director for the play they perform."

Alice glanced around the room seeing some of the students whispering and smiling, wondering who Tom was going to pick. Alice quietly recited her lines, trying to get them ingrained into her memory.

"Now, I've been watching you all when we've worked through the scenes and listening to all your suggestions. The person I have chosen for this role has shown an excellent command of the material and has continuously been present and alert not just in their scenes but when notes are being given as well. I have decided that our assistant director for this production will be... Alice."

There was a moment of silence as the students turned to face her before quietly whispering to one another, while some rolled their eyes.

Alice was taken from her thoughts when she felt the student next to her poke her arm.

"What?"

"You're the assistant director." They whispered.

Alice's eyes widened as she snapped her head in Tom's direction.

"Only if you'll accept it, of course." Tom grinned.

Alice looked around at the others and took in their mixed expressions. She then glanced back at Tom and chuckled nervously as she sat back in her seat. She knew it would be a great opportunity as directing was something she had been interested in but that had been years ago. She couldn't believe Tom remembered her offhand comment she made during her freshman year when she just started out as his assistant.

"Yes!" Alice felt herself blurt out.

"Wonderful. Stay after the rehearsal." Tom told her.

Alice pursed her lips together, trying to hide her smile. When the rehearsal was over, Alice made her way over to Tom at the front of the stage.

"What... just, uh... why?"

"In all honesty, I think you'd be the best. You and I think alike, your choices on stage are incredible and I find myself not having to direct you at all." Tom told her.

"But a lot of the others really wanted it. They've been talking about it for weeks."

"And? My decision is final, Alice. I think you'll do an amazing job and I want you on my team."

He quickly looked around to make sure the theater was empty before leaning towards Alice.

"And I didn't make this decision based on our relationship." He whispered.

"Oh." Alice mumbled.

"And as my assistant director, I would like to know if you think we need a choreographer for the final scene."

She threw her head back as she scoffed and pressed her tongue into the inside of her cheek.

"Do you need me to find one?"

"I'm looking at them right now." Tom smirked.

Alice's cheeks flushed red as she bit her lip trying to stop herself from smiling.