Everything I Didn't Say

t w e n t y - s i x

TWENTY-SIX

"STUDENTS! PLEASE, I need more enthusiasm with this one! I feel as though watching a brutal mutilation would be much more fun than watching this!"

I raised my head, the traces of a smile forming on my lips. Mr Bellamy was going crazy with stress, waving his coffee mug around all over the place and spilling hot liquid over a lot of kids.

To be honest, nearly everyone was in frenzy, trying to figure out what Mr Bellamy wanted from them exactly. I caught Link's eye from where he was running over lines with Ali and he rolled his eyes at our teacher behind his back.

The Summer Musical was taking place in a couple of months and our drama class had been preparing for a while and this was the first full day of rehearsals. This time, I decided I didn't want a part in the production of Little Shop of Horrors. I would sit back for a bit, relax after playing Maria.

I'd signed up to help design and paint sets for it instead, with a shy girl called Connie. Currently, we were both sat cross-legged painting signs advertising Skid Row, the town where the play was set.

Link auditioned and landed the male lead of Seymour, accompanied by Ali as the female lead: Audrey. I was happy for both of them - especially because Link missed out by an inch during the auditions of West Side Story.

Mr Bellamy was flying around, swooping in and out of different people rehearsing separately and also trying to muscle Ali and Link together in a passionate embrace (which Ali wasn't taking seriously judging from her giggles). I felt a bit sorry for him honestly, he was trying so hard and everybody had something else on their mind that they were more worried about.

"This sucks" Link sighed, flopping down beside me. He leaned over my legs and said politely "hi Connie."

She let out a scared squeak of a hello and shuffled imperceptibly away from us both. Yeah she was shy, but when I peeked at her out of the corner of my eye I noticed her watching Jeremy as he teased another girl on the opposite side of the room. She had a sad, wistful look in her eyes that made me yearn to help her out.

"Why, what's up?" I questioned.

"Ali won't stop laughing. I think she's on something."

We both shot a glance at Ali who was struggling not to laugh while Mr Bellamy scolded her in the corner. "Yeah, she looks a bit weird" I agreed.

"How are you learning your lines?" I asked.

"Good. It's easy if you're into the character I guess. I was surprised that you didn't audition actually" he commented.

"West Side Story was just a lot to handle, you know? I wanted a little break."

"You mean you wanted the extra time to spend with Jared" Link said teasingly.

"No! I've been staying behind after school, designing backdrops and painting!" I argued. He raised an eyebrow but didn't persist.

"Lincoln Thwaites, what do you think you're doing? Does it look like I'm running a hoo-ha? Get your ass back over here before I send Jeremy over to whoop it!" Mr Bellamy suddenly shouted, making Connie startle.

Jeremy gave Link an uncomfortable look as he rose to his feet and rushed back over to Mr Bellamy, shouting a "bye!" to me over his shoulder. I lifted my hand in a dramatic wave.

The rest of the lesson was spent painting until my wrist was sore and exchanging a few words with Connie. She wasn't a big talker, which I appreciated so I left her to her own thoughts when she wanted to be left alone. But I couldn't help but recognise the wistful look in her eyes as she secretly observed Jeremy.