Firsts

First Courage

We get to skip gym again because of callbacks. That's a positive. My boyfriend just dumped me. That's a negative. Greg is happy. That's a positive. Greg's happiness causes me pain. That's a negative. The boyfriend that dumped me respects me enough to be honest about his feelings. That's a positive. I now have to sing with said boyfriend, and kiss him, like I am in love with him. That's a negative. This situation is a mess.

I'm trying to explain the situation to Julia as we walk down the hallway towards the stage. She clearly isn't paying attention to the whole 'kiss the ex' part of the situation. She's more hung up on my lack of tears. I've tried, and failed, over and over to explain to her that I'm not hurt, I don't blame anyone, no one meant any harm, etc., but she just isn't satisfied.

First, I run through Popular with Julia, and then Lizzie. I have to admit, Lizzie's not tone deaf. She's actually pretty good compared to her vocally challenged clique leader. Next up, Fiyero auditions.

"James Warner," Ms. Nicoli calls.

Here it goes. I get that sinking feeling in my stomach, the one I get right before a big test I'm about to flunk, or a drama assignment I'm not prepared for. Then James does something unexpected.

"I don't want to try out for Fiyero anymore. I'd like the role of Chistery."

"Chistery?" Ms. Nicoli and I ask at the same time.

"Why would you want to be Chistery?" Mrs. Nicoli continues. "That'd be wasting a real talent."

"I'm a good dancer," James says. "Plus, I'd get to do scenes with Elphaba and the Wizard who are both important to me."

I feel color rise in my cheeks.

"Alright then," Ms. Nicoli says. "How about you run through As Long As You're Mine with Ashton while we're here, Skylar. I'd like to see how you two work together."

We start into the number. I must look like a really good actresses because I get lost staring into his bright green eyes. They're slightly darker than the green I'll be wearing during the performance. Then, we get to the kissing part. He puts his hands on the side of my face, I rest his cheek in my palm, and fireworks. We pull away, and I don't have to pretend to be struggling for words when he stammers out his lines.

"W-what is it?"

"For the first time," I inhale. "I feel... Wicked."

My hands wrap around his head, his cling to my shoulders and we kiss passionately for all of seven seconds before Ms. Nicoli calls 'cut,' and 'that's a wrap.' I pretend to be uninterested in Ashton as my friends and I leave the auditorium, but can't help sneaking one last glance. I see him looking at me, and we both look away, embarrassed. In the background, Amber, who came to "support him," can be heard shouting in protest about the kissing scene.

After lunch, a few big jocks come up to us. 

"Hey, Warner," they call. "We heard 'bout yo li'l speech in the au'torium last class. You gay, man?"

James is completely calm. 

"Gay? No. Bi? Yes, good sirs. I am one hundred percent bisexual."

The jocks just stand there, dumbstruck, no clue what to say next. They had expected him to deny it.

"Whatever man," the largest, and clearly dumbest, grumbled. As he walked away, I heard him mutter, "'s no fun when he don't deny it."

James smirks. The only question I have is, how would they even know about that? It's not like they're hiding a secret love of musical theatre in their thick, thick skulls. Who would have- 

"Amber," I groan. 

James only nods his head, completely unaffected. 

"Wow," Greg murmurs, sounding impressed. "No one's ever stood up to them before."

"Well," James begins. "There's a first time for everything. At my old school, they were a lot more open about this sort of thing. We had a few gays, some bis, and a whole lot of lesbians. I even had a boyfriend for a while. Then, I moved, and we decided that a long-distance relationship would be too hard, so we broke it off. I moved here, I met Skylar, I really liked Skylar, and, well, the rest is history. And you know what? I think a boyfriend here would be pretty awesome. What d'you say, Greg? Go out with me?"

Greg swallows, and I can see him thinking about it. 

"Ok."

I didn't realize how big a spectacle we created until half the cafeteria erupts into cheers, the other half booing loudly. What happens next shocks the lunchroom. Someone on the booing side picks up their styrofoam container of macaroni and cheese and throws it at the cheering person across from them. And just like that, we've started a war. Food flies everywhere, and we are one of the biggest targets. We make a mad dash for the cafeteria doors. 

Once we're out, we do a quick once-over. Everyone's pretty much clean, except for a giant glob of potatoes in Julia's hair and some ketchup on James' cheek which somehow makes him even cuter. I laugh when it becomes obvious that Greg agrees. 

James spies the look on Greg's face, gives him a quick peck on the cheek, and says, "Better get to class. I don't want to be late for AP Calculus. I'll pick you up on Saturday, and we'll go bowling. Sound cool?"

Greg only nods. After James leaves, Julia gives Greg a huge thumbs up and I give him a pat on the back. Julia has grown increasingly closer to Greg throughout the month we've hung out. 

"Julia, you're hair!" Greg cries, laughing. "It's hideous!"

We all crack up and walk confidently down the hallway. Confidently, that is, until the group of jocks appears out of nowhere. 

"Hey, Sky. Did that joke, Warner, dump you for Little Miss Sunshine over here?" one asks, crowding us towards the lockers. 

Suddenly, a dark-skinned boy in a letterman jacket comes up behind them. We cower in fear, afraid of what might happen. This new kid seems pretty muscular. 

"Guys, leave them alone," the new kid calls. 

We look up, surprised.

"Unless you want your new power forward to teach you a lesson."

The jocks put their hands up and back away, turn around, and stroll down the hallway. 

"Not cool, man," one of them shouts over his shoulder. "Not cool." 

The new kid only sighs and heads down the opposite hallway. Julia watches his back until he's out of sight. 

"He's so cute," she sighs.

Greg and I exchange a glance and snigger. Julia jabs her elbows into our sides and we continue on our way.