Even Though: A StarKid/Joey Richter Fanfic

Chapter 2-Class Act

"Miss De Luca, I know that sine, cosine, and tangents aren't the most interesting things in the world, but I suggest you pick your head up and pay attention, unless you would like to fail the next test."

I jerked my head up from my desk, a small bit of drool forming on the corner of my lip. Damn it. I had fallen asleep in Geometry yet again. And it wasn't entirely my fault; I had so much on my plate lately that sleep was barely an option anymore. I looked around and heard Joe Walker's annoying bark of a laugh being stifled by his own enormous hands. Jaime glanced at me, her eyes filled with pity. I had really made a fool of myself this time. At least none of the other people in Darren's clique were in my first period; being laughed at by Walker was embarrassing enough.

"Sorry, Mrs. Hoffman," I said, making myself sound as regretful as possible, "It won't happen again ma'am."

"Good," she said, turning her fierce gaze to Joe, who was still laughing to himself, "Something funny, Mr. Walker?" I smirked as his light blue eyes filled with terror. Hoffman could instill fear even in the most muscle bound, meat headed jocks. And Joe was no exception.

"Oh, um, uh...n-no ma'am," he stuttered, pushing up the sleeves of his striped long-sleeved shirt. Hoffman rolled her eyes and began teaching again.

I was so tired from the weeks of studying, vocal rehearsals, and overall back-to-school-itis, that I barely had enough energy to even keep my eyes open. But then I realized that it was Friday. The second Friday of September. The day Williams announced the cast list for West Side Story. My palms suddenly got sweaty and I looked at the clock. It was only 8:17. Little less than 6 hours until I knew my part in the show. I just had to get through the day.

-oOo-

By lunch I was a mess. I had little over three hours until the list went up, and I was surprised I would be able to stomach any food, considering my skin started to have a slight green tinge. But, like a true performer, I didn't let my jitters show.

"Hey, De Luca!"

"Saunders!" I said, greeting him, "Such a pleasure to see you in the cafeteria line!"

We scooted along, taking about random crap. No matter how gross the school's food may have been, nearly everyone opted to get it. Myself being part of that majority.

"Yeah well, I was too lazy to pack a lunch today, so here I am," he said, his smile warm. That was the thing about Dylan; he always seemed to be able to calm me down. But I was still on edge about the cast list going up today. And, as always, he sensed it.

"You're nervous about the list aren't you?" he asked, his blue eyes filling with worry. That was another about Dylan; he constantly stressed about the well-being of his friends. Which was great some of the time. But then it just made me even more distressed. I nodded to his question.

"What if I don't get a good role?" I said, cursing myself for being so narcissistic, "Or...or what if Williams doesn't give me a part at all? Or what if-"

"Cas, you don't need to worry," he said, cutting me off as we walked to our usual lunch table, where Jaime was already occupying, "You're going to be the perfect Maria."

"Really?"

"Really," Dylan said as we sat down.

"Don't tell me you're worrying about the cast list going up today," Jaime said. I nodded. "Cassie, you have an amazing voice and I heard you monologue, like, a million times. You always bring your A-game, and I just know you got it this time."

Now I may have wanted nothing more than to be popular and noticed, but I was so glad I had friends like Jaime and Dylan. I knew no matter how ambitious or self-centered or bitchy I'd become, they would always be there for me. I was finally getting back to my old self when a few of my least favorite people decided to make a detour to our table.