Lights, Camera, Action!

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

I nervously flipped through my understudy script, reading the words but not even paying attention to what it was saying. Not only did Abigail think I could sing, but now the whole theatre probably thought I was lying.

The only thing to do now would be to keep my head low and stay out of Ashley's way. As much as I hated her, I had no problem with her taking over Ariel's part.

I heard a knock on my bedroom door. "You in there, Hannah?" My brother asked.

"Yeah, come on in," I called, shoving the script in my desk drawer.

Adam opened the bedroom door and came in, walking over to my bed. "How was work?"

"It was fine," I lied. "Everyone just got their scripts, and I got the sheet music. It was an easy day."

"What part did Beth get?" Adam asked. "And everyone else of course."

Adam had a pretty big crush on Beth, but he wasn't very good at hiding it. Everyone knew, even her, but I don't think she really had the same feelings in return.

"She's one of the sisters, Aquata," I told him. "And Ashley McFarland is Ariel."

"Shocking," Adam said, and I told him the rest of the roles. I was not about to tell him that I was originally cast as the lead role. "Alright, I'm going over to Sam's house."

I nodded, and he got up to leave.

"Oh wait, I need to borrow your stapler for work," Adam said, turning around and reaching for my drawer.

"No!" I cried, pushing the drawer completely closed. Well, that wasn't subtle.

Adam looked at me through squinted eyes. "I don't know what you're hiding in there," he said. "But if it's drugs or condoms, I'm going to be really mad."

I kept my mouth shut. I had no idea what to say. So Adam pulled open my drawer anyways.

"Ariel?" He asked. "You're Ariel in the Little Mermaid?"

"No, give that back!"

"I don't think I will," he said, taking the script out and holding it above his head, trying to read it. I knew better than to fight with him. He was only a year older than me, but he still towered over.

"Okay okay, Abigail heard me sing, and she cast me as Ariel, but I refused it," I told him. "So I'm just the understudy."

"Why didn't you tell me you could sing?"

"I don't sing. Look, please just don't mention this to anyone, okay?"

"Sure, that's fine," Adam said. "As long as I can still come to the shows. And you're not using drugs or condoms."

~~~

"I'm not mad, but why didn't you tell us?" Olivia asked me as we sat down in the auditorium to rehearse. "We could have prepared you for an actual audition."

"I wasn't even auditioning," I told her honestly. "I told you, I was just playing the piano and singing, and Abigail heard me. That's all, I promise."

Olivia looked me in the eyes and smiled. "Fine, I guess I believe you."

The rest of the day was spent sitting in a large circle as everyone read their lines. I, unfortunately, had to sit next to Ashley and read along as she spoke since I technically had to know the lines. Every few minutes, I heard the click of Carter's camera, and I had to resist the urge not to turn around and watch him every time. I still hoped he had forgotten the tampon incident, but I knew he hadn't. I wouldn't have.

At lunchtime, I sat in the lobby next to Beth, Olivia, and Ivy. We all had packed lunches for the long day, like everyone else. It wasn't a paid lunch break, but at least we weren't working for the entire time.

"Mind if I join you?"

We all turned around to see Carter standing behind us, holding a bag from Subway in one hand and his camera bag in the other.

"Absolutely!" Beth said before anyone could answer.

Carter smiled and thanked her, then took a seat between her and me. "Hey Hannah," he said, smiling.

"Hey,"

"Do you like it here so far, Carter?" Ivy asked.

"Yeah, I really do," Carter replied. "Everyone here is really great, and I love taking pictures and videos of everything. I've never done anything like this before."

"When did you start photography?" Beth asked.

"When I was ten. My aunt gave me a digital camera for my birthday, and I couldn't stop taking pictures." He answered. "What about you ladies? When did you all start singing and acting?"

"Well I started when I was 4," Beth said.

"4, but I didn't start singing until I was 6 or 7," Olivia said with a smile.

"6," Ivy replied. "I was a late bloomer," She joked.

They all laughed, and I forced a smile too. I felt extremely guilty at the moment. Here these girls were, spending their entire lives training and doing what they loved, and I just waltz up, give it a shot, and had a lead. How could I do this to them? No wonder Beth seemed so disappointed.

"And when did you start with music?" Carter asked, turning towards me.

"Oh," I said, trying to brighten up a little. "My mom put me in piano lessons when I was 5, and I just kept trying new instruments."

"And when did you start singing?"

I lowered my head. Bad question. "Uh, like two days ago," I mumbled.

He seemed to hear me, but thankfully he didn't push it. We all finished eating our lunches, and ten minutes later, we left the lobby, getting back to work in the auditorium.

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2/18/17

Thanks for reading!

The picture is of Carter!

What do you guys think is going to happen in the next few chapters?