The Dream Machine

Twelve

SANDLER

I went back to school on Monday as usual. It was weird going back to school after experiencing my past memories in a coma, except my coma doesn't even compare to Frederick's. He hasn't even woken up yet. What is he doing? Maybe he's stuck in his subconscious too, and has to relive his past memories. It must be taking longer, because he's nine years older than me, according to George.

I had reached my locker when Lizzie approached me, a smile as big as Neptune plastered on her face, "I have my chance!" she beamed.

"What are you talking about?" I said, starting the daily routine of putting my books away.

She took a breath and continued, "You know how I've always said that I wanted to become a Broadway actress and singer?"

I paused. Where did this information come from? Lizzie had never given me the slightest hint at what she wanted to be when she grew up, and there it was, freshly exposed, "Again I must say, what are you talking about?"

"Did I never tell you?" she asked. I nodded my head. "I told Lloyd in third grade."

I felt like I was about to burst. Lloyd. Every time I said or heard his name I thought I was gonna colapse. He had locked me in a closet and now he and known important info about Lizzie since the third grade?

"You must have forgotten to mention it," I swallowed, desparately trying to hide my anger, "Anyway, what's the news?"

"Our middle school is producing its first Broadway musical production!" she excalaimed.

I sighed, "That's great. What musical is it?"

"First Date,"

I choked. This is the most ironic thing I have ever heard in my life. The musical that our school was putting on had the same title as something that I wanted to accomplish with Lizzie. A first date. It now seemed impossible. I regained my composure and replied, "Isn't that the one with Zachary Levi?"

"Yep," she was practically exploding with excitement, "he plays Aaron and Krysta Rodriguez plays Casey. Oh, I want that role so very badly."

"Aren't some of the songs explict?"

"Oh, Mrs. Franklin is rewriting the dirty parts." she assured me.

"Wouldn't it be cool if I got Aaron and you got Casey?" I faked a laugh.

She giggled, "Yeah, what a spectacle that would be."

"Yes,"

"Well, bye," she breathed as she walked away, a skip in her step.

A new objective had been made that I needed to accomplish. Lizzie would no doubt get Casey. I've heard her sing songs before; she could carry a tune. I just needed to become Aaron. Shutting my locker, I gathered my pile of notebooks and pencils and started walking down the hallway.

Soon, however, I bumped shoulders with the extremely athletic and arrogant, Hunter Connors. He was the kind of guy where everyone thought he was a nice person, but on the inside he was a jerk. Apparently, I'm the only one who knew. To me, everything about him screamed annoying: his some-what blonde hair, his dumb-looking hazel eyes, and even his height (not as tall as me, but tall enough).

"I'm sorry, Sandler," Hunter scoffed, "but next time, be a little conservative."

I just could not take his faking-kind attitude, "Or what? You'll beat me up? Isn't that little too mean for you?"

This was the first time I had ever spoken up to him before and he was alone, so this took him quite aback, "Are you talking to me?" he seemed surprised.

"Yeah, so what? Is this not normal to you, because usually, this is what humans to do other humans."

"Why are you so mad at me? What did I ever do to you?"

"Nothing," I answered, and just kept walking. I have to say, my social skills are getting a lot better.

I entered my next class, US History with Mrs. Hurshfield, and sat down at my desk, ready to get this over with. I needed to get home and memorize the First Date soundtrack.

Out of nowhere, Lloyd approached me, "Hey, Sandler."

I decided to not yell at him, so I said mildly, "Hello, Lloyd. Who do you have locked in the janitor's closet now? Another admirer of Lizzie, I presume."

"You admit it!" he shrieked.

"I admit nothing," I sighed, "I do admit however that I cannot wait to try out for Aaron."

Lloyd placed his palms on my desk and leaned down, getting in my face, "If you dare try out for that musical opposite Lizzie, I swear I will kill you," it seemed like I had made him a little angry.

"Is that a promise? Until you find out how to cover the evidence of my dead corpse, I'm convinced that that's a threat." I stated back.

Lloyd looked like he wanted to kill me now, but he couldn't. There are rules against that. Murder laws and whatnot, so he just took his seat and glared at me. Broadway, look out, because Sandler here, is about to make a first impression.