Bright: DEH/BMC Fanfic

Chapter 9

Zoe walked into the kitchen with the picture of Evan in her hand. After Jeremy left the study session, she finally got the courage to throw it away. She opened the trash can and dropped it in.

"What are you doing?" Zoe's mom asked from the kitchen table. Zoe quickly turned around, startled. She hadn't realized her mom was there.

"I... uh." She didn't feel like explaining what she was doing. It'd lead to a whole long conversation about boys. Something she'd rather avoid. "Just throwing away some... wrapperssss." She droned on "wrappers".

"I see." She motioned for Zoe to sit down. "I have some things I want to talk to you about."

Zoe hesitantly sat down on the other stool. "What's up?"

Zoe's mom closed her laptop screen she was looking at previously and stared at Zoe. "I know I've been busy with work, and I haven't really been around to help you with anything."

"Here we go..."

"So, I apologize."

"Alright." Zoe replied.

"But that's not all." Her mom  started again, "Work is sending me to be their spokesperson at some sort of grocery store convention. It pays well, but I'll be gone all next week."

"I didn't know grocery stores had conventions." Zoe said, raising an eyebrow. 

Her mom looked away. "Yeah, well. There are conventions for everything nowadays."

Zoe nodded her head, still not convinced. "Is that all? Will you need me to help you pack?"

Her mom faced her again, slightly smiling, "No, I think I'll manage." Her smile faded. "There's one more thing...

"It'll be in Florida."

"Okay?"

"And, Whole Foods can't really pay for me to stay in a hotel so... I'll be staying with your dad."

Zoe froze in her stool. "Wait what?" 

"It's gonna be weird, but I can't afford to stay in a hotel for a week. I hope you understand."

Zoe said nothing for a few moments but then nodded. "I understand."

"Nothing's gonna happen, I-"

"I get it mom." Zoe cut her mom off, faking a smile. She then stood up and walked into her room. Seems like most of their conversations ended that way.

Zoe felt confident about her history quiz as she strode to the drama classroom for lunch. Her study session with Jeremy helped out a lot, and not just with history. She felt as though she could finally move on from Evan and see what the world around her had to offer.

As she approached the door, she noticed a piece of paper on it. She suddenly remembered her terrible audition and that the roles would be cast TODAY! She eagerly looked at the paper for her name.

Ensemble: Zoe Murphy ... 

"I could've guessed that."

She then checked for her friends' names.

Romeo: Jeremy Heere

"Wow he did it! I'll need to congratulate him."

She glanced down at Juliet.

Juliet: Christine Canigula

"I shouldn't be surprised. Good for her." 

Zoe continued through the list of names. Rich got the role of Friar Laurence and Jake got the role of Mercutio. 

Someone touched her shoulder, pulling her out of her trance. She turned around and saw Christine smiling at her.

"Hi, um. Do you mind if I get a look at the casting?" Christine asked, somehow smiling bigger.

Zoe said nothing as she moved away from the door. She watched as Christine scanned the paper. At the sight of her name, she jumped up with joy. "Oh my goodness yes!"

She looked at Zoe and whispered, "I don't want to brag or anything, but this is my second time being Juliet in my lifetime. It was like I was born for this role!" Without waiting for Zoe's response, she skipped away, practically gleaming.

Zoe strutted into the drama room, practically fuming.