Sophomore Year || Parenthood Series, Book One || WATTYS 2018

Chapter Twenty-Seven

SOUNDTRACK:  "Count on Me" - NEEDTOBREATHE

Kate was sitting in the crowded cafeteria after class before her rehearsals. She was trying to finish a few chapters in her English textbook before having to spend the next two hours going through blocking. Coach Anders had given her a bit of a pass in light of the situation and she only had to go to practice two days a week. Still, her schedule was packed full. Finals were fast-approaching and she was nervous. From the way all of her professors were talking, her finals week would be Hell. Each class had three hours for the exam period and sports teams didn't have practice, but the director of the play had scheduled them for rehearsals after school. Fortunately, exams ended after Wednesday so she'd have it a bit easier. But it didn't help that she was sure she'd fail at least one of them.

Victoria and Blair sat down at the other end of Kate's table, having a conversation while looking at Victoria's phone. Kate could hear a video being played and she tried to ignore it, forcing herself to focus on her book.

"What a fucking tool," Blair laughed.

"I know, right?" Victoria snorted. "What type of idiot says something like that on camera?"

"Look at his hair! It looks like a strawberry ice cream cone," Blair added. "He barely has his fucking eyebrows back!"

Kate sighed. "Can you two please try to keep it a little quieter? I'm trying to study," she said politely.

Victoria looked at her. "There are study rooms for a reason."

Kate ignored her and turned back to her book.

"I can't really blame him for saying that - her music is shit," Blair continued. "As if I needed another reason for loving Jared Leto."

Kate's ears pricked up and her eyes widened. "Jared Leto? You mean the guy that's playing the Joker?" she asked, trying to be nonchalant.

"Yeah. Apparently he insulted Taylor Swift," Victoria said.

Kate slid closer to them on the bench. "What?" she asked in disbelief.

Victoria played the video for her and Jared could clearly be seen saying 'fuck her' toward Taylor Swift. Granted, it was in the studio at the house and the quality looked shaky, but it was him, cotton candy hair and all. Kate backed away from the phone in shock. It wasn't that she'd never heard Jared speak that way - the man swore like a sailor on leave; it was more that this wasn't the image he usually put out to the public.

"That's - uh - wow," she remarked.

"He'll have a song written about him soon enough," Blair laughed.

"Sure," Kate replied with a weak chuckle.

"What, are you a fan of hers or something?" Victoria asked.

Kate shook her head. "No. I - uh - just have to go. Rehearsals," she said quickly, gathering her things and shoving them into her bag. "See you later."

She rushed off toward the Drama auditorium. People were talking about Jared. That meant he'd be getting more attention. That meant everything he did would get attention. Panic started to form a vice grip around her throat.

"Kate!" a voice jarred her from her thoughts.

She looked up to see the play's director, Professor Howard and an older student walking toward her. She stopped and waited for them to catch up.

"Glad I caught you," he said. "I wanted to let you know that we had to re-cast Stanley. Luke D'Acres is taking over for Thomas. Apparently Thomas broke his leg or something. Either way, we couldn't have him hobbling around the stage."