The Other Girlfriend

Casting

Jenny’s POV

                 I shuffle my feet nervously as I sit on the floor in the choir room inside the music building.  Elizabeth is sitting me next to me showing with her face that I need to relax, but I just can’t.  Today we learn who our dancing partners are.  In other words, I learn who I have to follow pretty much every day from now on for basically the entire semester.  I will hold that person’s hands constantly, and I will dance next to them and have to hang out with them for the entire number.

                I hope I’m paired up with someone nice and I especially hope I’m not paired with a certain someone who I used to date.  The thought of him, holding me like he after last semester’s function and to do that all the time, makes me gag.  I don’t want have to constantly hang out with him. No. No way.  I won’t do it.  I won’t.   I break all thought when Zoe comes to center after spending a whole minute fumbling through her myriad of notes.

                “Guys,” Zoe called softly.  One hint of her voice and whatever noise was happening has ceased.  It amazes me how powerful assume her to be.  It actually makes me jealous of her in a way because few people will get in her way.  What Zoe wants, she actively pursues to get and pushes all other things aside.  “Thank you,” Zoe smiled before opening up her thick notebook, “Now, I have some questions that have been sent my way and I am going to answer them here and now in front of everyone so there is no confusion.

                “One question I have been asked, are we wearing kilts for our costume?” I can see guys getting nervous.  Clearly, the only people who were seriously wondering were all male. “Since this is a number based in medieval Scotland, my answer is yes.  Everyone is wearing a kilt,” Groans emit from the guy’s side that fills the whole room.  Zoe flashes a fierce look in their direction and they shut up instantly. “Males will be wearing a short kilt while girls will wear long kilts.  To save money, there will be only one color of kilt.  If you want someone to blame, blame Marcel, but he is not here as he is searching for fabrics as we speak.

                “Question two, a more serious question asks when we are performing in the show.  I do not know when yet, but as soon as I get that information, I’ll let you know.  Another good question is what to expect in terms of practice from me for the average full time person,” All eyes were glued to here. “My answer is expect a minimum of 20 hours a week with 8 of those hours on the weekend,” Some people did not seem surprised, others looked exasperated and ready to go die a more pleasant death.  I was expecting something like this.

                “Now,” Zoe breathed in and out. “Let’s talk about pairings.  I have everyone’s names here and who you will be sharing a majority of your dance moves with.  Just because you’re paired someone doesn’t mean you will spend literally every second of the show with them.  It just depends on the song and the choreography designed by Leeroy and me.  When I call your name, please unite with your partner and stand behind me.”

                Then one by one, she called each and every single pairing.  I watched everyone get matched up like this was a dating website and I’m getting because I’m not getting picked and neither is Harry.  This can’t be happening.  This cannot be happening.  I feel my heart racing, my breathing become irregular, and I feel adrenaline coursing through me as the flight instinct kicks in.  Sure enough, the mayor is called during the pairing and we’re down to the last few people left and I turn around to see Harry staring at me.

                I feel nasty that he’s looking at me and Harry instantly steers his eyes away from mine since I caught him staring.  Then I look around and I see only Harry and I have survived the reaping of pairs.  Crap.  This can’t be good.  Harry gets up and so do I.  “And for our last couple, who will be the stars of the show.  Harry Styles and Jenny Roe.  Harry will be lead guy portraying our Braveheart while Jenny will play the lost princess.  Congratulations to both of you,”