Keeping Secrets

Four

Expect the unexpected, and don't expect the expected.

Chapter Four
Acting

Mr. Brait had decided to make the class carry our chosen reading books on Friday, since most of the time was used by him to check everyone for the essay he'd given the last class.

Fortunately everyone, excluding Naomi, had written the essay. Unfortunately, he assigned the class to write on their favourite writer, and to tell him why we liked them. He also placed us into groups, and any group he gave a certain book genre would be assigned to write about it.

I was so graciously placed in the group which had been assigned to research on the romance genre.

There were 5 people in the group: Haley, Chad (a playboy), Jackie, Naomi, and, of course, me.

I hated groups so much, because no one would take the work seriously and it's up to you to do all the work or take a failing grade.

I just wanted to forget about literature class, and start thinking  about my next class - Drama.

I completely disliked Drama, and for valid reasons. Firstly, I'm not good at acting. Secondly, I become as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs once I'm on stage. I just wasn't made to perform, but I still had to do Drama as a subject - all because of my darn dad.

He would always try to encourage me to interact with people outside the house, other than Nathan that is, but I never got the courage to.

I finally met with the tall, pine door, which hid the drama room behind of it. I took a deep breath, and turned the knob slowly.

I was a few minutes late for class, since Naomi wanted to speak with me. I knew I'd be late for my next class, so I delayed her until lunch period. Eventually she agreed, and headed for her next class.

I had my notebook in hand, so I wouldn't have to rummage my bag for it. The door's squeaking alerted the class of my presence, and I internally cursed the door for that.

"Ms. Dust. It's nice to see you again. Come, come. Take a seat," Mrs. Smith said ever so nicely.

I looked at the students arranged in a circle in the center of the spacious room, and finally spotted an empty seat right next to... Nathan?

Whoa, whoa, wait. Is that Nathan?

I walked across the waxed, wooden floor, heading towards the seat.

"Stop!" Mrs. Smith shouted so loudly, that her voice echoed within the room.

I froze in my tracks, completely afraid to move.

"Sweetie, don't you remember rule number 3?"

"Take off your footwear before entering the drama room," I replied, still frozen in place.

"Correct." She started to clap me exaggeratedly, with a toothy smile to follow. "Now do as the rule states, thank you," she finished in a sing-song.

No wonder why she's the drama teacher.

I turned myself around and headed towards the wide, rectangular table next to the door. Bags were packed on top of one another in the shape of a mountain, and it seemed impossible for my bag to fit in. So I decided to place my bag on the ground, leant up against the wall. It was a few centimeters away from the table, and I took off my boots placing them next to my bag.