Beast

The Stage is Set

Chapter One

"Oh come on!"

Julia tugged on my arm. "Don't you think he's even a little bit cute?"

I snorted. "Please. Why would I ever say a guy was cute?"

She groaned.

I readjusted my headband and the replied, "Can we just start 10th grade worrying about tryouts, not boys?"

Julia gave me a pleading look, then gave up. "Ughhhh. Fine."

I could see the building's outline as we reached the top of the hill.

"I'm so freaking glad we're not freshman anymore," Julia said, breaking the silence.

"I agree. We can finally get decent parts. No more fish for us!"

Julia cracked a smile.

Someone passed by us and I saw Julia's eyes light up.

Must be some guy, I thought.

Julia looked at me with a giddy gleam in her eyes as she mimicked flipping her hair, which was in a bun.

I grabbed her shoulder before she could scamper off.

"Don't you have a boyfriend or something?"

She shrugged. "We broke up yesterday."

"What is that like, 20?"

"I dunno. What matters is he's cute!"

"What matters, Jules, is that he's probably older than us, and its the first day of school. Take your time."

We started walking again, and reached the front doors of the high school.

Inside, students were milling around, chatting with old friends, catching up and discussing their summers. Freshman were running around with panicked expressions. Most students snickered, but I felt a pang of empathy, remembering my first day of high school.

I looked down at my schedule.

There were eight classes listed in neat row with the class numbers across the page. My locker number was in the top left hand corner.

A 243

Right down the hall, I thought.

Julia waved bye then set off in the opposite direction.

I heard them before I saw them.

David, Brian, Mitchell, Damon and Curtis. The most popular boys of all popular boys. Right next to my locker. I tried not to make any eye contact with any of them as I walked towards them and turned the dial on my locker. Like most people, they just ignored me and kept talking.

Well, shouting I guess. I could hear the whole conversation.

"Dude, you totally should." That was David.

What's up with guys saying dude to each other?

"I don't know. I mean, I might not even make it." Curtis said that.

All the guys chorused in their come on's.

"It's pointless if I don't get the part. I saw the musical last year. The other jobs look stupid." Curtis continued.

No.

"Dude. If you have a crush on her, you should try out!" Mitchell piped up.

I stared at the metal in front of me. This could not be happening.

"Fine," Curtis said bluntly.

The guys all cheered and the mob moved towards their homeroom.

I shut my locker and slowly walked away and towards Language Arts.

I knew exactly who they were talking about. Kenna Lierra, the most popular girl in the 10th grade and she had one of the most prettiest vibratos anyone had ever heard of. Every boy in school had a crush on her.

We were doing Beauty and the Beast this year. Kenna was most likely going to be Belle. So Curtis was going to try out for the Beast. It was so predictable, it was almost cliche.

In the midst of my slow walking, the bell had rung for first period. I was late. Joy. I made it to my classroom door and found Curtis standing there. More joy. I opened the door and sat down at the nearest available seat. Mr. Thompson cleared his throat and said, "Miss. Matthews, detention after school." I nodded and he turned to Curtis, who had taken a seat near the back. "You too, Mr. De Vonn."

Mr. Thompson began the same lecture he probably had said on the first day of school every year he taught at Beckerman High. Most of the teachers had the same speech. This year was going to be "fun" and "exciting", as long as we, the students, cooperated and turned in our homework, yada yada yada. He passed out a syllabus and went through what we were going to study, the books we were going to read and how many tests we were going to take. The bell rang. Everyone stood up quickly and rushed to get out of the classroom.

-----

The rest of the day was pretty much uneventful. I went to class after class, ate lunch, received papers. Theatre was more exciting. Our teacher, Ms. Simone, announced that since so many students were planning to try out for the musical, she had decided to have a 9th and 10th grade Beauty and the Beast, and a 11th and 12th grade one. The whole class was buzzing with energy after the bell rang, signaling the end of the day. Julia started talking as soon as we exited the room.

"So, since we're doing separate musicals, do you think you'll try out for Belle instead of Mrs. Potts?"

I shook my head, remembering the conversation I overheard that morning. "Nah. I like her solo anyway much better than Belle's."

"You just don't want to kiss a boy on stage!" she nagged.

I smiled and rolled my eyes. That was half of it.

I started making my way to Mr. Thompson's room, explaining to Julia why I had detention. She gave me a pitying look and went out the front doors.

Curtis was already seated when I walked into the classroom, making me look bad. I sat down and Mr. Thompson started talking.

"You two won't have to stay, but make sure you aren't late the rest of the year. Okay?"

We both nodded and Mr. Thompson dismissed us.

Before I could even leave the campus, Curtis stopped me.

"Hey, uh, do you know when tryouts are?"

I glared at him then replied, "The 25th."

"Um, thanks." He scampered off.

I hate Curtis De Vonn.