If You're Hurt They Bleed

Notes

We walked into the theater, and Mr. Robinski raced to meet us. 

"Are you okay? Where were you?" He exploded. 

"I'm fine. I was... practicing. I just lost track of time, I guess." He informed our teacher calmly. 

"Good." Robinski turned to the rest of the cast. 

"Places! We lost an hour and a half." He looked back to us. "I'm glad you're okay, but never do that again." He commanded. We both nodded eagerly and tried not to burst into laughter when he turned his back. 

"I like your costume," Grayson whispered. I looked down. I had forgotten that I was wearing it. 

"Thanks. You should probably go ask Jane for yours. I've got to go get in place for Opening Up, but we'll talk later, yeah?" I started walking away, but not before he gave me a kiss on my cheek. 

"Sure." He headed off to where Jane was standing with her hands on her hips, ready to chew him out. I smothered a laugh and got in my spot. 

Molly gave me a look that said 'You better tell me everything',  and the music started. 

Grayson looked very handsome in his doctor's coat, and I thought about how proud his mom would be. 

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"Notes! Notes! Notes!" We chanted, waiting for Robinski to plop himself on the stage with his notepad. 

"Alright! First, this is for everyone. The opening needs some work. You all still look like you're doing choreography. It needs to be effortless." We all nodded, making known that we understood. 

"That said, The Negative was pretty good, but Paige?" He glanced up.

"Hm?" She popped up. 

"More innocence from your character. The red dress line needs to really lighten the mood. Oh, and Maya?" I looked up. 

"Yeah." 

"Be a bit harsher. Dawn's like your little sister,  okay? You care, but she still gets on your nerves." He replaced his reading glasses, continuing down his list. 

"More passion in Bad Idea, guys. You're having an affair, for god's sake. At least act like you like each other. You didn't make eye contact once today." Grayson and Maya scootched away from each other, nodding. Now that Robinski'd made a comment about it, they couldn't avoid that situation any longer. 

"Maya!" A smile poured onto his face, and I sat up straight. 

"Yes?" 

"I Didn't Plan It was excellent today. You put so much feeling into it, and it paid off. Keep it up!" 

I looked over at Molly excitedly, but she was pouting. I assumed from Robinski's last comment. At least, I hoped. 

Practice finished, and I grabbed my bag. For the first time in a while, I didn't have any calls or texts from my mother. 

Thinking nothing of it, I headed outside, waiting for Molly. 

When she came up, she barely glanced at me, walking straight towards the car. 

"What's wrong?" I asked. Molly never really gets mad. She tends to hide it until it completely blows up. 

"It's just... I've been putting my heart and soul into my solos every day at rehearsal, but Robinski never says anything, good or otherwise. But he was so proud of you today, and I just..." She stopped. 

"Got jealous?" I suggested. 

"No." She glared. "Why would I be jealous of you?" 

That comment pushed me over the edge. "Get out." My face turned to stone. 

"Excuse me?" 

"Get out of the car. Find another ride home, if you think I'm untalented. But with everything going on right now, I really don't need useless opinions on my performances." I walked over and opened the door for her. "Here ya go, Princess." 

She scoffed, but got out. "I didn't realize it was a big deal. You always say I'm more talented than you anyway." 

I rolled my eyes. This girl was unbelievable. "I think your main role part is getting to your head. Keep in mind who introduced you to the wonderful world of show business in the first place. And the one who has sat in the background so that you could have the spotlight." 

"Oh, so you were just letting me get those roles? That's why you only got the fat one?" She spat. 

I was fuming. "I got Becky because my audition song meant something to me, and I showed emotion. That's what Becky's character needs. You got Jenna because Robinski knows you're reliable." Her glare deepened. 

"Fine. Let's see if your theory is correct, then. A sing-off." She smirked. 

I looked at her in disbelief. "Sing-offs haven't happened since my dad was in school.  What makes you think Robinski will let us-" She cut me off. 

"He will. Monday, after school. The auditorium. Let's see who really deserves the title of Jenna Hunterson."