Even Though: A StarKid/Joey Richter Fanfic

Chapter 10-The Grass Is Always Greener

"Tonight, tonight, it all began tonight, I saw you and the world went away."

God, I loved this musical. I loved playing Maria. Even if it was opposite Joey's Tony, playing this role was a dream come true.

"Tonight, tonight, it's only you tonight, what you are, what you do, what you say."

"Today, all day I had a feeling," Joey sang, "a miracle would happen. I know now I was right."

"For here you are, and what was just a world is a star. Tonight."

He really does sound good, I thought, And we do sound great together.

He looked at me all lovey-dovey, and I did the same. He grabbed both my hands as we finished the song, inches away from each other's faces. I half expected some applause, but then I remembered the only audience I had was Mr. Williams and a plethora of tired teenagers. Still, a little clapping would be nice.

"Very good, Cassie and Joey," Mr. Williams beamed. I knew he was mentally patting himself on the back for his perfect casting, "Okay, Alle-Faye, could you finish up America please? We need this done by blah blah blah..." I sort of tuned out after that since America didn't pertain to me. I hopped off the stage and grabbed my script, plopping myself in the back row.

"Good job," Joey murmured as he sat next to me. I didn't reply. "So uh...can we talk now?"

"I suppose," I stated coldly. I was still very unsure of my feelings for Joey at that moment. I had never trusted him before, so why should I then?

"Good," he said, "Because, well, I just wanted to fully apologize. For everything. For the kiss, for all the times I've treated you badly...just, everything. I know I may still act like a jackass in front of my friends, and I'm sorry for that too, but it's just the way things are."

"I get it," I said, still looking at my script, "Without your reputation, you're nothing." And it was true. In this school, with these fickle people, status meant everything. Because of the musical, mine was on the rise, but being friends with me was not going to help anyone's reputation, let alone Joey's. The only reason I was even friends with Jaime and Dylan is because they stopped caring a long time ago, unlike 95% of the school's population.

"I know," he stated, "And I get why you're being all bipolar and shit." I looked up from my script for the first time since the conversation had started.

"If you say I'm on my period, I will fucking murder you." He cracked a crooked smile.

"No, that's not it," he replied, tapping his hands on thighs, "I just, I know you're feeling conflicted about your feelings for me, so I want-"

"Whoa whoa whoa hold up there, Richter," I interjected, "I am not feeling conflicted about any feelings for you." Joey raised his arms defensively.

"Okay, okay," he remarked, a sly smirk still spread across his face, "You don't have to convince me. But...still. For now, we can be friends. On the down low though, okay?" I let out an exasperated groan.

"Fine," I said, ripping my script open again.

"Oh come on," he smirked, "You know you've been waiting for this since, like, forever." I rolled my eyes.

"God, you're an ass." I meant to be serious, but I felt a small smile twitch on my face. Joey busted out laughing, and his infectious cackle made me laugh too. Tears were forming in my eyes when I caught Dylan staring at us from the front of the stage. I immediately shut up, and returned my attention to the notes on my script.

"I don't think your boyfriend like us very much," Joey whispered, a giggle still in the back of his throat.

"We went over this, Joseph," I said, as if I were talking to a kindergartener, "He isn't my boyfriend, remember?" Joey wiggled his eyebrows.