My Backstage Boyfriend | teen fiction

act 1, scene 2 - tag along

Jessie came and sat with us that day at lunch. She was surprised to find out that we didn't have to eat in the cafeteria and could eat anywhere on campus.

Her energetic yet easy-going personality seemed to mesh well with our group, which I was grateful for. I had invited a couple people in the past who were new (ahem - Mckenzie Coxberry) and it hadn't ended well for anyone involved.

She had a variety of interest, including Doctor Who and Panic! at the Disco, which led her into a conversation with Chase. We also learned she spoke three languages fluently, so Sam took an instant liking to her academic drive. While the three of them chattered on about this interactive art exhibit that somehow they all had seen, Emmy and I texted back and forth under the table.

Nick... She looked up at me with a devilish grin.

So what, I had a conversation with him? That doesn't mean he likes me.

Uhm, he said "talk to you later", which implies he wants to talk to you again.

You're ridiculous. Just give it time.

Pen, you've given it ELEVEN YEARS!!! Don't you think that's more than enough time?

I don't know, Em. I just don't think I'm ready yet.

Fineeeeee... but if you wait too long....

Oh shut up, I concluded playfully.

"Hey guys! You guys!" I turned my head to see Leila Burnstone bouncing towards us, high ponytail bobbing in her wake. "They're announcing the musical in like five minutes."

"Wait, actually?" I was surprised. Normally they announced it when they put up flyers for auditions.

"Yes! In the auditorium! Let's go!" She gestured for us enthusiastically to follow her.

Leila was one of those people who had a limitless supply of energy, like she had a perpetual cup of coffee she was always slipping from. Ever since we were little, she had always been like a little performance in and of herself. She was incredibly flexible and could bend any which way on a whim. This made her the best dancer in our theatre department. She had a solo dance routine as a freshman, which was almost unheard of. The surplus of girls had led to an extremely competitive environment. There are only so many featured parts and so many people who want them.

"Wait, a musical? I loved doing theatre at my old school. Can I come with you guys?" Jessie looked up eagerly.

"Sure, come on." We all got up to go towards the auditorium, save for Sam who hung back to pore over her new textbook. She was the only person in the group who wasn't that into theatre.

There were already numerous amounts of students filling the first couple rows in front of the stage. It was an array of mostly misfits, a few people who only did the musical to sing (emphasis on the not acting), some normal-ish people, and a lot in between. I noticed Nick immediately. As we made our way towards the front, I caught his eye and we exchanged shy smiles. I chose seats nearby, but not too close.

I thought, maybe this is the year. This is endgame. That made me nervous.

Emmy had been playing the long game with her ugly hoe ex-boyfriend and they seemed so perfect together when it finally happened. That was until we learned he was a lying, cheating, alcoholic prick. We had celebrated when his family had to move to Japan. There were both perks and downfalls of living in a military town, and that was a perk for sure.

A part of me was afraid that if Nick and I ever did get together, it would end in nothing but disaster. For now though, I was pretty content with where we were. He was my friend. I didn't want to ruin anything.

"Hey, Penny!" I turned to see him calling out to me and wished I could stop the heat that was rushing to my cheeks.

"Yeah?"

"Who's your friend? I haven't seen her before." My stomach turned a little bit. Was that a pang of jealousy I was feeling? I knew it meant nothing, everyone was curious about the new girl. I swallowed.

"Oh, this is - "

"Jessica Winters, but most people just call me Jessie. I just moved here from Minnesota."

"Cool, nice to meet you, Jessie. I'm Nick."

While their small talk happened, I got hung up on her cutting me off. I know, I had a huge problem with over analyzing, but something about it just didn't seem right.

I didn't have much longer before my two extremely extravagant theatre directors walked out onstage. Mr. Phelps was our choral director and as far as I knew, the only teacher in history to have invited students to him and his husband's wedding. He and Ms. Listine, our drama director, had coordinated pastel pink and blue.

My heart started to race, would we doing Legally Blonde this year? I knew I was too young to play Elle yet, but it was so exciting to even have the opportunity to audition. Maybe Seussical? I hoped not, I didn't really want to have to wear a leotard onstage.

The chatter died down and we all pointed our direction towards our teachers.

"Now students, we will not make you wait too much longer. As much as we'd like to keep you in suspense, lunch is only so long!" They laughed dramatically.

They paused for a beat and finally... finally...

"The musical this year is an original about turmoil, love, and fate. Its title, The Battle of the Heart and it was written by our very own Christian Burnstone."

Burnstone... Leila's brother? He stood up from his seat and waved, met with gentle applause. He was a sheepish senior, but transformed through his art. While he didn't participate in much acting, he was an incredible musician and rumored writer.

I was a little disappointed that it wasn't something I knew or could listen to before hand, but it seemed intriguing enough.

The auditorium began to disperse. People went over to talk to Mr. Phelps and Ms. Listine (many to kiss-up before auditions, not really my style), while others went to go congratulate Christian. Emmy and I picked up our things and got ready to class, not really paying to Jessie, thinking she was doing the same. However, when I looked up, she had gone over to talk to Christian.

I left chattering to Emmy about who we thought would be up for the lead roles, not wanting to be tardy for algebra. Jessie didn't seem to notice.