Backstage: Third Time's the Charm

Jenna Cristinziano

Jenna Cristinziano
Grade 11
Dance Program

Nothing made me happier than being back at school. I had fun going to mass with my nonna and nonno. And spending time with my cousins always made me happy. But it'd been two weeks since I'd seen Sasha.

It didn't matter that he was oblivious to my feelings. It didn't even matter that his crazy diet had caused him to drop me last year. One day Sasha Roy would notice me. And I'd be ready.

I tightened my scarf as I waited for the others to meet me in the courtyard. Beckett and Vanessa walked over slowly.

As usual, Beckett's apathetic demeanor showed in his clothing. He wore only a hoodie over his white t-shirt. Alternatively, Vanessa had a heavier coat over her leotard, complete with a crocheted hat and long scarf.

On the opposite side of school, I spotted Sasha. Carly walked beside him. My heart fluttered, and I waved. As they moved closer, I realized Sasha and Carly were holding hands. My smile faltered.

"Anything you want to tell us?" Vanessa looked at their entwined hands and smiled.

Sasha looked at Carly and smiled. He smiled the way I wanted him to smile at me.

"Cee and I are dating," he said.

Vanessa squealed and Beckett gave Sasha a high five.

All the stories I saved up to share with my friends suddenly seemed incomparable to Sasha and Carly's announcement. I silently followed behind them as we walked into school.

"Did you know?" I whispered to Vanessa.

"No." She shook her head, black hair whipping back and forth. "Isn't it great?"

"Yeah." The lie tasted sour on my lips.

I watched the rest of the day as Sasha gave Carly shoulder rubs. In return, she gave him quick pecks on the cheek, and snacks her mom had made. Sasha would smile and then take a swig of water. Their antics didn't seem to annoy anyone but me. Even Helswheel seemed to ship Casha (Carly and Sasha). I wondered why no one shipped Senna (Sasha and Jenna).

I watched miserably as Sasha wrapped his arms around Carly's waist and rested his chin on her shoulder.

Then Sasha looked in my direction. "How was your vacation, J?"

I forced a smile. "It was fun! My nonna gave me a nutcracker for Christmas, so my cousins and I pretended to perform 'The Nutcracker'—"

"That reminds me of when your brothers made us play football," Carly interrupted. She turned to Sasha. "Remember?"

He grimaced. "How could I not? I still have bruises. I was not made to play contact sports."

"My little sister tried to give Beckett a make-over," Vanessa said.

"Complete with sparkly, blue eyeshadow," Beckett grunted.

Carly looked at Vanessa. "Tell me you have pictures."

Vanessa and Carly huddled over Vanessa's phone as Beckett tried to steal it from them.

I frowned. They hadn't even let me finish my story about my cousins. Maybe there wasn't room for me now that they were both couples.

I left without saying anything, desperately wondering if they would notice I was gone. I hadn't taken more than a few steps outside the studio when Beckett ran after me.

"Jenna, are you okay?"

Sasha, Carly, and Vanessa's laughter echoed into the hall, all of them unaware of our absences.

"I guess I don't really want to be around couples right now." I shrugged.

"Is this about Sasha?" He tilted his head.

"What? No!" I protested.

"I know you like Sasha. Everyone knows."

"Except Sasha."

Beckett looked away.

"Wait, he knows?" I blinked. "Beckett?"

"I'm sorry. He just, he likes you as a friend."

I bit my lip to keep it from trembling. "So all this time everyone's been laughing at me?"

"No way! We would never do that." Beckett shoved his hands in his pockets. "You're our friend, Jenna."

I continued chewing on my lip as I contemplated the idea that had just popped into my head.

"Friends tell the truth, right? There's something you should know about Vanessa and Sasha." I said. "Sasha kissed her."

"What?" Beckett stepped back, eyes widening.

"It's on TMK."

"But didn't you used to run that? Sasha told me about the lies you wrote on that blog. Why should I believe that you're telling the truth?"

I shrugged. "I am. I thought you had a right to know."

"You're lying. I'll prove it." Beckett stormed back into the studio to confront Vanessa and Sasha.

Part of me regretted it. But Sasha had known. And I knew him. The boy thrived on gossip. Which meant he and Carly had been laughing at me ever since they started dating. It was humiliating. Maybe this would teach him not to laugh at other people.