𝐇𝐈𝐃𝐄| 𝐉.𝐁.

24: The read-through

"Morning." Taylor grins.

"Morning." I clear my throat as I take off my bag, setting it down on the table.

"Are you okay? I know yesterday was a lot." She says.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just need to take my mind off some things." I grin and she nods.

"How are things at home?"

"The same. My mom and dad have been arguing a lot, I don't think it's gonna work out." I shrug and he hugs me.

"You can always stay with my mom and I, okay?" She says and I nod as she lets go of me.

"Morning Alexis." Another voice says and I turn my head.

"Morning." I say to Red and he grins, walking off to give Josh a bro hug.

"How are you gonna get through seventy four rehearsals with him?" Taylor asks.

"I won't make eye contact." I shrug, taking a sip out of water bottle.

"Could everyone take their assigned seats, please?" Ms. Jenn announces and I put my bottle back in my bag and walk over to see printed names set up on each desk.

I look to see Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez.

Great, now I have to fucking sit with him.

"Who is Natalie, and why do I care if her glands are swollen?" I hear Ms. Jenn say to Carlos.

"Our stage manager. Guess she's not coming." Carlos says.

"Ginger boy." Ms. Jenn says and Res turns his head.

"Yes?" He says in a bit of confusion.

"Can you read?"

"Not really." He confesses as Josh and I take our seats at the same time.

"Well, you're reading now. Just the stage directions." Ms. Jenn says and Red confusingly nods and I snicker at him.

Taylor is next to Josh and Kourtney is next to me.

"Is there no heat here?" I mutter to Kourtney, rubbing the sides of my arms.

"This is the auditorium, no one has used it in eight years. I'd be surprised if they painted a fresh coat of paint on the wall." Kourtney says and I sigh, crossing my legs.

At the corner of my eye, Josh was rapidly tapping his leg under the desk.

I can also tell he was fighting the urge to take off his hoodie and give it to me.

I know him, he always made me warm when I cold. He always did, he made me feel safe and protected.

"You know what this means, silence your phones! I realize that you all walked in as strangers." Ms. Jenn starts as her and Carlos take their seats.

"Actually, EJ's my cousin!" The Ashlyn's girl remarks and EJ gives an awkward grin.

"But after today, you're family." Ms. Jenn continues, ignoring Ashlyn's comment.

"Tell me again, why I did this?" I mutter to Taylor.

"Because I'm your best friend and you love me and would do anything to make me happy?" She smiles and I scoff, rolling my eyes.

"Please take your neighbor's hands." Ms. Jenn says.

Okay, fuck this.

"Hand." Ms. Jenn says and Josh and Taylor lock hands.

"Hand." Ms. Jenn says to Red and he slowly intertwines his hand with hers.

"Alexis." She says and I look over.

"Yes?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Hand." She mouths and I huff, looking over at Josh.

He looks at me and opens his hand, his palm being exposed.

I give in and place my small hand into his big one.

"Feel each other's energy. Let the silence speak volumes. In a world full of no, there is space full of yes." Ms. Jenn grins.

"Nice." Carlos whispers.

"Did you just make that up?"

"I did." Ms. Jenn nods and Carlos smiles at her.

"We're all in this together. Once we know that we are, we're all stars and we see that we're all in this together." Ms. Jenn starts to sing and Taylor and I give each other puzzling looks.

I suddenly feels goosebumps on my hand and Josh immediately runs over my knuckles with the pad of his thumb.

I shake my head and quietly pull away from Josh and Kourtney.

I feel Josh's stare on me but I ignore it as I take out a pink highlighter, going over some lines.

I look back up and see Taylor also pulling away from Josh's hand.

Taylor sends him a glare and he quietly scoffs, leaning back in his chair.

Ms. Jenn finally finishes her dramatic singing and Ashlyn is the only one clapping, leaving the rest of us in awkward silence.

"Are you okay?" Kourtney whispers to me.

"Never better." I grin at her and she nods, grinning back.

I tap my leg under the table, trying to calm myself down but it doesn't seem to be working.

"I can't do this." I mutter, jumping out of my seat as I grab my bag.

"Lex!" I hear Taylor call out but I tune her out.

"I got it." I hear another voice mumble and I shake my head, tucking some hair behind my ear as I walk faster.

"Hey!" A voice calls out and I shake my head.

"Not doing this again." I say as I keep walking ain't my head high.

"Lex, c'mon." He says, blocking my way.

"Jesus Josh, do you ever give up?" I huff, scratching my head.

"Not on you. So don't expect that because it's never gonna happen. Now tell me what's going on? As your friend, I want to help you." He clarifies.

"None of your concern." I say, brushing past him.

I leave him there, speechless in the hallway as I exit the doors.

So now he wants to be friends after that song and said he loved me?

Fine Joshua Bassett, two can play it that game.