𝐇𝐈𝐃𝐄| 𝐉.𝐁.

26: Late I Love You's

"So...are you mad?" I cringe at Taylor.

"Of course not. I mean, I'm bummed out but if it really made you miserable, I totally get it." She grins, shutting her locker.

"You're amazing, you know that?" I say and she grins.

"Of course I know." She jokes and I chuckle, hugging her.

"Are you gonna watch the game tonight?"

"What game?"

"There's a basketball game tonight at seven. Are you coming?" She asks.

"Is Josh gonna be there?"

"Lex, you know he's been on the team since freshman year. Tonight is his first day back on the team since he took a year off for family issues." She says and I sigh, leaning my back against my locker.

"I don't think so, Tay. I'm trying to distance myself from him for now, not bring myself back in this mess."

"Okay, just let me know if you change your mind. I'll  save you a seat." She says and I nod.

"How was the rest of rehearsal?" I ask, clutching the straps of my bag.

"Good. They uh, casted Kayla as Gabriella." She says.

"That's great, I'm glad Ms. Jenn took my suggestion." I say and Taylor furrows her eyebrows together.

"Suggestion?"

"Yeah, after telling her that I quit, I told her to cast Kayla as Gabriella. C'mon Tay, her audition was amazing and her voice is killer." I state.

"But not as good as yours." She points out and I chuckle.

"Thanks, but my voice really isn't that great. I personally think it's too whiny." I shrug.

"Oh Lex, you have no idea how wrong you are." She sighs, patting my shoulder and I roll my eyes.

"Hey, you." A voice says and I turn my head.

"Sup, Mendes." I grin.

"I'm still trying to figure out how you know my last name." He says and I chuckle at him.

"I have my sources." I tease him.

And by that, I heard Ms. Jenn say his name when he was auditioning.

Sadly, he didn't make the play but it's fine. I don't picture him as an actor anyway, I see him as a singer or musician.

"You're a clever one, eh?" He smirks at me and my cheeks heat up.

"Oh, how rude of me. Hi, I'm Shawn, you must be Taylor, right?" Shawn says, holding his hand out.

"Yes, I am. Nice to meet you." She grins, shaking his hand.

"Are you guys coming to the game tonight?" He asks. scratching his head.

"I am." Taylor says and Shawn nods.

"You're not coming?" Shawn frowns at me.

"I don't know. Don't get me wrong, I love sports but I kinda quit the play for personal reasons so I don't know if I should." I shrug to him.

"Lex, I gotta go. Lucas texted me." Taylor says.

"Okay, I'll meet you at lunch."