[Excerpt] The Stand-In: my life as an understudy

The Errand Girl

We pushed our way through the milling students. I had no idea if Lindy was making her appearance at the meeting, but Govi had talked Rica into coming back on Friday to finish the posters and help put them up.

"There you are!" the voice of my nightmares called harshly.

I flinched and Rica touched my arm in stoic support.

"Hey." I turned to Ella with a half-hearted smile.

"Elijah Sweet is yet to talk to me about anything, Chloe. But, he seems mighty cosy with Milly Wallis... Are you even doing your job?"

"Your job?" I clarified and her eyes narrowed dangerously. "Yes, I am." No, I'm not... "Everything's fine. He and Milly barely talk to each other. If you were that worried, why don't you just go to the meetings yourself?"

Ella swished her hair over her shoulder and scoffed. "I'm busy. Something you'd know nothing about. Just keep that lecherous little theatre freak away from him and make sure he asks me to the formal."

"And how do you propose I do that, Ella?" I asked, my annoyance flaring into uncharacteristic rebuttal.

She glared at me like I'd tried to kill her. "Get it done." And with that, she shoved her way through the students in the hallways and went off to do whatever it is that Ella Cowan does when she's busy.

"Your sister's a bitch, FYI."

"Thanks, hadn't noticed." I muttered.

"What's more important than flirting with Eli herself?"

I shrugged. "Probably has to tend her flying monkeys?"

Rica snorted. "Wicked Bitch of the West, indeed."

I smacked her lightly. "Come on. Wouldn't want to keep Govi waiting," I said with a sing-song voice.

"Shut up."

"You think he's cute," I teased.

"Of course I do, I have eyes! You can't tell me you don't think he's cute?"

"He's super cute, but I don't have a crush on him."

"Neither do I!"

I nodded as I started for the auditorium. "No, of course you don't."

"I don't!" Rica said quickly.

And she spent the rest of the walk trying so hard to convince me she didn't have a crush on him that I was pretty sure she did. At least it was a distraction from the foul and panicky mood Ella had put me in.

"Gin!" she hissed. "I do not–"

"Do not what?" Govi asked as we walked up to our table and I slid my bag over my head. "If you tell me you forgot your blutack then I shall rescind your invitation!" he teased dramatically.

Rica did actually blush and I looked away to hide my smile. "Nothing," she said softly, then cleared her throat. "Nothing. Women's things."

Govi nodded knowledgably. "That time of the month," he said with a wink and tapping his finger to his nose.

"No!" she gasped as I snorted.

"Nothing wrong with it. Normal. Healthy." Govi's smile faded as he looked thoughtful. "Well, no. Nothing should bleed that long and not die. BUT! That just makes you women even more amazing."

"Whose preferably-not-bleeding pants are you trying to flatter your way into?" I asked as I sat down and pulled our posters together.

Govi chuckled, sounding very pleased with himself. "Doing well, am I?"