The Chemistry Test

26. jesters and jestees

Day Eleven

Waking up, I felt refreshed after my conversation with Mark last night. He'd left my house with a smile on his face, reassuring me that we were fine and he'd try to stay sober for the next few days--if not for his sake--for mine.

I especially needed his support today, because, in just a couple hours, was the school assembly. It was the official preview of Juliet and Romeo, a chance for my peers to catch a glimpse of the play before it premiered Saturday night, and just thinking about it made my stomach churn. 

In addition to my everyday makeup of mascara and chap stick, I lathered a sparkly eyeshadow across my lid and made my best attempt to contour my cheeks. The entire school body of WBHS was going to scrutinize my every blemish--rather, Juliet's every blemish--as soon as I stepped on stage, so I tried my best not to look like a twelve year old boy.

I could really use Gwyn's makeup expertise. She'd point out what shades worked with my skin tone, where I needed to blend, and how to make my eyebrows more like sisters than second cousins, but I couldn't bring myself to text her.

Shoving my costume into my backpack, I shuffled downstairs to grab a bagel on my way out the door. My dad was already in the kitchen, fully suited up for a day at the firm, and my brother scribbling on the table, barely dressed enough to go to school.

"Morning, kiddo." he said as I slipped past him, popping my bagel in the toaster. "You look nice. Got a big day today?"

"Thanks, Dad. I'm running way behind schedule." I said, combing my hand through the back of my hair where I'd missed some tangles. "The assembly's today."

"That's right," he nodded, giving me a warm smile. "You got this, sweetheart. You'll smash it like you always do."

"I hope so." I smiled and grabbed my breakfast, popping the bagel in my mouth on my way out the door. "Bye, love you."

"Love you!" Emett called, whipping up to grin at me. I blew them a kiss and hopped in my car, chasing the few minutes left to get to school.

Due to the assembly, the cast had been excused from attending homeroom, so thankfully I didn't have to explain my full face of makeup to the beauty queen in English class.

With my costume in hand, like some reverse Cinderella I sprinted through the student lot and down the stairs to the gymnasium before the clock struck 8 a.m.

Everyone was already milling around, the girls fixing their wigs and the boys shrugging on tights that were a little too tight and laughing at each other's discomfort.

In the far left corner of the gym, Gorveau was with a tall, slender boy who looked an awful lot like Mark, but I couldn't make out his face until I walked closer, slinging my backpack off my shoulder onto the bleachers above them.

It was Mark, and his lips were spread into a wide smile as he shook hands with the teacher, nodding and laughing.

Hope rose in my chest as I hopped down the stairs, jogging over to where Mark was sorting through a costume rack.

"Hey, what're you doing here?" I said, unable to contain my smile as Mark looked up at me, licking his lips.

"You're not gonna believe this," he said, eyes and smile wide, "I'm back in this thing."

"Oh, my God." I threw my arms around him, a wave of relief washing over me that Damon had kept his end of the deal. "Mark, that's amazing."

He squeezed me tightly, lifting me off my feet. "I can't believe it."