Crazy Over Him

10: Actors are Liars

"Park Chaeyoung. Late again? Did I not give you a proper warning already?" Mr. Jeon asked and crossed his arms over his chest. He looked at Rosé with disappointment as she sat back in her chair and shrugged.

"At least I showed up for the second half of the period."

Mr. Jeon smiled devilishly, playing along with her sarcasm, "yes, that's right. You did. As a reward, you should be the lead in play. Since your performance makes up a big part of your grade, you'll have no choice but to show up for class or you'll get a zero."

Rosé's jaw dropped, "what? That's not fair!"

"Aw, that's too bad. You're the lead and that's final. Let's continue with the auditions. Today's the last day but every role is still subjected to change."

The drama teacher clapped his hands together and the students resumed their activities. Ryan was reading his script over and over again, trying to remember his lines, then Rosé sat at her seat next to his.

"Do you look at your sweater-vest-of-a-girlfriend like that? So intense—relax," said Rosé with a deep sense of sarcasm. "What are you auditioning for?"

"Don't make fun of her sweater vest. I think she looks fine in it," Ryan replied, staring directly into her eyes, then back at the script. "I'm reading for the male lead's best friend."

"Why were you holding her hand the other day? Is she really your girlfriend?—Like Jennie said at the party?"

"No, Jisoo is just a friend."

"Why did she send you to take Jennie home last night?"

"How would you know that Jisoo sent me to get Jennie?" asked Ryan.

"I was the one who called her with Jennie's phone. She was getting in everyone's personal space so after the call, I left her with Taehyung and Jungkook. But anyway, why did you agree to take her? Did you guys do anything?"

Ryan stared at Rosé through the corner of his eyes as she leaned forward with a strange amount of interest in the conversation. It was as if she was conducting an investigation and wanted all the answers.

"Its just that I'd never expect someone like you to be with two people at once. And with Jennie and Jisoo being cousins... isn't that like incest or something?"

"I'm not 'with' any of them," Ryan said with a clear voice then got up from his seat to practice his lines in the corner.

Rosé laughed to herself. "He even has the audacity to have the last word... It's really too bad he's kissed Jennie. I'd never go after her scraps."

...

When class ended, Lisa surprised everyone by coming into drama class on time. She was actually ten minutes early and when she entered the room, she immediately sat down at seat next to Rosé.

"Why did you come so early?" Rosé asked as Lisa set up camp at the desk and laid on her folded arms.

"First period was boring. Might as well come to drama and not be scolded like you."

Ryan came back to his desk to see Lisa laying on it. He didn't say anything and picked up his bag to sit at an empty desk a few seats ahead of them. Rosé watched him and Lisa nudged her foot to get her attention.

"Yah, stop staring at him. What's wrong with you?" Lisa whispered.

"I wasn't," Rosé whispered back but Lisa didn't look convinced.

"What's the big deal about him? Looks don't change the fact that he's still stubborn as hell. Flirt with him all you want, Rosie, but don't fall for him in the process."