Stage Fright

Chapter 38 ~ Enemies

Josh

"Can we start that scene over again!" Miss Young calls and I groan rolling my eyes. 

Today was a new day of rehearsal and of course we had to be practicing this stupid dance scene again. I understood that it was one of the longest in the play and we should be polishing it, but I had to keep dancing with Mandy. After everything Heather had said on Saturday night I was just pissed at her.

I understand not liking someone, hell I could comfortably say I hated Mandy, but she got personal with the things that she said about Heather. I loved Heather and it pissed me off that someone could be so nasty to her for no reason. 

"Okay, what is going on?" Miss Young says, cutting the music and stepping up on the stage. "Guys this show is on in a month and this scene has fallen apart over the course of one weekend!" She's not happy with us, I can tell. Most of us aren't with it, this happens right around now, people lose steam. "Alright, let's do an early dinner. Forty-five minutes." Everyone sighs and gets off the stage. "You two? Come with me." She says frustratedly, pointing at Mandy and I and I groan following her off the stage. 

Heather just watches me walk away and I wave letting her know I'd be back in one second. Today was Wednesday, we'd hung out most of Sunday together. I couldn't believe what had happened on Saturday night. I felt slightly embarrassed, it was over pretty quick. But it was a big step, and she was right, I trusted her. I found it hard to focus when I thought about most of that night, including that evil costume.

I shake it off now as I follow Miss Young to the drama room and she shuts the door, walking to her desk and running her hand over her forehead.

"Okay, help me understand something." Miss Young says. "You've both done this show for four years, you're turning eighteen this year.......why is it so hard to put your feelings aside and be professional?"

"I'm trying." I say with a frustrated laugh. "I really am."

"I'm not the one who has issues with being professional." She says, tossing her hair over her shoulder.

"Bullshit." I scoff. "You are the worst team player in the history of the world. It's not all about you." I tell her and she rolls her eyes. "I'm sorry if Heather joining the show bothers you, but she's here and we're all supposed to be working together."

"That's rich." She says, rolling her eyes. "You know, she's not the queen of the world. You and everyone else don't have to kiss the damn ground she walks on."

"Stop it, the both of you." Miss Young warns. "Josh is right, we're a team here, Mandy. We follow the rules-"

"Why should I when Heather and Josh certainly aren't?" She says and I furrow my eyebrows. She goes into her pocket and pulls out her phone scrolling around and showing Miss Young a picture. I don't see what it is but Miss Young certainly looks alarmed.

"Josh, what is this?" She asks and I shake my head.

"What is it?" I ask. She sighs and turns around a blurry picture of Heather and I kissing at the Halloween party on Saturday and I press my lips together. 

"I thought I made myself very clear about the two of you seeing each other during the show." She says in a warning tone.

"We were just at this party together, some girl wouldn't leave me alone. Heather kissed me to get her to back-off." I tell her, it was the honest truth, we never would have kissed in a crowded room otherwise. 

"Likely story." Mandy says. "You hate me because I'm the only person who isn't in love with Heather. Face it, she finally gave your stupid crush a fling and you were too happy to take her up on that offer."