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Corbyn ↑

~Jaden~

I had my head down the entire day on Tuesday. I tried my best to be alone because I didn't know who I could trust at the moment. The pep rally was today, and while everyone was out on the football field to attend it, I lingered behind in the mostly empty school.

I headed to the library where I could sit down behind a bookcase and not get caught wandering the hallways. Thankfully, the librarian just ignored me as I went all the way to the back, sat down on the ground, and listened to music on my phone. I hadn't logged onto Instagram since yesterday because I was still getting teased online and in school.

I leaned my head against the wall and closed my eyes, but before I could even get the chance to relax, someone tapped on my shoulder. I looked up to see Kris sitting down next to me, a soft smile on his face.

My heart jumped in surprise as I paused my song and removed my earphones. "How'd you know where I was?"

"Followed."

I lightly chuckled. "Stalker."

"I was worried," he explained.

"Oh." I blushed. "You're a football player. Isn't it mandatory for you to be at the pep rally?"

He shrugged. "It's mandatory for pretty much everyone. You're more important."

We smiled at each other and I had to look away.

"Please tell me you're doing slightly better today."

I looked back at him, right into his eyes and nodded. "Slightly," I reassured.

"Your friend quit cheerleading."

My eyebrows hiked up in disbelief. Mae quit the team? Why on earth would she do that? "You can't be serious."

"Yeah. I saw her earlier; she said that Kari was right about her not earning it for herself. And she didn't want you to think it was all she cared about."

"But... she did earn it. She worked all summer for it. Hell, it's what she wanted since middle school. Corbyn took that away from her." I understood why she'd do it, but I didn't want to be part of the reason why. It was something she loved, and she shouldn't have to choose.

Kris glanced down at the ground, thinking over his words carefully before gazing at me again. "I know you probably don't believe me... or trust me... but what you told me in your room has stayed with me ever since. I didn't mention or even hint it to anyone else."

I put my hand over his and nodded. "I know. I'm sorry I accused you."

He shook his head. "I would've accused me too."

That made me laugh, but I quieted down when I remembered we were in the library. "Still, I should've given you more credit." He intertwined our fingers, facing me a little.

"I stand by what I said. Everything will work itself out, and it might take a long time but you'll see."

"Thanks, Kris."

"Will you be at rehearsals today? Mr. Price wasn't too keen on you missing yesterday but he completely understood why you chose not to show."

I sighed, shrugging my shoulders. "I guess I'll just have to brace myself."

"Don't let anyone intimidate you. Besides, I'm really looking forward to our kiss scene."

"Oh my goodness. That's tomorrow, isn't it?" My heart fluttered as I thought about kissing Kris on an actual stage in front of actual people.

"Your wish came true though." he acknowledged. "You wanted a real kiss before our onstage one."

"Someone told me first kisses don't matter. Last ones do. No pressure." I smiled at him and he laughed quietly. "I'm glad you're here with me, Kris."

"So am I."

"I um... I haven't told my dad about what happened and I really need to. And I know I promised to go to Homecoming with you but that was before all this. I just don't think I'll make it."

"Okay, I understand. I can keep you company."

"No, it's fine. I'll probably just practice my set for recitals and go to bed early or something."

"Well, I'd love nothing more than to come support you."

I blushed and nodded. "Thanks."

🎻🎻

Ever since I'd walked out of Corbyn's house yesterday, I'd been contemplating if contacting his dad, the mayor, was a good idea. I wanted Corbyn to hurt as much as I was, but would I be setting off something beyond my control? Would I get caught in the crossfire somehow?

Not to mention that useless empathetic side of me that implored me to let it all go, that it wasn't worth it.

But my mind was quickly made up during rehearsals because of the stunt he pulled.

"I am to be king, Jaxxon," Kris practiced his line, cupping my cheek. I stared into his eyes, lifting my hand to his own. "I cannot do this. I cannot love you."

"You are right." I raised my eyebrows expressively. "You will be king, and kings take orders from no one. If you love me, who can stop you?"

He sighed, pulling away from me and taking a few steps back, shaking his head. "I have obligations. I have a duty to not only my people but to those who came before me to continue the royal line. I must have a child of my own flesh and blood; I cannot do that with you, Jaxxon."

I pressed my lips together with a look of frantic desperation. "You feel the same," I insisted. "Despite your duties and beyond your royal responsibilities, I remain in your heart as you are in mine."

I walked across the stage, closer to him, and it was my turn to cup his cheek. "Or am I lying to myself?" We took the moment to stare into each other's eyes before Mr. Price clapped three times, jolting us back to earth.

"That was perfect!" he praised. "We will pick up tomorrow. I'm glad we're all caught up despite your absence yesterday, Jaden. Alright, everybody, onto the stage. We need to discuss."

All the actors made their way onto the stage, including the understudies. Well, everyone but Tiana and the president who both stood next to Mr. Price.

"Good job, guys," some people said to me and Kris as we all sat down. Nico found us and wiggled his eyebrows at me.

"Totally waiting for that kiss scene like everybody else."

"I could literally feel Corbyn's rage through the entire scene," I mumbled, folding my arms.

"Don't pay him any attention," Kris said, reaching over to hold my hand.

"Oh. You two are getting quite familiar," Nico observed.

"Okay, guys," Tiana started to say. "First, I'm super excited to see this play that I wrote coming to life. All of you are amazing actors--"

"Can we fast forward to the point?" Corbyn interrupted without even looking at her.

She sighed and looked at Mr. Price who continued on her behalf. "We've decided on three songs that will be performed. One is an original that Tiana will work with two other drama club members to come up with. That song will be learned this Thursday and Friday and will include the entire cast. The other two songs will be covers of--"

"Ooh, can I announce those?" Corbyn sweetly asked. WIthout waiting for permission, he clasped his hands and faced all of us. "I scoured all of my playlists to find the perfect songs. One of them will be sung by Jaxxon and Prince Luca, and the other by Jaxxon only."

"Which means you have a lot of work to do, Jaden. You're learning three songs," Mr. Price told me. "But I think you can do it."

"Me too," Corbyn smiled at me, but I knew better than to believe it was genuine. He had an angle here. "In fact, it will really showcase the wonderful voice you have. The first song, a duet, is going to be a slightly modified version of Rewrite the Stars, to fit your roles."

Our fellow castmates made sounds of approval and I heard one person say how much they loved that choice.

"The solo song is Somewhere by Barbra Streisand."

A gasp whisked through the room and my eyes widened. "That's like, a classic in theater," someone said.

"I picked it because it's vocally challenging, which is exactly what the audience needs."

"Or you searched up the top 10 most difficult songs of all time and picked the first one!" I disagreed.

Corbyn placed his hand on his hip. "Well, the decision has been made. It was either that or Whitney Houston so let's not go there. Look, I'm not the bad guy here; I simply want this play to be awesome."

"It's alright, Jaden; we'll work with you privately to figure out how to make the song work well with your voice," the director reassured.

"I do expect you to hit and sustain the high notes, especially at the end. Unfortunately, if you can't perform then you will be replaced. RIght, Mr. Price?"

He gave Corbyn a look then cleared his throat. "Moving on from that, we need to discuss something important. It's been brought to my attention that just a few of you are in band and orchestra, which means you have recitals. The dates of this play falls on the dates of those recitals. Opening night is November 18."

Shit.

Shit.

"Wait, Jaden... aren't you in orchestra?" Corbyn wondered aloud. I swallowed as Kris--and practically everyone--looked at me.

"I am..." I confirmed.

"You're the second lead. Are you sure there isn't a time conflict with your recital date?" Mr. Price asked me.

"Yeah, um... same day as opening night actually. I-I hadn't even realized."

"That's okay. That's why we have understudies, so Corbyn will fill in for you that night."

My heart fell when I saw the little monster smile, as if he had something to do with it. And knowing him, he probably did. My eyes caught Kris's gaze to find him pouting.

"Well shit," he whispered.

🎗🎗🎗🎗🎗

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