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"I feel so empty," Mae whined at my locker the next morning. "Cheerleading and dance is everything to me. I had to turn in my uniform and I literally just got it."

"Look on the bright side," Kari said. "You're a loser again."

"That is so not the bright side, Kari. I hate you. If you had skittles in your hand, I would slap it on the ground again."

"I'd still eat it."

"Mae, I'm really sorry," I apologized. "It's all my fault. If I hadn't auditioned..."

"No, I'm glad you did." She shrugged. "It is what it is."

"Oh, come on. You really think I'm gonna let Corbyn get away with this stunt? After all your help, the least I could do is fight for your spot back on the team."

"Don't bother." We heard a voice approaching us, and the snobby tone gave us all the clues we needed to figure out who it was. We turned our heads to see King Bee and two of his minions trailing behind him, one of them being Tiana.

All my confidence in that moment wilted and I had to hide behind Kari like the coward that I was. Wow and I actually believed I could stand a chance against him. He stood so tall and domineering that it made everyone's courage wither like dead plants. Even Mae looked nervous, but Kari just found it all so amusing which was impressive.

"Mae Struss, if my memory serves me correctly." Corbyn smirked at my friend who took an uncertain step back. "And you. Briggs with two g's," he directed his gaze at me and I glanced at the floor shyly. "Sorry I can't remember your first name. It didn't quite stick. But your performance yesterday certainly did, so I guess that's what really matters."

"What's your purpose?" Kari snapped. He ignored her as if he couldn't even hear her voice.

"I thought I told you not to audition."

"You never said that," I responded. "Y-you told me not to sign up and not to go near the sign-up sheet. You didn't say I couldn't audition."

"Ah, how clever. That's fair, I'll respect that. Whatever, you're not who I wanted to address anyway." He turned his attention toward Mae again. "This is yours." He handed her a black shopping bag that read 'DOLCE AND GABBANA' in gold, bold letters.

My friends and I exchanged confused glances as Mae slowly grabbed it, a clear sense of distrust in her movements.

"I see you're wondering why the hell I'd be giving you a two thousand dollar dress to wear, six hundred dollar heels, and elegant earrings. Don't worry, I got your measurements from Brook so they're yours to keep."

"What's it for?" She hesitantly asked.

"Well, if you're gonna be in my clique, you have to look the part."

She shook her head. "I don't wanna be in your clique! You can't just walk around recruiting girls and buying friendships, especially not after what you pulled!"

"Okay, why would I buy your friendship when I could get something worth so much more at Chanel? Listen, if you want your spot on the cheer team back including a shot at co-captain, you'd put that on. Because something Brooklyn hasn't told the girls yet is that there will be a junior varsity competition at the end of the season. And at that competition will be college scouts who, if they deem you worthy, will consider you for major college scholarship opportunities. Sound interesting?"

Mae was silent, but it was clear that the offer was appealing. I could understand. If I was somehow kicked out of orchestra, I'd do anything to get back in. Same way I'd give the world to have my mother come back home so we could stay up playing the violin together. So we could be a family again. So that I could feel... complete.

Cheer meant so much to Mae, I doubt she'd pass up the opportunity.

"Don't do it. We can find a way to get you back on the team," Kari reasoned. Mae gripped the shopping bag, seriously considering it.

"If I put these on, I can get my spot back?"

Corbyn chuckled. "Oh, sweetheart, it isn't that simple. Putting the clothes on is just step one. But I can guarantee your spot back so long as you behave. I know Brooklyn thinks she gave you popularity or whatever it is she likes to say to all the unsuspecting girls that she cuts from her team... but I'm the one who grants privileges in this town. My father is mayor after all." He stepped closer to her face. "Nobody is anything in Whitewater High unless I make them something. Not Brooklyn, not even Kris Hamilton. Remember that. I'll let you think about it, but you've got until the period before lunch. You'll find me in theater." He stepped back, painting a bittersweet smile on his face. "Come on girls. I don't wanna keep my boyfriend waiting." He walked away, his two 'friends' following.

Tiana stopped in her tracks, excusing herself and making her way back to me and my shocked friends. "Is that how he walks all over you?" Mae asked her. "I don't want these stupid clothes."

"You don't have to wear them," Tiana said. "Look, I'm Tiana Bhurati. I wrote the school's first gay play and as a writer, it's something that I take pride in. But no, of course Corbyn has to swoop in and make it a musical which means he gets half the credit. The funny part? He'll probably find one of his wanna-bes to write all the songs, fit to show his 'incredible vocal range.'" Tiana rolled her eyes. "I'm sick of his condescending attitude."

"Whatever your angle is, I don't trust you. Who knows, this is probably one of his plans," Kari scoffed.

"I swear it's not. To prove it, I'm giving you the role of Jaxxon." She nodded toward me and I frowned.

"Wait, what? Why?"

"Well at first, I was going to give the role to anybody who did even slightly as well as Corbyn, as long as it wasn't him. To be fair, you did better than I thought you would. You stood out the most. Nobody else gave me an accent which is something I was looking for, and even Mr. Price was impressed with that. And anyone who knows me knows that Whitney Houston is my freaking queen. The role is yours hands down. Also... while considering who we'd cast as Jaxxon, we had to ask Kris who his favorite person to work with was and why." She reached into her large purse and pulled out a folder. From it, she retrieved a sheet of paper. "I like to keep receipts," she explained, handing the paper to me. "He calls you Double G because your last name has two g's according to you."

My friends and I stood close together as we read the typed message:

If I had to be super honest (and don't tell my boyfriend this), Double G was my favorite person to work with. As much as I thought being up on that stage with Corbyn would be exhilarating, he stole the spotlight instead of shared it.

Double G on the other hand perfectly exuded the timid demeanor that Jaxxon has. Not to mention the whole accent business, it was kinda hilarious. In the good way, of course. He'd be fun to work with I can tell. I can literally see us pulling pranks on the rest of the cast and crew members or causing some kind of havoc. Corbs would never do that with me; he's too 'professional.' Plus Double G's singing was pretty good. His eyes are nice, not that that has anything to do with the audition... just a mere observation.

My hand covered my mouth in immense surprise. Kris wrote this short, amusing letter about me and, god, he seemed to have a great sense of humor. It was a relieving taste of his personality, a lighthearted and laughable side of him that I was blessed to read. He even complimented my eyes and had a nickname for me. Holy shit. "Can I keep this?" I had to ask. I was ready to blow it up, frame it, and mount it right above my bed on the wall.

"Go for it."

"Thank you. Oh my god... I got the part!" I laughed in disbelief, blushing deep red. That meant I was going to kiss my crush. I was automatically lightheaded just thinking about that fact.

"It's gonna shatter Corbyn's friendship with me, but I don't care. I guess he wasn't a friend to begin with. That being said, I'd put on the outfit, Mae. Only because the best way to bring him down is to pretend you've got his back."

"I like you now," Kari approved.

"I don't think so," Mae disapproved. "The idea of following him around 24/7 like some stray puppy begging for scraps is not my forte. I imagine he doesn't even let you guys speak unless spoken to."

Tiana shook her head. "Okay, he doesn't go that far. I've been his friend for a really long time, since middle school, so of course I grew to love him. But this has gotta stop. I've had enough. Anyway, auditions will carry on until tomorrow, and the cast will be up by Friday. After that, we'll be meeting up after school on certain days."

"I just have one question. I'm in orchestra and... well, we have after-school practice as well. We've got three important recitals during the semester."

"That's fine. Lots of people in drama have other clubs and tight schedules. We'll find something that works for everybody. Um, I gotta go. I'll see you guys later maybe?" Without another word, she took the same path as Corbyn did and disappeared from sight.

"I'd keep the clothes," Kari told our friend. "But do not join that boy's clique of ditzes. Not worth your sanity."

"Guys," I called as they looked at me. I gripped the paper and shrieked, "I got the part!"

"I know that I'm really sad about cheer, but... EEH, YOU DID IT!" Mae jumped up and down with me, tackling me in a hug.

✨✨

"You did not." Nico laughed at me hysterically during gym class after I told him I auditioned for the school's first gay play. I neglected to tell him that I received the part that I wanted because I didn't want the word to spread until the casting sheet was up on Friday.

"I did," I reassured.

"No way. You and I both know that Corbyn wants to crucify you. Imagine if you got the part- ha! You'd be on his list. Every kid in their right mind at this school knows to avoid his 'list.'"

I averted my eyes and pulled off my shirt. "I can't just let him scare me. This is something that I wanna do."

"You only want it so that you can get cozy with Kris Hamilton."

"Well, it cost my friend her spot on the cheer team. I'm going to see this thing through. I just... have to figure out how to speak to Kris without fumbling so much." I lowered my voice so that nobody else would hear me. "He has a nickname for me. How cool is that?"

"Where is he by the way?" Nico glanced behind me then proceeded to change his clothes.

"I don't know. But I'm too scared to speak to him." I rushed to get into my gym clothes as Nico laughed.

"What? You're just gonna avoid him for the entire semester?"

"If possible." I shut my locker and walked to the other end of the locker room so that I'd be as far away from Kris as I could be. Being around him just made me nervous despite the fact he thought that acting with me would be fun. But this wasn't just acting. I was basically in love with the guy and Corbyn was truly out to get me, ultimately punishing my best friend for my actions. It wasn't fair.

Sure, his father's mayor and sure, he can get away with practically anything but he wasn't entitled to be a jerk because of it. Soon enough, Kris rounded the corner and approached his locker. He must've been speaking to his friends because I could see the lingering amusement on his face as he took off his book bag.

He made eye contact with me for a brief second before turning his attention away completely. I saw Nico smirk at me and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. I just wanted to go to orchestra already.

✨✨

"FOOD!" Kari rejoiced as she put two slices of pizza on her tray during lunch.

"How can you eat?" I grumbled, passing right over the pizza.

"How can you not?" she redirected, picking up a small cup of fruit.

"I don't exactly have an appetite." I hesitantly put a cup of fruit on my tray as well. "Where's Mae?"

"I don't know but I'm ready to eat; I'm starving!"

We paid and carried our food to our usual boring table then sat down. "Chocolate milk beats strawberry any day," I said, sparking our lifelong debate about which milk was tastier.

Kari eyed me as she opened her carton of strawberry milk. "To hell with you and your choco."

"You know I'm right. But we can both agree strawberry and chocolate milk is better than Mae's plain white milk."

"For sure, plain is for losers."

"And babies," I laughed to myself. Kari didn't respond to me, instead she stared past my head before her eyes widened.

"Fuck me I must be dreaming!"

"What?" I turned around and traced her gaze, following it all the way toward the main cafeteria entrance. "Oh no... oh my god, she put it on. She put on the clothes..."

"I'm gonna talk some sense into her."

"What the hell is she doing with Corbyn and his minions? Look, don't do anything. We'll talk to her later; she probably just took Tiana's advice."

I watched as Mae, Tiana and Brooklyn stood closely behind Corbyn, following him all the way to the center of the cafeteria.

"Well..." I said with a sigh."If it helps, she looks amazing." I turned away.

"She better have a plan up her sleeve."

"I'm sure she does. It's Mae; she's always got a plan. Let's just hope it works because I cannot wait until Corbyn is successfully knocked off his high horse."

🎗🎗🎗🎗🎗

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