Read Online Acting Up by Kristin Wallace - Free Book Online Page A

“We’re going the long way. The bulletin board is near the front of the school. We went in the back.”
    Finally, Addison picked up a low buzz. They turned another corner, and the din grew louder. Addison could see the source of the noise now, too. A great crowd of teenage bodies filled the hallway. One of them turned.
    â€œThey’re here!” the sentry cried.
    A million heads turned in their direction. Addison fought the urge to beat a hasty retreat as at least two dozen teenagers converged around them.
    â€œYou want to go put the list up on the board, or shall I?” Marjorie asked.
    She swallowed. “Maybe you should.”
    Addison handed over the cast list, and Marjorie secured it against her chest. “Ladies and gentlemen… back off.”
    The teens halted in mid-step. Addison gaped, wondering if Ms. Shannon was some kind of magician.
    Marjorie winked before leveling a quelling gaze on the crowd. “I have the cast list with me. Please behave like the well-brought-up young adults I know you are. No pushing, no shouting, and above all, no complaining. All of you did very well, but there are of course a limited number of parts. We worked very hard to find the best person for each role. I hope those of you who were not cast will consider helping out in some other way.”
    The students parted, and she walked to the bulletin board unscathed. However, even she wasn’t brave enough to stick around once the list was posted. The moment Marjorie was done, she hurried back over to Addison’s side.
    The kids crowded around the board like ants to a crumb. There were a couple of screams right off.
    â€œI got in!”
    â€œMe, too!”
    Luke Mitchell walked up to the board as if he was taking a stroll in the park. His eyes widened as he saw the list. Several of the other boys slapped him on the back, and for the first time, Addison saw some real emotion. He took a deep breath. Then he mouthed thank you . Addison clapped, and Luke answered with a big grin.
    Addison couldn’t help sighing in appreciation. “Oh, to be seventeen again.”
    Marjorie nodded. “We’ll sell out because of him.”
    Unlike the others, Lisa Turney didn’t push to get to the front. She waited on the sidelines, secure in the knowledge she’d been cast. Addison hoped the mini-diva wouldn’t pitch a fit when she saw what part she’d be playing.
    Another girl was relaying the information back to her. “Lisa, you got in. You’re Bree Sommerville. How cool.”
    â€œBree!”
    The cool mask slipped as a frown darkened Lisa’s face. She pushed through the crowd and stared at the board in disbelief. Her head whipped around to where Addison and Marjorie were standing. Venom shot from Lisa’s blue eyes, and with one final furious glare, she tore off down the hall.
    â€œWhat’s her problem?” the girl asked.
    â€œBree isn’t the lead,” one of the boys said. “Guess Queen Bee doesn’t like being a co-star.”
    The informer checked the list again. “Oh! Michelle, you’re Ellie.”
    Michelle was also standing outside the group, and she gasped. “Are you sure?”
    The girl pulled Michelle’s arm, bringing her up to the bulletin board. “See? You deserve the part. You were so awesome.”
    â€œWho’s the town crier?” Addison asked.
    â€œRobin Bradley. She auditioned yesterday.”
    â€œShe was one of the bad ones, right?”
    â€œShe struggled,” Marjorie admitted, as though reluctant to say anything negative about a student.
    â€œAsk her to be the stage manager.”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œShe didn’t get cast, but yet she’s thrilled for everyone else. I need someone like her on my side.”
    â€œSounds good to me.”
    Michelle pulled her eyes off the board and turned toward Addison, as if seeking confirmation. Addison nodded, and Michelle put a hand to her