Read Online In the Spotlight by Liz Botts, Elaina Lee - Free Book Online Page A

Bard smiled. “I’ll consider ordering a rewrite, but first let us finish this read through so I can gauge the best direction to take.”
    After that, Josh and I glared at each other every chance we got. Well, I glared at him. He sort of regarded me with bewildered curiosity. Not that I could blame him. One day I was tentatively flirting with him and the next I was challenging him to a duel.
    Metaphorically speaking, of course.
    I could see what he meant by the end of the read through, even if I was irritated with him. The lines were written by Kyle for Kyle. Coming out of Josh’s mouth, they seemed insincere, and I honestly couldn’t see why Kelly wanted to fall in love with Chad when he seemed so self-‐-possessed.
    “I would like everyone to take a five minute break,” Ms.
    Bard announced at the end of the read through. “I need to confer with my assistant director and the playwright. We’ll gather for notes promptly at five-‐-fifteen.”
    We all headed out to the Commons. I did my best to avoid Josh, Claudia, and anyone who might demand a rationale for my behavior. Maggie followed me to a table on the far side of the cafeteria. As she sat down she said, “What gives? It’s not like you to act that way.”
    “I know,” I agreed. “I just…I don’t know. This week has been so…I just don’t know.”
    “Can I tell you something?” Maggie whispered conspiratorially.
    “Sure, Mags,” I smiled, thankful for Maggie’s gossip to distract me.
    “Kyle told Claudia that he’s interested in another girl,”
    Maggie said proudly.
    I waited for her news to sink in. There should be a feeling of elation, right? I mean, I might be that other girl. No moment of bliss arrived, though.
    “Well,” Maggie prompted. “Aren’t you excited? I’m almost seventy-‐-seven percent sure the other girl is you.”
    “Seventy-‐-seven percent, huh?” I couldn’t help but giggle.
    “Not all of my sources are currently reporting,” Maggie shrugged.
    “I’m not sure I want Kyle to like me,” I admitted.
    Maggie’s eyes widened cartoonishly. “Are you serious?
    You’ve been in love with him since we were freshman.”
    “It’s complicated,” I said, shaking my head.
    Before I had a chance to elaborate, Kaylee appeared at the auditorium doors. “Break’s over!”
    As we were settled back in our circle, Ms. Bard began to pace around us, tapping her clipboard with her long purple nails.
    “As you all know, Josh has made an unusual request,” she began.
    “Normally we wouldn’t even consider rewrites, but due to the…unique nature of this year’s show, I’m going to allow it.
    However, as Kyle has already done a significant amount of work on the show, he has declined to do the rewrites himself. Therefore, Joshua, you are going to have to do the rewrites yourself. You may not change the intention of the lines, but you may make them flow better for your acting style.”

    “Thank you, Ms. Bard,” Josh said quietly.
    “I’ll expect you to preview your rewrites in drama class on Monday morning. That gives you the entire weekend. I trust that’ll be sufficient,” Ms. Bard nodded. “Have a good weekend, and start memorizing those lines!”
    Leaving rehearsal without talking to anyone felt supremely childish to me, but I didn’t care. This past week had turned me upside down. There was too much going on for me to process. So when I got to my car with my phone ringing, I almost didn’t answer it. At the last moment, I glanced at the caller ID. Harlow. I flipped the phone open.
    “Hey, sis,” Harlow said in her annoying singsong voice.
    “What are you doing tonight?”
    “Homework and sleeping,” I replied automatically.
    “Bo-‐-oring,” Harlow sing-‐-songed again.
    I shrugged, and then said, “Maybe, but I have a long shift at Jimmy’s tomorrow.”
    “I have a better idea.” Harlow dropped the phone. She quickly scooped it up. “You’re coming to a party with me.”
    “Excuse me?” Harlow