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  Her grandma’s all into it, performing like the pro she is. Kara, on the other hand, stands there clutching the mic like she’s frozen in place. I watch her for a few seconds. It’s not only because of me. There’s something else haunting her. But then she glances at me, and her face gets even more haunted. Whatever demons she’s battling, I’ve only made it worse.

  Her grandmother continues to sing, acting professional, but her worried eyes flick to Kara. Kara’s singing her parts, and she sounds pretty good, but her eyes are dead. She’s got no energy. It looks like someone’s holding a knife to her throat and forcing her to be here.

  Darla, who’s been moving around on the stage while her granddaughter stays in the same spot, takes her hands and moves them around. Like she’s trying to start her engine. Kara is still stiff, but her grandmother doesn’t give up. She knocks her hip into her as she does little dance, then pinches her cheek as she says, “I don’t need anything but you.”

  That seems to snap Kara out of whatever funk she’s in. She blinks at her grandmother, all the while still singing, and then her gaze flickers to mine. Narrowing her eyes, she throws her head back, confidence crawling over her face. She slips the mic out of the stand. And then it’s like a light switched inside her. She moves around the stage with her grandmother, putting more life into her performance. She sounded awesome before, but now she sounds amazing. She and her grandmother blow the roof off this place. And the audience is really into it now, and my hands move over the keys with more vigor, too. I’m totally feeding off their energy.

  When the song is over, the audience is pretty riled up, though some still look bored and others not interested. I go straight into the next song, from Annie Get Your Gun.

  Pressing their backs to each other, Darla starts, “Anything you can do, I can do better. I can do anything better than you.”

  “No, you can’t,” Kara deadpans as she scowls at the audience.

  Darla twists around to face her granddaughter. “Yes, I can.”

  I smile as they continue going at it, watching how into it Kara is. There’s life in every part of her, inside and out. She’s a star on stage. Both of them are.

  Then comes the part where Kara claims she can sing any note higher than Darla. Kara’s got one hand on her hip as she frowns at her, and Darla rolls her eyes. “Yes, I can,” she sings at such a high note that my ears ring, and I swear someone’s glass shatters.

  The entire audience is dead quiet. My hands have frozen over the keys. Kara stares at her grandmother like she’s never seen her before in her life.

  And then everyone is on their feet clapping enthusiastically, a few whistling.

  “Wow, Grandma,” Kara pants, still gaping at her. “I didn’t know you can reach that note.”

  “Grandma? I don’t see any grandmothers here.”

  “Sorry, Darla,” she quickly says as I pick up from where they left off, and they continue with the song. I might as well blend into the walls. No one’s listening to me. They’re all entrapped by the two amazing, talented women on stage.

  No wonder Jax fell for her after seeing her the first time on stage. She’s got so much passion, puts everything she has into her performance. It’s like she cares about every single audience member in this room and wants to do all she can to give them a good time. Make them happy, help them escape for a few minutes. As I play and listen to them, as I watch Kara on stage, I, too, am transported to another world. A world where I don’t have to worry about my siblings going hungry every day, or whether my boss will find out I’m not really twenty-one and fire my ass. Where I’m not wondering if I’m being stubborn and if it’s the right call to contact my asshole of a dad. Where my mom doesn’t have to kill herself working.

  And then the song is over. I blink a few times as the audience is on their feet again. Kara and her grandmother beam at each other as their chests rise and fall heavily, out of breath from all the effort they put into the song. After her grandmother gives me a nod, I ease into the next song, “What is this Feeling” from Wicked.

  Kara stares at her grandmother in shock and wonder, and Darla smiles proudly. Clearly, Kara wasn’t expecting this song. She does a small dance, looking all giddy and adorable.

  I feel something inside me. In my chest. In my heart.

  Kara and her grandmother go to opposite sides of the stage and start the song. Pretending like they really hate each other. Then they run to the center and glare at each other, and then Kara, as Elphaba, starts mocking Galinda, and the audience chuckles. I’ve seen Kara come alive during the previous songs, but nothing like this. She’s no longer Kara Starr but Elphaba Thropp, even though she doesn’t have the green skin. Darla is just as captivating. The apple doesn’t fall far from the grandmother tree. Looking around, I see how the audience is all also caught up in the moment.

  Then it’s over, with Kara saying “boo!” and her grandmother shrieking and cowering away. Then they smile at each other.

  The last song is “You’re the One that I Want” from Grease. Okay, Kara is being very…hot. Yeah, even though she’s not wearing the tight leather outfit, she’s performing it so well that I can imagine it on her. Many of the audience members know this one and are totally into it. It’s the perfect way to end their performance.

  As the audience applauds, Darla grabs Kara into a massive hug, kissing her anywhere her lips can reach. Then they break apart and smile at each other. I can’t hear what they’re saying because of the applause, but Kara nods and her grandmother kisses her forehead, her eyes brimming with tears.

  My boss gets on stage, thanking them and telling them what an awesome job they did. Kara’s knocked out of her performance high and stares out at the audience, that haunting expression once again taking over her face. She bites on her bottom lip, pressing one foot over the other. And then her eyes flit to mine.

  I avert my gaze to the piano and start playing a tune. When I look back at her, she and her grandmother are bowing and then they go off stage. Her eyes once again sweep over to me, but this time I don’t look away. I want to…I don’t know. I need to do something. But she twists her head away and follows her grandmother.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Kara

  Ezra isn’t on the school bus this morning, which I guess is a good thing because I’m not interested in getting rejected by him again. Not that he needs to share his seat with me, but we are starring in the musical together. He could at least try to make an effort to be my friend.

  Maybe I’m a little cranky because my grandmother left this morning to California. I was in such a high after the performance last night, but then it all came crashing down on me. That’s why I love performing, because I can escape for a few minutes. I can be whoever I want to be. But it’s just an illusion. Real life always manages to knock me down.

  She refused to leave the house until I promised her—a million times—that I would be okay by myself. I’m alone most of the time, anyway, and I have the musical to keep me company. And Mom, Dad, and Kitty promised to visit this weekend. I also want some of my independence back, even though I’ll feel really lonely since I still haven’t made friends.

  Another reason I’m a little moody is because of Carter. I was up for a few hours last night reviewing the encounter at the club. Trying to figure out what I did wrong. And then I got pissed at myself because I didn’t do anything wrong. He was the rude one. He ignored me. After he made me open up a little, after he called me the night before and told me how…

  No. Stop. It doesn’t matter. He’s scratched off in my book. I don’t care what a person’s going through—there’s no excuse for being rude.

  “Hey, Miss Broadway!” someone calls as I head toward the school building.

  Turning around, I come face to face with that guy who spoke to me my first day here. Jester, I think?

  He catches up and shoots me a smile. “How’s it going, Miss Broadway?”

  “My name is Kara.”

  “So can you hook me
up with Hamilton tickets?”

  “What?”

  “You know…” He playfully jabs his shoulder into mine. “You can hook a brother up.”

  I sigh, trying really hard not to roll my eyes. “No. I can’t hook you up with Hamilton tickets.”

  His face falls. “You’ve seen it?”

  “Of course. It’s amazing.”

  “Cool. Can you get me five?”

  Another person who just sees me for my name and not for me. “Jester, I just told you I can’t get you tickets.” I walk away.

  “Not cool, Miss Broadway!” he calls after me. “Not cool.”

  I look back at him, but he’s already goofing off with his friends. And then I slam right into someone.

  “Um, excuse me.” Kelsey rolls her eyes. “Ugh, it’s you.”

  She’s surrounded by a group of girls, no surprise. And they all raise their heads in disgust, mimicking their leader. I push past her, but she grabs my arm. “My whole family is coming to the performance. Even from out of town. They’ll be so disappointed when they see I’m not Belle.”

  “I didn’t cast the roles.”

  “Quit the musical.”

  “No.”

  Her nostrils flare. “Don’t you get it? The Petersons only get the best. We don’t settle for anything less.”

  “Do you want to be in the industry, Kelsey?” I demand.

  With a laugh, she twirls some hair between her fingers. “Of course. I’ve got more talent in my finger than most people have in their whole body.”

  “Good. This will prepare you for the real world.”

  I try to move past her again, but she tightens her hold on my arm.

  “You only got the part because of your name,” she hisses. “We all know who the real talent is here.”

  A part of me just wants to give in. I’m so not in the mood for putting up with this. I didn’t come here for this drama—I had enough of it back in New York City. But girls like Kelsey are used to having their way. They’re used to pushing people around and stepping on whoever they can to get ahead. That’s not how I or my family rolls.

  Yanking my arm out of her grip, I say, “Kelsey—”

  “Everything good here?” a male voice says from behind. I spin around and find Ezra standing there.

  “Finally, another person here who has talent.” Kelsey pushes me away. “Right Miss Lewis miscast the roles, Ezra? We should speak to her and demand she give Belle to the person who deserves it, not the one who will bring in tickets.”

  Ezra’s eyes move from her to me. He studies me for a few seconds, then focuses on Kelsey. “Miss Lewis doesn’t make mistakes.”

  Kelsey bursts out laughing, and her friends copy. “Do you really want to kiss her and not me?”

  My cheeks heat up. Ezra’s eyes widen a little. He glances at me one more time before stalking off.

  “Boys,” Kelsey spits. “Such cowards to say how they really feel.”

  I face Kelsey. “Why do you have to be such a cliché?”

  Her jaw hangs open. “What?”

  “Every movie has a character like you. Every book. Every play and musical. Aren’t you tired of being the bad guy—er girl?”

  She just gapes at me. Then she flips her hair and marches away with her friends.

  ***

  I don’t have many classes with Carter, but he avoids me in the ones we share. I tell myself it doesn’t matter. It’s not like I even liked him. Which is a lie, but it’s the only way to get over…whatever it was. Grandma texts me sometime before lunch that she made it and is currently out with her friends, some she’s known from her first Broadway show. She’s pretty good with social media, so I spend most of my lunch flipping through her pictures with her friends. I’ve met a lot of them over the years—all of them legends in their own way. It’s also a good way to distract myself from the fact that I have no friends. Maybe it’s my fault. Grandma did tell me a few days ago that I can be off-putting at times. I guess I forgot how to be normal around people ever since the stalker.

  A shadow looms above, and I lift my head, hoping it’s Carter. That he’s come to apologize or maybe explain. But it’s not Carter. Jax stands there balancing a tray, uncertainty in his eyes. I guess I must be exuding my off-putting stance because he walks away and joins his friends at their table. Carter’s scarfing down his lunch like he hasn’t eaten in days, Ezra is studying the script—something he’s been doing since auditions, even though I’m positive he knows the thing by heart.

  Jester and a few of his buddies bother me with Hamilton tickets again, refusing to give up. They even offer to do my homework for a week. How many times do I have to tell them that I can’t just get the tickets like that? Sheesh.

  Maybe I should go back home to my family, my school, my friends. Screw the stalker. It sucks to be all alone.

  When the final bell rings, I slowly pack away my things, dreading what’s to come. I don’t want to see Carter. I know I’ll look into his beautiful green eyes and the shield I built around my heart will crumble.

  I come late on purpose, which Miss Lewis isn’t happy about. But at least I don’t have to deal with Carter. He plays the score, not really looking my way. Or at anyone. He just glues his eyes to the piano and sheet music. Is it really so hard to apologize? Even if he doesn’t want to explain, the least he can do is say sorry.

  And then I have to deal with Kelsey, who can’t stop glaring at me during our scene together. Miss Lewis stops me as I’m saying my line, where Kelsey looks like she wants to gauge out my eyes with a spoon.

  “Is something wrong, Kelsey?” Miss Lewis asks. “Mrs. Potts isn’t supposed to scowl.”

  Kelsey narrows her eyes at me. “Maybe I want to show another side to her.”

  Miss Lewis sighs. “And what side is that?”

  Kelsey crosses her arms. “Maybe she’s sick and tired of being the teapot while a selfish, spoiled girl gets the Beast.”

  Miss Lewis sighs again, this one loud and heavy. “I told you I don’t want any divas on my stage. Or drama.”

  Kelsey shrugs. “Maybe you should rethink the casting.”

  “Seriously?” I hiss. “Can’t you let it go? Every role in a musical is important.”

  “That’s what the small actors say to make themselves feel better,” she hisses back, though she’s not making an effort to keep her voice down. “Everyone wants the principal role.”

  “I hope your attitude changes when you audition for professional roles,” I mutter. “Because you have a lot to learn.”

  She narrows her eyes. “You think you’re better than us, don’t you?” she practically yells.

  Miss Lewis stands again. “Is there a problem, girls?”

  “Yeah. Kara’s being a bitch.”

  “Kelsey!” she scolds.

  “Can I take a break?” I ask and hop off stage, heading for the exit.

  “Everyone, take five,” Miss Lewis says, then calls after me, “Kara, wait up!”

  I stop in my tracks and take a breath. I’m not really in the mood for conversation right now.

  She catches up to me and leads me outside, where we press our backs against the hallway wall. “What’s going on, Kara?”

  “I don’t know.” I keep my gaze on the floor. “I shouldn’t have auditioned for the musical.”

  “You’re prefect for the role. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

  I slowly lift my eyes to hers. “Because you hope my name will sell more tickets? That the school will give more funds to theater?”

  She looks a little guilty. “Okay. I’ll be honest and say that I hope your part in the musical will help, but that’s not why I gave you the role.”

  I look away from her. “You should have cast Kelsey as Belle. I’m not in the mood for her BS.”

  “Haven’t you come across some Kelseys during your career?”

  “Not really,” I say. “Everyone’s always professional. We all work together to bring magic to the stage. I wish the kids h
ere would get that.”

  “Kara, I understand this is difficult for you. But I didn’t cast you as Belle to cause any problems or for my own personal gain. I gave you the role because you nailed your audition. Forget Kelsey—she can use a slice of humble pie.”

  I look away.

  “I don’t want you to be unhappy,” she continues. “I want this to be a good experience for everyone involved. Do you want me to talk to Kelsey?”

  “Sure,” I exaggerate. “That’ll really help.”

  She smiles a little. “It wasn’t that long since I was your age. I’ve had my share of Kelseys. Just hang in there. Kelsey will learn a lot from you, even if she doesn’t realize it. Just try to enjoy yourself out there, okay?”

  Sure, I say to myself as I head back into the auditorium. With Carter and Kelsey, I’m sure to enjoy myself very much.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Kara

  I wake up the next morning with a different attitude. I don’t care what Kelsey or Carter thinks. I’m Belle, a role I’ve wanted to play for years. I won’t let anyone ruin the experience for me. So when I see Kelsey in the hallway, I wave and say hello, laughing silently when she gawks at me like I’ve sprouted two heads. As for Carter? He’s not even a blip on my radar.

  Classes carry on as usual, and then I get a text before lunch period.

  Carter: Can we meet in the auditorium during lunch? Need to speak to you.

  So he’s finally decided to talk to me. I’m so over him I’m not sure I should bother showing up. But I believe in giving people the benefit of the doubt. I believe people are good. When lunch period starts, I throw my backpack over my shoulder and make way to the auditorium.

  A form is sitting in the middle of the audience. Dark blond hair, obviously Carter. I take a deep breath and walk inside.

  His head snaps up and a look of relief and dread washes over his face. He scrambles to his feet. “You didn’t answer my text. I didn’t know if you’d show.”