Pride and Princesses The End of The Day chapter 10

Chapter 10

The End of The Day

    Trey was sitting on the porch helping Wednesday to paint her face with glitter and non-toxic substances when we arrived. He gave Mark a quizzical stare, but Trey had ignored me for most of my life so, I pretended not to care. The boys said a brisk, ‘see ya,’ to Mouche and me, then left as quickly as they’d arrived.

    Mouche’s brother looked up at both of us with what could only be described as amusement and derision. I mean, Trey had something of the authority figure aura about him. On this particular day, I have to tell you something I’d refrain from telling Mouche; he looked totally buff. He had his shirt off because he’d been swimming and his muscles were all big and cut...mmm. Kind of like how Mark might’ve looked without his shirt, only older.

     But Trey was angry. He had a dark, cute little cloud forming over his face and a wrinkle of exasperation between his eyes like he was ready to verbally lose it.

    ‘You guys said you would be back at one. Here.’ He deposited Wednesday’s paintbox in Mouche’s hands as if he was glad to be free of it.

    ‘Take it. I’ve decided child minding is ‘women’s work.’

    ‘So-rry. Someone’s chauvinistic brother is in a bad mood,’ Mouche added sarcastically.

    ‘Yeah, yours. I’m going out.’

    ‘Oh, it must be that skinny buck-toothed girl who also takes pre-med. She’s always coming around,’ Mouche said with a clever little sister smile. Mouche was particularly outspoken with family members and Trey was usually a safe target.

    He grabbed her sun hat and she chased her brother up the stairs but when he locked the child-proof fence behind him, Mouche screamed until he threw her hat back at her.

    Trey pretended not to notice me after that.

    Later, Mouche and I occupied Wednesday by allowing her to play with our makeup, while we compared shoes and ate gummy candy.

    When he was ready to go out, Trey left a slightly sweet smell in the hallway. As he walked past us, the air reeked of aftershave.

    ‘Wearing the latest ‘perfume for men’ are we? Oh, he’s so manly,’ Mouche teased.

   I swooned. Poor Trey just went all red and bolted out the door.

    Mouche and I both laughed and Wednesday clapped her hands again. She really was the smartest almost-three year old in the world.

    When Wednesday was born, Mouche and I applauded Mouche’s mom for her original name choice. Mrs Mouche liked to watch re-runs when she was a little girl of this classic show on television where the child was called, you guessed it, Wednesday. So, Mouche’s little sister is not just named after the day she arrived in the world. In any case, I’ve offered to babysit tonight, because Mouche has a ‘date.’

     We have planned to go for a swim. After that, I’ve promised to teach Wednesday how to become a star.  Some teenagers don’t like little kids but I love hanging out with Wednesday and if I didn’t want to be an actress, I might even become a nursery school teacher.

    Mouche has her ‘practice date’ organised for this evening from 6pm to 8pm with Scott Riley who lives across the road because, according to Mrs Jones’ guide, ‘a first date can often go badly...always have your next date planned, that way you won’t fret if the first one doesn’t work out...there are plenty more fish in the sea.’

    Mouche gives her date with Jet priority so she’s practising with Scott. She suggested I also go with them to the ‘Midnight-Zoo’ (the Sunrise baby-animal zoo opens late once a year) but I don’t want to be the ‘third wheel’ again. Besides, I’ve been reading all about Africa in geography. One day I intend to go on a safari so I won’t be missing anything I can’t see in future.

    ‘I wanna come too,’ Wednesday says as she watches Mouche run the straightening iron through her hair.’

    ‘Oh, you get to stay with me, Wednesday. Lucky you...’ I say.

    ‘Lucky-me! Lucky-me!’ Wednesday says, clapping her hands. Children are so cute when they are pre-school age. 

     ‘How do I look?’ Mouche says ten minutes later.

     ‘Hot.’ We both clap our hands like we are Mouche’s fan club. ‘We are so glad we’re not going with you,’ I whisper under my breath. Scott was not exactly my dream man.

      ‘Now’, I said to Wednesday after Mouche vacated, ‘I’m going to put on this DVD of Mouche and I singing songs in first grade, you’ll just love it... and we can practice all the words after we’ve watched it.’

    Of course, Wednesday sang along for about ten minutes and I danced around with her but after all the face painting exertion, she wound up asleep in the corduroy beanbag in front of the television. I moved her out of the way of the radiation and looked up to see Trey rifling through a drawer in the kitchen.

    ‘Hey Phoebe, has Mouche just left you guys here?’

    ‘Yeah, it’s okay, I promised your mom I’d wait until she comes home. My mom is coming home soon...she has a late showing.’ My mom was busy selling a house three streets away.

    ‘Okay, if you’re sure it’s alright. You are really good with her...’

    ‘Uh...thanks.’ I smile. Trey is looking super hot. What a shame he is an older man and totally annoying. He thinks he’s going to be a band manager as well as a doctor.

   ‘...So?’ I asked Trey.

   ‘Huh?’

   ‘Forget something?’ I said with a smile.

   ‘Oh, I’m just trying to find my car keys...’

   ‘I think they’re in the fruit bowl...’

    ‘Oh,’ he says, grinning at me all white toothed and handsome. Gosh, he’s almost as good-looking as Mark Knightly, and because he’s older, he might even be hotter.

    Mouche and I took Trey’s car for a spin once when he was studying. He didn’t even notice it was gone until after we arrived home. Trey is so busy studying and trying to promote his band that the more important things in life, like having some serious fun, might just bypass him if he’s not careful.

    ‘I love your aftershave,’ I say, really sarcastically.

    He looks so embarrassed and Wednesday stirs and mumbles, ‘after-wave’ and Trey looks uncomfortable and says, ‘see ya’ in a confused manner and hurries out the door.

    ‘If a man is hesitant around you, don’t imagine you’ve reeled him in. He may just be unsure whether or not he wants to make the first move. And a man should always make the first move. And really, girls, do you want a man who doesn’t think enough of you to make the first move?’ Oh, Mrs Robinson can just shut up for the next day or so. I totally enjoyed making Trey cringe. Honestly, my new found confidence and all those old dating guides are working wonders.

   As Wednesday slept, I wrote up the Boy-Rating guide with the events of the day and the plan for the following month. Mouche and I are big on planning.

    But when it came time to put pen to diary paper, all I could think to write about my ‘date’ was:

   

    Date with Matt the UCLA older man – possibility- didn’t occur

    Rating 3/10 

    Items for the treasure chest: silver pen.

  

    Possible Date with Mark Knightly – My saviour!!!

    Rating 6/10 – it didn’t really happen, but he still managed to be in the right place at the right time. Yay! Thus far has revealed an arrogant nature with little regard for the feelings and schedule of others (i.e. me).

    Items for treasure chest locker: the receipt for my drink (doesn’t really count).

   

    I think I was sleepy by then because when I woke up it was morning and Mouche was lying on the floor next to Wednesday on the couch in front of the television. Breakfast News was playing. My mom had left me a note saying when she came by we were asleep and Mrs Mouche was home and she was going to come around at 9am to have breakfast with us. I’d looked so happy dozing and needed my rest.

    Trish was busy with her own life so she probably didn’t notice The Boy Rating Diary lay open on the floor on page nine (The first eight pages were filled with notes taken from various guides – mostly Mrs Robinson’s and Mrs Jones’ since they were our favourites). The notes included sub-headings (that might be of use to younger sisters such as Wednesday when she’s older) with topics such as:

 

·           Boyzamples (examples of familiar boy-types i.e.: academic, sporty, emo etc)

·           How to behave on dates

·           Likes / dislikes of future men

·           Targeted potential boy candy and

·           Items needed for your journey; be it New York, Los Angeles or Paris

 

The first page gave our mission statement:

 

This is the work of Phoebe Anderson and Mouche Macintosh.

Phoebe wants to be a Broadway singer, dancer, actress. Mouche: a brilliant lawyer. We want to help others as well as ourselves. This is our expose of the pre-men and women of Sunrise High (and a few random adults) starting with the Princesses and moving on down the list of pre-men prototypes we have or intend to date.

What follows is our advice, gleaned from hundreds of hours of research. We hope our experiences can shed light on yours...

 

After my notes on date one, Mouche added hers when she arrived home:

Date 3: Mouche and Scott

2/10

Identifying factors: his mother drove us everywhere

Job and personality: student, primary focus; science fair

Kisses: one on hand

Items gained: A feather (also disguised as a pen)

Possibility of re-date: none (hopefully)

 

*Date 2 Mouche...continued (notes):

 

    ‘Everything that could possibly be humiliating and bad about a date happened on this one...first of all, his mom came with us, which I thought was bizarre at first, but then it was okay. Scott’s mom was dressed like a hippie but it turns out we had a lot in common (we all liked pizza) so it wasn’t too bad. In fact it was preferable to talking to Scott as he didn’t have anything to say. It was also really sweet when she made her son open my door for me. I thought it was cute that she was teaching him to be chivalrous even if some people think it’s old-fashioned. Up until then he hadn’t spoken until we walked past the penguin enclosure...’

    ‘I hope you don’t mind my mom coming. It’s just that...it’s her car and she doesn’t trust me to drive it.’

    Wow is this supposed to make me feel secure in his arms? Wait a minute, I’m not even in his arms...

   Then he says, ‘after dinner let’s leave her in the gift shop and go make out...’

   ‘Are you serious? It would be a bit rude leaving your mom like that...’

   He’s starting to seem less like a nerd and more than a little undutiful...worst date ever except for the baby animal zoo where I got to feed a lot of different species and Scott’s mom, who used to be a vet, explained loads of interesting stuff to me. I think I will introduce her to my mom and Trish. She told me she her husband just ran off with a woman he met online.

    Is there something in the water of Sunrise? I shouldn’t be too hard on Scott. He must have immediate family tensions. Give him an extra point. Prompt arrival home at 8pm – Phoebe and Wednesday were asleep on the couch. We picked up Wednesday and I’m writing this while you were sleeping. Can’t wait for the Fall Fling. This was just for practice.  First planned dates are always just for practice. Onwards and upwards, Mrs Mouche always says. ‘Night.

Pride and Princesses The Cast List chapter 11

Chapter 11

The Cast List

     ‘Also, his mom was driving,’ Mouche said as we walked through our school corridor on Monday after lunch, on our way to check the cast list for Rocco and Julie: A Teen Tragedy!

    Teegan, Tory, Brooke and Freya glared at us from behind their lockers. Their looks said it all; don’t even think you’re going to beat us to the leading roles.

    ‘I need to speak to you,’ Teegan said to Mouche, ‘it’s about a certain crumpled piece of paper you left near the Century City sushi bar...’

    ‘I’ll have to check my schedule, Teegan, to see when I’m free. Maybe I can pencil you in. Meanwhile, I wouldn’t talk about what I’d read, if I were you...’

    ‘Is that a threat?’

    ‘No, it’s a warning...’ Mouche replied.

    There was, as you’ve already heard, some serious history and a buzz going around that Mouche and I had already been asked to the Fall Fling by Jet and Mark. The rumor about Teegan and Tory going with them was just that.

    The Princesses were on the warpath.

    ‘We know you are up to something,’ Teegan accused Mouche.

    ‘It’s just a matter of time before we find out what,’ Tory added.

    ‘I figure it will take them at least two weeks to work it out,’ Mouche whispered.

    ‘Especially since there are added distractions,’ I replied.

 

    Mr Sparks started clapping as we walked towards the notice board.

    I pretended to be nonchalant as I glanced up and saw my name and Jet’s and Teegan’s and...Mark’s? Are they kidding? He never even auditioned. Oh, there he is next to stage management and lighting and understudying. And then there, next to the role of Julie, was my name. Tory was playing the second lead. Mouche and I were pretty excited. Tory was mortified to be relegated to the part of Julie’s ‘best friend.’

   ‘This could be interesting,’ I thought.

   ‘Mmm...’ Tory sniffed, ‘there are no small parts, only small actors.’

   ‘Keep telling yourself that, Tory.’ Mouche added as we gathered our shoes for tap class.

   Mouche was to play the dream sequence ‘dancer Julie’, even though she hadn’t auditioned. Mr Sparks said he had some kind of contemporary dance in mind, and since Mouche was the best dancer in school, he’d like her to do it.

    ‘People just don’t get it Pheebs, when I say I’m giving up dance, though I love it. Let’s face it, my feet are too big to get into American Ballet Theatre anyway.’

    Performing Arts students took up the majority of the cast. Peter was playing Rocco and Mouche was also responsible for costumes and dance as well as a smaller role with one line which is ‘exactly’ what she wanted (so she could concentrate on getting the near-perfect scores she would need for her scholarship). Mouche has always had a way of twisting Mr Sparks and Miss Tartt around her little finger. 

    Suddenly we saw Jet. Teegan had cornered him in the theatre studies hall and was monopolizing his company. He seemed very keen to get away from her.

   ‘Avert your eyes,’ I warned Mouche, but she didn’t seem at all bothered.

   ‘I’d be so over him, but I’m definitely up for dating him at least once. He’s the perfect boyzample for Saturday night.’

   ‘What...hot?’

   ‘No, delusional...you can just tell he thinks the whole world loves him. I’ve changed my mind about him since watching him flirt with just about every girl he meets.’

    ‘But he did ask you, and he doesn’t know anyone, and you seemed to have a great time swimming on Saturday. You can’t blame him for trying to make friends.’

    ‘It says here, ‘guys want other guys for ‘intellectual company’ meaning not girls.’

    ‘Well that guide sucks...it’s wrong...’

    ‘Wouldn’t be so hasty about that...’

    ‘What decade was it written in anyway, the 1930s?’

    ‘1960s. Did you see what Mark was wearing today? Hot jacket. He really is...very European. Here...check this out.’

   That’s when Mouche handed me the note, and before I had to worry about her sudden interest in Mark, I realised she had date four already in the bag.

     Tobias Olsen. Who knew he had a weekend interest in golf?

    ‘When are you meeting him?’

    ‘I don’t know. I’m thinking, practice range, next week, but I haven’t replied yet. Sometimes it’s good to make them wait and leave them wondering...’

    ‘I doubt it, ‘men don’t beg’, it says so here, page 38.’

     Mouche was becoming very confident with regard to the rules we’d written. Was the game going to her head? Had the plan overtaken real life?

    ‘Give me that.’

    I handed her Mrs Mouche’s tome, Mrs Robinson’s Guide to Getting Your Man..

    ‘What a load of garbage,’ Mouche said, ‘I can’t believe life was like this...’

    We read on about the necessity of ‘nailing’ your man and securing his affections in order to get him to ‘propose’...

    ‘Propose what?’ Mouche said, ‘A lifetime of childbirth and slavery for women way back when – now she was reading A History of Suffrage – and was hooked. ‘I’m so glad we were born in the 90s.’

   ‘The Boy Rating Diary is about the possibility of love and romance...’ I say with a hint of irony.

   ‘True..,’ Mouche replied.

    It was mid-afternoon and instead of study hall we had preliminary ‘rehearsal time’ which is another reason all of the performing arts students and so many of the general studies students were now involved in the play. Teegan was being consoled by her ‘sorority sisters’ about not getting the part she wanted.

    ‘Never mind’, Freya said helpfully, ‘you couldn’t play the role you wanted anyway.  They’re not even doing Hairspray.’

     ‘I know but it was the perfect part for me. She’s not even that talented.’

     ‘I know, I can’t believe you didn’t get it, you are much more talented...and beautiful,’ Brooke said.

     ‘I’m not talking about the stupid play! I’m talking about the tacky film!’

     ‘Never mind. It was low-budget, Teegs.’

     ‘They decided to cast an African-American. My sister just texted me. This has been the worst day of my entire life. I’m a winner, not some loser.’ The other Princesses commiserated with Teegan.

    Thom had texted me that morning, so I knew I hadn’t got the film part either. But the play kind of made up for it.

    ‘Never mind,’ he’d said, ‘I’m going to send over a scout to see you in your new showcase at the end of your junior year. How’s Wednesday?’

     Thom was ever the optimist. So what if I didn’t get some stupid part? I wouldn’t give those who’d slighted me the thrill of seeing me losing my pride and crying in public.

    Then Thom texted me with an audition for Wednesday: toddlers needed at 3.30pm casting suite, North Road don’t be late!    

    ‘I think he might just be using you to get to my sister,’ Mouche said.

     ‘It might be fun...I think Wednesday would like it...’ I replied.

     Mouche pulled my cell off me at that point.

     ‘I just know that teacher is going to completely lose it if I don’t,’ she whispered as Miss Tartt snuck up behind us and then hovered in the corner like an eagle. Mouche is very intuitive like that. She’s also smart enough not to get caught up in the acting game and risk getting her feelings hurt time and again.

     ‘Maybe we shouldn’t risk Wednesday’s self-esteem.’ I added as an afterthought.

      ‘No. But sometimes it’s good to take risks. I have a feeling if she auditions, she might just get it.’

     ‘Really? And life is about taking chances to make gains,’ I said. ‘That’s why we are putting our hearts and minds on the line for the Boy-Rating Diary.’

    ‘Okay, but right now, we’re supposed to be learning the basic script for Rocco and Julie – a Teen Tragedy...oh, please,’ Mouche sighed. ‘I’m glad I only have one line.’

     It is a little known fact that Mr Sparks, who has an ego mightier than just about anyone you will ever meet, had scrapped the whole idea of doing Hairspray because of ‘costs’. Our afternoon theatre classes are now replaced by play rehearsals and the dancers, singers and actors are all in different groupings going over their scenes. Mr Sparks is egomaniacal, of course, but also unintentionally funny. The incidental music and dancing is, I must grudgingly admit, very memorable. Although I am trying to be contained, I’m obviously thrilled to have the lead role.

     We can hear Mr Sparks in the hallway having a very heated argument with the vice-principal about budgeting, as Mouche and I read our scripts backstage.

     ‘No, non, non! It actually saves money if some of the teachers play the adult parts...’

     ‘Yes, Gary, but not just one of the teachers playing three parts...’

     ‘Are you saying I’m not qualified to play the roles? I went to drama school. I have an MFA! I’m the best man for the job!’

      Wow, we’d never heard Mr Sparks so hysterical. Mouche started giggling.

     ‘I’m just saying, you might try giving at least two of the parts to the older boys...directing is a full-time job, Gary, and the school understands all the sacrifices you make...’

      ‘Typical,’ Mouche and I said, snacking on Pringles and highlighting our dialogue with pink fluorescent pens, ‘that man is totally driven.’

    ‘I overheard Tory saying he tried to cast himself in all the leading roles, including the female ones, but in the end gave up and that’s why he only had three, and now he’s only got one.’

     Teegan snorted with laughter and all the Princesses overheard us because they were seated close by. An onlooker might almost have thought we were friends. Almost. Mark walked past us and the students parted company for him. He looked very miserable, like he wanted to drop out of school. Then he looked up at Mouche and me, said, ‘hi, see you Saturday,’ and smiled.

     I felt a secret thrill when he spoke and Mouche said, ‘sure.’

    ‘Throwing you a bone, is he girlfriends?’ Teegan whispered witheringly. Jealousy is such an affliction. 

 

    We all gathered around the stage at the close of the school day, the students playing leading roles as well as the soloists, including Teegan, Freya Tory and Brooke.

   ‘There’s just not enough of me me me to go around, people,’ Mr Sparks said on stage, the strobe lights sedating us into submission, making the auditorium seem like a daytime disco.

    ‘Welcome to week one of rehearsals for the school play. Whilst it is normally the performing arts students who swell the ranks of our cast (Mr Sparks winked at Peter Williamson and Mouche and me) we are happy to have the addition of many of our talented general studies students with us. In the weeks ahead we will create our show, our piece de resistance. It will take hours of hard labor to create genius. During our last week we’ll be rehearsing all weekend, so I’d like you to make a note in your journals or laptops and keep the weekend of the eighth free.’

    Everyone beeped out their cells or blackberrys or whatever they used to keep dates in.

    I cringed for the boys. Mark was sitting there in a black leather jacket looking really hot and arty but holding a Physics text, not exactly interested, although I did see him glance in my direction at least once. Perhaps I imagined it.  

Pride and Princesses Joel chapter 12

Chapter 12
Joel

    I had to leave rehearsals early that afternoon because I was due to meet Joel for our scheduled half hour tutoring session. Basically, I go over his English essays and he signs my form to say I helped him. This is supposedly a win-win situation but he’s not usually very helpful when we meet in the library. I guess you could say he’s just not into this. He will leave if I’m even five minutes late and he’s not exactly grateful to be in my company. In Mrs Robinson’s Guide @p29 it is written: ‘....on the subject of appearing grateful within relationships; many men have stated that they just want a woman who is thankful for the little things in life, who doesn’t make them feel like they are being used as a husband and provider...’

     Pl-ease.

     No problems in this town where most of the husbands and providers abscond for some reason. I’m not joking. The average marriage of all of our parents in Sunrise (Jet’s included) lasts around eight years. Most of the splits are ‘amicable’ divorces but very few people had actually ‘lost’ parents, except Mark and Petra.

     I overheard Tory gossiping in rehearsal about Mark’s long ago family ‘tragedy’ - his parents being killed.

    ‘It explains his reckless driving,’ Teegan noted. ‘He wants to push the boundaries.’

     I rolled my eyes when I heard this but Brooke just nodded sycophantically. I felt bad for Mark though. No wonder he relied so much on his friendship with Jet, who seemed more like a brother to him.

 

    I thought about rehearsal as I ran over to the library...

    Mr Sparks’ welcome speech was totally full of crazy innuendo but he’d never actually do anything about it. He could never even like another human being (let alone be attracted to one) more than himself. I guess Mr Sparks is kind of good-looking but don’t get worried. We’d never include Mr Sparks in the dating game. We’re not that delusional. But I have to admit, apart from the star trip factor, Mr Sparks really is a great director. He’s just filled to the brim with enthusiasm, drive and creative vision. It’s quite inspirational.

    Earlier in the day, Mark didn’t seem to notice Mr Sparks’ tantrum. He was obsessed with the lighting guide and talking to the other assistant stage manager, already in control. Meanwhile, Mr Sparks threw his hands in the air after a few hours of trying to coax onstage emotions out of Jet. Finally, Mr Sparks realized he’d never make a ‘true actor’ out of Jet and just praised him for showing up. ‘There is honour in the attempt,’ he said, quoting someone famous for sure. 

    Mouche was hunched in a corner with Miss Tartt. They were discussing costumes and holding up fabric samples in the patch of light peeping in between the blackout curtains. I started learning my scenes with Tory – joy of joys. We were loud and enthusiastic and Mark was hesitant and looked almost disapprovingly above the script as he prompted us. His lack of enthusiasm was beginning to annoy me. It didn’t bode well for Saturday night although Jet seemed far friendlier.

    It was almost dark before I managed to slip away and find Joel in A-block.

    He was sitting in an abandoned desk balancing a pencil and an eraser on his nose when I entered. Joel had been at track team practice. He was wearing a hoodie and baggy sweat pants.

    ‘Hi Joel,’ I said warily. ‘Did you bring your essay?’

    ‘It’s in my pocket,’ Joel said and pulled out a crumpled mess of papers patterned with coffee stains.

    ‘Here.’

    ‘You mean you actually did the work?’

    ‘Don’t sound so surprised...you inspire me.’

    ‘Is that supposed to be a joke?’ I was pretty sure I’d heard that line before.

     Suddenly he sat up straight and pulled the eraser off his forehead.

    ‘Um...yes?’ He sounded sarcastic and unsure.

    ‘Well, I can take this home and check it and let you know if there is anything you need to change.’

    ‘I doubt there will be...’

    ‘Modest...’

    ‘Well, this one’s from the heart,’ Joel said, punching his chest.

     He was kind of funny so I smiled.

     We had to write an essay for English; add an unwritten chapter to Wuthering Heights. Joel didn’t like to read so I was surprised that his essay was at least six pages long. I flicked through it. There were some very deep and meaningful phrases...

     ‘There seems to be a lot of words here.’

     ‘Oh, that’s okay, you can just put a line through some of them...’

     ‘Uh...okay.’

     Joel was a lone warrior. He never hung out in a group but seemed friendly enough with all of his exes. He got up and walked to the door after I’d signed his little form. I was left alone in the classroom.

    It was actually the junior class homeroom and I couldn’t resist noticing that Mark Knightly’s desk had some papers sticking out of it. I didn’t think it would matter if I just lifted the lid slightly in order to place everything in the correct order; a little-used copy of Wuthering Heights under some scribbled pages of Roman history notes. Then I looked at Jet Campbell’s desk. I saw a photograph taken at rehearsals and the person smiling out from the middle of the group was Mouche. It was bothering me that, once again, Mouche was the centre of attention but I was also glad Jet was crushing on her. I quickly took out my cell and snapped a photograph of the messy desk to add to the expanding guide.

     Mouche pulled out the note again as we jumped into the jeep.

    ‘Guess what?’

    ‘What?’

    ‘I found this note detailing: Everything I like about M.M. That’s me! I’ve compared this note to the notes on the lighting list that I need a copy of because I’m designing the costumes...’

    ‘And?’

    ‘And? It’s Jet Campbell’s handwriting.’

    ‘Really?’

    ‘I think it’s kind of cute.  I’m going to keep it safe...maybe I’ll even get to corner him backstage in the dressing room,’ Mouche joked.

     I felt a little bristle on the back of my arms. Mark had practically ignored me all rehearsal. But I had to fess up.

     ‘I found this in his desk when I was supposed to be tutoring Joel...’

      ‘Now Joel is like, the ultimate unobtainable man...definitely third on my list after Jet and Mark,’ Mouche said.

     ‘Tell me about it...’

      Mouche reverted to the subject at hand.

     ‘I don’t get it. So Jet took some photos this afternoon...’

     ‘Yeah, you’re in all of them...’ I replied.

     ‘So?’

     ‘So, it’s obvious, he likes you...’

     ‘Well, maybe that’s because I grabbed him backstage and got on him after everyone else had left...’

     ‘Geez Mouche, are you serious? We’re not supposed to be...actually...doing it with them.’

     ‘I didn’t mean that... gross. I’m just kidding. I’ve never touched the guy apart from when I held his hand in the ocean. He’d have to actually date me a couple of times to get more than a smile. But I am considering an amendment to the rules. I think the girls should be able to chase the boys, if you know what I mean...’

     ‘The overwhelming majority of the guides are right when they state the boys have to chase the girls...or the guys are just not into it. It’s like a universal rule of dating.’ I didn’t want to admit I’d flirted with Trey. It was way out of character for me and I’d ended up looking ridiculous as usual.

     ‘I suppose, besides this game isn’t about losing our morals...but it might be fun to encourage the Princesses to lose whatever is left of theirs...’ Mouche said.

      Just then we were driving past a religious group protesting outside the local court with placards held up, one of which read:  Do you want to be a garden for Jesus or a vessel for sin?’

    ‘I’m just kidding. I’m totally waiting for true love, just like you, but you never know... Jet could be...the one. Look what he gave me after rehearsal today.’ 

    We’d put up a note from the wardrobe mistress asking everyone to bring extra clothing and unwanted items from home for the costume department.

    ‘Jet brought in this adorable, navy blue, velvet beret to add to my collection. It used to belong to his mother but she doesn’t wear it anymore.’

    ‘It will be great for the final, tragic scene when Tory gives you the poison.’

    ‘Definitely,’ I agree.

    ‘But I have to warn you, although I can’t wait for Saturday night, we have a problem...’

    ‘I know...’

    ‘Teegan has worked out that we are having a dating competition...and she wants in,’ Mouche added.

    ‘But she doesn’t even know the rules...’

    ‘Exactly...’ Mouche smiled.

    ‘Are you thinking what I’m thinking?’

    ‘Maybe...’