after what seemed like a thousand years, Bill was satisfied and he halted the rehearsal for the evening. Alicia looked like someone who’d just received secret inside information that she was about to be crowned Miss America. Pres looked weak in the knees.
"Rehearsing that love scene so long must have worn out poor Pres," Josh joked as Pres wobbled across the stage, Alicia right on his heels.
"Alicia seems to have survived the ordeal," I said. I stood up and turned to talk to Celeste, but she was already heading toward the dressing room. I turned back to Josh. "I’ve got to pick up my jacket and purse. See you at the car."
"Okay," Josh said.
I decided to cut through the stage rather than take the longer route from the side door leading to the staircase. I picked my way through the ropes dangling in back of the curtain and carefully sidestepped the props stored backstage. Then I heard a voice whose words made me freeze.
" You’re the perfect Alta." It was Pres. His voice came from under the staircase.
I stepped into the shadows and peered into the darkness. As my eyes adjusted I could see the outline of Pres and a girl embracing under the stairs. They were kissing. My stomach churned. They swayed, and a shaft of moonlight from a high window caught the girl’s long black hair. Alicia. It had to be Alicia.
I put my hand over my mouth. I was afraid to breathe. I pressed up against the wall, hoping I’d disappear. After what seemed like forever, the two of them drew apart and slipped down the stairs together.
I waited until I heard the door leading out to the back parking lot close, then peeled myself off the wall and ran to the dressing room. I hoped Celeste was there so I could unburden myself about what I’d just witnessed. When I got there the dressing room was empty except for my jacket and purse. I sat down for a few minutes, breathing deeply to compose myself. Somehow I’d have to get through the ride home without scratching off Alicia’s face.
Finally, I gathered my things and walked as calmly as possible to the car. I was the last one there. A small note of triumph arose from my heavy heart when I saw that somehow Celeste had managed to once again get in the back seat with Pres and Josh. Even though it meant I would have to sit next to Alicia, at least she couldn’t get her hands on Pres.
The ride home was interminable. No one except Josh said anything. Thank goodness for his enthusiastic chatter about the championship game and his talk with Brady Bailey. It sounded as though Mr. Bailey had been very impressed with Josh. At least someone’s dream was coming true.
At home, just walking from the car to the house with Pres made me tense. I’d never really pictured him with another girl, especially not Alicia. I longed to ask him about it, but I certainly didn’t want him to think I’d been deliberately spying. So I walked along in an uncomfortable silence until we got inside, where I yawned elaborately and made a dash for the sanctuary of my room. I threw myself on my bed and grabbed Arf. I remembered Sylvester, who’d been a gift from Pres after all, and I hugged both stuffed animals.
I’d have to think of what to do. First thing in the morning I’d come up with a plan. No, first thing in the morning I’d call Celeste. Since the next day was Saturday, we could go somewhere really private and talk. If Celeste still could talk.
Poor Celeste. It would be almost as traumatic for her as it was for me. Alicia was obviously after the role of Alta every bit as much as she was after Pres.
Pres, the innocent victim. What did he know about girls like Alicia, with their wiles and cunning?
***
The next morning I woke up still clutching Arf and Sylvester. A foul film lined my mouth. I got up, shed my rumpled clothes, pulled on my robe, and headed for the bathroom to brush my teeth and take a shower. If only I could wash away the memory of seeing Pres kiss Alicia as easily as I could brush away the
"Rehearsing that love scene so long must have worn out poor Pres," Josh joked as Pres wobbled across the stage, Alicia right on his heels.
"Alicia seems to have survived the ordeal," I said. I stood up and turned to talk to Celeste, but she was already heading toward the dressing room. I turned back to Josh. "I’ve got to pick up my jacket and purse. See you at the car."
"Okay," Josh said.
I decided to cut through the stage rather than take the longer route from the side door leading to the staircase. I picked my way through the ropes dangling in back of the curtain and carefully sidestepped the props stored backstage. Then I heard a voice whose words made me freeze.
" You’re the perfect Alta." It was Pres. His voice came from under the staircase.
I stepped into the shadows and peered into the darkness. As my eyes adjusted I could see the outline of Pres and a girl embracing under the stairs. They were kissing. My stomach churned. They swayed, and a shaft of moonlight from a high window caught the girl’s long black hair. Alicia. It had to be Alicia.
I put my hand over my mouth. I was afraid to breathe. I pressed up against the wall, hoping I’d disappear. After what seemed like forever, the two of them drew apart and slipped down the stairs together.
I waited until I heard the door leading out to the back parking lot close, then peeled myself off the wall and ran to the dressing room. I hoped Celeste was there so I could unburden myself about what I’d just witnessed. When I got there the dressing room was empty except for my jacket and purse. I sat down for a few minutes, breathing deeply to compose myself. Somehow I’d have to get through the ride home without scratching off Alicia’s face.
Finally, I gathered my things and walked as calmly as possible to the car. I was the last one there. A small note of triumph arose from my heavy heart when I saw that somehow Celeste had managed to once again get in the back seat with Pres and Josh. Even though it meant I would have to sit next to Alicia, at least she couldn’t get her hands on Pres.
The ride home was interminable. No one except Josh said anything. Thank goodness for his enthusiastic chatter about the championship game and his talk with Brady Bailey. It sounded as though Mr. Bailey had been very impressed with Josh. At least someone’s dream was coming true.
At home, just walking from the car to the house with Pres made me tense. I’d never really pictured him with another girl, especially not Alicia. I longed to ask him about it, but I certainly didn’t want him to think I’d been deliberately spying. So I walked along in an uncomfortable silence until we got inside, where I yawned elaborately and made a dash for the sanctuary of my room. I threw myself on my bed and grabbed Arf. I remembered Sylvester, who’d been a gift from Pres after all, and I hugged both stuffed animals.
I’d have to think of what to do. First thing in the morning I’d come up with a plan. No, first thing in the morning I’d call Celeste. Since the next day was Saturday, we could go somewhere really private and talk. If Celeste still could talk.
Poor Celeste. It would be almost as traumatic for her as it was for me. Alicia was obviously after the role of Alta every bit as much as she was after Pres.
Pres, the innocent victim. What did he know about girls like Alicia, with their wiles and cunning?
***
The next morning I woke up still clutching Arf and Sylvester. A foul film lined my mouth. I got up, shed my rumpled clothes, pulled on my robe, and headed for the bathroom to brush my teeth and take a shower. If only I could wash away the memory of seeing Pres kiss Alicia as easily as I could brush away the
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