What If... All the Rumors Were True by Liz Ruckdeschel Page A

Okay, let me see Spencer Eton.”
    Haley heard Coco and Whitney, ten rows behind her, gasp in surprise. Haley was pretty shocked herself. Spencer sauntered up the aisle as if he were the opening nightclub act in Las Vegas, waving and doing the old point-and-shoot. No one was cheering, but somehow it looked as if Spencer heard the roar of the crowd, at least in his head.
    â€œI am that merry wanderer of the night,” Spencer read with surprising verve.
    Maybe he would make a good Puck,
Haley thought,
that is, if merry night-wandering is involved.
    â€œInteresting. Thank you, Spencer,” Mr. Lyons said. “Okay, girls, let’s see some spirited Helenas and Hermias.”
    Before long Mr. Lyons called Haley’s name. She stood up, her stomach fluttering nervously, and walked up to the stage.
    â€œPlease read from act three, scene two, Helena’s speech,” Mr. Lyons said. “Whenever you’re ready.”
    Haley remembered that scene. Helena, who loves Demetrius, thinks her friends are trying to trick her, to make her think Demetrius loves her when she believes he loves Hermia. She feels betrayed by her friends; she doesn’t know whom to trust. It was a feeling Haley could relate to. She opened her script and read the lines.
    â€œâ€˜Injurious Hermia! Most ungrateful maid! Have you conspired, have you with these contrived to bait me with this foul derision? Is all the counsel that we two have shared, the sisters’ vows, the hours that we have spent, when we have chid the hasty-footed time for parting us,—O, is it all forgot? All school-days’ friendship, childhood innocence?’”
    Haley found herself lost in the words, in the sad, betrayed loneliness of poor, unrequited Helena, and for a few minutes she forgot she was onstage in front of dozens of people, being judged on her acting. When the speech was finished, she looked up. The stage light was in her eyes, and she couldn’t see the audience well, but she sensed how quiet they were. No shifting in their seats, no whispering or talking or murmuring of lines. They’d really listened.
    â€œVery nice,” Mr. Lyons said. “Thank you, Haley.”
    Haley stepped off the stage and the next Helena was called. Her bones were buzzing with excitement and her first taste of the thrill of the theater.
    â€œYou were awesome,” Irene said as Haley walked past the auditorium seats. “Really good. You’ll get a part for sure.”
    â€œThanks,” Haley said, still dazed.
    Coco pursed her lips, shook her head and glanced at her clipboard. “Nice try,” she said. “But don’t quit your day job.”
    Suddenly, Haley wondered if the part was hers after all.

    Surprise, surprise—we have an actress on our hands. Haley has discovered a new talent she didn’t know she had. Is anything more exciting than that?
    But is Haley’s fate as an actress really in Coco’s hands? If that’s the case, Coco is right—Haley might as well give up now. Is she kidding herself? What about all her other activities—does she really have time to memorize lines on top of everything else?
    And what about the boy situation? Both Sebastian and Devon tried out, but in Haley’s opinion Devon was the better actor. If she wants face time with Sebastian, she might be better off watching him in the pool.
    If you think Haley should listen to Coco and forget about the play, go to the "SWIM MEET" . If you think Haley would rather spend time honing her acting skills with Devon, go to "ACTING COACH" . Finally, if you think Haley should believe in herself, in her newfound acting talent and in whatever spark of humanity still resides in Coco’s heart-on-ice, send her to "CASTING CALL" .
    Fate plays funny tricks sometimes—you never can tell how things will turn out.

IT’S DEBATABLE

    Playing devil’s advocate only works if you’re the devil.
    â€œB ack for more,