Make Up or Break Up by Kate Welshman

Author:Kate Welshman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook
Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont
Published: 2014-07-24T04:00:00+00:00

Leaning against the coolness of the hallway wall with my eyes closed, my breath soon slowed. With every passing second my legs were feeling less jelly-like.

With my eyes still closed, I heard the doors of the auditorium open and close again.

‘Ally?’

It was Paul Carey.

‘Oh, hi.’ I tried to sound normal. ‘It’s hot in there, isn’t it?’ I put my hand to my forehead and pretended to swoon.

Paul wasn’t fooled. ‘You’re nervous,’ he said. ‘It’s meant to be fun,’ he added, taking a step towards me.

Then something weird happened. My eyes filled with tears. I wasn’t crying because I was sad or upset. I was crying because he recognised what I was going through. And he didn’t try to dismiss it. Not even my best friend had realised how stressed-out I was about the audition, but here was Paul, a guy I’d only met once before, understanding me. He looked so serious and concerned, and it made my heart thump – in appreciation this time, not from nerves.

Before I knew it I was leaning into him. He held me steady, one arm around my shoulders, the other scooping my waist. He was strong and warm. I pressed my face into his woollen blazer.

‘You don’t have to audition, you know.’

‘Yes, I do.’

‘But if you don’t like singing, you’re not going to enjoy it.’

I lifted my head to look at him. ‘That’s not the point,’ I said. ‘Cat needs me.’

I realised I was still wrapped in his arms. I felt slightly awkward, but it was so warm and comfortable that I didn’t want to move. Paul’s face was just centimetres from mine. We locked gazes. My stomach dropped. I thought he was going to kiss me … hoped he would, but then …

Suddenly, the auditorium’s double doors swung open. ‘Paul Gregory Carey!’ came an outraged hiss.

Paul and I jumped apart.

‘Oh … er … hi, Mum.’ Paul sounded about six years old.

‘Hi, indeed,’ spat Mrs Carey, who was glowering at us with the stormiest expression I’d ever seen. ‘Get back in here, this minute!’

‘Yes, Mum,’ mumbled Paul. He didn’t even look at me before slinking back into the auditorium, his head bowed. He must have been mortified. I felt pretty mortified myself.

Mrs Carey turned to me, squinting. ‘What’s your name?’

I gulped. Mrs Carey was fearsome enough when she hadn’t just caught you embracing her son. My answer was a squeak. ‘Um … Ally Motbey.’

‘Are you auditioning for the musical, Ally?’

Could I go back into the auditorium after what had just happened? I imagined standing onstage – alone – and singing out of tune in front of all those people. This awful thought sealed my answer. ‘No,’ I said firmly.

‘What are you doing here then?’

‘Um … I left my bag in the auditorium.’

Mrs Carey rolled her eyes. ‘Go and get it, then.’

I walked past her, through the doors and into the aisle of the auditorium. Louisa Andrews was on the stage, obviously waiting for Mrs Carey to return. She was fiddling with the pleats of her skirt.

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