The Backstagers and the Final Blackout by Andy Mientus

Author:Andy Mientus
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Abrams
Published: 2019-09-24T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

“Two days,” Bailey groaned. “Come on, no one is out of cell service for two whole days.”

Adrienne looked to Chloe, who looked at the carpet. They were sitting cross-legged on either side of Bailey on her bed, offering what support they could. Chloe had rejoined the Penitent Backstagers earlier that winter, and Adrienne had caught her up on Thiasos and the artifacts. Now, they both wished they were as clueless about it all as Bailey so that they might console their friend without lying to her at the same time.

What were they supposed to say? Tell Bailey not to worry because Beckett was actually in a magical parallel dimension trying to save the world, and in that dimension, time functions differently, so he probably didn’t realize he’d left her on the hook for two whole days? Yeah, no.

“They’re in tech,” Chloe stressed. “You know how theater kids lose all sense of time during tech.” It wasn’t a lie, exactly, though Chloe’s delivery of the line was about as natural as her dyed silver hair.

“Not Beck,” Bailey said. “Having a schedule is the only thing that grounds his energy. If he loses track of time, he gets anxious.”

“But this isn’t a school show,” Adrienne said, “this is professional. Who knows how hard they are working him over at Forest of Arden.”

“I kissed him,” Bailey blurted out.

Adrienne took her hand.

“What?” Chloe said.

“At the Dance at the Gym. I thought we were ready, but ever since that night he has been so weird. We’ve barely talked, and he keeps making excuses to get off the phone with me and . . . even that night! We were all set to get burgers at Hand Jive and then all of a sudden everyone has food poisoning? I mean, come ON, that’s obviously fake. Adrienne, you were there with them in the Club Room . . .”

Adrienne turned as pink as her hair.

“I don’t mean to put you on the spot,” Bailey said, “but please, can you just tell me what actually happened? I won’t tell Beckett you told me, I promise. I just have to know I didn’t, like, screw anything up.”

Adrienne didn’t know what to say. She stammered for a moment before Chloe said, “Okay, enough is enough.”

Bailey turned to Chloe, whose eyes shimmered with tears. This had been a long time coming.

“I can’t lie to you,” Chloe said. “Gosh, after the whole Phantasm thing, I already owe you enough explanations and apologies—but that’s for another time.”

Bailey was confused. “Chloe, what are you—”

“There’s something we need to tell you . . . but I think it’s going to be easier if we show you. Don’t you think so, Adrienne?”

Adrienne let out a deep sigh, because she could feel it, just like Chloe: Now was the time.

“Yeah,” she said. “I think you’re right.”

“You guys are freaking me out,” Bailey said. “I’m gonna need some answers here.”

“Tomorrow,” Chloe said. “While the senior girls are taking their exams, meet us in the auditorium.”

“The auditorium?”

Adrienne nodded. “There’s more to the backstage than you know about.

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