The Ghost in Me by Shaunda Kennedy Wenger

Author:Shaunda Kennedy Wenger [Wenger, Shaunda Kennedy]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Essemkay Company Productions
Published: 2010-12-19T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

Better things have not come.

In drama, we spent the morning acting like animals. Literally. To teach us how to deal with embarrassing situations when we find ourselves feeling like idiots—like those never-ending moments when we’re acting in front of hundreds of people….

I couldn’t even howl in front of twenty-nine.

Because that was my assignment. To howl like a hyena.

And then, when I asked to be excused to the bathroom? I was told to stay in character.

Uh, yeah. Like I was going to lift my leg, so I could pee like a wild dog.

And now at lunch, Cass is wagging her finger over her milk at me, saying, “You know, Myri, you say, ‘I can’t do this,’ a lot. But you know what? Based on what I saw last Friday, I hate to tell you, but you can. I think Diggs made the right choice. You were good. Especially when you thought what you did wouldn’t matter. Maybe you need to stop worrying so much.”

I look at Roz, but even though she knows what really happened in that audition, she says, “Cass is right, Myri. I mean, look how well it worked out. For one thing, you’ll get a passing grade.”

“Oh, great, and for another thing?”

She takes a bite of cinnamon roll, talks around her food as she chews. “Well, Duey isn’t paired with Brittley, so he’s safe.”

Safe? My mouth drops.

A snort erupts from the end of the table, where Brittley is examining her red-tipped fingernails. “Actually, Roz, I couldn’t agree more, which is really quite surprising, all things considered.”

Twirling her hands down, Brittley parks them on the studded, black belt at her hips and presses her chest forward through a white buttoned shirt. “Yes, Duey is safe. Because after he’s done rolling his eyes at every pathetic thing Myri says and does, as she tries to act out her role of a goat—.” Brittley pauses to sneer, then raises her voice to a sickly lilt.

“You did read the play, didn’t you, Myri? For the entire play, until the very last scene, you’re dressed as a goat. Because the witch—hah, me!—has a fabulous touch.” She tosses her head, brushes her hand on her shoulder. “So, with everything you’ll be bungling during your performance, combined with that lovely costume you’ll have to wear, Duey will have no where else to look, but at me. And for a witch, I won’t be looking all that bad.”

She fixes a cold gaze on Roz. “So, I agree. From one girl to another, you’re right. He’s safe with Myri.”

Cass drops her fork and stands to meet Brittley at eye level. “Oh, I’d say he’s safe. But the facts in your fantasy are a bit off. Because after all’s said and done, after Myri and Duey have spent all that time practicing and reading their lines together—out of costume, I might add—sharing those romantic moments, sharing that last… romantic… kiss….” Cass pauses. Roz seems to catch a small bug in her throat. Brittley’s eyes flutter.

And in the space of that silence? My brain does a flip in my skull.

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