Chapter 2

There were always different productions going on. All year long, someone was always in some musical. Occasionally there was an extra show or two going on at the same time. This meant there was never a dull day.

As the artificial bell rang out 2:20pm, the people gathered at their usual meeting places. The seniors were buzzing with the news of the latest production. They were generically called The Student Directed One-Acts, and these shows gave high school seniors a chance to choose a short play, cast and direct it. A handful of them had been chosen to direct, and the rest of them were cast in their friend’s shows. Rehearsals had started about a week prior, and there was always gossip with any new show. That was the thing with kids in the show business. There was always drama in the drama department, and that made for rambunctious daily meetings. 

Everyone recommenced talk about the latest drama: how a junior was allowed to direct a SENIOR Directed One-Act, a freshmen in the play didn’t know his lines, the faculty in the Drama Department were being difficult to work with, someone was always irate. The daily time in front of the theatre passed quickly for Lauren. Some days she would participate, but most days she liked to just watch the drama unfold. Today was a fun day to add to the drama. As she turned to go to One Act Rehearsal and Jake left for his car, he called out to her, “If you need someone to be in the play, let me know!”

She walked down the hall, her brain still full of Jake’s most likely insincere offer when she ran into her director and friend, Chris.

“You will never believe what happened,” he sarcastically said, “Ryan can’t make rehearsal again. He has track. Surprise. I don’t know how he will be able to be in the show if he is never here.”

Lauren smiled to herself and marveled at how perfect timing could be. “Yeah, but what if we got someone to replace him?” she said.

Chris gave her a funny look and asked who. “Well what about Jake?” She asked, “I was just talking to him and he said if we needed him he would do it!”

Chris looked surprised and was quiet for a minute. Finally, “Well I’ll have to think about it. But it might be our best option.”

Lauren grinned and went off to deposit the numerous bags she always carried around school off in a corner while the rest of the actors went toward the rehearsal space. As she hurried to join them, she quickly sent Jake a snap with a big smile and a caption that said, “You still want to be in a play?”