We're going insane without you, Josie. When are you getting the cast off? We sorta...kinda...maybe kicked Amethyst Eaton off the cast yesterday cause she was being a transphobic butt, and now we're one cast member short and we're going crazy. And we don't have a Trina anymore. I know you can't control it, but can you tell us when you'll be back?

I had gotten that text from Whizzer at around midnight last night when I was already asleep. It was about three weeks since I had broken my foot, and I would be getting the cast off any day now. It's just a matter of when I would actually be able to go to rehearsals without hurting my foot more.

I didn't know how to respond to that. I contemplated my response for a few minutes and then another text came through.

Sorry for the late-night text, Josie. I wanted to wait until the morning to send you this update. I got my boyfriend, Lars, on board to help out and be a stand-in Marvin. We sorta re-arranged the entire cast, sorry, we should've asked you first, but we were panicking and we didn't know what else to do.

Thank God for Whizzer and how he stepped up. I sighed and decided to respond to him.

Hey, thanks for stepping up last night, I really appreciate it. I'm going to the doctors this afternoon to get some X-rays done and see if I can get the cast off. If all goes well, I'll be at rehearsal tonight, I just need to trick my mom into driving me there. Love you!

I put my phone down and then Stephanie came into my room.

"Morning, Mama." I said.

"Good morning, sweetheart, you ready for your appointment?"

"Ready as ever." I said with a hint of sarcasm in my voice. Stephanie laughed a little and ruffled my hair. "I know it's not fun, but if all goes well, you'll be able to go to dance again!"

Little did Mama know, it's not dance I'm worried about right now...

"Right. Dance." I said.

"You seem off, Josie, is everything okay?" Stephanie asked. "Is something going on at school that you're not telling me?"

I sighed, trying to hold back my tears, but Stephanie could see right through me. She walked over to me and wrapped me in a hug.

"Baby, are you sure you're okay?" she said, kissing my forehead.

"I'm fine. Okay? I'm fine." I said.

"Is something going on at dance?" Stephanie asked.

"It's just, the...the show-"

I stopped short.

I just revealed the secret.

I burst into tears and yelled, "GET OUT OF MY ROOM!" Stephanie backed up and said, "Okay, okay, sweetie, I'll give you some space, just promise you'll talk to me when you calm down, okay?"

In that moment, I felt horrible for upsetting my mama, but I also felt like I betrayed my friends for telling her.

Was Mama mad?

AN: Yay, some spur of the moment angst! And first Josie update since school started, I've been getting angsty plans. Hope you enjoyed and catch ya later!