Chapter Seventeen

"That was almost perfect." Mr. Dean says from the audience. "Add more emotions to it and you'll be great."

Thirty minutes before school began, I met up with Mr. Dean in the music room to audition for the play. He told me it wasn't going to take long but I've been here for twenty five minutes. I went through a few songs and moved on to the acting. I didn't try my hardest and I think he knew that. He kept making me repeat my lines over and over again as if he wanted me to be perfect. Which I wasn't aiming for. I came to the audition for one purpose and that was to get Mr. Dean off my back.

He wouldn't stop bugging me about the stupid audition and I finally had enough and told him I'd do it. His face lit up like Christmas tree when I said I'd audition.

I told myself, I would show up but not try my hardest, other than the singing. So far, my acting isn't where Mr. Dean wants it to be. I say the line once more with the same tone and expression as the pervious six times.

I'm pretty sure if we hadn't ran out of time, he would've make me stay here and perfect the lines but unfortunately for him, our time is up and I have a class to get to.

"You did great." He says as I pick my backpack up and place it on my shoulders. "Although there are a few areas we need to work on."

I wasn't going for great. I was going for decent..okay. Either-or would've been fine at this point.

"Hold up." I stop him. "Work on?" I repeat, raising an eyebrow.

He nods. "You did well enough, I think you have a shot a getting the part."

No, no, no, no! I don't want the part! Why can't he see that? Or maybe he did see it and chose to ignore it altogether.

"Mr. Dean." I start. "I said I'd audition, not that I wanted the role."

"There's others auditioning for for role as well." He shrugs. "But I believe you still have a chance. If not, you'll definitely be an under story."

I guess that's better than actually getting to part but still I don't want to risk it. I walk off the stage, saying my goodbye to Mr. Dean and head for class, I'm running late to.

I walk inside Mrs. Garner's class just as the bell rings and take my seat as she shuts the door and begins her lesson on modernism. I take notes when necessary.

Other than being in a remote place, school is the exact same as it is back in my other life. We learn the same thing, possible even more, and learn about how history on Arsyn.

It isn't a class, but every now and then, I would hear a few students and teachers speak in Arsyic, our planet's language and I kind of wish there was a class. I would love to learn how to speak Arsyic.

Lunch comes and I get my food and drink before heading over to Lily. For once, we're not scarfing food down our throat. Guardian Lynn, didn't kill us today and it actually was a fun day. Although, our trainers, did kill us last night during our work out.

"Three more days." I tell Lily.

Her eyes are trained on Lucas sitting across the room at our normal spot and his eyes are on her. They don't have to say anything to get whatever message they're saying through. They're longing for each other and the days to finally be together once more is arriving. It's not long until they'll be their usually sappy self again. And it's weird that think it but I'm looking forward to all the "Lucian's" moments again.

Lucian is their couple name, Danielle created when they started dating. We all hated that name but Danielle thinks it's the most adorable name ever created. I'm sure when we are all together, she'll have a lot of gossip she wants to share with us and I know she's just waiting for that time to come.

"I know." She says, softly. "I'm not looking at him because of that."

My eyebrows furrows together in confusion.

"Then why?"

As soon as I asked, the answer hits me. The rumors are starting back up again. The trial, that night, them. It's coming back after I thought it finally went away.

"Lucas is working on trying to find the source." Lily says. "I don't know how they found out."

They know what happened me to that night and yet some are skeptical. They didn't believe he would ever do something like that me or anyone for all that matters. I just don't understand how anyone found out about the trial. It was supposed to be a private one. Only certain people were allowed inside. So, how did it get out and travel to the school?

"We made a mistake by not telling Mrs. Kovok about the notes." Lily starts, looking at me. "We can't do that again. If you want to, we can tell her."

That made the most sense but yet, I don't want to tell Mrs. Kovok. I don't have any proof that they are talking about what happen, other than Lily and Lucas. But it's just us three against the whole school. Our words against theirs.

"What would we tell her? We don't have any proof?"

"It's Mrs. Kovok. I'm sure she'll believe us without the proof." Lily tells me.

I shake my head. "No, I don't want to. I don't need to. Sooner or later, she'll find out on her own. If I go to her office right now, they will stop talking and we won't know how they found out in the first place."

Lily nods. "I understand. We find out who the source is then we'll tell Mrs. Kovok, okay?"

"Okay." I agree.

Our afternoon classes are cancelled due to the show we're putting on for the other schools. I don't know why we are doing it but I'm not going to complain about missing my classes. I think it's because Mrs. Kovok wants the kids that will be coming into high school next year to see what they can do beside being athletic. Our school branches out into many classes. She wants to showcase what we can do and maybe they'll get an idea of what they want to do.

Lily's group, the artist, are the first ones on the stage and we're the last one. I watch from the side as Lily picks a random little girl from the audience to join her on the stage. There's different age group joining the art class on the stage and they each take turns telling the artist what they want on their canvas.

I would've thought picking a younger kid would be easier to draw whatever they wanted than an older kid but apparently it wasn't. The little girl with Lily, Nia, has a very imaginative mind but I have no doubt Lily can't come through and give Nia what she wanted.

She went for a princess theme, The Little Mermaid. Lily added every little detail Nia asked for and when she finished it five minutes later, Nia was very happy with the turn out.

None of the artist colored the canvas. They left it colored free so the owner could color however they wanted. It's like a huge color page but better. The kids show the audience their canvas and they cheer for them.

Mrs. Kovok walks onto the stage. "That was amazing, wasn't it?" That earns more cheering. "If drawing is something your interested in, you should definitely sign up for an art class. You will enjoy it very much. Now for our next class. Give it up for our talented dancers!"

Lily comes back to stand beside me and we watch the dancers. They switch to different genre of dance styles and they look incredible. There's no way I can possible do half of the moves, they're doing without looking like I'm having a seizure.

They audience is clearly impressed with the dancers and they still cheer for them even when they left the stage and Mr. Kovok walks on.

"I know, I know! They were incredible, right?"

She says a few more words before introducing the musicians. That's my cue to head backstage to get ready.

"Good luck." Lily says.

I find my group and Mr. Dean points to my outfit and the props. I grab what I need and went to the changing area. When I exit, I go over to a mirror to see how I look. I'm fixing my hat when Hayes appears behind me. He's standing so close to me there's hardly an space between us. I quickly glance around to see if anyone is near us but it's clear.

"I love you, remember that." He says, lowly but softly.

I didn't want this day to come but I can't stop it. It's going to happen. I just wished it didn't have to. When Maya didn't show up with Hayes this morning, I forgot about what was going to happen today. I was too focused on the audition and the show that it slipped my mind.

But when I saw her at the show, it came back to me and I hated how I felt. The jealousy, the hatred of the stupid law and the sadness all consumed me. So, I moved far away as I could from Maya. I thought if I couldn't see her then I could escape from what's about to happen but of course that's not going to happen.

Today's the day, Hayes and Maya are going to go public with their staged relationship. I completely understand why Hayes wants to do this but I still don't care about what others assumed even though they're right. I don't want him to be in some fake relationship to hide ours. I want nothing more than to march to Abe and tell him exactly how I feel about Hayes but I can't do that. I can't do that to Hayes.

I just have to wait a little longer.

When I don't say anything, Hayes press a quick kiss to the side of head before moving away. I take a deep breath after Mrs. Kovok announced us and follow my group out to the stage. The boys on one side and the girls on the other side.

The music plays and we start the song. The girls are the first the sing.

You had my heart
And we'll never been worlds apart
Maybe in magazines
But you'll still be my star
Baby cause in the dark
You can't see shiny cars
That's when you need me there
With you I'll always share
Cause I

The boys comes in and take over the next verse, singing a completely different song.

I'm singing in rain (we'll shine together)
Just singing in the rain (we're here forever)
What a glorious feeling, (feeling) I'm happy again (stick it out til the end)
I'm laughing at clouds (more than ever)
So dark up above (we'll stand together)
I'm singing singing (under my umbrella) in the rain

Then both group singing together as we move into a new formation, mixing the groups and we all have a partner. For those few minutes, I forgot about the stage relationship and just enjoy myself. It sounds better than it ever did.

Then it's over.

The audience cheer for us and we exit off the stage and Mrs. Kovok speaks. She encourages everyone to join a class that was showcased and she ends the shows but the reception begins. The younger kids can have a chance talk to the teachers and get a better understanding of what each class will be like. Some even spoke to the ones featured in the showcased.

A group of five comes over to me and ask me a few questions about my class and I give them my honest opinion.

"That's so awesome!" One of the girl exclaims. "I'm totally gonna sign up for that class."

I smile. "You should. If you don't like being in school, this is perfect for you. There's a trip where you can leave campus and go perform at a nearby town. It's really amazing."

I think back to the time when we left school with a few of the other classes to put on a breast cancer awareness performance in October. I'm just thankful it turned out well otherwise there wouldn't be one this coming fall. Mrs. Kovok agreed it could be an annual thing if it keeps going well.

Yet, after the performance, we were ambushed by Morches. Fortunately for the school, we weren't on the bus at the time when it happened. That would've ruined everything. Every since that day, the school hasn't found out about it and I'm hoping it stays that way.

They leave shortly after that and even though, I'm expecting it, it still takes me by surprise when I see it.

Right there near the middle, Hayes and Maya are sharing a passionate kiss. It's brief but long enough that everyone that's important saw them. Mrs. Kovok who's speaking to a teacher excuses herself and walks over to them. They nods at whatever she says and then they separate.

Hayes makes eye contact with me and I glance away. I walk away and head to an isolated place. But a few seconds later, I'm no longer alone.

"What the hell was that?" Lily exclaims, angrily. "He didn't even try to push her away. I know she doesn't know about you two but still. That doesn't give her right to go around kissing people. The nerves that girl has it's ridiculous." She huffs. "If I were you I would tell Maya-"

"They're dating."

She frowns clearly confused. "What?"

I haven't told Lily about our plan and she isn't supposed to know. Not even Reid. The less people who knows, the better but I can't lie to her. Even if I try, she won't believe me or him. It's better for everyone if she knows what's going on.

She steps closer to me. "Millie, what is going on?" She demands.

I sigh, heavily. "Too many people are getting suspicious of Hayes and I. The second day of Maya being here, she figured it out. So, Hayes came up with this plan to die the suspicions. He said, it wouldn't be long but I don't believe him."

"Why didn't you tell me?" She asks, softly as if I betrayed her some how.

"The day I found out, was the same day as the fire, and I had so much on mind. I was going tell Abe about us but I got too scared. Then Hayes drops his news on me and I just wanted to be alone. I wanted to tell you that day but you were worried about me and I just decided not to bring it up." I shrug. "Then you told me about the training and I forgot all about it."

She wraps her arms around me, hugging me.

"If you ever decide to tell Abe, I'm right there beside you." She tells me. "I'll fight with you and face whatever consequences that will come. Whatever it takes, I'm there."

"I know you are, Lily. Thank you for that. I don't know what I'd do without you." I say, looking at her.

She smiles but it doesn't reach her eyes. Almost like she's remembering something horrible but she's still trying to be brave for me.

"Let's not worry about that." She replies. "I have some not so kind words to tell Maya. So let's get outta here."

I smile. "What are you going to tell her?"

She glances at me. "You'll see."

And I did see. I stand away from them, watching Lily talk to Maya, threateningly. The way Maya's looking at Lily, I don't want to ever know what she's telling her. Lily looks scary and I'm her sister. When Lily looks at where Hayes and Reid are standing, I move closer to her.

I don't need her to speak to Hayes too. I think Maya will pass along the message. I grab Lily's arm and drag her to the punch bowl.

"Okay, you can put your claws back in."

"I'm just making sure everyone is clear about the situation. I don't want anyone to get hurt."

I'm glad she's looking out for me but it isn't necessary. Hayes knows what to do and I'm sure he told Maya as well.

"I think your message is received." I tell her, getting a drink.

She nods her head, hard. "Good then." She takes a drink of her punch and we continue with the show. It's kind of like a half day. We really don't have to be there. I'm sure they wouldn't even notice if a handful of us left and didn't bother to return. There isn't anything else to do except tell the younger kids about their options and show them a few things.

Lucas and Lily catches a perfect moment to speak and I leave them to themselves as I walk over to the food table.

I'm grab a cookie when he shows up beside me.

"If it makes any difference, I thought about you the entire time." He informs me.

I don't look at him as I reply. "It doesn't but it's nice to know I'm on your mind." I take a bite of my chocolate cookie.

"You're always on mind." He says, corny but I like it. "More than anything."

I take the chance to look at him in his grey eyes and see how serious he is. I give him a small smile as I brush my hand over his, briefly.

"You're too sweet." I tell him, finishing off my cookie and grabbing another one.

An hour later, we're in the SUV heading to the mansion. The first place I go to is my room. Last week, I set half of it on fire and I hadn't been allowed to go inside it ever since. But one of the maids, I really should start learning names, assured me my room would be finished this week and I'm excited to see it.

I open the door and there's nothing different about it. It's exactly the same as before the fire happened. I just have new things but other than that it's the same.

I head back downstairs and Abe asks us about our day. We fill him in our the showcase and I tell him about my audition. He's happy I audition even though I told him I didn't want to be in the play weeks ago.

The day goes on and Lily and I do nothing but talk about nothing and everything. Then it's time to eat dinner. I eat and go to my room to shower. I change into grey cotton shorts and a loose fitted blue shirt. I throw my hair into a messy bun as I walk over to my bed.

A couple hours later, I'm writing a song and I stop when Lily barges into my room with widen eyes. I arch an eyebrow at her and before I can ask her is everything okay, she opens her mouth and it's not what I'm expecting. It's the last thing I would've expect.

"They're here."