Miss Fern blushes again. “Excellent question. The original play I wrote happens to be about a co-ed team of basketball players. And as someone who very much values authenticity, I thought having the Fallbrook Falcons as mentors to the cast would be invaluable.”
The silence that follows bounces off the walls. Nobody speaks as we all contemplate what Miss Fern is saying. It seems like forever before my brain catches up enough to form words.
Then Carlton mutters, “What in theHigh School Musical?”
For once, I’m with him. Frustration coils in my gut, but then I remember Rue. If I speak any of the thoughts racing through my mind, how is that going to look? I just claimed to be dating her, so voicing how dumb I think this is? Probably not the smartest.
“This is a really big season,” I say as kindly as possible. “Are you sure Coach thinks this is a good use of my time?”
Miss Fern nods so fast, her dangly sunflower earrings slap her jaw. “Oh, believe me. I know. I’d never want to take up too much of your time, which is why he’s only letting me borrow you a couple times a week until the playoff game.”
I blink. “W-we’re meetingeveryweek?”
She shrugs. “Your coach wants the team to see what happens when you get in fights.” She smiles. “I just can’t wait to have your help, Ezra.”
I can’t help it. I glance at Rue. The look of unfiltered horror crossing her face would be comical if I didn’t know for a fact I’m the reason for it. This arrangement will force us to spend quite a bit of time together. And I can’t help it. I feel bad for her because seeing me must still cause her pain. And knowing that makes my resolve even stronger.
I can’t take back what I did, but I’ll do whatever I can to make it up to her.
Miss Fern beams at each guy on the team, ending with me. “That’s all for today. I’ll see you back after auditions take place.”
I nod, leading the way out the door, and my team doesn’t hesitate for one minute to follow. When we get back to the gym, I ignore the barely muffled snickers I hear from the guys and head directly for Coach. “Is this some kind of joke?”
“You tell me.” He crosses his arms. “How serious are you taking this?”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. I need to be spending my time practicing, not teaching theater students how to dribble.”
“Then I suggest you do a good job, because otherwise you won’t be starting at the playoff game. In fact, you’re lucky you’re not suspended this time.”
My stomach sinks.No.Coach knows how much this means to me, the opportunity for that scout to notice me. My chance at a scholarship. All of it suddenly feels like it’s slipping away.
“I’ll take it seriously, coach. I promise.”
“I hope so. And Davis? One more fight will have you suspended, regardless of how well you teach those students to dribble.”
I wait outside the drama room for Rue after practice. At first, I wasn’t sure if she was still in there, but I peeked through the window and saw Miss Fern still talking at the front.
I need to figure out where we stand with the fake relationship. After the way she ignored me today, I might already have my answer. But I still want to ask her.
When the door opens, and students file out, Meredith meets my gaze and glares at me, crossing her arms. “So, you’re the new boyfriend. Apparently.”
I don’t respond, because I’m not sure if it’s true right now. Thankfully, I’m saved when Rue emerges from the classroom next. When she sees me standing next to Meredith, she freezes. “What’s going on?”
Meredith shrugs. “Talking to your newboyfriend.If that’s what he really is.” Behind the sharp tone, I notice the way hopestitches itself across Meredith’s face, like she desperately wants to believe it.
Rue nods. “It is. Like we said at Dot’s party. I’m not trying to steal Carlton from you, Mere, I promise.”
I’m vaguely aware of the shift in the hallway. No one else is talking, but I can feel the eyes of the rest of the drama students on us as they walk past. The three of us stay quiet until we’re the only ones left in the corridor, but a few more students are still in the classroom talking to Miss Fern.
“Look, I want to believe you. I miss you,” Meredith finally says, her voice cracking. “But it’s hard to trust you.”
Tears well up in Rue’s eyes.
I don’t know what to do anymore. All I can do is keep repeating myself, for Rue’s sake. “Well, you should believe her,” I say. “She’s with me now.”
Meredith’s cheeks get red. “It’s just a little hard to believe when Rue hasn’t even mentioned liking you.”
I’m momentarily stunned when Rue moves closer to me, linking her arm through mine, but recover quickly. “I haven’t mentioned him because you haven’t given me a chance.”
