Yeah, Meredith and Carlton are the stars. Dot and Zayne even steal the limelight a few times with their acting. Mabel doesa great job, too. But I know what Rue is doing behind the scenes in the sound booth, and how, without her or the rest of the crew, there would be no musical. They’re all just as important. The only difference is that they’re not up on the stage with the actors for everyone to lay eyes on and applaud.
The music sounds so much better than it used to, and the transitions are smooth, almost seamless. I catch the way the lights shift perfectly with Meredith’s solo, the way the sound lands exactly where it should.
Rue did this. She fixed this foul play all on her own.
When it’s over, I wait for her with a bouquet of yellow roses outside the exit. The theater, being near the front of the school, has an exit that leads straight outside, so I stare at the starry night as I wait for her. As her friends make their way out, I catch them discussing an afterparty to celebrate opening night. My gaze briefly locks with Meredith as she and Carlton happily skip through the exit, but she doesn’t say anything to me. Dot offers me a small wave as she passes me, and Mabel even smiles sadly.
And when Rue finally emerges, an adorable grin lights up her entire face. “How was it?”
“Amazing, obviously.” I hand off the flowers to her so I can lift her by the waist and spin her around.
She squeals.
When I set her down, I almost lean down and kiss her, but we still haven’t talked about us. Our impending breakup, or where we stand now that we kissed for real, and I don’t want to push it.
“Thank you for the flowers,” she says. “I’m just glad everything went well.”
“Of course it did.” I tap her nose. “You’re just as much a star as everyone else, you know.”
She blushes. “Thanks. The crazy thing is…after tonight, I got to see how important working behind the scenes is. There really are no small parts in theater.”
“I agree.” I can’t stop smiling at her. I’m just so proud. Finally, it seems like she’s accepted the fact that she’s important even if she’s not front and center like her mom wants her to be sometimes.
“By the way, I’m done writing all those letters.”
Ah, yes. The letters. Rue and I came up with the idea together when she was exposed as Little Birdie. Somehow, I’m not surprised she’s already done handwriting a lengthy, heartfelt apology for each of her friends. “When are you going to give them to everyone?”
“Monday at school.”
“Let me know if you want me there for, uh, moral support. Or anything, really.”
She bites her lip to keep from smiling. “Okay, I will.” Her phone buzzes, and she checks it and blushes. “My mom is waiting for me in the parking lot. But text me?”
“Okay.” Leaning down, I hug her, trying to memorize the feel of her soft warmth against my chest. It’s like a dose of elation.
And then she lets go. I watch her walk away.
And all the while, I kick myself for not saying more, for not telling her I love her, no matter how terrifying it is.
Chapter 26
Rue
On Monday morning, I finish sliding my apology letters into each of my friends’ lockers before the homeroom bell rings.Carlton. Meredith. Mabel. Dot.One letter for each of them expressing how sorry I am, how I wish I’d done things differently, and how much I hope they can forgive me.
Relief washes over me as I lean against my own locker, because even if they don’t forgive me, I’ve at least tried to right my wrongs.
And then the loudspeaker blares through the halls. “Rue Sullivan, please make your way to the office.”
My stomach drops.Oh, no.
All around me, students glance my way in amusement and surprise as I do what I’m told. When I reach my destination, I sit across from Principal Harris with my hands folded tightly in my lap, trying not to fidget. The office is too quiet. Too neat. A Bible sits open on the corner of his desk like he brought it out just for this meeting.
He doesn’t look angry, but that somehow makes it worse. “Rue,” he says gently, folding his hands. “Do you understand why you’ve been called in today?”
My throat tightens. “Yes, sir.”
He nods once, like he expected that answer. “Then you understand that what you participated in goes directly against what we stand for here at Fallbrook.”
