Page 138 of Apparently, I’m Trouble

I knew she’d shout the roof down if she could see this. I knew she’d be proud. And I knew she’d thank Mia for getting us here.

Chapter 55

Mia

SOUTH BRONX CLASSICAL

Friday Evening

“Are you ready for this?” Gem yelled out to the cast of Ten Things I Hate About You: The Play.

We were almost there. Almost at the end of the calendar year, about to call cut on six months of study sessions, examinations, assessments, and now, rehearsals. This was our last task before Christmas break, and Miss Gem and I stood shoulder to, well, armpit, as she hyped up the cast.

They hooted back at us, cheering, “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go,” as they stood in their seats, clapped, hopped off, and made their way backstage.

This was it. Months of work now peaking on this final night.

Outside, snow fell in thick waves, coating the city in soft, fluffy, frigid reminders that it was time for a break. But while the students had earned their time off, I hadn’t quite done that yet.

There was still one person I had to deal with.

She stood to the side, scowling at the students who trotted past her, and I knew it was time to pull up my big boy pants. It was time to talk things out with Ashley Myers.

Her eyes zeroed in on me as I closed the distance between us. As soon as I was within range, she snapped, “You can’t put Amber in as an extra. She should play the younger sister.”

Well. No greeting, no hello. Not even the respect of calling me by my teacher name. But then, that was typical Ashley.

She looked as polished as ever in her coat and boots, while I was layered under two hoodies and a thermal.

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. “Natasha is playing Bianca.”

She tightened her grip on her handbag. “You should’ve given Amber the lead role instead of that other girl.”

“That wasn’t my decision to make.”

“Oh, sure. Like it wasn’t your decision to give her a month of detention.”

“She was bullying Kira.”

“All she did was show her that photo of you and her father. That isn’t bullying.”

“She sent it to every student in their grade. And that is bullying.”

When the placement spots were announced, Amber had been so upset. I hated how defeated she looked. And the way she cried afterward. She told me she felt like a failure, and despite everything she’d done to Kira, it broke my heart into tiny, sharp fragments.

But that didn’t mean it was over for her. Amber could still get into a great college. She could have a successful career doing whatever she wanted. She just had to work through her insecurities first. Thankfully, she started seeing the school counselor, and it was making a difference.

Ashley let out a frustrated noise. “You’ve given special treatment to that Kira girl ever since she moved to the school, just so you could get into her father’s pants. It isn’t my daughter’s fault that you–”

She cut herself off and looked up, her gaze pinned somewhere above my shoulder.

“No, go on.” Theo’s growl was right behind me. I tried not to react, but he was so close. “I want to hear all about how you used that picture to fuck with my daughter.”

Just hearing his voice made my pulse thud. I felt it deep in my stomach as my body flushed hot. My two hoodies suddenly felt like an awful decision. Then his palm flattened on the small of my back, and I could feel each individual finger, splayed out against my clothing.

I wanted to lean into him, beg him to dip beneath the fabric, just to have his touch again. But I didn’t. I couldn’t.

God. I missed him so much.