Page 6 of Don’t Love the Boy Next Door (Hotties Next Door #2)

Chapter Five

Katie

The dreaded hour has arrived. Time to face the cast and crew of Beauty and the Beast .

During my last class of the day, I thought about bolting.

But what would that have accomplished? I’ll have to face this eventually, so I should just get it over with.

And anyway, I won’t be too surprised to learn Miss Diaz has cast someone else as Belle.

I stand outside the auditorium, my hand slowly moving toward the door to push it open. No, I can’t do this. I can’t face them. Face him.

Oh my gosh, what happened at band practice on Saturday was terrible. Everything was all messed up. Eric didn’t play or sing well, and I’m wondering if maybe that’s because of me? Because I ran from him? Or is he so mad at me for ruining the musical that he doesn’t want to even look at me?

But he did look at me. A few times throughout practice. But I couldn’t face him. It’s just too horrifying and embarrassing.

I shake my head, telling myself I can’t be immature about this. If the role is still mine, then I need to do whatever I can to make this musical the best it can be. The entire cast and crew shouldn’t suffer because something’s wrong with me and I can’t kiss a guy without freaking out.

“Katie?” Miss Diaz says as she comes to stand next to me. “Is everything okay?”

I force a smile. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

She scrutinizes me like I’m under a microscope. “Are you sure?”

I shift from one foot to the other. She’s definitely thinking about the mess I made at our last rehearsal.

She places her hand on my shoulder. “Katie, these things happen all the time and there’s nothing to be embarrassed about.

I should have been more attuned to your feelings and shouldn’t have started with that scene.

It’s a very emotional one. You performed exceptionally well, but perhaps you need some time to grow comfortable with the role. We’ll work on a lighter scene today.”

I nod, my face heating up.

She squeezes my arm. “Let’s go inside.”

I follow her into the auditorium, where most of the cast and crew are seated. I find Eric immediately, playing with his phone. He doesn’t look up when I take a seat behind him. I wish I could sit at the other end of the auditorium, but Miss Diaz doesn’t want us to scatter.

“Hey,” Gabby says as I lower myself next to her. “I was worried you wouldn’t show.”

I smile awkwardly, my gaze creeping to Eric. He still doesn’t look at me. I don’t know what I would do if he did, how I would react.

But the fact that he doesn’t look…does that mean he hates me? How will we get through rehearsal?

“Is something wrong?” Gabby asks.

“No, I’m fine,” I tell her.

Eric still doesn’t glance my way, and it pokes my heart a little. I totally wrecked everything. First rehearsal, then band practice.

Miss Diaz steps onto the stage, waving her arms for attention. “Today we’re starting with the library scene.” She calls for Eric and me to get on stage.

His arm brushes against mine as he climbs the steps. His head turns slightly toward me, his shoulders tensing up. Then we stand on opposite ends of the stage.

“Are we ready to start?” Miss Diaz asks.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I slowly make my way over to him.

He rubs the back of his neck, his eyes slowly finding their way to mine. I can’t read them. It’s like he completely closed himself off.

My insides twist around one another.

“Eric, step closer to Katie. And Katie, why do you look like you saw a ghost?” Miss Diaz nods to me, encouraging me that I can do this.

I’m not so sure. This is so messed up.

“Eric, cover Katie’s eyes. Come on, kids you should know this inside out by now.”

Eric nods unsurely, sliding toward me. It’s like he’s moving in slow-mo, taking hours to get to me, when it really only takes seconds.

He looks into my eyes before clearing his throat and slowly bringing his hands to my head. They get caught in my hair, tugging on the strands, before he clears his throat again and finds my eyes.

Miss Diaz claps. “This awkwardness! I love it. Play off this, guys. It’s wonderful.”

Does she have any idea how mortified I feel right now?

Eric’s breathing is heavy as he stands behind me. His hands are warm, but I just want him to take them off me. And I can feel how much he doesn’t want to touch me right now. It’s like he’s so disappointed in me for what happened. I need to get out of here.

“Okay, kids,” Miss Diaz says. “Let’s start.”

Eric says his lines, but he’s as stiff as a robot. Our director has to tell him to try again three times before he gets it right.

We’re very awkward and weird, and Miss Diaz loves it, especially my parts. She says she’s never seen anyone portray Belle this way and is obsessed now.

When it’s time for me to read the book to him, I can hardly get the words out.

“Katie, look at Eric. This is a special moment between Beast and Belle.”

I can’t look at him. Can’t face him.

What’s wrong with me?

Eric’s doing well now, performing exceptionally, while I’m messing up so many times I can see the concern on Miss Diaz’s face. But she doesn’t give up on me, reassuring me that it’s okay to have off days.

But this isn’t just an off day. I’m too messed up in the head to give this role my all. Harper shouldn’t have quit.

“Everyone take five,” Miss Diaz says. “Katie, a word please.”

Eric’s eyes flash to mine as I follow the director to the side of the room, where we sit down on the seats. “What’s up?”

What am I supposed to tell her? That I can’t face my partner? “I guess it’s a bad day.”

She studies me for a few seconds. “I’ve directed you in many musicals, but I’ve never seen you like this.”

I press my lips together and stare down at the floor.

“Do you have a problem with your co-star?”

My head springs up. “N-no,” I croak. Then I clear my throat. “No, of course not. Eric’s great. One of the best actors I’ve worked with. He has that special something, you know? And he has such an amazing voice and—” I force my lips shut before I continue rambling like an idiot.

That seems to relax her a little, though her eyebrows are still pinched with concern. “Is there something going on outside the musical? Maybe something at home.”

“What?”

A sympathetic expression conquers her face as she rests her hand on my arm. “I know things haven’t been easy for you the last couple of months. I’m so sorry about your mom, Katie. I know how tough it is to lose a parent. I lost my dad when I was about your age.”

My cheeks flame. Miss Diaz is diving way too deep. I hardly talk about my mom with my best friend, how am I supposed to feel comfortable discussing her with my teacher?

“Everything is fine,” I say, maybe a little too harshly than I intend.

I soften my voice. “I’m just…a little stressed, I guess.

With school and the musical. It’s a little overwhelming.

Taking on the role of Belle so late in the game makes me feel really nervous.

But I’m okay. Definitely have no issues with any cast member or crew. ”

She keeps her gaze on me for a bit, like she’s trying to figure out if I’m just being a teenager and withholding the truth from a prying adult, or if I’m sincere.

In the end, she rubs my shoulder and stands, giving me a pleasant smile. “Okay. But I’d like you to know you can talk to me if you need to.”

“Thanks.”

I follow her back to the stage, ordering myself to get it together and put on a spectacular performance because I really don’t need her or anyone digging into my life. I know she means well, but some things are meant to be kept to myself.

Eric’s eyes slowly slide to mine, a curious expression on his face. All my resolve crumbles to my feet. Why does a single look from him cause me such anxiety? Will I ever get over The Incident?

“Okay, let’s carry on,” Miss Diaz announces.

Eric and I sit down at the small table the props department set up, where Beast and Belle read a book together. Our chairs are a bit too far from each other. I catch Eric glance at the space, then twist his lips like he’s trying to decide if he should move closer to me. But he remains where he is.

“Ready, Katie and Eric.”

I close my eyes and empty my mind, shoving all those negative thoughts and feelings away. When I open them, I’m no longer Katie Lane but Belle, and the guy sitting next to me is not Eric Palmer but Beast. With this attitude, I put on one heck of a performance.

Miss Diaz’s applause is so loud it echoes off the walls. “Brava, Eric and Katie. Amazing.”

A proud smile teases Eric’s lips, and he looks at me like he wants to share the joy. But the smile quickly vanishes from his face and he turns his head away.

Luckily, the scene is over and Miss Diaz calls for Eric to sing “If I Can’t Love Her.” I scurry off the stage and plunk down in my seat, scolding myself for being weird again.

Eric sings the song flawlessly. Beautifully. The whole audience is completely entrapped by him. My gaze is planted on him, reveling in his stunning voice. Until his eyes shift over to me. I don’t think he meant to look at me, because he quickly pries them away.

It takes all I have not to bash my head against the back of the seat in front of me.