Page 52 of Pride High 2: Orange

“No way!” Whitney had shouted from the stage. “I amnotkissing a dog!”

Cameron wondered if she felt differently now. A junior was on the stage, wearing a full suit and tie like he was here for a job interview. And for whatever reason, as they ran the lines, he kept doing a weird voice.

“Why does he sound like Jack Nicholson?” Cameron whispered.

“I was thinking Christian Slater,” Keisha murmured from next to him.

“You want to see the master of this cursed place?” the guy drawled. “Fine.” He sauntered into the center of stage like a cowboy entering a saloon.

“Oh no,” Whitney deadpanned, before turning with a sigh and walking away from him.

“Thank you,” Ms. Deville said from the end of the row. “We’ll let you know.” She leaned forward and raised an eyebrow to get their opinion. This was met by non-committal murmurs.

“Next up,” Keisha said while checking a clipboard, “Ricky and Diego. Are you both auditioning?”

Cameron’s eyes moved to the stage. He was happy to see Ricky, but the other guy… He flashed back to his old grocery stocking job and the time that he threw a bag of bagels at Diego, who had chased him around the store like an enraged bull, knocking things over and getting them both in trouble. Cameron had always figured that Diego was simply a jerk, until recently when Anthony explained there was more to the story.

“I’m not auditioning,” Ricky answered. “Just him.”

Diego glowered at them before turning and attempting to walk off stage. Ricky grabbed his arm to stop him, being dragged along before his feet found purchase. “You at least have to try,” he hissed, perhaps not realizing how the stage amplified voices, “or it doesn’t count as an audition. So if your mom calls…”

Diego stopped, looked skyward, and then turned around. “Fine,” he grumbled. “Let’s get this over with.”

“Very well,” Ms. Deville said. “The setting is a dark forest at night. Belle is lost and seeking shelter.”

Whitney swept into the center of stage, wearing her full costume. Which wasn’t necessary, but she had insisted it helped her get into character. “A castle?” she said, stretching her neck out as if peering into the darkness. “Way out here? Strange. Maybe they can take me in for the night.” She took a step forward.

“We hear a twig crack,” Ms. Deville said.

Whitney stopped. “What was that? Who’s there?”

“Fuck off!” Diego boomed.

Cameron grimaced as people around him tittered. He glanced down the row to Ms. Deville, who raised a hand to silence them, her attention still on the stage.

“Excuse me?” Whitney demanded. “You can’t talk to me like that. I’m lost and it’s freaking dark out! What’s with the attitude?”

“Umm,” Ricky said from behind Diego as he squinted at the script. “It’s mine and umm…”

“It’s my castle and I can do whatever the hell I want!” Diego shouted.

“Oh right,” Whitney said, rolling her eyes. “You’re some sort of king or prince who wanders around the woods in the middle of the night.Thatmakes sense.”

“You wanna find out who you’re messing with?” Diego growled. “You really wanna see?”

Whitney crossed her arms over her chest. “I do, actually!”

“Fine!” Diego bristled and seemed to get even taller. “Take a good look!”

He launched toward her, hunched and low like a quarterback intent on tackling someone. Whitney stared in confusion for a second before she shrieked and ran off stage. She didn’t seem to be acting anymore. Diego slowed, coming to a stop in the center of the stage. He shielded his eyes against the light. Cameron slunk down in his seat, not wanting to be seen. Technically, they weren’t supposed to be around each other. Although he wasn’t sure how long the judge had intended that to last.

“Am I done?” Diego demanded.

“For the time being,” Ms. Deville said, not sounding at all troubled by his performance. “We have your contact information?”

“I’ll make sure you get it!” Ricky piped up. “I’m his agent, by the way. Do you need a headshot or anything?”

“No,” Ms. Deville said. “We’ll be in touch.” Once the stage had cleared, she leaned forward to get their reactions.