Page 13

Chapter Thirteen

I never should have brought my script to brunch. There I was, trying to be a responsible student for the first time in a while, when I saw it. Right there on the page. A scene Mr. Saltzman amended and needed me to read.

And then it was all I could think about until Beau and I got home.

I go straight to my room, mind in a whirl, and take out my phone to text Zayne.

Me

I looked through the amended scene

And…

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

Zayne

What???

Me

We have to kiss now???

Zayne

Is that a problem?

I scoff. “What do you mean, ‘Is that a problem?’”

Me

Yes!

Zayne

Why? Nervous?

Me

Definitely not

Zayne

We’re playing the lead roles, Dot. It’s only expected that we kiss a time or two

Me

Says who?

Zayne

Every storyteller since the beginning of time.

Me

Not true. Pretty sure Catherine and Heathcliff don’t even kiss in the novel.

Zayne

I thought you only read the summary.

Me

Exactly. There would have been a kiss mentioned in there somewhere.

Zayne

Not in a summary

Me

It was a really good summary. Extensive. Detailed.

Zayne

I’m sure

I pace back and forth in my room, eyes glued to our conversation. I must have drank too much coffee at brunch because my stomach feels jittery, obnoxiously restless.

Me

The point is that this scene won’t work for me

Zayne

If you’re worried about your first kiss being on stage, just say so.

My mouth falls open.

Me

Please. I’ve been kissed plenty of times.

Zayne

Then I’m failing to see the issue here

Me

The issue is that I’ll be kissing you

Zayne

And that’s an issue because…?

Me

Because.

Because it will make Carlton mad

Zayne

It’s a play, Dot. We’re acting. I think he’ll understand.

I force myself to study on Sunday. With my open textbooks sprawled out on my bed, I try to decide which subject will be the least boring to start with. I need to at least try if I’m going to get accepted into one of the schools I claim I so badly want to attend.

I glance at my script, peeking out from my Econ textbook. Practicing for the play sounds like so much more fun than this.

But no. I need to focus. I bite my lip.

Or…I could text Zayne. It’s not fair that he got the last word on Friday, after all.

Me

Whatcha doing?

It only takes him a few minutes to respond, not that I’m counting or anything.

Zayne

Just got home from church. You?

Me

Hey! Same!

Zayne

Can I help you with something, Dot?

Me

Upon further reflection, I think I’m okay with the scene

Zayne

What a relief.

I can practically hear the sarcasm in his message, but he needs to understand how not hung up I am on kissing him.

Me

Because it will mean nothing.

Zayne

That’s very reassuring.

Me

Like you said, we’re only acting

It’s the performance of the role in the play

Zayne

That is, by definition, what acting is.

Me

Shut up

I’m just trying to clear the air

Zayne

I’m not sure what kind of foggy air you’re breathing, but mine is clear as crystal

I throw my phone down on my bed. He’s so annoying. But instead of ignoring him and returning to my studies, I pick it right back up and send him another message.

Me

I mean, would it kill me to get to know you a little better? You practically know everything there is to know about me

Zayne

I doubt that’s true.

Me

I think you know more about me than I know about you.

Zayne

Is there something specific you’re trying to figure out?

I ponder for a moment before deciding.

Me

What’s your biggest phobia?

Might come in handy to use against him, if necessary.

Zayne

Snakes. What’s your favorite book?

Me

Probably those magazines they have at the doctor’s office

Zayne

No. You did not just say that

Me

What’s wrong with that?

But instead of just responding to my question like a normal person, he calls me. I stare at my phone, nerves skyrocketing. I’ve never talked to him on the phone before.

You’re being ridiculous, Dot. It’s no big deal, just answer.

I lift the phone to my ear. “Hello?”

“That statement was basically an invitation for me to convert you.” He sighs dramatically. “I’m going to let you borrow some books.”

I try to hide my smile and sound annoyed. “I’m supposed to go to Yale. Or maybe Harvard. I don’t have time to read for fun.”

“You need to be well-read to get into those schools. Maybe you should start with the classics.”

“I’ve read the classics!” But it’s a lie. I can’t remember the last classic novel I read. One of the nice things about homeschooling was being allowed to mostly study my areas of interest instead of having to study everything within each subject.

“You haven’t even read Wuthering Heights ,” says Zayne. The disapproval in his tone makes me grin.

“That’s literally one classic I haven’t read. So what?”

“Okay. Name your favorite classic novel then.”

I remain silent for too long, my brain scrambling for a title. Any title.

“Hello?” There’s a smugness in his voice that irritates me.

“Charlotte’s Web,” I say with feigned confidence.

Silence.

When he speaks, it sounds like he’s trying really hard not to laugh. “When did you last read Charlotte’s Web?”

I sigh. “I don’t know. Maybe fifth grade?”

“Like I said before…I’ll be loaning you some books.”

I pick at the yarn on one of my wall tapestries. “I won’t enjoy it.”

“Oh yeah? What’s your favorite movie?”

“Clueless.” Finally, an easy question. I’ve probably watched it at least twenty tines, and it never gets old.

“Perfect. I know which classic novel to let you borrow first.”

My brows furrow. “Which one?”

“ Don’t worry about it.”

I bite my lip to keep from smiling at the image of Zayne trying to find a book for me to read off that massive shelf of his. He’ll probably get distracted in the process and end up lost in a book. I have to admit, I wish I could be like that. I’ve always envied people who can completely block out what’s happening around them and obsess over characters made of ink and paper. “Fine, you nerd.”

“A compliment from Dot Bennett? I think I just went into shock.”