Page 31

Chapter Thirty-One

The applause echoing around the theater, around us , is surreal. It’s like all the work we’ve put into the play, memorizing our lines, dealing with drama and Little Birdie, is worth it right now. All the hard work and effort…paid off. Seeing the audience cheer for us is empowering in a way I never expected.

It’s going to be hard to beat this.

Zayne takes my hand, and together, we bow for the audience, earning us a new, louder round of cheers. A few whistles echo around us, too. It’s all I see, all I hear, and then we’re backstage again, hugging and congratulating one another on the performance. I avoid hugging Zayne even though I don’t have a reason to anymore. Now that I know Carlton is the one who claimed he said all those things, I’m not mad at Zayne. I know Carlton, and I know he lied. But still, Zayne did kind of admit to the Cassidy situation being true, so I don’t know what to think.

A collective hush falls across the room as Mr. Saltzman enters with a man in a navy blue suit with similar square-framed glasses. He has dark, spiky hair, with a single, purposeful white stripe in the front.

Nigel Weathers.

A few girls in the corner of the room squeal as he walks further into the room, and I hear someone say, “I can’t believe it’s him.”

Mr. Saltzman avoids my gaze. I don’t blame him. I tore down his entire safety net, should things go downhill for the drama club ever again. He lingers near the exit, but Nigel continues forward.

“You did amazing,” comes a whispered voice from behind me.

I turn around. It’s Zayne. He’s still in his elegant suit costume, and the look in his eyes is equally proud and resigned.

I swallow. “Thanks. You did, too.”

He smiles, and then his eyes widen imperceptibly as he gazes at someone behind me. I turn back around to find Nigel standing in front of us. His smile is wide as he appraises the two of us, teeth blindingly white; almost offensively so. I can’t help but stare.

“Zayne Silverman,” he says. “I’m Nigel Weathers, a representative from Underwood Academy.” As if Zayne, along with everyone else in this room, doesn’t already know. As if Zayne hasn’t lived and breathed this moment his entire life. Dreamed of it from the moment he knew he loved acting. Nigel reaches out and shakes Zayne’s hand. “I was enchanted by your performance tonight,” he continues. “I’d love to offer you a spot at Underwood next year.”

The floor seems to drop out from underneath me.

Zayne did it. He did it. He won.

A swell of pride for him blossoms in my chest, breaking through my defenses. It’s strong enough to bring tears to my eyes. I’m going to miss him so much when he transfers.

“Wait,” Zayne says, holding out his hand. “I don’t want to go unless Dot is getting in, too.” He places his hand on my shoulder, his eyes pleading with Nigel. “I get that’s not really how this works, but if the other spot isn’t for her….”

“Zayne.” I gape at him like a fish. What is he doing? Our gazes meet. His eyes, so fierce on mine like they have a voice of their own, saying I won’t leave without you.

“I see.” Nigel frowns, glancing back and forth between the two of us. “Well, lucky for you, we do have two spots available, and the second spot is for her.” He checks his clipboard. “Slot number two is Bardot Bennett. We’ll be sending you both your official acceptance letters at the beginning of January, so be sure to keep an eye out for them. That is, if it’s what you want, Dot.”

“Yes, please.” I try to sound normal, but my nerves are currently somersaulting. I bounce up and down and clap my hands together. A high-pitched squeal escapes me. “Thank you so much!”

Nigel shakes both of our hands and we stare as he turns and walks away. A moment of stunned, absolute silence passes before we’re hugging, Zayne lifting me into the air and spinning me. I see Carlton watching us with wide eyes before he storms out of the room, but I don’t let it get to me.

“We’re going to Underwood!” My voice comes out in a blur of laughter. The rest of the cast is clapping for us, cheering for us.

I’m going to Underwood Academy.

With Zayne.

When he stops spinning me, I frown at him. “You were going to give up your spot if I didn’t get in?”

“Of course I was.” He takes a deep breath, like he’s preparing himself. “Underwood may be my dream, but it would never be the same without you.” He touches my face. Swallows, making his Adam’s apple bob. “I’m sorry for everything,” he whispers, pulling me to the corner of the green room, away from prying eyes and ears. “All of it. I never thought you’d be the one getting hurt.”

“It doesn’t matter. Carlton’s a liar.”

Zayne stares at the ground. “Yeah, he is. But he was right about Cassidy. That really happened.”

My heart races at his admission, and I can’t help but feel a little scared he’s going to tell me more of it was true.

“We dated to improve the way our characters interacted onstage. But that was the only time I’ve ever done that, and it was Cassidy’s idea to begin with. You and I, Dot… you’re real.” He swallows hard, motioning at the air between us. “We’re real. I’ve never loved anyone like I love you.”

I nod, taking his hand. I hold it against my chest. My pulse thuds like crazy. “I know. I—I feel the same way about you.”

His eyes shine. “Can I please kiss you?”

I try to speak, but there’s emotion clogging my throat. Instead, I grab the front of his shirt and pull him to me, kissing him with a ferocity that leaves us both breathless. I don’t care if anyone sees us. All I care about is Zayne’s lips on mine, and the knowledge that we’re taking our next steps together. There’s not a thing that anyone else can do to stop us, especially Little Birdie.

I sit on my rooftop when I get home. It feels like a full-circle moment, sitting here, watching the stars, because technically this is where it all started. This is where I met Carlton.

I think about Mom, how when summer began, I was such a mess, unable to see the good in her absence. All I wanted was for her to come back, and I let Carlton fill that void.

Now, I feel so incredibly full, thanks to the closure I got from seeing her again and from forgiving her.

“Mind if I sit with you?”

I jump, startled at the unexpected voice. I squint in the darkness to see Carlton climbing up the ladder propped up against the side of my house. Thankfully, having it there isn’t as awkward now that Christmas is coming and people are starting to string lights up on their houses around the neighborhood.

My nerves skyrocket at seeing him. Is he going to yell at me? Tell me I don’t deserve to go to Underwood? Or maybe he’s just here to plant more seeds of doubt in my mind. “What are you doing here? You came up way too quietly for my liking,” I say.

“Sorry.” He smiles tightly and sits down, letting his legs dangle off the edge of the roof. He stares up at the stars, his mouth pressed together.

“You okay?” I nudge him with my shoulder. I know I should be mad at him for spreading those lies about Zayne, for breaking us up, but I can’t find it in me. In fact, I feel on top of the world and…kind of sorry for him.

“My parents officially split,” he mumbles.

“Oh, Carlton.” I shake my head. “I’m so sorry.”

He turns to face me. “I owe you an apology, Dot. For?—“

“I know. It’s okay.” I shrug. “I get it, I guess.”

“I also wanted to thank you.” He frowns at the shingled roof we’re sitting on. “All this time I’ve been so focused on getting into Underwood, I never took the time to figure out if it was what I really wanted. I knew my parents wanted it, but me?” He blinks too quickly. “I couldn’t help but feel relieved when I didn’t get the spot. It’s weird, but it felt like this immense pressure lifted off me.”

I purse my lips. “I get it.”

He meets my gaze. “I’m happy for you and Zayne,” he tells me. His next words are laced with a subtle note of mirth. “But I still hate him.”

I roll my eyes, biting back a smile. “Then you should get going, because he’ll be here any minute to pick me up.”

His brows narrow. “Sneaking out? This late?”

“He wants to celebrate.”

Carlton sighs. I can’t help but wonder if he regrets how things ended between us, but at the same time, I’m grateful for it. If he hadn’t treated me so badly while we were together, I would have missed out on so much later on. Getting to know Zayne. Getting to know myself.

“Goodnight, Carlton.”

“Night, Dot.”

I get up, leaving him on my roof, and climb down the ladder.

And then Zayne pulls up on the street. Perfect timing. I grin and run to the car. When I get in, Carlton is climbing down the ladder.

Zayne tilts his head sideways. “Is that…?”

“Carlton? Yeah.” I nod. “He wanted to apologize and say thank you.”

“Oh.” He frowns and rolls down his window to holler at Carlton. “I still hate you, Peters!”

Carlton freezes and peers at Zayne from across the street. “You too, Silverman,” he calls back. I note with amusement that it somehow sounds like a compliment.

As we drive off, I get a text from Rue.

Rue

Talking to Meredith and Carlton tonight. Wish me luck.

With a smile, I respond to her message.

Me

Good luck. You got this.

I tuck my phone away and watch the starry night unfold above us as Zayne drives. The future feels uncertain, but there’s something steady about the way we’re moving forward. Underwood Academy will bring its challenges—there’s no doubt about that—but we’ll take them one at a time, stage by stage.

Zayne’s fingers intertwine with mine, his lips brushing my knuckles in a silent promise. I don’t need to ask him where we go from here. We’ve mastered the script, and this is just the beginning of our story—onstage and off.