Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
A N N A DAV I E S
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ISBN 978-0-545-51196-4
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Copyright 2014 by Anna Davies
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40
CHAPTER 1
Briana Beland @alleyesonbree
At machale and ready for some drama.
#hamletauditionstomorrow!
saying every single thing that popped into his head. While I
loved my mom, living with her was exhausting.
Had been exhausting.
Fine. Mom heaved an exaggerated sigh. I guess its a crime
to care about my only daughters interests. Im sorry.
Give her a break, Dad said, as though I werent two feet
behind him. He rested his hand on Moms knee. And remember, we are talking about her interests.
Mom huffed derisively. I felt a tug of affection toward Dad,
at the same time wishing for the hundredth time that Id just
taken a train up to MacHale from Connecticut. While deep
down, I appreciated my mothers almost obsessive interest with
my high school theater career, it didnt negate the fact her presence made me feel nervous and jumpy.
You know, if I were auditioning for a Shakespeare play, I
would choose something from A Winters Tale. Its one of those
ones directors dont hear very often, so theyll automatically pay
more attention than if you were doing another ridiculous
Romeo and Juliet monologue. That type of decision shows you
arent afraid to make your own choices. Back at the theater, Ill
always let someone read to the end if its a piece I havent heard
recently.
I know, I thought of that, I said. In addition to her job as
a pharmaceutical sales rep, Mom was also a volunteer at the
local community theater, directing the two plays the theater
put on each year. Invariably, theyd star Dr. Winters, my former
orthodontist, who was also a talented tap dancer, and some rising high school theater star whod then go on to major in drama
at UConn. The theater itself was the multipurpose room of the
3
local rec center, and opening-night parties for the cast were
held in our basement. Not like you would know from hearing
my mother talk about it. She treated her small community theater as if it were just a step below Broadway.
Also, Im surprised that Dr. Spidell chose Hamlet for Winterm.
Its so long. I mean, of course its a classic, but I dont know
why you cant do something like Guys and Dolls or Carousel.
Something fun. Part of me would love to go to his office and
tell him that, but I know you wouldnt let me, would you? She
asked hopefully, as if she didnt know the answer to the question. Which was No, absolutely not and Are you kidding me?
Luckily, before I had to think up some sort of Thanks but no
thanks response, I spotted the small white hand-painted sign
marking the turnoff to MacHale. Or, if you read the sign:
m ch. The harsh Maine winters had caused the other letters to
peel away, making it virtually impossible to find the path unless
you were looking for it.
Dad, turn! I said.
Instantly, Dad took a sharp turn that caused me to slide
against the door.
Greg, be careful! Mom admonished, carefully patting her
shoulder-length blonde hair into place.
Oops, sorry about that, Dad said sheepishly as he slowed
the car to a five-mile-an-hour crawl.
The gas lamps lighting the entrance were unlit, and the security guard wasnt standing at his usual post inside the circular
guardhouse that flanked the iron-gated entrance to the school.
Is it always this dark around here? You dont walk around
alone, do you? Dad asked nervously as he continued up the
steep hill toward the castle-like complex of dorms in the center
4
of campus. Above us, the trees creaked from the inches of snow
that had accumulated on their spindly branches.
Greg, shes fine! Mom said. This is MacHale. Its safe.
I wonder if that girls parents said the same thing, Dad
muttered. What was her name again?
Sarah Charonne. And Id prefer we didnt talk about her,
my mom said tightly.
Mom and Sarah had crossed paths, briefly. Mom had been a
senior when Sarah, a freshman, had disappeared from campus
during finals week. For a long time, everyone assumed shed
run away. After all, shed been on the verge of failing most of
her classes, and rumors had swirled that she was dating a townie
her parents hated. Id never even heard of her until this past
August. That was when, five days before fall semester started,
her remains had been found in the woods near the Runnymede
River dam. The police had allegedly questioned a few of the
people shed associated with, including a mechanic in town
whod gone on a few dates with her, but none of the questions
had led to any suspects.
But even though there werent any real leads didnt mean
people werent suspicious. The discovery had stirred up the
already uneasy relationship between the town of Forsyth and
the school. MacHale kids were always snobby about the
working-class town that housed the school, but the discovery
of Sarahs body had made things even more icy.
Sarah Charonne. My mother sighed. She shouldnt have
even been a student at MacHale. All that girl did was hang out
with townies. She didnt make herself a part of the community.
Everyone at MacHale looks out for each other. She didnt have
anyone, poor girl.
5
hadnt gotten used to the cold here, at least a full ten degrees
lower than back home.
Finally, he pulled out a check. Squinting, he propped it
against the dashboard, writing his name in loopy black script
and leaving the amount blank.
In case you need to
Buy some snacks! Mom offered chirpily. If Al is still at
Deli-C, ask for the Marisa Melt. Its delicious. They invented it
for me.
Great. I didnt have any friends and my mom had a sandwich named after her.
Use the cash I gave you earlier if you need to take a taxi or
something, my dad finished. Im serious. I know this is a safe
school and I know Im playing the overprotective dad here, but
I dont want you to make any dumb mistakes. Dont go walking
alone into town.
I folded the check and shoved it in my pocket.
I wont. As Dad hauled my heavy duffle out of the trunk, I
caught a glimpse of myself in the side mirror. My hair, normally
honey blonde, now lay dark and loose around my shoulders. Id
dyed it over break, hoping it would make me look more like
Ophelia, but all it did was make me look exhausted
Dad caught my eye. Im proud of you, Briana. You know
that, right?
Im proud of you, too, honey. Of course I am, Mom said,
as though she were trying to convince herself. I just want you
to get the part you want.
And have fun, Dad said as he pulled me into a bear hug.
Mom squeezed my shoulder as she slid back into the car.
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Shell have fun when she can really just relax. Shes still so
self-conscious, I heard Mom murmur as she slammed the
door. I slung my bag over my shoulder, then fished my key card
out of my pocket and waved it over the electronic lock pad. I
didnt look behind me as I headed inside the dorm.
The walnut archways and banisters had clearly been polished, and vacuum tracks were evident on the green carpets.
The pillows on the antique low-slung couches in the parlor had
been plumped. The lobby looked and sounded like an
exhibition at a museum. Normally, there was an undercurrent of pop music and cell-phone rings wafting through the
walls, forming a teen-girl soundtrack. Today, everything was
silent.
I crossed my fingers, hoping that I was the first person back.
After the car ride and long journey down Moms memory lane,
I was looking forward to being by myself, pulling out my incase-of-emergency bag of Hersheys Kisses from my desk drawer
and crawling under the covers to go over my monologue a few
more times.
Unfortunately, as soon as I turned the corner toward the
junior corridor, I heard the sound of high-pitched laughter
coming from my room. Great.
I pushed the door open, knowing it wouldnt be locked.
Hey, I said tentatively, noting that while Willow was
lounging solo on her bed, my bed had three occupants: Tristan
Schuler was sitting on my pillow, while Chad Connor and Tad
Richman were both slouched against the wall.
Yo. A voice from the corner made me whirl around. Eric
Riley, sitting cross-legged on the rug, smiled up at me. Heat
13
Its good. Skye and I are still friends, I guess. Were just taking a break.
Have you ever heard of a break actually working? Tristan
used his fingers to make exaggerated air quotes around the
word break. Dont insult my intelligence. You and Skye are
donzo. What do you think? Will you comfort our tragic hero?
Tristan swiveled toward me.
I blushed, unsure of what to say. Tristan spoke like a smart
and funny Twitter feed, as though every single thought he had
was distilled and delivered in 140 characters of snark.
Dont scare my roommate away. Tristans just being an idiot.
Sit wherever you want, Willow said, coming to my rescue.
I shot her a grateful glance as I picked my way toward Eric.
Just as I settled onto the floor, twisting my left knee under my
right thigh to make sure my legs didnt accidentally brush Erics,
my phone buzzed.
I pulled it from my back pocket. My knee slammed against
Erics. I jerked back, as though I were hit with an electric shock.
Tristan Schuler
The real #machaledrama? Realizing I stole
@alleyesonbrees bed. #sorrynotsorry
Tristan Schuler
Somehow I think @alleyesonbree is OK with the
seating arrangement. ;)
Chad and Tad nodded solemnly. Not like they had to worry.
More girls than guys always auditioned, and Hamlet was full of
guy parts. Theyd be fine.
Whyd you have to bring that up? I was trying to forget
about it, Bree, Eric groaned.
Sorry!
No, I needed someone to give me a reality check. I should
really go rehearse. Eric rose to his feet. It was weird to see him
in my bedroom, the way he was standing next to my haphazard
pile of shoes, how the photos Id placed at eye level were at his
chest. Larger than life. Or at least, larger than my life.
Do you want to do it together? I regretted the words as
soon as they left my mouth. You dont have to! I added
hastily.
He nodded slowly. Thatd be great. Thanks.
The way he said it made it sound like I was the one doing
him a favor. I blushed.
Just dont let him read the Juliet parts. Hell want to. Trust
me, Chad joked, causing Tad to snort.
Its Hamlet, idiot, Eric said good-naturedly. And I only
play Juliet when Im with you.
Well, you guys should go now. Tristan peered out the window. Robinettes office light is still on.
All right. Lets make our getaway. Eric picked up his coat
from the floor and pulled it over his shoulders.
Were going outside? I asked in surprise. Id assumed wed
just head down to the parlor, the one spot in the dorms where
co-ed fraternizing was allowed to occur.
Yeah. Lets go to the theater. Thats where were going to
audition, right? Might as well start at the scene of the crime.
21