Chapter 3

              The next morning at school, London was waiting in line to buy a bagel when an acquaintance from biology passed her. He spewed out a “congratulations” along with some of his breakfast burrito. London gave him an unsure smile in response. She decided to ignore the odd comment because he was high most of the time and said random things a lot.

                It wasn’t until Abigail literally skipped towards her with two cappuccinos in hand that London began to worry. Abigail looked adorable with her shoulder length, light red hair covered in snowflakes and her purple scarf tied around her neck.

                London gratefully accepted the cappuccino held out to her. “For me?”

                “Just a little treat for my incredible actress friend.” Abigail joyfully took a sip from her own drink and began removing her gloves.

                “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” London began chewing her tongue in anxiety.

                “They put up the cast list this morning. I checked it after A.P. English and then ran to get you a little congratulations gift.” She held up her own cappuccino and squeaked, “Cheers!”

                “Why did I need a congratulations gift? I didn’t make the play.”

                Abigail raised her eyebrows. “You, Miss Crab, are misinformed.” Abigail smiled even bigger. “Not only did you make the very selective cast...” At this she raised her eyebrows and made her voice all nasally like David’s. “...but you, my dear Miss Downing, got the lead.”

                London smiled. “Liar.”

                “Cross my heart and hope to die – I am not telling a lie.”

                The smile was gone and London looked at Abigail with uncertainty. “Are you sure it was my name?”

                Abigail rolled her eyes, “Yes, I’m sure. How many Londons are there in the world?”

                London took a sip of her cappuccino. “Mm, I love peppermint caramel. You always know what I am in the mood for.”

                “London!” Abigail gave her a little kick. “Aren’t you excited?”

                “No. It isn’t like I am going to take the part.”

                “You’ve got to be kidding me! Of course you are! You can’t drop out now!”

                “Yes, I can. And I will. I never wanted to be in that stupid play anyways.”

                “I won’t write your Mark Twain paper for you, then.”

                “I’d rather write a book report than be Abigail Williams, 1600s deranged ho-bag, in a crappy high school production.”

                Abigail looked really mad now. “London, if you don’t take this part I will never speak to you again.”

                “Well, I guess this is the end of an eleven year friendship then, because I’m not doing it.” London was almost yelling at Abigail now. It was extremely unfair for Abigail to expect her to take the part when it wasn’t her idea to audition in the first place.

                Abigail was obviously hurt. She shot out a short, “Fine,” before marching away, holding her bag in one hand and her cappuccino in the other. She was still adorable, even when she was ready to throw something.

                London got out of line and headed for A.P. History. She didn’t feel like breakfast anymore. She would have skipped school altogether if it hadn’t been for her class presentation in health that afternoon. She hated fighting with Abigail. They never fought, and it was ridiculous to have an argument over a dumb play. London could feel the tears forming in her eyes as she went to her locker and threw in her bag. She slammed her locker closed and then jumped at the loud noise it made.

                “London!”

                She turned to see Hyrum walking towards her with a girl who was anorexic skinny and had faded brown hair. She recognized the girl from auditions last night; she had seemed somewhat stuck-up. Hyrum waved goodbye to Miss Pole and gave London a full-size smile. “Congratulations on getting the lead.” He always appeared so confident and comfortable – it made London uneasy.

                “Thanks.” She didn’t feel like chatting with him and tried to make it obvious.

                Hyrum waited a few seconds before picking up the conversation again. “So, I guess you and I will be leads together.”

                “Sorry?”

                “I mean in the play. I got the other lead. I’m John Proctor.”

                London nodded her head and said, “Oh. Congratulations,” in a rather depressed voice.

                Hyrum again waited for London to say something, but she just stood there looking at him. Finally, he folded his arms in front of his chest and asked, “You’re not very chatty, are you?”

                London laughed. “No, not usually, and I’ve had a rough morning – with the play and all.”

                “You didn’t want the lead?”

                London shrugged her shoulders. “To be honest, I didn’t really want to be in the play at all. I only auditioned for my friend, but now she wants me to take the part.”

                “Which you aren’t going to do.” Hyrum seemed disappointed as he said this.

                “I don’t think so.”

                They both stood in silence for a few moments; awkwardness was beginning to be a pattern with them. London didn’t want to seem like a total jerk so she forced herself to speak up. “It’s not that I don’t like plays. I love plays. I’m just not an actress and it will only be a humiliating experience for me to pretend like I am.”

                Hyrum nervously scratched behind his right ear. “I don’t know, I thought you were really good last night. Everyone did.”

                “Thanks.” London rolled her eyes.

                “No, I’m serious.” Hyrum raised his eyebrows. “You did really good. All of your responses were right on. I mean, you actually looked desperate.”

                “I was desperate! You were really scary.”

                Hyrum looked taken aback for a few seconds. “Well, I guess I did better than I thought then.”

                “Yeah, you did, you made me feel like a shameless hussy up there.”

                This time Hyrum laughed. His laugh was very sudden and loud. London could see other people looking in their direction. He stopped just as suddenly as he began. “So you really aren’t going to be in the play then?”

                “No, I’m not.” London began playing with her fingernails. They were short and uneven because she could never stop biting them. She felt extremely spoiled and snobby.

                “That’s a bummer. I was looking forward to acting with someone who wasn’t all emo and depressed.” Hyrum smiled big and began scratching behind his ear again. “Most drama kids are too dramatic.”

                “I know.” London couldn’t help but return the smile. “Everyone knows.”

                They both laughed again. Hyrum held out his hand. “I guess I’ll just have to run into you somewhere else then.”

                London slowly took his hand and felt all warm and tingly again, like she had yesterday when they were acting together. It was silly that they were shaking hands in the middle of the locker bay, but London couldn’t pretend she didn’t like it. “I guess so.”

                Hyrum could see that he was making London uncomfortable. “I better get to class. I don’t want to be late.”

                “Right. Me too.” She quickly dropped Hyrum’s hand and slung her bag over her shoulder. He seemed somewhat unusual, but he was probably the nicest person she had met during all her years in the public education system. Most people were sarcastic or assuming – like her. He just seemed downright good natured. It was refreshing to be around someone like that.

                London walked to A.P. History a lot happier than she had walked to her locker. She would make up with Abigail during gym; it wasn’t hard to make her happy. Besides, being in the play didn’t seem so bad after all.