“You can have my part. Take it along with everything else in my life. See if that makes you happy”
It’s three days until production and the school is buzzing. Costumes, props, and girls fly through the hallways, music blares from practice rooms, and class is practically nonexistent.
We have a full morning off for practice, and I should be at the play run-through, but I need a break.
I wander around, noise and fun and laughter bouncing over and around me. I feel detached, like I’m not part of all this. Why not? I’m in play, I’m in choir, I’m in 12th grade and should be on top of the world. Like Baylee, who’s sitting in the auditorium, watching every scene and reveling in the privilege of being in play, finally.
I turn the corner and suddenly realize I’m not alone: Chani Schwartz is sitting on a windowsill, hunched over her knees, looking morose.
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