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It’s a short bus ride from Birchwood back to Cedar Shade, the town where Brumehill College is located. Since we just threw a rager last weekend, we don’t have anything crazy planned to celebrate this win when we get back.
Still, I’d like to do something low-key with some of the guys when we get back. I’m just buzzing with too much energy that’s begging to get burned off.
“Hey, bestie,” I say to Hudson, wrapping my arm around his shoulders while we’re walking to the bus. Grumpy, closed-off Hudson used to always make sure to tell me we’re not besties whenever I called him that, but lately he hasn’t been protesting. “Up for grabbing a drink when we get back home?”
“Sorry,” he says. “I’m meeting up with Summer.”
If five months ago you told me this grumpy bastard would get a lovey-dovey, faraway look in his eyes whenever he talks about his girlfriend, I wouldn’t have believed you. But my eyes aren’t lying; that’s exactly what’s going on right now.
“How about you two?” I ask Rhys and Lane. “Round of drinks at Loser’s?” I’m referring to Loser’s Luck Tavern, our regular bar back in Cedar Shade.
“Sorry, I’m hanging out with Stephanie when we get back,” Rhys says, talking about a girl on the cheerleading team I’ve seen him with a couple times.
“I actually have a first date with a girl from my Physics study session,” Lane says.
“Can’t wait for the wedding invitations,” I joke, slapping Lane on the back. I put on a smile, but inside feel a twinge of disappointment.
It’d be nice to have a girl waiting for me back home. Even if it’s just a date or a casual hookup.
But I’m in a total and utter rut, all because I only have eyes for the one single girl in Cedar Shade who doesn’t want anything to do with me.
I see Sebastian step up onto the bus ahead of me, and I hurry past a couple other guys to hop on before someone else snags the seat next to him. I usually sit with Hudson on bus rides, but I’m sure my bestie won’t mind my absence this time.
Maybe if I make an effort to show interest in the things Olivia’s interested in—even the things that are, objectively, boring as shit—it’ll show her that I’m not just some fuckboy.
“So, Sebastian,” I say, sliding into the seat next to him. “Give me some boring artsy movie recommendations.”
4
OLIVIA
Iroll to a stop at a red light on my way back from an audition with the Champlain Theatre Company in Burlington.
Vermont’s capital is about a half-hour’s drive from Cedar Shade, and the Champlain Theatre Company is a thriving organization that stages the best plays in the region.
Sure, it’s not Broadway or Off-Broadway by a long shot, but it’s a great company to gain experience with, and drama majors from both Brumehill and the University of Vermont always turn out for auditions.
This time, I’m going for a starring role in a classic: Lady Macbeth.
Generally, I’m more interested in modern productions, but there’s no way I’m going to pass up the opportunity to snag an iconic role in a classic staged by a reputable company. That’s the kind of thing that could do wonders for my future career.
And it’s not like acting opportunities grow on trees. Making it in stage acting isn’t any easier than making it in movies or television, and I need every leg up I can get.
While I’m stopped at the red, my phone rings. Glancing at it face-up on the passenger seat, I see it’s my dad.
We’ve been playing phone tag for a couple days now, me missing his calls and him missing my calls back. I decide to flip on my turn signal and pull into the shopping center on my right to take the call.
“Hi, Dad,” I answer.
“Olivia!” His booming, boisterous voice blasts through my phone’s speaker. “Finally! I feared we’d never speak again!”
I laugh at my dad’s signature melodrama. He delivers those words with the overwrought inflection of a veteran stage actor—which is what he is.
We spend a minute catching up and checking in; then he springs the reason for his call.
“So, your summer schedule is clear, right?” he asks.
“Actually,” I reply, “I have that internship with the firm in Burlington. Remember? The one I’ve mentioned about a dozen times?”
