Chapter 19 - XVIII (2/2)

Laia reaches her friend's seat in no time. None of Brie's other so-called friends approached her again, probably because they couldn't get any gossip from her. They walked towards Vivi instead, who was now alone after Jake left first.

Contrary to what Laia expected, Vivi didn't seem to be acting all giddy and enthralled. She seemed to be in an impassive state, instead. She didn't even respond to any of the questions the girls asked her, and later on, they left, disappointment obvious on their faces.

Looks like no one would be getting new rumors to spread for a while.

Laia decides that she genuinely likes Vivi now.

”I know this is a dumb question but do you want to go to the rehearsals later? I can tell Ma'am Anne you're feeling like shit or something,” Laia looks at her friend with worry. ”Well, don't worry about getting caught. She believes everything I say.”

Her statement makes the long-haired girl smile. A genuine one, the first of the day. ”Thanks, Laia. But don't worry about me, I can at least say my lines without crying,”

Laia looks at her with skepticism. Brie laughs. ”I promise.”

It's not as if Laia can convince her friend further, and she doesn't want to as well for her friend is her own person and she can make decisions for herself.

Aka Laia doesn't want to cross a line.

The next classes passed on. Jake still sat beside Vivi on either the last or the middle row, Brie beside Laia always on the first row, and it was on their third class that the girl realized that the asshat was absent.

Or maybe late. But he's probably absent, as the asshat was always early since he tends to make the flag ceremony his very own fashion show much to Laia's annoyance.

She looks around, scanning her surroundings. It didn't look like the asshat would be arriving anytime soon, and her sentiments seemed to be shared by Shane who she locked eyes with.

Shane awkwardly raises her hand to wave. Laia does the same, albeit a bit more casually. It's not like it's weird to meet eyes with someone during class.

Maybe.

Brie was very distracted during all their classes. She barely listened, her eyes on her ex-boyfriend the entire time, watching his every move. Every time he seemed to talk to the girl beside him, Brie's fists would tighten or her jaw would clench.

It was as if she was desperately stopping herself from causing a scene.

Laia was thankful for that. True that she would obviously side with Brie, but she does know some details why their seemingly perfect relationship ended in an ugly manner so she's quite certain that it's better for the two to take a break.

Because the asshat is eternally lucky, they didn't have a single quiz or graded activity in any of their classes. All their teachers did was discuss with their monotone voices and when Laia says in their monotone voices, she's not kidding one bit.

The girl barely kept her eyes open during all those six classes!

Rehearsals came in like a tidal wave. The two friends followed the rest of their class towards the gymnasium, and upon their arrival, they were all quick to see that their adviser was already there.

Sitting cross-legged on a chair directly facing the huge stage.

Spotting her students, she beckons them all towards the stage with a wave of her hand. ”Actors, to the stage,”

Three-fourths of the class stayed behind as there were only ten of the thirty-two students she had (Laia was finally able to count them) who were actors and had their respective roles.

Laia pulls Brie with her towards the stage. She stands as far away from Jake as possible, despite seeing the boy throw a glance at their way.

A little bit suspicious if you ask Laia, but she has other things to think of. Like, saying her lines and having to act all dramatically without getting embarrassed in front of all her classmates.

Brie easily notices her friend's growing anxiety. ”Don't worry, you'll do amazing,”

Laia knows that the long-haired girl has to be lying but she smiles at her anyway. ”Yeah, you too,”

The girl shakes her head, glancing at her ex-boyfriend with both uncertainty and longing in her eyes. ”I don't think so.”

Laia hopes she will, or the short-haired girl will have to repeat all her lines repeatedly for the next hours to come, seeing that all her lines are before Brie's.

Well, most of them, but still.

Jake was the first to say his line. Just like Laia expected, the boy is good.

He could definitely pass as a theatre actor if he wants to.

The same cannot be said for Brie, who stutters the moment she's about to proclaim her interest in Jake's character.

”Cut! Again, Brie!” Their adviser yells.

Brie repeats her first line three more times before she was finally able to overcome stuttering and tripping on her own feet when she's required to step closer to Jake.

Laia even heard some of their classmates murmur in both perplexion and frustration.

Looks like Laia will be late again for her part-time job.. The girl can only hope that Niel's not in a bad mood.