Torch Red: Color Me Torn with Bonus Content Read Free Page A

a play once,” says Shawna.
    “Hey, maybe you’d like to audition too,” I suggest. “I mean Iknow you’re not in drama class, but maybe you could change your schedule if you’re interested.”
    “I guess I could check it out,” she says. “Do you mind if I tag along?”
    “Of course not.”
    As we walk toward the auditorium, I tell Shawna about Mr. Roberts. “He’s really cool,” I explain. “One of my favorite teachers.”
    “But he had you guys do
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
? Shakespeare sounds kind of boring to me.”
    “It wasn’t at all like you’d think. Mr. Roberts found this contemporary version of the play. It started out with us at a slumber party. Really, it was pretty cool.”
    “Oh.”
    “And Mr. Roberts wouldn’t tell us what the spring play is going to be. He said it was going to be a big surprise.”
    I am surprised to see how many kids are sitting in the auditorium. Usually drama tryouts aren’t this well attended. But today there are tons of kids and suddenly I feel a little worried, like maybe I won’t get such a good part.
    “We have something different in mind for the spring play,” begins Mr. Roberts from the stage. “Miss Lynnwood wants to partner with me to put on a musical.”
    A simultaneous groan comes from the section where we drama kids are sitting, and even Shawna looks disappointed.
    “A musical?” says Casey Renwick.
    “Now don’t start wigging out,” says Mr. Roberts. “I think we can make it a lot of fun.”
    I’m not entirely convinced. He hands the microphone to Miss Lynnwood, and I notice that he seems to look at her a bit longer than necessary. “I think he has a crush on Miss Lynnwood,” I whisper toShawna, and she nods. I must admit that Miss Lynnwood is really pretty, but I just don’t see how that translates into this sudden need to do a musical.
    Somehow Miss Lynnwood manages to convince us that a musical isn’t a totally lame idea. She tells us how it will probably raise a lot of money for the drama department and how it’ll be great to have more kids involved, since even the school orchestra and dance team plan to participate.
    “It’s a big production, and we need dancers, actors, singers, musicians, set makers, wardrobe, and makeup,” she pauses, almost breathless. “And my choir kids already know some of the choruses.”
    That’s when I look around the auditorium and notice that Emily’s boyfriend, Todd Barker, is sitting in the front row, right next to Justin Clark, who is like the best-looking guy in Hamilton High, not to mention the star of last season’s football team. We’re talking a guy who’s really tight as well as totally cool. I can’t even believe these guys are actually here, although I do know that they’re both in choir.
    Well, suddenly I’m thinking that maybe this musical business won’t be so bad. Especially since I just heard that Justin broke up with Katy Abernathy during Christmas break.
    “Not bad,” whispers Shawna, and I realize that she’s caught me gaping at Justin Clark like a love-struck moron. Man, I just hope I’m not drooling!
    I give her a little smile and nod.
    “What’s his name?”
    I tell her, then stupidly mention that he’s available, but she assures me that she won’t interfere. “He’s not really my type,” she whispers. “But that guy sitting next to him sure is.”
    “Yeah, Todd’s pretty cute,” I tell her. “But he’s going out withEmily.” I don’t mention that Emily is my best friend and I’m pretty protective of her.
    “Oh.” Shawna looks disappointed.
    Then suddenly Mr. Roberts is announcing the title of the musical that he and Miss Lynnwood have chosen, and it’s
Oklahoma!
    “Isn’t that some corny old movie they made about a hundred years ago?” someone asks.
    “Don’t be too quick to judge,” says Miss Lynnwood. “It’s actually got a lot about relationships and sexual tension.”
    This makes us laugh, and Miss Lynnwood looks slightly