The rest of the day went pretty much the same. Shelly introduced me to everyone she knows. And for a drama freak, she knows a lot of people. Somewhere in between “This is my Seattle friend” and “We’re going to move in together after graduation.” Everyone started calling me Seattle. Something I’m not too worried about. At least the name doesn’t bother me… Moving in with Shelly after high school… That is something all together different.
I didn’t see the creepy guy the rest of the day. Not for a lack of trying at least. I am looking over my shoulder so many times, that people are starting to think I have a twitch. I tried to stop myself, but I couldn't stop feeling anxious all day. My entire body feels as if there is something lingering over my head. Ready to attack at any moment. The star on my neck tings every now and then as if something is coming or around the corner. It’s an odd feeling and it makes me feel even more anxious.
“Hey Seattle, you tagging along to drama too?” Seth runs up from behind Shelly and I, almost tripping over his own feet.
“I-.”
“You wish!” Shelly interrupts. “Her ride is Mrs. Erickson.”
“Good!” Seth gives me a smirk. “Then she’ll have to stay.” He throws his arm around me and pulls me closer to him “Gives me a chance to save you from Shelly.” He whispers in my ear.
“Get away from her!” Shelly demands and pushes him backwards. “She doesn’t want you touching her.”
“How would you know?” Seth pulls my waist closer. “You haven’t let the poor thing talk all day.” He pats my head like a puppy dog.
“That’s not true! She’s talked loads... Right Jazlyn?” Shelly throws her hands up as if she's talking to a gent crowd of people. Seth leans in as if he’s sheltering me. My star jumps again and I pull away from him. This time they notice me backing away and they’re waiting for me to speak.
“Well… you’ve done most of the talking today.” I try to say it with the nicest voice I can muster up. I know Shelly can be rude, but something tells me not to get on her bad side. I’m sure with all the people she knows, she could make high school hell.
“What?” Shelly snaps.
Great. I think.
Seth looks like he’s about to roll on the ground laughing.
“I. Like. You. So. Much.” Seth said in between laughing.
“But I haven’t had much to say.” I try to backtrack as Shelly looks almost livid.
“See! She’s had nothing to say!” Shelly flips her hair and turns into the theater.
“That was so awesome! I hope you stick around Jazlyn.” Seth still laughing as he walks to the door of the theater and holds it open for me. The stage is all lit up with a cardboard town.
“Little shop of horror.” Seth’s voice is horse as he whispers behind me.
It makes me jump and hold my breath.
“You sure are jumpy”
“If you stop creeping up behind me, maybe I wouldn’t be!” I insist as I start to walk down the aisle.
“Oh that’s no fun.” Seth is smug now. I can almost feel his chest puff up with pride.
Shelly’s comment about the blue scarves from this morning enters back into me. - “I thought you were doing Grease?”
“It's a theater Café". He says in the best French accent he can find
“What’s that?”
“You know. Skits from different plays mashed together.”
He gives me a little shoulder bump and runs down to the stage with the other kids. I can't see Stephanie anywhere. I’m not sure what time it is or when the drama club starts. But it is entertaining just watching the kids interact with each other.
"Come on! Come on!" Shelly yell at the other kids from across the stage.
But no one listens to her. Some girls on the left side of the stage are chatting and laughing together. Tom is mixed with them. While Russ talks to some girl I haven't met yet. The girl is sitting on the stage while he is standing next to the stage. It’s not long for Seth to payback Russ for this morning’s attack. Seth runs down as fast as he can towards Russ and jumps over him smacking Russ on the head. He jumps so high he reaches the stage. The girl that’s talking to Russ shields herself just as Seth hit the stage. Russ quickly reacts and catches Seth's left leg and pulls him back. Seth slams onto the stage kicking and screaming at the top of his lungs. Russ holds on tight and pulls Seth to the ground. I can see Shelly trying to say something but she’s drowned out by Seth and Russ wrestling around on the ground.
“It’s amazing those two haven’t killed each other.” Stephanie says softly as she sits down next to me.
“Y…. Yeah.” I mutter as I jerk back in my seat. Why is everyone so quiet here? Stephanie doesn’t seem to notice that I jumped in my seat. She just keeps looking at the other kids.
“How was your first day?” she asks.
“Fine” I mutter again.
“How are your classes?” Stephanie pushes.
“Fine”
“How are the kids?”
“Their cool.” I shrug my shoulders just as Seth bolts out a scream of pain from the stage. Why didn’t Stephanie do something?
“Okay. Are you going to be one of those kids that say more then two words… or am I going to have to pull it out of you?” Stephanie hoofs and put her hands on her hips. But she keeps a smirk on her face as she looks at me.
I didn’t realize I wasn't really talking to her, I’m too transfixed on Seth and Russ wrestling around on the stage. Everything else seems to fade in the background. But Stephanie’s eyes never leave my face, so I throw her a “Maybe.” And a smile just incase that isn’t enough.
“Okay. Maaaayyyybe.” She gives me a wink before she goes on. “I have to be here for the rehearsal. We’re only running lines today. Shouldn't take long, maybe an hour. Do you want waiting?”
“Sure. I can wait.”
“Great. On the way home I’ll show you the way if you want to walk tomorrow. – Tomorrow will be a longer rehearsal.” She flashes another smile and heads over to the other kids.
I watch Stephanie demand the attentions of the other kids, and wait for them to split into three groups. They each ran lines to three different plays. It’s all kind of boring. So I grab the book from my English class and started to read it. – The 5th wave. I’ve already read it. But since it was between this and Anne of Green Gables, I decided a good alien book is just what I need. If only a Ben could save me from the creepy guy. I think as I grab the book out of my bag and lean back to put my feet on the back of the seats in front of me.
I got to chapter two when I felt something cold on my knee. I look up from my book and find an old small man standing there beside me. He’s as tall as the seats and leans on a small cane with his right hand. I jump up to let him through the row. His long hair droops from the back of his ears. He shuffles past me with his cane. .
“Pardon madam. Ar yo the Str?” His voice is rusty and scratchy. I could hardly hear him- he’s so low, so small.
“I’m sorry?” I scoop down closer to him.
The man turns towards me and smiles.
“I was….”
He trips as he turns around to look at me and falls to the ground at my feet. I look around but no one notices anything. I’m sure he’s too short to even be seen from the stage. Great. Of all the aisle he walks down mine? I fall down to help him up. My necklace swoops down too. His eyes tighten as he grabs my star and yanks it down for a closer look.
“The North Star.” He hiss. “You're the North Star!”
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