Dawn had to admit, she liked the play. She often read and reread the entire script when she had nothing else to do.
But not even that could prepare her for the announcement that Monday morning...
"Cast of the school play, please report to the auditorium."
Dawn hadn't thought much of it; she figured it was simply a rehearsal.
But when she got there...
'Oh man...I should look at the calendar once in a while...'
"Dress rehearsal will be tomorrow! The production will take place three days from today!" Mr. Oak had said.
Glancing around, Dawn found that she was the only one who was surprised by the statement.
"Well, DeeDee..." a voice teased.
"Maybe you would have known..." Another.
"If you hadn't been daydreaming about Kenny-poo all the time!" Barry and Lucas finished in unison.
As much as she wanted to hit them, she didn't.
But that was only because they were in school.
"You're lucky there's an adult in the room...And Barry, I still owe you for the whole closet thing..." Dawn growled.
Though, inwardly she smiled. Even when her family-as she had discovered- was as jacked up as it was, she was still happy she had her friends.
"You wouldn't really hurt ol' me, would you?" Barry grinned nervously, stepping backwards twice.
"Wanna make a bet? 'Cause I bet I would," the blunette smirked.
"Um, no?"
"Dismissed! Hurry off to class now!" the director instructed.
"What's that old saying? Saved by the bell? I think that applies here," Lucas snickered, to receive a hair pull from his blonde companion.
"Shaddup..."
"Dawn! Dawn! Dawn!" May exclaimed, jumping up and down for added effect.
"What? What? What?" Dawn smiled.
"I found a nickname for Drew!" May squealed.
"What is it?" Dawn inquired.
"Green Bean!" the brunette giggled. Dawn couldn't resist laughing at the childish-yet funny- nickname.
"Perfect," a redheaded girl grinned from behind. "Absolutely perfect."
"Well, what do we have here? A DeeDee and friends?" An arm was slung around Dawn's shoulder as Kenny came into view beside her.
"Yeah, so what do you want, Kenny-poo?"
She giggled when he stuck out his tongue.
"Nothing much. Just thought I'd see if the mastermind has come up with a plan to kill Barry yet," Kenny said.
"Nope. Sorry, I'm laying low on this one. You're on your own."
"Nooo..." Kenny feigned falling to the floor and dying. "I'm uncreative! How will I ever find a way to get revenge?" Dawn simply laughed and left.
"Revenge is like a two-headed snake. As you watch your enemy go down, you're being poisoned yourself," Misty interrupted with a smirk.
"Says the ice queen..." muttered May.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't hear you. Could you please say that again?" Misty hissed, cracking her knuckles.
"I rest my case." May smirked and walked away.
"Why you little-!"
Three days could really fly by.
Tugging at the collar of her dress, Dawn tried to calm her shaky nerves.
'Why did I even try out for this? I'm a lead in a play! I have to kiss Kenny on stage! ...well, the last part isn't TOO bad...but...I'm going to freeze up out there, I just know it!'
Pacing relentlessly, she decided she would peek into the audience. Even though the play didn't start for a while, she wondered who would show up early.
Her soft hands gripped the velvet curtain and tugged ever so slightly, allowing it to part from its second piece. She stuck her face through the newly created opening and surveyed the empty auditorium.
Well, almost empty. In the very front row, middle seat, was a man.
Not just any man, though.
Though she didn't recognize him, a sense of familiarity traveled down her spine. She frowned. Who was he?
"Hey, DeeDee." A voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
"What?" Dawn turned to face her chestnut-haired friend.
A "Pay up" could be heard, followed by a curse and a rustle of paper.
"You'll do great out there. I know you will." He smiled, and rested a hand on her shoulder.
She blinked. Once his words sank in, she grinned.
"Thanks. You too."
Had the time passed already?
"Places, everyone! We're about to start!"
As the curtain lifted, Dawn scanned the crowd once again. When her eyes successfully found the man in the front, she felt strangely relaxed.
Could it be?
Was it really?
'Dad...'