Bringing a sweatshirt to class was definitely a good idea even though it is still really hot outside. Why?

I'm soon going to be stuck in a room with Mr. and Mrs. Oliver for the next 2 and a half hours. Today is tryout day and Jade and I had to stay up until 1 AM, practicing the lines for the parts we wanted until we knew them by heart and was confident we could do it under the watchful eye of 20 other students that are DYING to see us fail under the stress.

But we went to Hollywood Arts. We don't fail under pressure. We don't know stress on stage. We know what we are doing, as opposed to the clowns that are in Sikowitz's with us. Some of them didn't even take a theater class in High School, they just decided they wanted to act and wanted to wing it instead of taking an introductory course in not sucking at acting.

Blah, Blah, Blah…went the professor. It might be because of this week, but I feel especially rebellious. Which brings me to my next point.

If Cat gets a character that interacts a lot with my character I'm screwed.

Sikowitz sent out an email to Tori, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver, Jade, Andre and I saying to prove a point to the other students, not to request a character change if something doesn't work out. We don't want a high maintenance class, and this is step one to make sure that happens.

For the record, I really don't want to say Cat and Beck. No, my anger level has only slightly dissipated. For now, they are Mr. and Ms. Oliver. They screwed me and Jade over, so I can call them whatever the hell I want to. It's better than Thing 1 and Thing 2. They actually are cute, and Dr. Seuss came up with them.

Boo :) –Stephanie

"Morning glory, how are you on this fine Friday?"

Good, how's class?

"Better since I have something to occupy myself."

What about the professor?

"It's the class I can teach myself remember?"

I do know lol

"So what classes do you have today?

None, I am free on Fridays.

"How'd you do that?"

3 hr. Spanish lab on Wednesdays.

"So I should make plans for us on Wednesdays?"

Nope, I leave here at 9 PM.

"That blows. Hey, I'm about to head off to Theater, so I'll talk to you at 1 ok?" I sent off, starting to pack my stuff away as he started to wind his lecture on Eastern European Gold statuettes up.

I'll take the gold, not the cultural and anthropological value of said piece of gold.

OK! Good luck!

The walk over to Sikowitz's is light, and I step inside an adjoining building and throw on my sweatshirt, placing my phone inside the pocket in the front and stuffing my hands inside. I love this kind of sweater. You can mess with your hands and nobody can notice.

Once I stepped inside, I saw immediately what they were trying to do. They had pulled a page out of the Cat handbook of dealing with relationship issues and decided to act like nothing was wrong at all. Andre, Cat, Tori and Beck were making small talk. It wasn't anything important, more like Beck trying to bring up a good topic of conversation and either Andre or Tori shooting it down faster than a 'K' in a text.

Jade was nearby, with a placid look on her face. That look scares me more that her pissed off face. That just means she's loading up her guns and prepping for a Wild West shootout. And Jade West doesn't get outgunned, which makes it all the more awesome her last name is West.

I calmly created a look of calm and sat next to Jade. At first it seemed like they ignored me, but that was quickly disproven by both of them darting their eyes at me, and cat picking up her phone.

Can we PLEEEEAASSSE talk?-Cat

"No." I replied.

"So, as I mentioned, Luongo is looking really good this year. He did a bunch of Pilates and mind cleansing exercises and looks better than ever in the preseason." Beck said, actually making me pay attention. He basically molded me a Canucks fan during the insane playoffs, and then my heart broke as Luongo was solid in games 1, 2, and 5, but fell apart in Boston, then in game 7 in Vancouver, which caused us to lose the damn cup.

I'm still mad. I remember someone tweet for people to stop torching stuff, that Vancouver is a calmer city, but since they did it back in '92, I'm not so sure. It's very pretty though.

"Is Kesler going to show up?" I asked, and Beck's head snapped to me.

"It's not about Kesler; both of the Sedin's have to prove they are still alive."

"True, they disappeared in the West finals and vs. Boston." Andre said seriously, leaning back in his seat and yawning.

Buzz Buzz. I glanced up to see Cat looking very sad. Positively depressed.

Why not?

"I said so. That's why."

"This has got to be the year; otherwise something is going to explode, whether it is Luongo's head or the whole freaking team." I said.

"Not a good sign that I know you are exactly right." Beck sighed, running his hands thru his hair, looking positively exhausted.

"Ok!" Sikowitz yelled, which caused us to snap our attention to him. "Today is the day you have all been waiting for. Tryout day. So here's how it will be. Like cut down day, there will be people behind a barrier to judge your performance without knowing who you are. They will give me recommendations, and then I will assign a part. Now, if you don't agree with me, I'm sorry but tough. Once you get a part, it is up to you to do your best, regardless of your disagreement. Now, in the back is a piece of paper with your name on it with your audition number. It starts in 10 minutes, right here."

"Where do we go?" Someone asked.

"You will sit outside and wait until your number comes up, then after your rehearsal you will find out."

Andre raised his hand. "So we'll find out today?"

"Yes, you will find out your part today."

With that, people pushed back their chairs and started to the lobby outside.

Once I found a seat, I started looking up nice restaurants for tonight. So many nice options out here, then a ton more in downtown, but I'm trying to avoid downtown traffic.

My number is 17, which is good because 17 is a number I'm used to thru math. Its prime and a devil if it gets involved in a problem, so I try to work around it. It's kind of a good omen number, if there is such a thing.

Beck walked inside the theater first, as number 4. This first one is a small cast, and some people are trying out for Tech Crew, like Sinjin and some tall guy with black hair.

After a few minutes, the next number is called, but Beck didn't emerge outside the side door.

"Isn't he coming out?" Cat asked, sounding worried.

"I guess not." Tori replied. Cat swallowed and looked around nervously. Luckily for her, she was called next and walked thru the door, looking scared.

You ready? –Tori

"As ready as I can be really." I replied.

Bye Tori, bye Jade, bye Andre. Just me and two kids I think…

"17!" Sikowitz called out.

One of the reasons I love ancient Roman plays is all the cool stuff you get to say like phalanx and charge the left side with all you've got! It's just fun. I tried out for Paris, which for those of you who have seen Troy, that's Orlando Bloom.

And now I'm just listening to Demi Lovato. Why? I googled Tori to see how things are, and saw "Cat Valentine helped write new Demi & Iyaz song.

(A/N: You're My Only Shorty by Demi, ft. Iyaz (and I swear I hear Ariana in the background a couple of times) She tweeted about it yesterday, which is why I am thankful for Twitter.)

It's very good, and although it's weird to hear the song and think that she helped out, I can her little things that I know she loves musically.

On a whim, I texted her although she is only 5 or so feet away.

"Nice job on the new song."

A moment passed, and she looked confused at her phone, clearly racking her brain for which new song.

Which song?

"Demi & Iyaz?"

OH! That one! Thank you! Are you still mad at us?

"Yes."

Before I could look to Cat for her response, Sikowitz came in and said "Ok, I just posted the roles online, and you can access them now. Class dismissed." He said with a smile.

People dove for their phones and laptops, myself included. I quickly logged onto blackboard and Sikowitz's page.

Roles for "Attack of Troy"

Click.

The roles came up.

Achilles- Beck Oliver.

Figures. Excuse me while I roll my eyes.

Briseis- Tori Vega

Paris- Robbie Shapiro

SCORE! That's what I'm talking about! Yes!

Finally, something that goes right, even after—

Helen- Cat Valentine.

$#^&%####!#!#$#$%$%!

And now I'm not only back where I was; now I'm her partner on stage.

Crap.

Buzz, Buzz.

Did you see the cast list? -Cat

"I did."

How do you want to practice?

"I'll practice with Jade, and you'll practice with Beck."

Ok. Are you sure you don't want to practice together?

"Maybe once or twice, but not right now. We have a month and a half before stuff starts happening."

On that note, I grabbed my backpack and walked out behind Jade since I am her ride home.

"Hey, did you get Paris?" Jade asked once we both were inside the car.

"I did. Did you get what you wanted?" I asked.

"Kind of, I got Achilles's mom."

Awkward…haven't bumped into this situation before.

"That sucks. I sorry." I told her

"Nah, it's ok. Lots of good stuff, just the circumstances are awkward." She said.

"Well that's good then?"

"It's good. Now don't you have a date tonight?" She teased, poking my arm.

"How'd you know?" I asked, I never told her in case tonight bombed.

"You CC'd me on your "Sure. I'll text you about 1 tomorrow for a time and possible place ok?" text."

I hit my head softly on the steering wheel while waiting on the light to change. "Smooth, very smooth Robbie." I chided myself.

The rest of the drive to her place she teased me, but at the very end told me about a Chinese place that would be perfect.

I glanced at my clock once I got home. 1:18.

Jade better be right about this place.

"Hey, I'm good for tonight, are you?" I sent off, hoping that she would reply fast.

I had barely taken two steps to the kitchen to get water when my phone buzzed.

Great, now where do you want to go? - Stephanie

"I have heard good things about a Chinese place named Chu Wei. But I am open to any ideas you may have."

(A/N: I have no idea if this is an actual place, I just made it up XD)

I've been there before, and it's really good! Sounds great, meet you there?

"I'll meet you there. 8?"

8 it is. See you Robbie :)

I let out a breath I didn't notice I had held the entire time.

Now to pick out some clothes.

I eventually settled for a black collared shirt and nice jeans, and did homework to pass the time.

Finally, time for you to fail Rob.

That's it. I'm making a appointment with a psychologist right after this date. I'm tired of his snide comments.

After cleaning up, and silently praying that this goes well, I followed Jade's directions from my place to Chu Wei.

A Ford Focus was in the parking lot, with a attractive blonde leaning on the door.

I hopped out, smiling an actual smile in a couple of days.

"Hi." I said happily.

(A/N: AHH! These Author's notes after each chap are starting to become routine, but that's good b/c I have stuff to talk about. This time, I want to gauge interest in something. So if you don't already know, I'm in college, and it seems like everyone is doing video blogs, and I was wondering if anyone is interested about me doing one about this series, me if you care, etc. I was thinking doing it kind of like Ari's on my youtube page. Let me know what you think please! I just want to do this right and thank you guys my readers/fans. PS: I find it funny I have fans when I really think about it. I'm just a normal guy lol. Anyway, thanks as always :) –James)