Author's Note:
The next chapter will be up early tomorrow. I'm working four to eight p.m. tomorrow.
Chapter Five:
Alina
"I'm that girl!" she sang.
"Bravo!" Raoul cheered.
Alina turned off her camera.
"The stars of the movie are going to announce the main cast! I'm going to be sharing a stage with Siena Tan!"
Mom locked eyes with her. "Today is going to be your day to shine."
For a moment, Alina believed that her mom meant it. That this was about her, not a long con to get extra attention. Maybe this would be it.
"I've got some amazing news! Kiya Morgan is coming to the ladies retreat this week!"
"Who is that again?" she asked.
"Hank Morgan's wife," her dad said.
Alina looked to her dad. He avoided her gaze.
"Oh, the basketball player."
Mom gushed.
"Not just any basketball player, the highest scoring basketball player after Ahmed Green! He has won the Chicago Bulls, the most championships of any player in history!"
Alina nibbled on her toast.
"I didn't know you liked basketball that much."
"We're trying to recruit her for the Chicago franchise."
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes while her mother wasn't looking.
"Oh, and Hank wants to meet you, Alina!"
"Why me?"
"He has a niece who loves you, and wants to be like you! I said you could offer some tips on managing a social media presence."
"When is all this happening?" dad asked.
"Monday! It's counting as your career interview for the semester. He does have a degree in business from Davidson."
"Mom! Those are serious! I wanted to meet with someone from NYADA!"
"Oh, then I'll arrange a makeup session."
"Mom, Desi Tremaine tried that same stunt and they wouldn't let her make it up. This was just after her mom's Oscar nomination!"
"Well, her mother also had crow's feet immune to Botox."
Alina just stared at her mother for a moment. This was the eye of a hurricane.
Her mom patted her on the back.
"We'll discuss it another time. I'll be watching the live stream of the casting announcement!"
She got up.
"Give mom a kiss!"
Obediently, she walked over. Her mom kissed her in a way that wouldn't smudge any makeup.
Her dad raised his hand and smiled.
"High five?"
Alina hit it. She noticed his smile was only real when he was looking at her. The rest of time, she got the sense that he was faking it.
"Later Glinda!" her mom called.
Alina waved once before leaving the kitchen.
…
It was jokingly called "the teal mile" as it was the longest hallway in the school. The drama department was separated from the rest to prevent distraction from the other classes. Alina found Wray making the lonely trek before homeroom.
"I only accept mid-century European cars with fewer than four owners if you're going to try to bribe me for the cast list."
"What about blackmail?" she asked gamely.
"All my secrets are public knowledge, including my crush on your father."
"I thought my mom spread that rumor after you didn't cast me as Maureen in Rent."
"All rumors have a kernel of truth to them."
They reached his office.
"What can I do for you Miss. Reid?"
"I just wanted to thank you. It might be fun watching my mom squirm when she sees me as part of the ensemble. I wonder if she'll scream."
"You really thought you blew the audition?" he said watching her.
"Yes. I mean, I couldn't rap fast enough to keep up with the beat."
"You're a junior, Alina. No one expected you to."
"Wait, what does that mean?"
"Isn't your homeroom in the math wing? I'd take the ruby heels off and run if I were you."
"Mr. Wray!"
"Run!"
She sighed, and hightailed it to the math wing.
…
The teachers stood backstage.
"Ethan, did we do the thing?" Waller asked.
"It depends on how you define right."
"We cast the best performers," Agnelli said. "Based on what we saw. Everyone was in agreement."
"Why do I still feel like we screwed things up?"
"Alina tracked me down before homeroom. The girl thought she blew her audition."
"Did you clue her in?" Agnelli asked.
"I might have if she offered me offered me a 1967 Ferrari."
Principle Keats appeared. His short curly black hair was carefully coifed and his suit was impeccable.
"Let's announce the cast!"
The teachers stepped on the stage. Bravo mainstay Jules Ormond clapped.
"A round of applause for your teachers!"
The three of them nodded in tandem as the kids clapped with minimal enthusiasm.
"First, up the ensemble! Look for your name on the screen!"
Twenty names appeared on the screens as cameras were capturing reaction shots. Kids were crying and screaming.
"Next: Supporting roles."
There was more screaming and crying.
"Now for the leads! Here to present, is the cast of Wicked!"
The kids actually cheered when the actors appeared.
Wyatt Brill stepped forward. "The role of Boq will be played by: John Drexel!"
A gangly senior waved and smiled as got on stage.
Waller made eyes with Wray. "Kill me," she mouthed.
Ariel Blare stepped forward: "The role of the Wicked Witch of the East, Nessarose will be played by Beth Zurich!"
Beth looked shocked. She stepped onto the stage in a black dress and green lipstick. Ariel hugged her as she cried.
Zane Michener stepped forward. "The role of Fiyero will be played by: Tom Haywood!"
Tom smiled and stepped forward. He patted on a crying Beth on the back as he took a position next to Zane.
Sienna Tan stepped forward: "The role of Glinda will be played by: Lexi Bosun!"
Lexi looked shocked and delighted. She all but skipped on to the stage.
Esme Kittel stepped forward. At the egging on of the producers, the students took to their feet. "The role of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of West, will be played by: Alina Reid!"
The school exploded in applause. Alina looked like she was about to pass out. Beth pushed Ariel away and moved towards the steps. Wray swiftly stepped forward and put a fatherly arm around her. He led her backstage.
"HER!" Beth screamed. "YOU PICKED HER!?"
"Beth, please. Show how you're the bigger performer. We picked those who suited the roles best."
"How does the daughter of a reality whore relate to Elphaba's story? What has she had to fight for in her life? How has she been misjudged? Is this because you have a hard-on for her dad? Are you hoping to get some action with him?"
"I'm taking you to the guidance office."
"You are not!"
She ran back on to the stage and pushed Alina off of it.
