Tori looked at Jade's script. She sat at the table in her kitchen. Cat sat at the other end. "Now young lady this behavior of yours has gone on for too long."

"Shut up mom!" said Cat. "You're not my mom. Wait, I don't think that's right."

"You're supposed to say, you can't control me," said Tori.

"Oh right," said Cat. "Well, you can't control me. I'm a free spirit. I've got dreams."

"Dreams?" said Tori. "Ha. You think you're the only one who has dreams? Your father had dreams. I had dreams. The postman probably had dreams. But at the end of the day everyone has to wake up. To realize that they have duties and responsibilities. To realize that dreams aren't practical. Do you think we could keep you feed, clothed, and safe with dreams? How was that?"

Cat's eyes darted over the script. "I can't find where she says 'How was that?' in the script."

"No, I'm asking how my performance was," said Tori.

"Oh," said Cat. "It was good."

"Thanks," said Tori. "Is this the kind of role you'd expect me to play?"

"Sure," said Cat. "Because you're so great at it."

"Okay," said Tori. She stood up from the table and circled the room. She turned to Cat. "What about Janet. Do you think I could play Janet?"

"Janet?" said Cat.

"Yeah Janet," said Tori. "Do you think I could play Janet?"

"I don't know," said Cat. "She's not like you at all."

Tori rubbed her temples. "But isn't that the point of acting, to play people who aren't like you?"

"I guess," said Cat. "But you're just too nice."

"Thanks," said Tori. "I think."

"I can't really see you playing someone like Janet," said Cat.

"I guess you've got a point," said Tori. She sat back down at the table. "Can we do it again?"

"Sure," said Cat.

Jade got to school early. She had some fliers in her hand that advertised she would begin auditions for her play next Thursday. She expected her friends to audition, but she couldn't just give them the parts. Even though there were some parts that would be perfect for them, she had to be fair. She had to give everyone who wanted a part a shot. She went around the school, pinning the flies to every billboard she could find. She was going to make sure the entire school knew about her play. When she was done, she went to her locker. Then she heard the sounds of someone walking in the halls. Jade turned to see a young girl walking away from her. This wasn't just any young girl. It was the same young girl who she'd seen the other day. The one who had been staring at her. It was clearly her. She had the same brunette hair and wore the same dark clothes. She didn't think the junior acting program met today.

"Hey you!" The girl didn't respond. She continued down the hallway. Jade ran after her. The girl turned down a corner and went inside a classroom. Jade followed her there. She flung open the door to find the room completely empty. She felt something grab her by the shoulder. Jade jumped.

"Morning Jade." It was Sikowitz.

"Jesus," said Jade. "You scared me."

"Why were you running?" said Sikowitz. "Is something wrong?"

"No," said Jade. "Everything's fine."

"That's nice to hear," said Sikowitz. "Anyway, I see you've put up fliers to advertise the auditions for your play."

"Yeah," said Jade.

"Do you have anyone in mind who you want to cast?" said Sikowitz.

"No," said Jade.

Sikowitz raised an eyebrow. "No? You don't have anyone you think you want to cast?"

"Exactly," said Jade. "I'm going to try to go into this with an open mind about this. Maybe I'll be surprised."

"That's a good mindset to keep during auditions," said Sikowitz.

"Well, I'm just so supportive of my peers," said Jade. "I want to give everyone the chance to shine."

"Sure you are," said Sikowitz.

All over school were fliers advertising auditions for Jade's play. They were pinned to bulletin boards. Taped to lockers. Some had even been put over the mirrors in the girls' bathroom. They said that auditions would be held in a room behind the Black Box Theatre. The fliers even gave directions about how one could get a copy of the script if they wanted. Tori took a flier and read it over as she headed to her locker. She could see Beck and Andre nearby, talking about something. "Hey guys."

"Hey Tori," said Beck.

"What's that?" said Andre.

"It's one of those fliers Jade's put up," said Tori. "It tells you where she's holding auditions for the play."

"Oh, so you're going to try out?" said Andre.

"Yeah," said Tori. "Are you going to audition?"

"Nope," said Andre.

"But I am," said Beck. "And Robbie told me he was going to audition too."

"Speaking of Robbie, he owes me some money. See you guys later." Andre walked down the hall.

Once he was gone, Tori looked at Beck. "So what part are you trying out for?"

"The Dad," said Beck. "What about you?"

"The Mom," said Tori.

"Sounds like something you'll be good as," said Beck.

"You think so too?" said Tori.

"Yeah," said Beck. "You're a good actress."

"I guess," said Tori. "And you're a good actor."

"Thanks," said Beck.

Tori opened her locker and began taking books out of it. She then turned to Beck. "Hey, you once told me that being a good actor was all about taking risks, right?"

"I don't remember saying that," said Beck. "But it's true. If you want to be a good actor you've got to put yourself out there."

"And did you take a risk by playing the Dad?" said Tori.

"Not really," said Beck.

"Well, did you want to play the Dad at first?" said Tori.

"No," said Beck. "I was originally thinking of playing Janet's boyfriend."

"So you're stepping out of your comfort zone?" said Tori.

"A little," said Beck.

"Okay, thanks," said Tori. She shut her locker door and headed down the hallway.

"Thanks for what? Tori. Tori." Beck called out for Tori, but she didn't respond.