DISCLAIMER: I do not own In A Heartbeat or Caitie, Jamie, Hank, Val, Brooke, or Tyler. I own this story's plot and Rachael and Mrs. Walters.

Three

During lunch Caitie is inside the drama classroom with Mrs. Walters.

Caitie: Mrs. Walters, when exactly are try outs for the play?

Mrs. Walters: Oh, they'll be next week. But you shouldn't be worried about those! You've already been cast!

Caitie: (a little impatiently) Yes. I know. I'm cast. I'm playing Ophelia.

Mrs. Walters: Great. I'm glad you've got some enthusiasm. That's what you're friend-what's his name?

Caitie: Jamie.

Mrs. Walters: Yes, Jamie. Well, he lacks enthusiasm. But that's okay, some people just aren't cut out for acting.

Caitie: That's why I'm here.

Mrs. Walters: (practically gasping) Oh dear! Don't tell me you've decided you don't want the part!

Caitie: No. I want the part. I do. (impatiently) But I'm hear to discuss an altogether entirely different matter.

Mrs. Walters: Which is?

Caitie: Jamie wants to try out for Hamlet, comprende?

Mrs. Walters: Well, sure. Everyone's welcome to try out.

Caitie: Right. So does he have a chance of getting the part?

Mrs. Walters: Now, Caitie, anyone has a chance of getting the part if they try hard enough. Have him get the script. You two can rehearse together. Comprende?

Caitie: Si. (under her breaeth) So I guess I have my work cut out for me.

Mrs. Walters: What was that, Caitie?

Caitie: I really should go. I'm missing lunch.

She leaves.

Mrs. Walters: Bye!

Later that evening, Caitie is over at Val's house, concocting a recipe with Val and Brooke.

Brooke: (looking through a cupboard) So, since when do you take lead roles in school plays?

Caitie: Since my grade in drama isn't so wonderful.

Brooke: How do you get a bad grade in drama?!

Caitie: (looking through a recipe book) Let's talk about, um, something else, shall we?

Val: (stirring something in a bowl) Sure. But it will help your grade, but it'll be so good for you too. I mean, you'll have a lot of fun.

Caitie: It's definitely not somethin' I usually do.

Val: Come on, Caitie, of course you'll have fun, and especially with Jamie as your costar.

Caitie: Can you just picture it? (she stands up) (dramatically) Former misfits lead school play! Right. You're getting just a little bit dreamy here Val.

Val: But Caitie, I'm just saying-

Caitie: (shutting the cookbook) Yep. That's definitely getting downright wishy-washy.

Brooke: Well, I for one am proud of you, Caitie.

Caitie: Hey. Check it out. Brooke's proud of me.

Val: Brooke and me both. You'll be wonderful.

Caitie: (looks up) Ya think?

Val: Oh I know you will be. It should be great.

Caitie: Now let's just hope Jamie gets the part.

The next day, Jamie and Caitie are walking around before school starts.

Jamie: Caitie. Nice to see you.

Caitie: Since when are you a morning person?

Jamie: Since I joined the Super Squad.

Caitie: Please. Gag me. Get it over with.

Jamie: And that is today's lesson in sarcasm, Ms. Roth.

Caitie: Right. (the bell rings) Oh great.

Jamie looks like he's about to leave.

Caitie: Oh, hey wait. Listen, if you're trying out for Hamlet, this could help. (she rummages around in her bag, finds her copy of Hamlet and tosses it to Jamie) Enjoy.

Jamie: (catching it) What?

Caitie: I'm almost late for homeroom. Look, just hide amongst all that junk you have in your locker and I'm sure no one will notice. Later.

Jamie: Bye.

Later (much later), Hank and Tyler are standing in the hallway after practice.

Hank: So...may the best man win?

Tyler: Try outs are Monday, Hank, we've got the whole weekend to rehearse for Hamlet.

Hank: I'm just saying.

Tyler: Sure. You get the part, I won't mind. I get it, you won't mind?

Hank: Let's shake on it. (They do)

Around six, Caitie walks across the lot in front of the EMS station where the team is. She enters.

Caitie: Jamie!

After no answer she proceeds to enter the common room, where Jamie is, sitting on the couch, reading Hamlet. She notices him, but not the book.

Caitie: Jamie. There you are.

Jamie: Well you seem like you're on a rampage.

Caitie: I am. I'm worse than an English teacher. Try outs for the play are Monday.

Jamie: And...?

Caitie: I wanted to make sure that you're actually reading the play. (she looks a little embarrassed when she sees the copy of Hamlet he's reading) Which you are. And I'm leaving.

Jamie: No, wait.

Val enters with a cup of coffee.

Val: Caitie! Hi.

Caitie: Oh, hey. I was just stopping by to-

Jamie: -lecture me on reading.

Val: Oh, great! You're rehearsing. Ophelia and Macbeth, of course. You guys are really trying hard. This is good. Well, I've got inventory, so I'll leave you guys alone. See ya!

She leaves.

Caitie: So...what exactly do you do around here. Where's the rest of the-

Jamie: -Super Squad? Val's on inventory, Brooke's up front slaving away on her computer, Hank and Tyler are outside playing basketball, and I'm in here doing my homework.

Caitie: Good. Funny how I think it's good you're actually doing something generally worthwhile.

Jamie: Strange, isn't it? So, let's practice. You, Ophelia. Me, Hamlet.

Suddenly, the alarm goes off.

Jamie: Oh shoot, well-

Caitie: Tomorrow. We'll meet somewhere or something.

Jamie: Okay. Later.

Caitie heads out of the station.

Early the next morning (Saturday) Caitie wakes up, yet again to the phone ringing.

Caitie: (picking up the phone) Yeah. Caitie here.

Jamie: Caitie. It's me.

Caitie: I figured, Mr. Morning Person.

Jamie: Oh yeah. Sorry. I forgot.

Caitie: (sits up) Sure, you forgot. So, you want to rehearse for try outs or what?

Jamie: Yeah. Look, I just finished the play and this Hamlet has a lot of problems.

Caitie: That and Ophelia dies.

Jamie: So you think we can pull it off?

Caitie: If we rehearse. (she gets up and starts rummaging through her closet) Here, meet me at the park around eight.

Jamie: Sure. See you then.

Around the same time, Hank and Tyler are walking through the park on the way to their houses after stopping at school.

Hank: I thought they were leaving the auditorium open for try out preparation.

Tyler: Yeah. Too bad.

Just then, Caitie and Jamie meet at one of the benches, Jamie with Caitie's copy of Hamlet. They sit down and begin rehearsing.

Tyler: (noticing them) What are they doing?

Hank: Who knows, who-

Tyler is walking over to them.

Tyler: So, what are you doing?

Caitie: Oh we're rehearsing. Maybe you'll believe it if you know exactly what we're rehearsing for.

Jamie: Try outs for Hamlet. Next week on Monday.

Hank: Well, good luck to you both.

Tyler: In fact, Hank and I are both trying out for the play.

Caitie: (hiding her surprise) Really?

Jamie looks a little angry.

Hank: (getting a little uneasy) Right. Yes. We are. But, we're going over to Tyler's to rehearse, so we'll, uh, see you around.

Caitie: See you around.

Jamie: Bye.

Hank and Tyler make their escape.

Caitie: Jamie, you must get that part.