Author's Note: Sorry for the short chapter, but more to come, soon!

Casey sniffed her tuna sandwich and grimaced, placing it back in her lunch bag. She wasn't hungry anyway. She was too nervous and excited for 3:30 to roll around—she was dying to know who her male lead would be. Her options weren't exactly great at this point. There were a few random guys in the cast, but obviously none of them had been talented enough to land a lead role in primary auditions. And then there was Wendell, who would probably kill to get the lead, but the prospect of working closely with him didn't sit well with Casey. In fact, when she thought about it, she imagined Wendell acting out their love scenes with a creepy intensity, bringing it out of the realm of acting and into uncomfortable reality. As she had learned from Emily, Wendell had a reputation as being a method-actor, fully immersing himself into a role, even while living out his day to day life (much to the dismay of his classmates). Casey shuddered, if Wendell got the role, she would have to put up with him continuously acting like an overly enthusiastic pirate for months—an overly enthusiastic pirate that was madly in love with her…Ugh.

Casey wouldn't even allow herself to worry about Mrs. Zelden choosing the nuclear option as the lead male. Derek had no chance at getting the lead. She knew this for several reasons:

One: Derek would have to actually put effort into his performance to get the role

Two: Derek didn't even want the lead

Three: He probably wouldn't even show up for his audition

Four: If all else failed, Mrs. Zelden's…distaste for Derek and his attitude towards the theatre would ensure him a small role.

"Are you not going to eat anything?" Max asked, slinging his arm around Casey's shoulders. She looked up at her boyfriend and shrugged, giving him a sweet smile.

From across the table, Max's cheerleader friend Becky giggled, "are you on a cleanse or something?"

"No." Casey said, "I'm just a little anxious about auditions today."

"Auditions?" Max asked with a puzzled expression, "I thought you already got the lead!"

Casey sighed. "I did. But the male lead dropped out so they're casting a new one. I've only been talking about it all day! Have you not been listening to me?"

"Sorry Casey." Max said, shaking his head, "I've just been really focussed on football, we have a big game coming up."

"Oh" Casey sighed, dejectedly "it's okay, I understand. It's just that this play is really important to me and I hope I get a male-lead who I at least have some chemistry with." She shuddered, thinking about Wendell.

"Hopefully not too much chemistry." Max winked, nuzzling into Casey's neck and making her giggle.

"Wait! That's it!" Casey exclaimed, causing Max to pull back from her and eye her inquisitively. "You should audition!"

Max backed away from Casey, instinctively. "What?!" He asked, in shock.

"Yeah! Think about it…" Casey squealed, setting up her fantasy.

"I am." Max said. Casey ignored him.

"We already have amazing chemistry" Casey nudged Max playfully, "and I've heard you sing along to music in the car! You're good!"

Becky laughed "you're going to be in the school musical, Max?"

"No!" Max said, a little too loudly, "of course not!"

"Why not?!" Casey snapped, offended by how opposed to the idea he seemed.

"B—because!" Max floundered, struggling to find an excuse. "I just won't have the time! You know…with football. Too busy." Max relaxed, satisfied. "You understand…right, Casey?"

Casey sighed, "Of course…But, promise me you'll be at auditions today for moral support!"

Max rubbed Casey's shoulder, giving her a kiss on her forehead. She liked the feeling. "I wouldn't miss it for the world." Max murmured into Casey's ear. She didn't feel as nervous about auditions any more—because her supportive boyfriend, Max, would be there for her.

Meanwhile...Derek was across the dining hall, chomping on cafeteria pizza, and planning his epic prank audition.