JACKIE O

CHARLIE'S BED (do you think this sounds wrong?)

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17

1: 06 PM

Allie's POV

Allie stared, openmouthed, at her friend Charlie. "What?"

Even Charlie didn't know what to say. "I—"

Before she could explain, her aPod beeped. Dazedly Charlie handed it to Allie, who opened the text. It was from Jess.

Jessupha: I was thinking maybe five. Meet you by the three palms. Can't wait.

Wordlessly Allie handed it back to her friend, who scanned it and sighed, putting the glittery rectangle back into its charging dock.

Allie asked the question undoubtedly on her friend's mind. "What are you going to do now?"

"I don't know, Al," Charlie admitted. "I know I made it worse by saying no but declining was the wrong thing to do."

Allie sighed. "I respect your decision, Char, really I do. But I think this is going to create more trouble than it's worth."

Charlie just stared at her fingers forlornly. Allie scooted over, intending to comfort her, but a tiny chime from her aPod made her stop and pull it out.

REMINDER FOR ALLIE: Drama class in ten minutes.

She quickly dismissed it, made to get ready, but hesitated. Charlie saw this and nudged her friend wearily. "It's okay, Al. You can go."

After hastily freshening up Allie did leave, feeling bad for her friend and sending a steady stream of reassuring texts. But when she elbowed the theater door open, it suddenly became the least of her worries.

A stunning blonde stood in front of the stage. Her bright green eyes were the color of a pine tree at dawn and sparkled. But that wasn't what bothered her. It wasn't that her classmates were all shooting the girl jealous looks. She could deal. No, what bothered her id that Melbourne Brazille—her boyfriend—had his hand on her creamy pale arm.

She wasn't a mean or overprotective person. It was just that since the Trina/Fletcher disaster, Allie had been very cautious when it came to friends and boyfriends.

Allie knew she shouldn't be so defensive, but that didn't stop her from setting her bag down on an empty seat and striding purposefully down the theater aisle.

As she got closer, Mel hurriedly stepped away. Allie stood by him, giving the girl a cool look while Mel swung an arm around her shoulders. The girl adopted a hurt look. Allie's defenses lowered (mostly)

"Hi, I'm Allie," she said, figuring she may as well be nice and putting a hand out. The girl's eyes flicked from Mel to Allie to her outstretched hand and tossed her hair before shaking. "Anastasia Brownling."

"Nice to meet you," Allie said, turning away with Mel. But before she could leave, Anastasia reached out and caught her arm. "Can we talk?" she whispered.

Allie glanced at Mel, who nodded and walked away. Then the pair drifted to a quiet corner, where Allie had to lean in to hear Anastasia.

"I'm really sorry," she said.

"For what?" Allie asked, bewildered.

"I didn't know you were with Mel. I swear I wouldn't have tried to flirt if I had known."

Of all the things Allie had thought the girl would say, this was the least expected. "Oh—it's okay."

"Great." Anastasia pushed blond bangs out of her face. "I can't believe I missed tryouts!"

The class was holding a production of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The whole school was going to see it. As the only boy, Mel was going to play Romeo. Allie, personally, hoped for Juliet. The instructor heavily hinted that she wanted Allie as Juliet too.

"You did?" That explained why Allie hadn't seen her before. "Why not?"

"I was sick."

"I'm sorry." Allie had been the infirmary before. "Maybe you can get a makeup tryout? Which part do you want to play?"

"Juliet's Nurse. What about you?"

"Juliet. Mel's Romeo."

"Oh, that's so perfect!" Anastasia remarked.

"Thanks." As Allie turned to go, Anastasia called out, "I really hope you get the part!"

Allie grinned and headed over to Mel. But if she had turned back, she would've seen Anastasia mouth, "But not on my watch."

Dun-dun-dun! New girl wants to steal Mel away. Do you think that's cliche? Comment, comment, comment!

If you haven't read it, there's this book called Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. It is about fallen angels but isn't too predictable. I really recommend it! Though if you are below ten I would advise maybe waiting.

-MuseGoddess