I am so sorry I haven't uploaded in the longest time-I've kinda been busy with my other story and school and everything, then writers block hit, then...yeah.

Well, I'm here now aren't I?

Also forget the chapter numbering...this is the REAL Chapter 31, the other one was supposed to be 30 and was a typo. So no, this isn't a double post.

I hope you like it, it's extra-long to make up for all the absentness.

If you haven't given up on this story, remember there are still two more fan choice chapters left! Oh, and read and comment!

-MuseGoddess

PERFORMING ARTS COMPLEX

HONE IT: FOR ACTRESSES (AND MEL)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18

9: 42 AM

Allie's POV

The minute Allie walked into the theater complex she felt her muscles tense. Standing in the middle of the aisle, surrounded by a group of adoring alphas, was none other than the she-devil.

"Mel!" Anastasia's voice was so perky Allie felt like strangling her, "How are you?"

Mel shifted. "Great," he said, running a hand through his white-blond waves. Allies tightened her grip on his hand subconsciously.

Anastasia stepped toward them, looking like a graceful fairy in her no-tan-line Alpha-issue gladiators. "Ready to start practice today?" She beamed at him, showing off her perfect white pearly teeth,

"Of course we are," Allie answered, though she knew the question hadn't been for her.

Anastasia fake-smiled. "That's good. I'm going to have so much fun playing Juliet."

Ouch. That hurts. She was really rubbing it in. Anastasia sensed this and continued. "I hope you aren't offended by the kiss scene." she pouted at Allie.

"Kiss scene? There is a kiss scene?" Allie said, managing to sound surprised yet bored. I love acting, she thought.

"Yeah," Anastasia managed to sound sincere. "I wouldn't want you to be put off."

"I'm totally fine. Trust me, it's okay." Allie was pleased to hear that her voice remained steady-because serious-leh? This was just...Allie had no words for it. Thankfully Careen took the stage and distracted her.

"Welcome to the first practice of Romeo and Juliet! We will be mostly running lines for this practice but I expect you to have completely learned them by next week." They were all alphas, after all.

"So please..." Careen gestured to Mel and Anastasia. "Characters in Act One, Scene One. Sampson, Gregory, Abram, Benvolio, Tybalt, the Capulets and Montagues...and the prince-oh, and Romeo."

Ten girls followed by Mel headed up onto the stage. Allie checked her aPod for when she'd be appearing.

"Act 1, Scene 3," Anastasia, who was sitting next to her, said. She looked pityingly over at Allie. "I make an effort to learn my parts...and we're in many scenes together, so I happened to memorize yours," she said condescendingly.

"Oh. Thanks." Allie had to work to keep her annoyance squashed down.

Allie managed to bear it until the class was over. She was collecting her stuff, Mel waiting patiently beside her, when Anastasia skipped up. Allie's head snapped up and she gritted her teeth.

"Hey, Ana," Mel said, pleasantly surprised. Allie rolled her eyes at the ridiculous nickname. "Can I help you?"

"Actually, I was thinking maybe we could run lines together? You could come over tomorrow, I'm free." Was it Allie's imagination or was she implying something underneath that honey-sweet tone?

"I-" Mel started.

"We're actually busy. He's helping me with my lines, Sorry." Allie slung her bag over her shoulder.

"I am?" Mel asked, confused.

"Yeah, you are. Loved seeing you, bye." Allie took Mel's hand and started to walk out.

Anastasia shot a piercing glance at Allie. "Okay then. Maybe some other time." Then she flounced out.

Allie knew she'd won this round, but the battle had just begun.