Stage Sabotage

SUMMARY: Trina wakes up one morning with a skin condition which forces her to not star in Jade's play.

Set in December 2013

CHAPTER 1:

On December 16th, at the Black Box Theater, Jade handed out monologues to student passersby.

"Okay, now don't forget: Auditions are in two days," she reminded each one. "So, be here and ready with your monologue if you hope to get a part. And remember, this play is not for fun; this is a class project, so all of our grades depend on it," Jade said as she narrowed her eyes at everyone who glanced at her.

"Heyyy, Jade," Trina said as she walked over to her. "You know the class play we're doing? Well, since you and I are super close-" She placed a hand on Jade's shoulder.

"Trina, nobody likes you," Jade simply stated, interrupting Trina and shrugging off her hand.

"You take that back!" Trina fired back, not having any more of that tired insult.

"Why? Don't you want brutal honesty?" Jade asked. "Or are you just trying to sugarcoat your life?"

"Somebody…likes me. I had a boyfriend," Trina explained confidently.

"Yeah, had. And then he broke up with you after five dates," Jade stated plainly.

Trina grunted and shook her head. "Well," Trina said before she put on her pretentious smile. "Like I was saying, I was wondering if I could be the lead in the play."

"It's not up to me. Come to auditions and then we'll see," Jade said, staring pointedly at Trina.

"Well, maybe I will," Trina sneered. "But there's no point in anyone else even showing up, since we all know I'll get the part anyways!"

"Scared, Trina?" Jade asked her, taunting. "Scared someone else better will get the part?"

"No! I'll be there at the auditions," Trina said before exiting the theater.

Jade watched as she left the room, her arms across her chest, a snarl upon her lips.

Jade updated her status on The Slap which read: "May the best woman win - MOOD = Determined".

Back at Tori's house the next day…

"Morning sweetie," Holly said as Trina came down the stairs. "Time to get ready for…" – she paused, puzzled. "Uh, what's that all over your face?"

"What?" Trina replied dumbfoundedly. She touched her face, startled at how blotchy it felt.

Holly got a bit closer, peering into Trina's face.. "Uh oh, I've seen this before!" she replied before hollering at her husband. "Honey, can you Google how to treat hives?"

"On it," David said, booting up his laptop.

"Mom?" Trina spoke in a panicky voice. "What's hives?" Her hands were still roaming her face, and the skin started to burn and itch.

"Don't worry, kiddo. We're going to figure out how to get rid of your skin condition if it's the last thing we do," Holly promised with a smile as she asked her daughter to take a seat.

At Trina's locker, Jade approached her.

"Trina?" Jade asked. "You've got something all over your face."

Trina turned to her, nonchalant. "What do you mean?" She said, smiling as if it wasn't a big deal.

"Have you even looked in a mirror this morning?" Jade asked. She took a hand mirror from her backpack and handed it over.

"I mean I did–" Trina glanced at herself and let out a shriek. "I look hideous!" A few kids laughed at her as they passed by, and she turned her face away…"The makeup isn't hiding the hives anymore! What do I do, Jade? I was planning to audition for the class play tomorrow. I can't perform looking like this!" Trina shrieked before handing Jade's mirror back and running off down the hall.

"I know," Jade smirked, watching Trina hurry away.

Jade updated her status on The Slap which read: "Oops…I guess Trina's hideous now... Wait, she always was - MOOD = Cunning".