Chapter 36—and the Role of Sandy goes to the Understudy Bella Banks-Bombay
April 6th, 2000
Bella's POV
We had been busy rehearsing for the musical every morning before school and every afternoon after school for the last month. I had been perfectly happy with the stage manager and understudy of Sandy until I had gotten to rehearsal this afternoon.
"Well, I have some bad news, Kids. Our Sandy lead, Jennifer got tonsillitis and had to have her tonsils removed this morning. Therefore, she is unable to be Sandy for Grease," Ms. Delaney said.
"Oh great," said a few of the students.
"So now what do we do, do we cancel. My Grandparents are coming," said Roberta who was playing the secretary Blanche Lent.
"Well, no we are not going to cancel, this is why we have understudies for our lead roles and the young lady to fill Ms. Morrison's part will be Ms. Bella Banks-Bombay," Ms. Delaney said.
"Congratulations Bella," Julie and Connie said together.
"M-m-me? Are you kidding me?" I said stunned.
"No," Ms. Delaney said.
"But we have a week until the musical. I have not studied the lines much," I said.
"True and I think that you can learn your lines in a week, you had been practicing up until a month ago, right?" Ms. Delaney asked.
"Yeah," I said.
"And I have already talked to your teachers for the three periods that I have free during the day, and they are willing to let you make up your classes since you are going to be in emergency rehearsal with me. Do you think that you can do it?" Ms. Delaney asked.
"Yeah I think so, at least I hope so," I said.
"Good see me after rehearsal and we will talk further about this, for the rest of us we are going to start right at the top Act 1 Scene 1, let's get into our positions. Bella you may use your script if you need it," Ms. Delaney said.
"That's great except I don't have my script," I said.
"Here use mine," Connie said as she handed me her script.
It turned out that the three extra rehearsals were during Honors Chemistry, Weightlifting and Study Hall. Luckily for me Dr. Hadden and Coach Murphy said that I would not have to worry about class that I could make up whatever I needed to make up during my free period after the musical was over, until I was caught up. Unfortunately, Charlie was not as cool about me stepping into the role of Sandy. We were in the cafeteria when I told him about me taking over the role of Sandy, he was quiet all throughout Dinner and our study session for Calculus in my room with Julie, Connie, Gunnar, Adam, and Guy.
Adam, Gunnar, Guy decided after we were done with Calculus that they were tired and wanted to go back to their dorm for the night, Julie went to go and shower and Connie walked with Guy back to his dorm, I could not take Charlie's quietness anymore.
"Charlie are you jealous?" I asked as I was grabbing my script.
"Am I jealous? Me jealous, Why would you ask a stupid question like that?" Charlie asked as he was packing up his bookbag.
"I was just asking, excuse me for trying to put our relationship first," I said.
"You get to kiss the best-looking guy in the school, and you have the balls to ask me if I am jealous," Charlie said and then he sat down and ran a hand through his hair.
"Well, I am just curious is all," I said.
"Yeah, maybe a little," Charlie said quietly.
"What was that Charlie?" I asked.
"That I might be just a little jealous of you kissing Brett," Charlie said.
I put my script to the side and walked over to Charlie and started to rub his shoulders before I said, "It isn't going to mean a thing about me kissing Brett. Besides, he has Katie. They have been together consistently since freshman year. In terms of seniority with the couples it's Connie and Guy, Brett, and Katie and then us."
Charlie scoffed.
"Charlie I am being serious. Me kissing Brett would be like me kissing Adam," I said.
"I am afraid that you are going to fall for Brett," Charlie said.
"No, I am not going to fall for Brett. Besides it's just a couple of little kisses at the beginning of the show. The rest of the show they are fighting each other to get back together," I said.
"Yeah but then you get to flirt with Eric," Charlie said.
"I promise you Charles Alexander Conway I am not going to fall for Brett or Eric. You see this ring?" I said as I showed him the promise ring he gave me for my birthday last year.
"Yeah?" Charlie asked.
"It's forever, otherwise I would not have stuck it on that chain during practices and games all year," I said.
Charlie took a few deep breaths before he said, "Alright. I just wish we could just get married and have it just be us."
"We are not old enough and we are not ready yet. But we will be someday. I promise you. If you are really concerned then you can help out with something in the musical," I said.
"And that is?" Charlie asked.
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