I nod and feel relief that my friend has the same feelings. “I’m glad I’m not alone on this,” I admit.

“August, you’re never alone. Ever. But I think—”

“Oh my god, two of my favorite people!” Anna says as she walks up the steps with a tray of coffees. “What the hell are you doing here Juliet? It’s Sunday!”

I forgot to ask that question. What is she doing here? I’m so wrapped up in me. “Yeah?” I add, eloquently.

“Oh, I use the studio on the weekend. Ms. Sanders gives me access.”

“I can’t believe you want to be at school on the weekend,” Anna says, then turns to me. “August, we’re going to be late. Let’s jam.”

“See you around,” I say to Juliet, wishing we could talk more.

“Hey,” she says to me, “let’s talk this week about that recipe for chocolate chip cookies.”

I laugh. I guess that’s our code. “Sounds good.”

“Oh my god, I want cookies,” Anna says, turning to me. “I didn’t know you baked. That’s adorable.”

2:35 P.M.

“You can look,” Mrs. Templeton says.

I’m about to get my first look at myself in the Rizzo costume. High-waisted jeans, white Keds, and a tight pink sweater. Mrs. Templeton wraps a bow around my head. “What do you think?” she asks, spinning me around to face the mirror.

“I look like Rizzo,” I confirm. And then remind myself that it’s just a costume. It’s always shocking to see myself in girl clothes. This isn’t me—I’m playing a character.

“Will you wear this?” she asks, holding a padded bra. “To give you some curves.”

My heart sinks. After Elijah’s warning, I want to stay on Mrs. Templeton’s good side, but I don’t want to wear that. “Do I have to?” I ask, in the nicest voice ever.

She frowns and thinks. “Nah,” she says, and tosses the bra on a pile of clothes. “You look great without.”

I hug Mrs. Templeton. “Thank you.”

“Easy, kid, you’ll squeeze the life out of me.”

“Can I change here?” I ask.

She gives me a puzzled look. “You don’t want to go back to your dressing room?”

I’m having stage fright. I don’t want to change in front of the guys, don’t want them to see my binder, and don’t want to be dressed like a girl in front of them. “I’m just going to change here,” I say.

“Sure thing, honey, I’ll step out.”

3:15 P.M.