“That’s the dumbest plan ever,” I say.

“Too late, he’s showing up later. Let’s see if he can resist all this,” Elijah says, displaying his stocking-clad legs.

I laugh. “You’re weird in the best way.”

“Anyone sitting here?” Yazmin asks, already in the seat beside me. Eating popcorn.

I sit up a little. “Guess you are.”

Elijah gets up. “I’m headed to the bathroom,” he says, leaving us alone.

I smile at Yaz. “Who are you?” I ask, referring to her costume, not a deeper intellectual question.

She shrugs. “I haven’t seen this movie, but I figured I couldn’t go wrong with leopard-print everything. I know who you are.”

“Oh, I didn’t dress up.”

“You’re a big star.”

I blush. “Hardly,” I manage to say.

“Um, did you see all the coverage online about you? Broadway.com, Playbill, TheaterMania.”

“I didn’t read them,” I lie. I read all the articles, all the comments, and watched my follower count explode. I gained four hundred followers today. Acting feels like a drug, but so does social media. And I’m getting higher every day.

“August,” Yaz says, “I’m so proud of you.”

“Enough about me, how are you?” I ask. We haven’t talked since the cast party.

Yaz exhales loudly. “I’m fine. I have an audition for a short film this weekend. But I’m thinking of breaking up with my boyfriend. It’s always something with him.”

I nod, thinking back to the balcony where we kissed. Everything was so bright and new. Everyone was so cool and accomplished. But now I’m feeling like I’ve moved beyond it all.

“I’m back,” Elijah announces loudly. “Got us some candy.”

“Ready for the show?” Justin yells from the back of the room. The lights go down and everyone finds a recliner. There’s popcorn flying around the room and lots of excitement. Red lips sing the first song as the opening credits roll. Everyone knows the words but me and Yaz. Elijah is belting every word, and when I look over, there are tears in his eyes.

The movie starts with a wedding between Janet, played by Susan Sarandon, and an actor I’m not familiar with. Confetti flies around the room, like I’m in a snow globe. “What’s happening?” I ask Elijah, brushing confetti out of my hair.

“We’re just getting started,” he says, full of glee, as everyone sings “Dammit, Janet” along with the movie.

When Susan Sarandon puts a newspaper over her head to block the rain, everyone in the room does the same. Anna puts a newspaper over my head, then water comes from everywhere. I turn around to a full-on water-gun fight. “Don’t you dare ruin my makeup,” Elijah yells, covering his face. More water guns point toward him until he screams and ducks in his chair.