After the last scene, Mr. Daniels takes center stage. “Great work today, gang. Don’t forget your super-objective paper on Monday. I would also like you to prepare a monologue for the end of next week. Anything you want,” he says; then, like a cue from the sound board, the bell rings.

I wait until Tess walks by and follow her out. Once we’re in the hallway, I tap on her shoulder and say, “Good job ruining that for me.”

“You did that yourself,” she says.

I puff up my chest. For Tess, I’m the Tough Guy. “What’s your deal?”

She rolls her eyes. “I started acting classes when I was five. Dance, ballet, and singing classes in middle school. I had a tutor just for the audition to SPA. Just for the audition. We prepared, we stressed, and we even prayed for a spot at this school. I waited outside for five hours, and earned my spot here. And some of my best friends, they didn’t get in. So, you walking into SPA like nothing really annoys me.”

“Sorry to annoy you,” I say, not backing down. “But I auditioned for my spot.”

“With Mr. Daniels? I’m sure your girlfriend helped sweet-talk her dad.”

“Girlfriend?” I ask.

“Anna.”

“Dad?”

“Mr. Daniels,” Tess says, watching my reaction. “Oh, you didn’t know that?”

“Sure I did,” I say, lying.

“Look, no offense, but I don’t think you deserve to be here.”

Before I can continue my Tough Guy act, Anna appears by my side.

Tess smiles big and fake. “You’re such a cute couple,” she says, then walks off.

“What was that?” Anna asks.

“Nothing,” I lie. I can’t even look at Anna right now. Her dad is Mr. Daniels? Why wouldn’t she tell me? Did she influence Mr. Daniels’s decision on letting me into the school? And worse, does everyone at SPA think that?

Anna smiles. “Want to walk to the subway after school?”

I need some time to think. “I’m good today.”

“Fine,” she says. “Talk later?”

“Sure,” I say, actually not sure at all.

Four

Four

Sunday, September 15

12:47 P.M.

“Rise and shine! This is a homework intervention,” Aunt Lil sings while opening the shades to let in the sun. I spent Saturday doing homework. And Friday night. I was planning on doing the same today, but I guess Aunt Lil has different ideas. “You do know you live in the coolest city in the world, right?”

“I can see it from my window,” I say, stretching my arms. I’ve been enjoying a lazy morning looking at my phone before getting back to my desk. I’ve never had homework to do on the weekends. Also, I’ve never had this much. I’m getting concerned about the next two years.

“It’s the weekend; you should be out vaping or eating Tide Pods,” she jokes.

“I don’t want to get behind.”