“Since when do you even care?”

Henry frowns. “Since when don’t you?”

I cannot even.

“Let me help you,” Danica reads. “Please, Adina. Just let me in.”

Emerson shakes her head. “No.”

It’s one syllable, but the break in her voice is devastating.

“I can’t do this,” Emerson continues. “This crown? This kingdom? I don’t want it.”

Danica takes a step toward Emerson. “The people of Infernodelle need you. Now more than ever. The fires, Adina. They’re out of control.”

“And I could just make them worse!” Emerson cries. “I make everything worse.”

It… actually feels like I’m watching siblings bickering. Not two people who could start making out at any moment. Danica and Emerson’s back-and-forth is natural. It works.

I don’t want to admit it, but while Emerson may be a freshman, she is a talented freshman.

The scene ends, Reid thanks Emerson, and she shuffles back to her seat—her face pink and her long red hair knotted from nervous twirling.

Fitz texts me.

Fitz (Not Ava)

oh to be an OLD upstaged by a FRESHMAN

4:45 PM

don’t stress out!! we’re just testing some combinations, I swear. please don’t hate me—i can only handle so much friendship angst!

4:45 PM

omg natalie

4:45 PM

i love you but don’t worry on my behalf

4:46 PM

I FELL. it’s ok to be objective.

4:46 PM

as long as i’m still designing the costumes

4:46 PM

I exhale.

The best part about Fitz is she wears her emotions on her sleeve.

Total opposite of Henry.

I don’t have to read between the lines—or worry that she doesn’t mean it. But even so, it doesn’t make the decision any easier. I mean, we already wrote an entire musical around Fitz’s inability to sing. Because Adina has always been Fitz.

I don’t know if I’m ready to let her go.

I wrestle with the idea for the remainder of chemistry reads, until the future cast of Melted: The Musical is dismissed, leaving Reid and me to finalize the list with my dad. Fitz wraps me in a hug on her way out. Danica and Henry leave together and I cannot even process that the first real conversation Henry and I have had since my birthday was him accusing me of dumping Fitz. Especially when Fitz is more okay with dumping Fitz than I am!

It is beyond frustrating.

“What a week!” Dad exclaims as soon as everyone leaves, using his teacher voice. “Your show is going to—”

“Emerson should play Adina,” Reid says.

Wow. Doesn’t even let Dad finish his sentence!

Even if I almost agree, the way he approaches this reignites the Natalie vs. Reid in me.

“Fitz can do it,” I counter. “If we’re good directors, we can help her do it.”