Reid shrugs. “We weren’t worried about it. Not until Natalie blew out our concert, anyway. Also, if my innocence has been proven… why am I here?”

“You’re all here because clearly the budget cuts have created more tension among the student body than we anticipated. So we have a solution,” Mrs. Mulaney says.

“We read HAVE A HE(ART),” Dad continues. “The district needs another buzzworthy marquee event to make up for the Harvest Festival flop. Mrs. Mulaney and I believe that with some tweaks… Melted could be that event.”

Holy shit.

Validation courses through my veins as I take in the tableau of reactions, everyone barely able to comprehend the words. Makayla and Arjun’s eyes widen. Henry’s eyebrows scrunch together. Danica and Fitz victory-pump their fists. Reid’s forehead vein protrudes and I can almost hear the stress loop that is his brain.

Oh my God.

HAVE A HE(ART)… just got approved!

Mrs. Mulaney laughs. “They’re speechless.”

“Melted can absolutely be that event!” I confirm.

“Tweaks to the script?” Henry asks.

“Yes!” Mrs. Mulaney claps her hands together. “We love the premise. A student-written production is a compelling hook and the climate crisis cause will resonate with the community. We just have one small, tiny, reasonable note: to incorporate the band and present an event that is truly interdisciplinary. So instead of a play—you will develop and execute an original musical.”

I… don’t see this coming.

“A musical,” I echo.

Mrs. Mulaney nods. “Melted: The Musical.”

I don’t musical. I never have. Besides the fact that Reid is super into them and that they are very much his thing—the whole breaking-into-song-midsentence structure always takes me out of the story. I would be pulled into a monologue, invested, and then… cue music, reminding me that nothing is real.

“I can’t write music,” Henry says, so softly I barely hear him.

“This is where some collaboration comes in,” Dad says.

“I can help,” Danica says, and she has the audacity to look excited.

Henry’s expression softens when Danica speaks, like the idea of collaborating with her fixes everything, and my heart flops into my stomach because I am losing him, damn it. I try to connect with Fitz, who cannot sing, to make sure we’re on the same page, but she’s focusing on the way Henry is looking at Danica and she’s a lost cause too.

“Natalie and Henry, you are a fantastic directors and writers,” Mrs. Mulaney says. I am instantly suspicious. “Reid, your musical skills are unparalleled. Your strengths are complementary. So, Reid will come on as a third director.”

“What?”

No. No way. This is worse than apologizing!

“Mrs. Mulaney—” Reid starts.

I cut him off. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Mulaney. That will never work.”

“This is nonnegotiable,” Mrs. Mulaney says.

I lock eyes with Henry, my eyes screaming save me!