What. The. Hell. I’m so mad that I’m momentarily frozen. My brain somehow feels fuzzy and laser-focused at the same time. I can’t believe she said that to me. I can’t believe I let her say that to me. Why didn’t I tell her where she could shove her racist self?

Do other people think that’s why I was cast? Honestly, they probably do. I mean, that’s why I think I was cast. I’m not exactly good at acting or dancing.

Lex. I have to tell Lex. I grab my stuff from where it’s piled in one of the aisles and stomp out of the auditorium, already punching Lex’s speed dial on my phone. I call her a few times before she answers, by which time I’m pacing back and forth by the parking lot and sweating my ass off in the Florida heat.

“OH HELL NO!” Lex shrieks after I explain what happened. “She’s just salty because she doesn’t get to be the lead for once.”

“I didn’t say anything to her, Lex!” A few people look at me weirdly on the way to their cars, which is probably because I’m yelling furiously into the phone. I’m also definitely sweating out my blowout, but I couldn’t give less of a shit right now. “I just stood there like a dumbass, and she, like, strutted away flipping her stupid hair in the wind!”

Lex emits this rage-filled scream, and I have to hold my phone away from my ear. “Fuck her.”

“Yeah, for real.”

“Don’t let her get to you, lady. It’s high school theater. It’s not that serious.” She huffs angrily, and I can practically feel her rolling her eyes through the phone. “You’re a gorgeous singer, and you work harder than anybody I know. You deserve to be there just as much as she does.”

“Thanks, friend,” I say, wiping sweat off my forehead.

“Anytime. Let me know if you want me to set her hair on fire. I’ll make it look like an accident.”

“Will do.”

“Okay, I have to go,” she says reluctantly. “I’m actually at the soup kitchen volunteering right now, and I can’t hide in the bathroom forever.”

“Okay. Have fun.”

“I’ll try. Byeeeee.” She hangs up.

Even after talking to Lex, I don’t feel much better. I can’t fail like I did during this rehearsal when people like Brittany think I’m a diversity casting choice. People already think I’m cheating to be good at the things I’m good at. I can’t be bad at stuff. I have to be the best a million times over so people will acknowledge me.