Suddenly, all the fun was over. Tora turned around and saw Maria Abruzzo standing there in the hallway with a devilish smirk on her face.

“Hello Maria,” Tora said, saying the girl’s name slowly so there could be no mistaking how Tora felt about her. Tora disliked Maria Abruzzo, plain and simple. Maria never missed an opportunity to make fun of Tora, especially in front of the other students. Her favorite thing was to point out to everyone how hairy Tora was. Tora, for her part, did her best to keep her legs and arms covered on problem days, but every once in a while a bit of extra hair would make it onto the top of her hands, her legs, her arms, or God forbid, her face. When that happened, Maria Abruzzo was always there to point it out. It was particularly frustrating for Tora because after herself, Maria was probably the hairiest girl in the school. But unlike Tora, Maria didn’t have the excuse of being a lycanthrope going for her. Maria was just one hairy, hairy girl. And mean.

“Just to let you know, I’m going for the lead role in Red Carnations, too. So you may want to try for something else to avoid being disappointed. I think there’s a part for a sheepdog in one of the other plays.”

The rest of the students switched their attention away from the bulletin board and onto the two girls.

Tora could feel the anger rising within her. She balled her right hand into a fist to hide the talons that were forming at the ends of her fingers, then shook her head. “No, you misread that. The role doesn’t call for a dog, it calls for a bitch…which I think would suit your talents much better.”

“Ooooo…” said the crowd of students in unison.

Maria’s lips came together in a tight line, and her eyes squinted half shut as she glared at Tora. She took a step forward.

Principal Terashita was suddenly there between them. “Now, now girls,” he said. “It’s an audition, not a competition, so let’s tone it down a bit.” When he had control over the situation he raised his head to address the rest of the students. “We just want to see what you can do. You might try out for one part, but get a different one instead. We’re going to put people in the roles they’ll do best in, so all the pieces are as good as we can make them.” He lowered his head and looked at Tora and Maria. “Okay? Understand?”

The two girls nodded.

“Great,” Principal Terashita said as he walked away. “See you after school.”

The two girls stood there for the longest time before Maria finally said. “Oh, I forgot to tell you. I’ll be rehearsing with Brad Horton.” She flashed Tora that same smirk as before. “Good luck.”