Elsewhere in the auditorium, Brad was getting high-fives from all his friends. Maria, on the other hand, was slumped in a chair, arms folded across her chest, with eyes that glared at Tora like a pair of plutonium-powered lasers.

Tora had won the lead in the school play—had won the battle—but, obviously, as far as Maria was concerned, the war was not yet over.

* * *

“I’m sorry,” Tora said.

“For what?” asked Michael.

Willie Greene had made all of his casting selections and the auditorium was slowly emptying of students. Every once in a while someone would congratulate Tora while others would shake their heads and tell Michael, “tough luck” on their way out.

“You didn’t get the part you were trying for.”

Michael laughed under his breath. “There’s nothing wrong with being Policeman Number Two.” Michael had been given a small role with no lines in one of the other drama night plays. “Besides, I’m sure my dad will be proud to see me in a uniform.”

“But you rehearsed so hard for the part in Red Carnations.”

Michael’s smile was ear to ear. “I only did that because I got to kiss you each time we reached the end of the play.”

Tora was smiling now, too. “I thought that might be the reason.”

“Besides, Brad is a way better actor than I’ll ever be, and he’ll make your performance sparkle.”

Tora tilted her head. “So you don’t mind that I’ll be kissing him during rehearsals, and in front of an audience on drama night?”

Michael considered the question for the longest time. “Of course it’s going to bother me, but it’ll just be acting, right?”

Tora was silent.

“Right?”

She burst out laughing. “Of course.”

“Well it better be.” He paused a moment. “Because I’d hate to have to beat the crap out of Brad if he gets any, you know…ideas about you and him being an item.”

Tora laughed, since Brad Horton was at least a head taller and twenty-five pounds heavier than Michael…and had been studying Taekwondo the past six years.

“Hey, I mean it. I’ll kick his ass!”

“That’s so sweet.” Tora leaned forward to give Michael a peck on the cheek when she was bumped from behind. “Hey!” She turned around to find Maria standing there, her hands on her hips and an angry scowl on her face.

“Congratulations!” Maria said through a phony smile.

Tora wasn’t sure how to answer. In the end she nodded once and said, “Uh, thank you, Maria.”

“I was wondering why your brother was spending so much time talking to Willie Greene the past few days…but now I know.”

Tora shook her head. “No, it was nothing like that, Maria. Noble and Willie—”