PART VI - SOFIA

I decided to try out for the play. Not only did Mrs. Carter talk about it this morning, but in my Arts elective, they announced that we would be responsible for the school play's backdrop. Everything was pointing at this.

At my last school, I was part of a Grease production. We sang and danced – the whole package. I could handle anything.

There weren't that many people in the auditorium, maybe fifteen. Helen was sitting in the front, Baker stood on a chair next to her. I sat down a few rows behind them. They were joking about something. Too bad, I thought. I really thought I could hit a nerve when I was friends with Baker and now these two actually liked each other? Damn it.

"Hey, guys." Mrs. Carter was standing on the stage in front of us. "I have good news for all of you." She made a pause and smiled at us. "You are all hired."

There were a few laughs. Baker sat down on his chair.

"I still would like all of you to audition for the roles. I'd just like to estimate your abilities. But before we can do that, we need to agree on a play."

A girl in the first row was the first one to speak up: "I heard of this new play "How to Overthrow Your Student Government". I read some reviews, it sounded pretty good."

Mrs. Carter nodded, wrote down "HTOYSG" on the board behind her. "Other ideas?"

A guy raised his hand. "Let's do "Almost, Maine" – We are in Maine after all."

Baker chimed in: "Everyone does "Almost, Maine". Come up with something original."

Mrs. Carter looked at him scoldingly. "We express criticism in a nice way here, Jonathan."

"Sorry, Mrs. C., sorry, Luke."

She gave him an approving smile, and wrote down "Almost, Maine" on the board.

"Romeo and Juliet," Helen threw in.

"What did I just say, Helen?"

"Jonathan!"

"Sorry, sorry, Mrs. C. It's just – "Romeo and Juliet" is the most basic play."

Romeo and Juliet. Fucking Romeo and Juliet. Why are people still obsessed with this shit? It's basically about two horny teenagers who are responsible for the death of six people

"That's the thing, Jonathan," Helen said. "It's simple and direct, and the characterizations are very clear. The cultural reference – two lovers can't be together because of social disparities – is an ongoing issue in the current day. Also, it's romantic."

"Also, it's shit," I said under my breath.

"What did you say, Sofia?" Mrs. Carter asked. I wasn't sure if she was about to scold me for what I said or if she simply didn't understand.

"It's shit", I said a little louder. "Its message is shit. Why not do a play that has an actual meaning?"

"Thank you," Baker turned and winked at me.

"What do you propose?"

"I don't know. Let's make Booksmart into a play."

My teacher laughed a little. "I would love to, believe me, but we need an existing play, otherwise the school is not going to approve. I'm sorry."

"What about Waitress?"

"I am an optimist," she said, "but I'm not delusional. We are 12 people, how many of you can sing? Please raise your hand."

Four people – including me – did.

I nodded slowly. "I see the problem."

Mrs. Carter looked at the list on the board and sighed. I had already forgotten what HTOYSG stood for. The theater group cannot come up with more than three plays? That is so sad.

I did the most reasonable thing: I took my phone and googled. Plays ideal for high school were, according to a website I found, "13 Ways to Screw Up Your College Interview", "10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse", and "The Internet is Distract--OH LOOK A KITTEN!". The latter sounded funny at least. But that might be because of my love for cats.

"Anything else?"

Some shook their heads, some murmured "No".

"Then let's vote, guys. It's gonna be a great play, anyways. I am sure of that."

Two votes for "HTOYSG": Baker, and the girl who proposed the play.

Three votes for "Almost, Maine": Me, and two others.

Seven votes for "Romeo and Juliet": Helen, and six others.

Baker made a face at me. I made a face back. We understood each other.