Thursday
2:40 PM
school
Ah, auditions for the school play. It's like its own holiday in itself, with traditions and everything. Every year, William gets so excited that he almost pisses himself, even though he always scores the lead role. And every year, he begs and begs me to audition as an extra. Every year I try to decline, even though, secretly, I always know I'll give in. I just like to keep William on his toes.
This year, it's no different. I'm walking toward the buses and I feel a pair of hands clap over my eyes. "Ah, William..." I say exasperatedly, but I can't help but smile.
"So..." he says happily, making his way around me to talk to my face. "Meeting for play auditions in ten. Coming?"
I sigh. "I don't know, William. I just don't know."
He laughs. "Yeah, right. You're coming." And he locks his elbow with mine, dragging me with him. It always appears as if William Beckett doesn't have a care in the world. It would appear as if everyone should be jealous of his free spirit. But I'm not. I can only wonder what goes on under his quite girly haircut. I don't think it's all as... carefree as most would. How could someone be free of any cares? And let alone, William? It just doesn't seem right.
There's a lot of people in the auditorium. William continues to drag me around and we sit in the first row. He's so arrogant, it almost makes me laugh. They might as well just give him the lead role. Only a few competitive boys ever try out anyway, thinking maybe they could be the first to put William Beckett out of his place.
William's hand is clasped with mine on the hard arm rest as we sit there. I shake my head and smile and he looks at me. "What? Aren't you excited?"
I shrug. "I guess."
"Oh, come on! Last year's play was amazing."
"You mean you were amazing."
He sucks his teeth and steers his eyes away from me, but there's still that tiny, arrogant smile on his perfect lips. Mrs. Langdon finally enters the room and William squeezes my hand.
"Sorry I'm late," she says quickly. "First things first. Our play this year is going to be a little different than our previous ones. We'll be constructing a musical, rather than the traditional play."
There isn't much reaction and I can't help but stifle a laugh to myself. What really throws me off though is a small sound errupting from William next to me. His face is suddenly quite pale. "Are you alright?" I ask.
He turns to me melodramatically. "Singing," he says quietly.
"Yeah...?"
"I don't sing."
I chuckle. "Then don't try out."
His jaw drops. "I have to. Acting is my life."
I shrug. "Why don't you wanna sing?"
He becomes suddenly very quiet and a humble look falls upon his face. It's a good look for him, really. I realize he's not going to answer. He just sits there with that expression on his face like he's going to be sick.
"First part of the audition process will be held tomorrow after school. Pick up a script on the way out to decide on a part," Mrs. Langdon announces. And as most of the students begin to file out of the auditorium, William just sits there, and I can feel his hand shake inside mine.
"William," I say seriously. "You'll do fine. It's not that hard to sing a song."
He looks at me, practically horrified by my statement. "Are you kidding? You've never heard me sing, Travis. Never. I'm an awful singer and that's the truth."
I sigh, still not believing him. William's perfect at everything. He's the kind of guy that can pick up a pencil and write the most beautiful words. He can put his fingers or his mouth to an instrument and he can play it. He can set foot on a sports field and win. He can step on a stage and give Sean Penn a run for his money. He can open his mouth and he can sing. I know he can.
The door to the auditorium opens loudly, and both me and William look over our shoulders to see who it is. It's little Ryan Ross. Well, I may as well just leave.
"Watcha doin', Ryan?" William asks loudly across all the seats.
He scratches his head and looks around. "I, uh... left my math book in here."
There's something in his voice that makes both William and I squint and sharpen our eardrums. Little Ryan Ross sounds all choked up but what else is new? "What's wrong, Ry?" William asks. "Come here."
And Ryan does as told, sweeping down the aisle between the rows of seats. He reaches us and sits down on the other side of William. No, not just sits. He collapses into William. And within seconds, little Ryan Ross' tears stain William's t-shirt.
"He got a girlfriend, William..." I hear him mutter. I feel a little bad, even though I haven't a clue what he's talking about. I watch Ryan cry in amazement, wondering how a man of his age and poise could be so fragile. Will this kid ever grow up? Will he ever be able to stand on his own two feet?
And that's just the jealousy talking. When William places a small kiss on Ryan's forehead, I realize, yes, that is just the jealousy talking. I rip my hand out of William's and he looks at me a little shocked before I grab my books and dash out of the auditorium.
Everybody scream your heart out.
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