Dragonworld, a classical-rap-meets-technorock musical, had been one of Holly’s favorites as a child. Unfortunately, she never got to see it performed live. Her parents thought it was trash and only wanted her indulging in “high-class” art.
She doubted a high school performance was going to live up to her expectations, but maybe she could find some enjoyment in watching it anyway.
The school tech crew was a piece of cake to infiltrate. All Holly needed was a clipboard and confidence, and no one batted an eye. When Aymes took a seat at the lighting controls, she slid into the empty chair next to him.
She suspected based on Grace’s interaction with Aymes that he was more likely to question himself than Holly if she pretended to recognize him. “You haven’t been here in a couple of pentasols. Been busy?”
“Oh, uh, yeah.” He frowned. “Got a lot going on.”
“You’re doing the science fair too, aren’t you? And volleyball?”
“Yeah. I’m trying to get into a good university.”
“His interest in university is a bit weird, considering Ringmaster’s training him to be a villain,” Jasper noted over comms.
“You got any schools in mind?” Holly asked. “Or careers?”
Aymes shrugged. “If I can get in, University of Kronos. I want to be a doctor.”
The theater teacher turned off the tech booth lights, preventing any further questions from Holly. “We’re going from the top, everyone!”
Holly slipped out of the chair and moved to the back of the room, to a dark corner where she could wait unnoticed for another chance to talk to Aymes. The opening number started, and Holly found herself tapping her fingers against her arm to the beat. Before she knew it, she was mouthing the words.
“Excuse me.”
Startled, Holly looked up at the teacher. Had he realized she wasn’t one of his usual students? She could try to convince him she was new—?
“Do you know all the words?” the teacher asked.
Oh. “Uh, yeah, I do,” Holly admitted.
“A few too many kids have dropped out of the ensemble, and your voice is great.”
Oh no. She’d been singing? He’d heard her?
The teacher waved to a student nearby. “Could you grab her a costume?”
“Wait, what?” Holly yelped. “The show’s the night after tomorrow—”
“You’ll be fine! Just follow everyone else’s lead. I’m sure you’ll pick it up quickly. Good luck!”