Free Between You & Me by Marisa Calin

compliment.
    I let my breath out.
    ME
    It
is
a compliment. I’d like to be more like you.
    She smiles.
    HARMONY
    Really? Well, I can’t see the point of being exactly like everyone else.
    We share a minute of thoughtful silence. She looks at me carefully.
    HARMONY
    What are you so afraid of?
    That’s an excellent question! I’m still trying to find an answer when she continues:
    Everything you’re going through is perfectly normal.
    My heart falters. I make sure my expression says “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” but I have a nervous inkling that I do.
    HARMONY
    I had the biggest crush on a friend of my sister once. She was amazing.
    She goes on, completely unfazed.
    It’s funny how there can be something special about that one person, isn’t it?
    I’m that transparent!? The idea is mortifying but at the same time this girl has just given me license to feel something. Catching my stunned expression, she smiles warmly.
    HARMONY
    I’ve had a hundred crushes. There’s a lot to be attracted to in this world. There’s nothing wrong with that.
    I swallow, staring at her and waiting for my heart rate to settle.
    ME
    I’m afraid of what everyone will say behind my back.
    She puts her hand on the table between us in an unexpectedly comforting way.
    HARMONY
    Kind of ridiculous, isn’t it. Since when should we be punished for a feeling like love?
    Her startling wisdom imparted, she says she’ll get back to her reading. Still reeling at her perceptiveness when the bell goes a moment later, I stand up impulsively, my purpose coming back to me with a jolt. This is the
now
I’ve been waiting for! Shouldering my bag, I struggle to find some parting word for Harmony. She returns my gaze, not seeming to expect me to say anything. So, with a simple nod, I make for the door and she waves her farewell. My rapid unchecked footsteps reverberate on the wood floor and the
shhh
from that one other person in here echoes after me.

SCHOOL HALLWAY. SOON AFTER.
    Mia is coming out of her classroom as I arrive, my heart already picking up pace with anticipation. She greets me with a warm smile.
    MIA
    Hi. Ready? Walk with me.
    Ready? Yes! I swallow and fall in beside her. She is clutching a paperbound book. Heading through the doors with her, listening to her voice, I forget every second of expectation that has led up to this moment. We walk side by side across the grass toward the theater. She’s talking about class, my vivid imagination. The seconds slow and to me we could be the only two people on earth. Turning onto the path, we sit down under the arch in front of the theater. I feel so awake—the texture of the bench under my palm, Mia’s closeness, the crisp fall air. She says I’m a sensitive, honest actress and, dazed with compliments, I am missing the point.
    MIA
    So …
    Finally! I was about to throw my arms around her neck and tell her that I love her too.
    MIA
    I’m putting on the fall play this year and I want you to audition.
    Audition? Grasping the reality, I nod my head. Of course I was going to audition, I want to be an actress. But to know she wants me there. This could be perfect.
    ME
    Sure.
    She claps her hands together, genuinely excited.
    MIA
    Excellent. Here’s the script. Have a look at Lily.
    She hands it to me, and I clutch it like a present. Kate appears at the end of the path.
    KATE
    Mia, you wanted to see me.
    She says her name to her face like it’s butter on her tongue. Mia is already up and walking away. She smiles back at me.
    MIA
    See you Monday for auditions, Phyre.
    I sit beneath the arch as I process everything that just happened. So I’m not the
only
one who Mia has arranged to meet. That’s okay. Maybe I blew it a little out of proportion. Even alone, I feel my face flush pink and my chest constrict with private embarrassment. As I find my feet and walk toward the gate, new (sane) thoughts start to