Free On the Loose by Jenny B Jones

devastated by the tornado last week. I have given this much thought, and I’ve decided we shall put on a benefit show, the funds going toward families in need.”
    What a great idea. Except as a lowly Drama I student, I will get relegated to some minor part like Woman Number Four or Student in Crowd. All the upperclassmen will get the plum roles.
    “The play will be the night before the annual spring dance.” She holds up a hand at the groans. “Now as you know, my advanced drama classes are currently working on Guys and Dolls , so this event is going to depend solely on my Drama I students.”
    A roar of applause fills the theater. Lead role, here I come!
    “You will be working with my other two intro classes, so while we will be working on scenes in class some, there will be after school practices. And since this will be a large event, I have scheduled our production in the Valiant Theater.”
    That’s the Scott’s theater! This is even better.
    Mrs. Hall holds up her hands for attention. “This is a large project to undertake, and we don’t have a lot of time, so a couple of senior drama students will be helping me direct.” She lists off some students, most of them unknown to me. “And I am pleased to say Trevor Jackson, who will be going to Texas State on a thee-uh-tuh scholarship next fall, has agreed not only to play the leading male role in our production, but also to student direct. Students, a warm welcome to Trevor Jackson.”
    My heart does a little flip as the sound of a seat being vacated ricochets in my ear. I turn around, and there, right behind me is none other than the Trevor Jackson.
    Sighhhhh .
    Our eyes meet briefly as he moves to take the stage next to Mrs. Hall. Did we have a moment there? I think we just had a moment.
    He was sitting behind me the whole time, and I didn’t even know it?
    I suddenly get why Frances drools when she sees Nash.
    “Thank you.”
    Oh. He speaks.
    Trevor runs a hand through his dark brown hair. His state champ baseball ring gleams on his finger. This boy is the total package—beautiful, an all-star athlete, and a sensitive, yet talented actor.
    Which makes him totally off limits to me. He’s so out of my league. I’m meat loaf. He’s filet mignon.
    “I’m glad to be working with you guys. I hear there’s a lot of talent in this particular class.”
    Did he just look at me? I think he looked at me.
    “We will be holding auditions after school next Friday. You can pick up your preview scripts today if you’re interested.” Trevor smiles, and my eyes are drawn to his perfectly white teeth.
    Raising my hand, I’m determined not to be a Frances. I will be confident. “What is the play?” I toss my hair.
    Oh, my gosh. Did I just flip my hair? Noooooo ! Next I’ll be giggling and batting my eyelashes. (Which is still better than Frances’s drooling.)
    His voice is deep and smooth. “We’ll be performing Cinderella .” His mouth lifts easily. “I’ll be Prince Charming.”
    Oh, yeah.
    Prince Charming, meet your princess.

Chapter 9

    W hen James preaches about hell, I think of PE.
    Even though it’s a chilly, almost-spring day outside, in this gym of torture, I’m about to bake alive. Sweat drips out of every pore on my body. My hair is wet. And I can smell my own armpits.
    “Katie Parker, you’re slacking. Pick those knees up!” Coach Nelson blows her ever-present whistle as I run by her. This is my seventeenth lap around the gym.
    And this is just the warm-up.
    Coach Nelson sports a new hairdo reminiscent of a mullet. Mullets always make me grin, but there’s nothing funny about this woman. She’s evil. She’s a tool of the devil. Coach Nelson is also the mother of Angel (ironic name, no?), somebody who quickly befriended me last semester, only to get me into some major trouble. Angel and I still hiss at each other like old farm cats from time to time, but mostly we’ve managed to leave each other alone since “the incident.” Leaving each