Free Times Squared by Julia DeVillers

“It is quiet now, but soon it will be filled with the sounds of glorious music and theater in the new show: Fairytale Mash-up ! And I’m proud to say that this play is produced by my dear friend—Jane!”
    Everyone clapped as a woman with black hair pulled back in a bun came out onstage. She was wearing a black dress over black tights and spiky high heels.
    Glamorous!
    â€œWe are thrilled to have the students of my dahlink Bertha Burkle with us today!” Jane said. “Hello, dah-links!”
    â€œBertha?” Sam snorted.
    â€œProducing my new play, Fairytale Mash-up , is a dream come true!” Jane said. “I remember when I had the seed of the idea: What if the stories of Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland , and Snow White were mixed up together?”
    Everyone was like, Ooh! Cool!
    â€œYou will have the privilege of seeing our show premiere tomorrow,” Jane continued. “But we have a special treat for you today.”
    â€œTreat, shmeet. I can’t believe we have to use our math competition study time for this little play,” Jazmine sniffed, just like her mother.
    â€œA show this close to Broadway in New York City is not a little play,” Sydney said, leaning over me and putting her hand on her hip. “This is a big deal.”
    I could actually agree with Sydney for a change.
    â€œYeah,” I said to Jasmine. “We get to go behind the scenes and see how the show is made. We might even get to meet the actors!”
    Maybe even the stars!!!
    â€œAnd now . . . for a special appearance: introducing the stars of Fairytale Mash-up !”
    We all were like, Yeah!! Woot!
    â€œThat’s so cool!” Sydney squealed. “The stars!”
    â€œOur leading lady, Zoe-Marguerite!” Jane announced.
    A woman came out onstage and blew kisses to the audience. We clapped and clapped.
    â€œOur leading man, who will be playing Prince Charming, Rohan!” Jane said.
    â€œAnd last, but not least, introducing our ingenue,” Jane said, “a talented young lady who is soon to be a star!”
    We clapped as a girl with blond hair walked out onstage and curtsied. And blew kisses. And—
    Ashlynn . . . Ashlynn? Ashlynn! From my bunk at summer camp? From New York City? She was the star of the show we were seeing? The girl who called me Summer Slave all summer as I did chores in exchange for her clothes? The clothes I was wearing right now ?
    Oh no. I scrunched down in my seat. I covered up my face—and my super-cute black T-shirt with the sparkles, which I had gotten after a day of scrubbing Ashlynn’s muddy sneakers.
    She couldn’t see me, right? And even if she did, shecouldn’t recognize me, right? Right? I pulled my hair over my face just in case. I crossed my arms over my Summer Slave shirt.
    â€œWhat is your issue?” Sydney whispered to me.
    I didn’t respond. I didn’t want any attention called to us. Especially me. I scrunched down even farther in my seat.
    I so could not believe this. Jazmine James on my left. Sydney on my right. And in front of me, onstage, as my classmates cheered her on . . .
    Ashlynn from summer camp.

Ten
    ANOTHER PART OF THE THEATER
    Ashlynn?
    Ashlynn from summer camp? Ashlynn, who worked on her tan while Payton worked for her in exchange for overpriced, albeit sometimes cute clothing.
    I looked over at Payton to see if she had figured it out yet. Oh yes, there she was. I could see her, but only barely, since she was scrunched down hiding the fact that she was wearing The Star’s hand-me-downs.
    Okay, it’s not funny.
    No, it is funny.
    Ha.
    HAHAHAHAHA
    HAHAHAHAHA
    HAHAHAHAHA
    HAHAHAHAHA
    HAHAHAHAHA
    HAHAHAHAHA
    HAHAHAHAHA
    HAHAHAHAHA
    HAHAHAHAHA
    HAHAHAHAHA
    HAHAHAHAHA
    HAHAHAHAHA
    HAHAHAHAHA
    HAHAHAHAHA
    HAHAHAHAHA
    HAHAHAHAHA
    HAHAHAHAHA

Eleven
    STILL IN THE THEATER
    â€œThat Ashlynn is gorgeous,” Sydney sighed. “And