Free The Ghost in Me by Shaunda Kennedy Wenger Page A

kids we bump along the way. At the end of the next corridor, they push me head-long through a crowd of students gathered around the bulletin board outside Diggs's door.
    "It's the cast and crew list," Elise says.
    "Yeah, so?"
    "Wellllll, check it out!" The sound of Roz's voice makes me believe I'm about to read the best-news-ever. I mean, why would she be happy, if not to show I've gotten what I wanted. A behind-the-scenes assignment. Maybe Diggs teamed me up with my mom. It'd make sense for him to put us together. And if that's the case, I'd be more than happy to help. Happy enough to do ALL the work. Let her stay home.
    But my name isn't among the list of assignments for costumes.
    Confused, I look back at Roz and Elise, who hook arms with Cass, as she steps between them. They jut their chins at the list, urging me to look again.
    I re-read--slower this time--going up from the bottom. No, I'm not with the set crew, nor hair and make-up. Nor lights and music.
    Is there another page?
    No. Just this one.
    The color slowly drains from my face. My skin goes cold and clammy. My eyes slowly move their way to the top.
    I'm not a tree.
    Not a soldier.
    Not a townsfolk 3, 2, or 1.
    Not the witch's cat.
    "Here!" Roz says, jumping over me to plant her finger near the top of the list. "Here you are! Somehow, someway... you're Nelle!"
    Oh, no .
    A thousand pricks of electricity burst over my skin.
    She's right.
    How can she be right?
    But there it is. Second from the top, under Prince Bastian, who's being played by Duey, I see it. My name. In black letters. Next to the character of Nelle.
    I read it again.
    Nelle: Myri Monaco .
    "Isn't it awesome?!" Cass says, pumping her fists with a squeal. "You got the lead! You beat Brittley!"

 
    Chapter 20
     
    "Nonsense!" Diggs says, turning from his computer. "You were wonderful! Wonderful !"
    My face scrunches up in disbelief. "Were we even at the same audition?"
    "Of course! Of course, we were!"
    "But I can't act. You saw me. I ran out of the theater. When I get in front of people for presentations, or anything involving speaking, I choke up."
    "No, I don't think so."
    "But I will. I know I will."
    "You won't. You'll be perfect."
    "I'd rather be perfect at something that doesn't involve speaking. If I have to be in the play, cast me as a tree."
    Diggs shakes his head, gives a wave of his hand. "All this talk about trees.... It'd be foolish to waste your talent."
    "No, it wouldn't! I'd love that."
    He grimaces. "Myri, listen. I'll admit, you started with a few jitters, but that's normal. It didn't last long. After you came back to the stage, you carried Nelle's role off perfectly. I loved the nuances, the accent, the mannerisms, how everything flowed so smoothly together.
    "You stepped so completely into character. It was as if you weren't even there. And that, my dear, is rare, for someone so new to acting. You have natural talent. And it would be a crime, if I didn't reward it." He pauses, looks at me warmly. "You have a gift, Myri. You let yourself fade away and allowed Nelle, our heroine, to shine through. It was amazing to watch. It took my breath away. It still does, when I think of it."
    "But it--but that--it was a fluke! I want to be on the set crew! Or costumes! Put me with my mother on costumes."
    He opens his hands. "I imagine your mother would love for you to pitch in--that is, if you have time. But, Myri, plays hinge on the performers who play the leads. You are an example of a strong performer. A thespian, which the rest will follow. You'll bring out the best in everyone. It will amount to a fine set of performances all around."
    "But--"
    "I'm really quite hopeful this will be the best play we've done."
    "But what about Brittley?"
    "Brittley has been cast in a fine role. She'll make a great witch. A good witch is hard for any actor to pull off. She'll need to be not only believable in her role, but likeable, despite all the bad things her character says and does. Being able to pull