Free Under a Bear Moon by Carrie S. Masek Page B

surface, Lynda lifted her face to the southern breeze and inhaled the promise of a thaw.
    Greg churned through the snow like an angry snowplow. “My parents heard the weatherman talking about the blizzard of the decade and kept me home.”
    Lynda had to trot to keep up with him. “They're not used to storms?”
    “They think I'm an infant.”
    “What happened?”
    “Dad and I had a fight this morning. I went on a walk Monday night—just to see what the storm was like. Dad went ballistic. He started bugging me about it again at breakfast. When I told him to chill out, Dad turned purple, accused me of disrespect, and grounded me for two weeks.”
    “Ouch.” She thought a moment and added, “What about the auditions this afternoon?”
    Greg kicked up a cloud of snow. “They're out. No way will my folks let me stay late for rehearsals.”
    “I'm sorry.” Lynda slipped her hand out of her coat pocket and lay it on his sleeve. Despite her gloves, she could feel the tension pulsing through his arm.
    “Yeah, well. That's the way it goes.” Greg almost smiled. When they reached the school entrance, he added, “I can still meet you in the library to study after school. For an hour, at least. I explained that you need my help to pass biology, and Dad—”
    Lynda punched his shoulder. “Thanks a lot! Now your father thinks I'm stupid as well as nosy.” She glared at him before marching into the building.
    Greg followed. “No, he doesn't. I told Dad how smart you are. That's why he agreed to let me stay and study with you.”
    Lynda's scowl softened.
    Apparently encouraged, Greg continued, “We don't have to study. I can stay and watch the tryouts for an hour, or rehearsals, or we can just hang out together.” The tension in his face changed to bashful anticipation. “If you don't mind, that is.”
    Lynda had to smile. “I'd like that. But if I'm in the show, I won't have much time. You could always hang out with Matt and tell your parents you're with me.”
    Greg shook his head. “If I can't be with you, I might as well go home.” Before Lynda could respond, he pointed toward the teachers’ lounge. “I've got to see Mr. Pullman before first period. See you in biology.”
    While he shuffled down the corridor, Lynda felt giggles rise like bubbles in her throat. Greg wanted to stay after school to be with her. She stood in the hallway, staring after him, until the first bell rang.
* * * *
    MISS MENDELSON'S voice rasped over the students scattered across the auditorium. “Thank you for coming. First the good news—the University has agreed to let us use the Circle Theater for our Spring Musical.” She cut off the spontaneous applause with a wave of her hand. “I agree it will be nice to work in a real theater for a change, but the facility is smaller than we're used to. As a result, I chose a play with a smaller cast. We'll be doing You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. ”
    The would-be actors all murmured in surprise.
    “I saw it on TV a couple of years ago.” Lynda whispered to Greg. They'd met at the auditorium doors just after eighth period.
    “And?”
    “I liked it. It's a series of skits from the Peanuts comic strip, some with singing. Pretty good songs, too.” Spotting Matt sneaking in through a side door, Lynda waved before continuing, “But it has a really small cast. Unless the play is different from the TV version, a lot of people here are going to be disappointed.”
    “Not you,” Greg said.
    Lynda smiled. It was nice to know somebody had confidence in her.
    “Hey, Lynda.” Richard Hammer slipped into the seat next to her.
    “Hi, Richard. I thought your dad wasn't letting you do drama this year.”
    Richard sat back in his seat, his hands locked behind his head, and grinned. “I got a ‘B’ in chemistry last semester. Long as I keep my grades up, I can do whatever I want.” He leaned forward. “Has Mendelson said what play we're doing?”
    Lynda nodded and told him.
    “What?” he said