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Chapter 1

~MARI~

The stage as thick with shadows I sat in a metal chair in the alcove between the curtain and the wall, es of the play They just about knew their lines The one guy who fu chewed out by the director, Mr Tucker He was a young teacher, but he wanted perfection from day one Since this was day twenty-seven, I supposed he ithin his right to be agitated The cast didn't seem to be into this production

Leaning forward, I looked out past the stage and into the rows of seats Trystan wasn't there That guy had chronic time issues It didn't matter that he was the lead in this production Hishis lines, so Tucker appointedtask should have been done prior to practice, but Trystan was late Again If he didn't have charisly beautiful face, souy finally learned his lines, he would make a room full of people swoon - especially the women

There wasn't a girl around who didn't want to be e-hand offered to help Trystan learn his lines, but Tucker chose uy who couldn't keep his lips to hi the hottest guy in school for the past two years Thank God he was a senior and this was the end of it If I had to put up with his friend Seth er, I'd cut my ears off

Pushing off my chair, I took the play book and went to find Trystan If he still didn't know his lines, Trystan would be a dead et sla I'd shove the play book down his throat if Trystan still didn't know the second act in full today

Careful not to make any noise, I pushed past the black curtains that stretched floor to ceiling Severalthe cinder block wall at the back The set wasn't finished yet, so they were still practicing with bare bones on a half eht

Trailing h the darkness to the back of the stage Inky shadows covered everything with only slices of light shining through At the back of the stage there were three doors Two led to dressing rooms and one led down into the prop room The prop rooe It contained half a century worth of flats, props, and wardrobe I felt for the ers around it Mr Tucker's voice was growing itated by the moment If he saw me, he'd screa the knob ever so slowly, I pulled the basement door open, careful not to make a sound and stepped around it

As I stood on the landing, I could hear voices below Trystan was down there, probably sitting on the couch with his feet kicked up His voice lacked the normal playfulness It actually sounded uncertain "No, it's not like that You don't get it Everything about her is just - " he sighed as he trailed off

Another voice cut him off This one was more self-assured, more confident He spoke with the authority only a jock could fully irl's a tease, Trystan What's the point of chasing after her if she won't put out?" That was a typical Seth question Talk about poor choice in friends I expected the conversation to stop I wasn't that quiet, but the landing was high above the stairwell and tucked at the top of the staircase behind a wall of unused flats They didn't seem to realize that I was there

"I can't stop thinking about her," Trystan sighed, "Every tiet her out of irl had really gotten to hi since Trystan dated everyone and was serious about no one

As the door clicked shut, I remained h the roo-chased-by-a-bear territory I wanted to hear who she hoin his voicethere I shouldn't be listening This was a private conversation, but I was already there

Acting like I just walked through the door, I bounded down the metal stairs I walked around the corner and stepped in front of the flats Both of them looked up at me

Seth was saying, "You need a college girl Forget these high school girls," as I rounded the corner

Seth was the size of a football player with a toned et that way His sandy hair was buzz cut, like he had enlisted He was sitting on a chair across from Trystan, as slouched back on an old leather couch with his hands behind his head When Trystan looked up at htened a little There was solanced at Seth, that ht I heard what he just said

Seth turned and looked at rew louder, ive a decent blowjob Do they, Mari?" Seth the pig liked to pick on inexperienced girls andaround Trystan, I had becoer flushed, although he never stopped trying The guy talked about sex so er shockedin a lust serum Seth wasn't hard on the eyes, but his mouth made him repulsive

Trystan's eyes flicked up to mine after Seth spoke He had no idea what uys, if any Soh I'd taken an oath or souy I s in the past, but I didn't feel the need to explain myself

I tossed the play book on the battered coffee table and sat down next to Trystan Answering Seth, I said, "I'aze was on the side of htly like he was surprised I turned toward him "What?"

He shook his head s Just didn't expect you to say that" He folded his ar made his eyes look like sapphires They were such a dark shade of blue

"So who's a tease?" I asked, assu that they heard me on the staircase "Do I know her?"

Trystan was usually perky, like he'd eaten a case of Pixie Stixs, but he seeaze lowered and he didn't speak