D Is for Drama Read Online Free PDF Page A

notebook closed. “Math. I love it.” Nobody would believe that. “I mean, a love note.” She’d think itwas for Chase. “I mean, a love note to my math teacher.”
    Awkward. Very awkward.
    Grandma raised an eyebrow. “No, what’s that ?” She pointed at my cereal. “You’re eating wallpaper paste?”
    â€œOh!” I laughed and glanced at the bowl. “I guess it does look pretty gross. I wasn’t hungry.”
    Grandma studied me. “You didn’t eat much dinner either.”
    â€œI’m just really nervous about this play,” I said. “It’s my first big part!”
    I gave her a wide smile, hoping that would hold her off. After a moment she nodded and patted my shoulder.
    â€œDon’t forget to get details,” she said. “And leave your math teacher alone.”
    I cringed but nodded and shoved the notebook in my bag. “Would you tell Mom and Dad I left early? I need to talk to Ms. Elliott before school starts.”
    Grandma agreed, and I was out the door. The sooner my lie was behind me, the better.
    Even though I reached campus early, CAA was already buzzing with activity. Our ballet troupe practiced at sunrise so the boys couldn’t sneak into the studio and whistle at them. Other students showed up to finish art projects or practice solos in private.
    With every step closer to Ms. Elliott’s office, my heart beat faster, and far too soon, I was rounding the corner to the faculty hall. Ms. Elliott’s door was open and the light was on. It was now or never.
    I stepped through her doorway . . . and froze.
    Ms. Elliott had her winged back to me. Her winged back. And she was fluttering her arms as she flitted over to one of the plants in her office with a watering can.
    I cleared my throat, and she stumbled, almost knocking over a fern. With a quick glance at me, she smiled sheepishly.
    â€œExcuse me,” she said, standing upright. “I was embracing my inner fairy queen. Another role I’m trying for in the city play.”
    â€œWouldn’t fairy queens have fairy gardeners to take care of their plants?” I asked.
    She winked at me and put down her watering can. “You are as bright as your name, Sunny. To what do I owe this lovely visit?”
    I sat in a chair across from her desk. “Things didn’t go well at the Mary Pops In tryouts,” I said.
    â€œOn the contrary, I hear from this year’s committee that you’ve shown marked improvement,” said Ms. Elliott with a smile. “Unfortunately, I also hear the competition was fierce.”
    I fought back an argument and said, “That’s not really why I’m here. Ms. Elliott, I want to do a one-girl show apart from the semester play. An . . . an independent student project,” I added, remembering Chase’s words.
    â€œA one-girl show?” Ms. Elliott settled into her desk chair and sipped from her coffee mug. “Tell me more.”
    My heart gave a happy leap, and I pulled some scripts out of my bag.
    â€œI’ve got all these ideas,” I said. “If I’m not the right person for an existing role, I’d at least like a chance to try one I’ve selected.”
    Ms. Elliott reached for the scripts and studied them. Then she studied me. “If this is an independent project, you’ll have to do this without my help. And it needs to be completed by the time Mary Pops In debuts.”
    â€œSo . . . you’re . . .” I held my breath. Was she saying yes?
    Ms. Elliott picked up her mug and watched me. “When the theater group isn’t using the stage, you may use it,” she said. “I can give you a small budget for additional items: makeup, music, costuming, but you’ll have to provide some things on your own.”
    I stared at her, waiting for a bigger catch.
    Ms. Elliott misunderstood my hesitation. “Sunny, if you