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we will go audition for every show within an hour of here until you do get cast.” And when I asked her how we’d get to all these imaginary auditions, she told me that she’d steal her mom’s car and drive me. Which cracked both of us up because 1) Amanda is incapable of stealing anything, 2) the only thing she’d ever driven at that point was her uncle’s John Deere, and 3) Mrs. Reynolds would have needed hospitalization after the conniption fit she’d have thrown when she found out. Turns out, Amanda didn’t have to steal the car, because I got cast as Marian the librarian.
    Of course, getting Marian then (and snagging Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray last year, even though I had to drop out) made this whole waiting thing a lot better.
    At seven minutes until twelve, a girl skips toward us like she’s Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz or something.
    “Hi!” she says with a chirping voice. “Are you waiting for the cast list too?! I hope I get in! I so want to be Maria, but I’ll be happy with anything! I’d even love to be in the chorus! Oh, by the way, my name is Danielle. I’m a freshman. What are your names?!”
    I’ve never seen this girl in my life. She must’ve auditioned early yesterday, while I was mentally rehearsing my song. Harrison stares blankly at her. She blinks a couple of times and smiles at him. Then she looks at me.
    My heart melts a little at her enthusiasm about the whole thing. I was exactly like her two years ago. Although less peppy. A lot less peppy.
    “I’m Casey.” Even though I get where she’s coming from, I kind of hope that will make her stop talking. My stomach feels like it did on the roller coaster at Holiday World that I dragged Amanda onto over the summer—the one we rode after I brought the park down with my rendition of “On My Own” while standing in line. Amanda and I had been talking to these really cute guys from Evansville, and they both gave us their numbers afterward. I think Amanda texted with one of them for a while, but I never did, even though I’d just broken things off with Trevor.
    “Casey! I love that name! Were you in the play last year?! I wasin all of the plays in middle school! I have a perfect casting record! That’s why I really want to be in this show! Even if it is just the chorus!” Her head bounces with every syllable. She has curly light brown hair pulled back in a cheerleader-style high ponytail. It bounces, too. Every time she opens her mouth, the light from the ceiling gleams off her silver braces.
    Harrison continues to look through her.
    “Casey?! Were you in the play last year?!” Her ponytail bobs again.
    “No. I got the lead and had to drop out because I got sick.” I really don’t want to think about that right now. In fact, I’m afraid I’m going to get sick again. My stomach doesn’t feel so good. I really, really wish she’d stop talking. I need all my concentration to focus on keeping my nerves in check.
    “Oh! That’s awful! I hate being sick! I’m glad you’re okay this year!”
    “There you are,” Amanda says, as she, Kelly, and Chris walk up. “You guys disappeared so fast.”
    “I couldn’t sit there any longer,” I say.
    “You’ve got this in the bag, Case.” Amanda peers into Harrison’s face. “But he doesn’t look so good.”
    He stares at her the same way he did Danielle.
    Danielle keeps on talking. “Hi! Did you guys try out too?! I did!”
    “Um, yes,” Kelly says warily.
    Danielle the Perk Monster steps toward her like a cat backing a mouse into the corner. Kelly bumps up against the wall, but Daniellekeeps talking at her. I’m beginning to think her excited chattiness is covering up her own nerves.
    “It’ll be over soon,” Amanda says, joining Harrison and me on the floor. “Then we’ll know, and we won’t have to worry about it anymore.”
    “You don’t even look worried.” I mess with the zipper on my purse. Open. Close. Open. Close. It’s almost hypnotic.
    “I am. I just