Where Love Leads

LIGHTS, CAMERAS, ACTION!!!!

If there was one thing worse than having a ridiculously embarrassing dream about your crush, it was having to sit in the same classroom with him the very next morning.

And unfortunately for me, Jason was sitting only three rows behind me.

Three.

Rows.

Behind.

Me!!!

I could literally feel his presence.

Okay, maybe I couldn't.

But my brain was convinced I could.

I stared at the board as if my life depended on it while Theo sat beside me, casually tapping his pen against his notebook.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

"Stop it," I whispered.

"Stop what?"

"Whatever you're doing."

"I'm writing."

"You're tapping."

"I'm thinking."

"You're irritating me."

"That's my natural talent."

I rolled my eyes.

The teacher finally walked into the classroom and everyone immediately settled down.

"Good morning, class."

"Good morning, sir."

He placed his books on the table and looked around.

"Welcome back. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday."

I heard a few people mumble their responses.

My eyes stayed firmly on my notebook.

I was determined not to turn around.

Not even once.

Then I heard a familiar deep voice behind me.

"Good morning, Dianne.", he said. I could actually feel him smirking.

My pen stopped moving.

Oh.

My.

God.

Was he talking to me?

I slowly turned around.

Jason was looking directly at me.

"Hi," I managed.

Just...hi.

Three years of having a crush on this boy and all I could produce was hi.

He smiled slightly.

"You're quiet today.", he mocked.

"I'm always quiet."

Theo immediately snorted.

I kicked his leg under the table.

"Ow!"

The teacher looked at us.

"Is there a problem?"

"No, sir," Theo said innocently.

Jason chuckled behind me.

I turned back around so quickly I almost gave myself whiplash.

Fantastic.

Now he was laughing at me.

The first period felt like it lasted approximately seven years.

When the bell finally rang, everyone started packing their bags and talking.

I was halfway through putting my books away when Sky appeared at the classroom door.

"Dianne!"

I looked up.

"Sky!"

She rushed over and grabbed my hands.

"I have news!"

"Is Josh finally confessing his undying love for you?"

She gasped.

"How did you know?"

"I didn't. I just know you."

She grinned.

"Okay, forget Josh for two seconds. I have BIGGER news."

Theo leaned closer.

"Should I leave?"

"Yes," Sky and I said simultaneously.

He rolled his eyes and walked away.

Sky lowered her voice dramatically.

"I've been appointed president of the drama club!"

My mouth dropped open.

"No way!"

"YES WAY!"

She squealed and hugged me.

"I knew you'd be perfect for it."

"I know! I'm amazing."

She laughed.

"And guess what? We have a new production."

I raised an eyebrow.

"What production?"

She pulled a folded piece of paper from her bag and waved it in my face.

"Love in Every Word."

I stared at her.

"That sounds suspiciously romantic."

"It is."

"Absolutely not."

"You haven't even heard the plot!"

"I don't need to."

She rolled her eyes.

"It's a school drama about two people who keep misunderstanding each other but eventually realise they're in love."

I blinked.

"That's literally every teenage drama ever."

"Exactly! And we're going to make ours amazing."

She was practically glowing.

"So what's my role?"

Sky paused.

I immediately became suspicious.

"Why did you pause?"

"I didn't."

"You did."

She smiled.

"Auditions are tomorrow after school."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"And you're casting the roles?"

"Yes."

I narrowed my eyes.

"Why do I feel like you're plotting something?"

"Me? Plotting? Never."

"Sky."

"Dianne."

"Tell me."

She leaned closer.

"I'm thinking of pairing you with Jason."

My jaw dropped.

"What?!"

She clapped a hand over my mouth.

"Shhh!"

"You want me to do WHAT?"

"Play his heroine."

I stared at her like she'd just suggested I climb Mount Everest wearing slippers.

"Sky, I can't even say hello to him without forgetting half the English language."

"That's exactly why."

"How is that a reason?"

"You'll get comfortable around him."

"No."

"Yes."

"No! I can't do auditions."

"Absolutely yes, you can. And if you don't do well, you'll still get the part. That's why I'm your bestieee.", she squealed.

I folded my arms.

"I'm not auditioning."

"Fine."

She smiled.

I knew that smile.

That was her I'm-about-to-do-something-you-won't-like smile.

"I'm only announcing auditions tomorrow," she said casually. "Anyone can audition."

"Good."

"Especially Jason."

I groaned.

She giggled.

"You're evil."

"I'm your best friend. There's a difference."

Before I could respond, the bell rang.

Sky suddenly grabbed my arm.

"Come on. We have to go."

As we walked down the hallway, I noticed Theo wasn't behind us.

"Where's Theo?"

Sky shrugged.

"Probably flirting."

"Theo doesn't flirt." Obviously, I knew my brother very well.

She stopped walking.

"Dianne."

"What?"

She pointed across the hallway.

I followed her finger.

And there he was.

Theo.

Talking to a girl.

A very pretty girl.

She had long brown hair, a bright smile and a stack of books against her chest.

Theo was smiling.

Not his usual annoying smile.

A different smile.

I stared.

"Who is that?"

Sky smirked.

"His new love interest, apparently."

"Don't be ridiculous."

"I'm serious."

"How do you know?"

"Because I have eyes."

We watched as the girl laughed at something Theo said.

I gasped.

"Wait."

"What?"

"He just fixed her books."

Sky nodded dramatically.

"It's over."

"What?"

"Your brother is in love."

I burst out laughing.

"With one conversation?"

"Trust me. I know these things."

Theo suddenly looked in our direction.

I immediately waved.

He frowned.

Then he mouthed, Stop staring.

I grinned.

Oh, this was going to be fun.

By lunchtime, the entire school seemed to know about Sky's drama club announcement.

"Auditions for Love in Every Word will be tomorrow after school!" Sky announced to anyone who would listen.

"Come prepared with a short dramatic piece. Roles will be assigned based on chemistry, confidence and acting ability!"

I nearly choked on my drink.

Chemistry?

Sky looked directly at me.

I shook my head.

She smiled innocently.

I knew exactly what she was doing.

Meanwhile, Theo sat opposite me, unusually quiet.

"So..." I began.

He looked up.

"So what?"

"Who's the girl?"

"What girl?"

"The girl."

He sighed.

"Her name is Amelia."

Sky's eyes widened.

"Amelia?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"And what?"

"Do you like her?"

Theo rolled his eyes.

"We've spoken once."

I leaned closer.

"Yet you know her name."

"Because she introduced herself!"

"Interesting."

"Dianne."

"Very interesting."

He threw a piece of bread at me.

I laughed.

For once, school didn't feel completely terrible.

Then my phone buzzed.

It was a message from Mum.

Guys, don't worry if I'm not home when you get back. I had to handle something important. I'll explain everything tonight. ❤️

I frowned.

Something important?

I showed Theo.

His expression changed slightly.

"She didn't say what?"

I shook my head.

"No."

Sky looked between us.

"Is everything okay?"

"Probably," Theo said.

I hoped he was right.

After all, Mum had been acting strangely that morning, and Miss Daffodil had already noticed she hadn't shown up for their usual exercise.

Still, the message didn't sound frightening.

Just mysterious.

I slipped my phone into my pocket.

"Well, whatever it is, she'll tell us."

Sky suddenly grabbed my shoulders.

"Speaking of mysterious things..."

I groaned.

"No."

"Tomorrow."

"No."

"Auditions."

"Sky."

"Jason."

I covered my face.

"Please don't do this to me."

She laughed.

"Lights, camera, action, Dianne."

I peeked through my fingers.

"You really are trying to ruin my life."

"No," she said, grinning. "I'm trying to give you a love story."

I shook my head.

Little did I know....