CHAPTER EIGHTY TWO

ELLA'S POV

We seemed to hold our breath as Mrs. Winslow cleared her throat, shuffling the papers in her hands. "And the letter of recommendation goes to..."

My heart leapt into my throat, the silence pressing down on me. I could practically taste the anticipation in the air.

"I'm definitely going to be the one," Lucinda's voice cut through the silence. She was beaming at Trent, her smile widening. "We crushed that Romeo and Juliet scene."

I suppressed an eye roll, ready to simply accept defeat gracefully. There was no way Mrs. Winslow would endorse our...unprofessional display out there as the winner though

Mrs. Winslow's throat clearing made the entire class sit up straighter. "The team I've selected to receive my highest endorsement is..." She paused, building the anticipation as she broke the seal on the envelope.

My palms grew clammy, a sound filling my ears. Just get it over with already! Then finally, the name passed her lips:

"Ella Thompson and Trent Donovan."

A stunned silence