#Chapter 16 Stage Fright

After auditioning 45 of the 79 applicants, we ended with a grand total of zero female lead candidates. The other 24 decided against trying after I refused Alex’s dating prospects for the 17(th) time.

My throat still hurts from all that yelling.

Tired and without any progress, the drama club members grumble in frustration. Alex also looks put-off, but he’s got his arm around me, using me as some sort of PDA squeegee.

The club members give us a bit of a stink eye as I try not to self-combust in embarrassment. Hailey does, too, though she’s more playful about it. My phone vibrates as Jonathan start talking about another female lead plan.

“‘won’t have anythin to do with him again’ you said. ಠ_ಠ”

“shut up”

“make me (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻”

I prepare to reply to Hailey, but Sophia speaks up, raising her hand. Apparently, Jonathan has been taking suggestions. I wasn’t paying attention—

“Well, why not Cynthia?”

…But I am now.

“I mean, Cynthia and Alex helped us rewrite some of the plot, so she knows the