So you’ve fallen for the classic Stacey Simon spell, huh? Can’t say I don’t get it. There was a blip in time this year when I did, too. I know, I know. Me fallin’ for anyone’s trickery is shocking. Even to me it’s shocking. But alas . . . spider-women like Stacey spin their silk so fast there’s really no way to get away. She has her long brown hair (which she should cut, if you ask me . . . it’s like, “Stacey, long hair is awesome and all, but that long? Seriously?”) and her jean jacket and her “vulnerability” and her “everything is private and sacred” thing. She’s what I call a Master Manipulator. You really gonna believe someone like her, Matt? Come off it . . . I know you better than that.
How excited are we for opening night? I’m gonna go shopping after school so I can get a great after-show outfit. Hey, this girl’s gotta look amazin’ when she meets and greets her fans. Ya know? Do you know what I mean?
To a Speedy Recovery . . .
Tara
P.S. Want me to bake you some of my famous gooey double-chocolate-chip cookies? Word is they make people feel better!
Tara,
No thanks. I don’t want any cookies. I want you to tell me the truth. Admit that you tripped me intentionally and admit that you lied to Stacey. Admit this stuff to me, then maybe we can move on. Don’t you think I deserve the truth from you, Tara?
Matt
Oh my GOD, Matt,
Listen, I am wicked sorry you’ve been injured. And that your injury is on your face . . . oh, Matt, how awful that must be. It makes me terribly sad for you, as I know how highly you regard that face of yours. I know that face of yours has been a calling card for you this year, as your entry into South High timed perfectly with Paula Abdul’s release of the “Rush, Rush” video. But maybe it was time for the Matt Bloom/Keanu comparisons to end, ya know? You are such a unique kid, I for one wouldn’t want you spendin’ your entire high school experience livin’ up to the expectations of a real movie star. But hey, I’m not gonna fib (not my style)—if I “got” tripped and got a gash on this face, well . . . I’d likely be gunnin’ for someone to blame, too. So, do trust I feel your angst, Matt. As someone known for steppin’ brilliantly and wicked authentically into other people’s shoes (Connie Wong, Patty Simcox, Anne Frank, Maria, and the list goes on), I can absolutely step into yours and empathize with how you are feeling, Kiddo.
But as for your “admit it or else” note . . . sorry . . . but I just can’t take your bait. Not sure what scheme you and Ms. Simon are cookin’ up, but I’ve had my fill of chaos, Matt. The people in this town have tried their darnedest to TRIP me up, but alas, I am college-bound and standin’ tall (not as tall as your dear friend Pam . . . and don’t think I don’t see her tiny little pock-a-book . . . I see it. She can call herself Pammy and carry a mini pock-a-book all she wants, but those things can’t conceal what these eyes see, k?).
You fell. In a hallway. At South High. And that plain sucks. I’ll admit that, k, Matt? I’ll gladly admit that trippin’ in a South High hallway sucks. There . . . satisfied?
And while I’ven’t a clue what hogwarsh Ms. Simon is throwin’ your way, I can admit this: I don’t care. Not interested in immature stuff like that anymore, Matt. Sorry to disappoint, but I’ve just evolved outta that. I know, bummer. Here you are just startin’ to get excited by real-life drama and here I am literally so beyond it. Ahhh, life!
Now, back to our regularly scheduled program.
Opening night!!!! We are gonna give this town a story (a West Side Story) to remember!!
xoxo,
Tara
Um . . . Hello . . . Stef . . . You there?
WHICH SEAT WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO RESERVE FOR YOU?
TARA
Bloom—
I needed to tell you this, and I’m wicked sorry for being the one to tell you, especially because you’re still healing, but I promised you I would never hurt you again and I don’t want anyone else to, so I am just telling you, and whatever I can do to help you stop this I will.
There’s a big rumor going around that you and Tara slept together outside of the Senior Prom after party.
You know how I work at Fanny Farmer Candy Shop? Duh, I know you know that, but okay, so . . . Kathy Connery works at the mall, too, at Coconuts, and she came into my shop—and oh man, is her cauliflower ear wicked bad—with Tricia Simms and Deena DeLuca, who are my friends or honestly as of now used to be my friends, and Kathy just started tellin’ everyone that she saw you and Tara sleeping together, like, doing it together outside at this after-Prom party. She even said you did it on your paisley tuxedo jacket!!
I know you and Joy are basically back together or maybe you are together—I don’t know because I’m only stage crew, it’s not like I’m one of the leads or even in chorus, but I’ve known you my whole life and I just don’t believe this rumor.
I know you probably don’t care ’cuz you don’t care
