Diva by Alex Flinn Read Free Book Online

tight pink crop top. She doesn't really look at me, because that would mean taking her eyes off of Sean. "Come on, Shawnee. Octavio saved us seats."
    "See you around." Sean follows her to the empty seats which are—apparently—near everyone they've
    ever met in their lives. I look around for an empty seat, but the only one left without someone in it is the
    one I left. By Gigi.
    She smiles and glances at Sean. "Nice."
    "I guess so. I wasn't really planning on thinking about… guys this year. I want to get serious about
    singing."
    That's true, isn't it?
    "Probably for the best. Most guys here are gay."
    I look at Sean and Barnacle Girl, still barnacling. "Obviously not him."
    The nose hair song's still going. Gigi says, "You are serious."
    "What?"
    "You said you wanted to get serious about singing. You're plenty serious."
    "How do you know?"
    "Because I heard you. You're good. You're better than most people here."
    Is she for real ? "Yeah, I thought you were incredible too. Everyone here's really talented."
    She shrugs. "Not everyone. But it definitely beats regular school."
    I nod. "I lied to people at my old school—told them I was moving in with my Dad, so I wouldn't have to
    explain that I just wanted to get away from them."
    "Running screaming from conformity," she says.
    "Yeah. Something like that."
    But even though I'd lied about moving in with Dad, Ashley'd figured out the real reason—that I was going
    to performing arts school. "You'll be back," she'd said. "You might think you're weird enough to hang with those people, but you're not." I wonder if she's right.
    A woman who must be the drama teacher shows up. She's sixty-something, short, with hair that auburn
    color older people get that almost looks purplish, a flowing green shirt and pants, and the highest heels
    I've ever seen. She stands front and center, glaring, until everyone's silent.
    "Welcome to the theater," she says, "to the magic. To the fun."
    I wonder if that's from a play or if she just talks like that. A few people laugh.
    She continues. "I'm Miss Lorraine Davis. I want to be called Miss Davis. I'll be your Drama teacher on this fabulous ride you call high school. As musical theater majors, you should know that acting is as
    important as singing. I watched all your drama auditions, and some of you were very promising. Others
    need some work."
    She scans the room, and I move in my seat. I'm so not into acting. Rowena found me a monologue for my
    audition, and I memorized it and said it okay… but I'm sure I got in based on singing.
    "First, let's go around the room and talk a little about ourselves." Miss Davis teeters by me. "Name, previous training and experience, and any other interesting tidbits you want to share."
    Interesting tidbits? Check.
    Miss Davis points to a girl who recites the names of thirty-seven interesting and worthwhile gifted
    performing arts programs she's attended since she was two. I try to think of something non-boring to say
    when it's my turn.
    Hi, I'm Caitlin, and I was a homecoming princess last year.
    I'm Cat, and I've gained and lost 300 pounds since I was twelve years old .
    I have a restraining order against my ex, so let me know if you see him.
    "I'm Gus," Armpit Guy's says. "I went to Southwood performing arts magnet, and I was in three
    productions at Actor's Playhouse. I have two brothers, three sisters, a father, a mother, five sets of aunts
    and uncles, an abuela here and one back in Cuba, and a faithful dog, and not one of them can understand why I waste my time on this song-and-dance stuff instead of going into the family furniture business." He
    crosses his eyes. "Oh, and I'm the most talented guy in the room."
    He's cute, and people laugh. A few guys yell stuff like, "Yeah, right" and "We'll see about that." The girl/guy ratio here is a little better than at the audition; maybe two to one instead of three to one. But still, if what Gigi says is true, it cuts the odds of romance considerably. Good