Pulled by Danielle Bannister Read Free Book Online

afraid I'm going to go insane.
     
    “ I don’t know what it is about him, but…every time I get near him, strange things happen to me.” I rest my head in my hands, hoping that she doesn't start making fun of me again.
     
    “ Like what?” Her tone is soft, sincere.
     
    How do I explain what's happening to me? Slumping my shoulders, I try to be as honest as I can.
     
    “ Whenever I’m…close to him, it's like someone has a rope tied around my waist and is pulling me to wherever he is, and I can’t break free.”
     
    She raises her eyebrows up at me, worry creasing her forehead.
     
    “ Freaky stuff happens too. When I get too close to him, the hair on my arms stands up on end, like I’ve just been electrocuted or something. But it's the pain—that's the worst. It's a crushing ache right here,” I put my hand over my heart. “It’s really scary, Kari. I don’t know what’s happening to me!” I realize how desperate I must sound, but I need her to help me figure this out.
     
    “ What are you going to do?” Kari asks.
     
    I sigh. “I don't know. Avoid him, I guess. It's the only thing I can do.”
     
    We sit in silence on the curb for the rest of the break, neither of us knowing quite what to say now.
     
    All too soon Professor Campbell’s voice booms out across the night, beckoning the actors back inside. I shiver, and not from the night air.
     
    Back inside we all sit quietly on the hard metal folding chairs. There is some light chatter, but everyone's attention is glued to the cast list that rests neatly folded inside Professor Campbell's hands.
     
    “ Before I post the cast list, I’d like to thank you all again for coming,” she says. “There were some wonderful dancers here tonight, and although that was not a requirement for this production, it was lovely to see. I got to see some amazing chemistry, and that was more than I could have hoped for.” She glances quickly at Etash, who looks furious for some reason. She turns around fluidly, ignoring Etash’s harsh stare, and tapes the cast list on the wall and then walks out of the room, smiling. Etash follows, close at her heels.
     
    All of the actors rush toward the list once they've gone, Kari included, but I stay planted where I am. The room is oddly silent as they all scan the list for their names. Kari's tall frame stands out clearly above the rest.
     
    When she turns around, her face is blank. She doesn't meet my eyes when she sits down beside me. I smile, understanding from her body language that we, or at least I, hadn’t been cast. She takes my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze.
     
    “ Congratulations,” she whispers. Her eyes watch me carefully. I look at her confused.
     
    “ You got Juliet,” she says. “I’ll be your Nurse.” She smiles timidly at me.
     
    “ No. You must have read it wrong.” I assure her. “I’m only a freshman. I can’t be a lead.”
     
    “ That’s only for Main Stage productions, not Black Box,” she replies. “Didn’t you know that?”
     
    No. I certainly did not know that. My first lead in college? This is crazy! I should be jumping for joy, but there is something about Kari’s expression that scares me. Then my stomach lurches.
     
    “ Who got Romeo?”
     
    Her hand squeezes mine again--harder. “Etash.”
     
    “ No. No, that’s not possible. He’s the Assistant Director,” I say surprised by the hostility in my voice.
     
    “ Apparently not any more,” Kari says, biting her lip. “I can’t blame her for doing it…the chemistry between you two was…undeniable.”
     
    Oh god. Etash and I--together, doing love scenes, no doubt kissing... “No. No. I can’t do it.”
     
    “ Of course you can, you’re an actress,” Kari says trying to soothe me.
     
    “ You don’t get it, do you? I can’t be that close to him!” My voice quivers. “Didn't you see? Kari, I can’t control my body when he’s close to me!” I stand up and pull my hands through my hair. How