by C. S. Lakin
“Nope. Dick said there’s some big stink about it. Administration B. S. But you can bet the parts will go to our favorite couple.”
Lila thought about Davis and felt her face get hot. For the past week, he invaded her dreams, dreams that grew more sexually explicit each night. She watched for him each time she entered the Communications building. If he said hi and flashed that unreal smile, her knees about gave way. Her mind wandered when she needed to concentrate on her homework. She berated herself for giving in to such infantile emotions, to infatuation.
Millie entered the theatre in time to hear Della yelling. Unable to make out the content of the argument, she searched and found Dick in the wings. He took her hand and squeezed it.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“Della’s pissed. She came prepared to do the lead and Reynolds informed her she can play Rosemary, the spinster school teacher instead. She told him to shove it.”
“I don’t understand.”
“They’re holding open auditions for other students. That’s the final decision. There’ve been too many complaints.”
“Then why is Davis still playing lead?”
“That’s exactly what Della said. Why were they picking on her?” Dick shrugged. “But it’s not just the part of Madge. Alan’s part is considered a lead also, so that one’s gotta be farmed out too.”
“I thought you were going after that role.”
“I was. But they offered me Howard instead. I don’t care, really. I’m too busy with the city council to spend time rehearsing all those scenes. I’m not even in the first act, but I get plenty of lines.” He grinned. “And boy, will it be a kick to play Della’s boyfriend this time. Davis, eat your heart out.”
Millie watched Della gesture emphatically at the instructor and then storm over to the drinking fountain. Millie walked up to her.
“Hey, I’m sorry about the part.”
Della wiped her mouth and straightened. “Oh, I really don’t care. This is a pretty stupid play, anyway. I’m just pissed they’re doing this to me.”
“So, are you going to play Rosemary?”
“I’m not sure I’ll even bother. I’m sick of all the politics. I’ll just finish up this lousy semester and then I’m out of here.”
Millie didn’t know what to say. She hid her pleasure at the thought that Dick wouldn’t be playing love scenes with Della after all. “Well, Dick and I were thinking of heading to Jo Mama’s after rehearsal. Wanna join us?”
“That’s where your friend works. What’s-her-name?”
“Lila.”
“Yeah.” Della thought for a moment. “Why do you hang out with her? She’s such a dork.”
Again, Millie fumbled for words. “She’s my roommate. And she’s really nice, and smart. She memorizes plays backwards and forwards.”
“That so?” Della turned her attention to the stage, where Jon was speaking to the other actors. He caught her eye and smiled.
Millie wasn’t sure Della was listening. “Lila’s really a talented actress, too. I’ve heard her act out the parts—she can do anything.”
“Then why is she in stagecraft? She scared of performing?”
“It’s her dream to be on stage. She just doesn’t have the confidence. But, she’s good. You’ve heard how funny she is.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Della turned back to Millie. “Well, I’ll see what Jon . . . and Davis and the guys want to do. Maybe we’ll join you at Jo’s.”
Lila invented a new game for making her work hours speed by at Jo Mamma’s. She put her body on auto pilot. As she waited tables, she let her mind wander, treating herself to a series of slow, dissolving montages, with romantic background music. She and Davis kissing. She and Davis slowly undressing one another. The two of them whispering love phrases to each other. Her face moving into tight closeup with Davis . . .
Suddenly she gasped. His face was in front of hers. Pushing through the front door, with the rest of the Thespian gang behind him. Millie trailed behind, clinging to Dick’s arm.
She had no place to hide; her boss was watching her out of the corner of his eye. Lila gathered up glasses and set a water pitcher on a large tray. Balancing carefully, she walked as calmly as possible to the large corner booth. Millie greeted Lila while scooting in next to Dick.
“Hey, Li. I told you I’d drop by later. Seems everyone else had the same idea.”
A flurry of voices drowned out Lila’s reply. She noticed that Millie’s relaxed and easy manner with the group she so desperately wanted to be part of. More than ever, Lila felt like an outsider. She didn’t want to admit how much she yearned for acceptance, too. Maybe she was just jealous of Millie.
Suddenly Lila felt terrifically lonely. Millie was the only friend she had—and she was losing her to Dick and his circle of classmates. Lila knew she should branch out, meet other students, but the thought of the effort and the potential rejection terrified her. How could she avoid the perpetual replay from her childhood? Any friend she got close to, she lost. Her life was one desperate attempt to entertain and amuse people to hold their interest. Nobody really wanted to be close to her. As soon as the laughs died down, the audience always disappeared. Now, she wished she could disappear.
Lila placed the glasses on the table and passed out menus. Della eyed Lila with interest.
“Don’t you get sick of pizza, Lila?”
Lila shrugged at her question. As usual, she sensed Della wasn’t inquiring to make friendly conversation. Inadvertently, Lila caught Davis’s eye, and he smiled with those beautiful, gleaming teeth.
“How ’bout a pitcher of Oly dark, darling?” He patted Lila’s hand. Backing up abruptly, she collided into a man getting out of the booth behind her and nearly knocked him over. Della’s expression of amusement made Lila cringe.
“Sorry . . .” Lila muttered to the customer.
Davis turned to Della. “So, Del, what’ll it be? The usual?”
Della stroked his hair. “Whatever you guys want is fine by me.” Jon caught her gesture out of the corner of his eye and smirked.
Lila pulled out the order pad from her pocket, looking more composed. While the group argued over the menu, Lila went to the counter and filled a pitcher with beer. She placed it on the table and avoided Davis’s gaze.
Dick rattled off the order, giving Lila the opportunity she needed to hide in the kitchen and calm her thumping heart.
Davis turned to Della. “Are you really going to ditch us? How can we do ‘Picnic’ without you?”
“You’ll manage,” Della said.
Dick reached over and grabbed the pitcher. He poured himself a glass, then filled Millie’s. “We should all walk. Throw a mutiny.”
Jon shook his head. “What’ll that prove? There’re enough students in Theater Arts to fill the parts. We’re not indispensable, you know. Besides, I need this play on his résumé for USC.”
Della poured herself a beer and lit a cigarette. “So who’re you going to get to play Madge?”
“Who knows? Maybe Nancy. She did a good job in Major Barbara,” said Davis.
“She’s interning in D.C. this semester,” Dick said.
“Besides, it can’t be anyone in Thespians,” Jon added.
Della watched Lila climb the stairs with a tray of salads. She smiled thoughtfully, then poked Davis in the shoulder. “What about your girlfriend, there?”
“Huh?” Davis said. Della pointed at Lila’s backside as it jiggled up the stairs.
“Who, Lila?” Jonathan chuckled in delight.
“Oh, please,” moaned Davis.
Millie held her breath. She couldn’t bear to hear what they might say.
Della lowered her voice to a whisper. “You know she has the hots for you.”
Dick laughed. “Yeah, and so does every other girl at Evergreen.”
Della continued, “. . . and Millie says it’s her dream to be a star on the stage. She’s already memorized the whole play—she’s a natural. Why don�
�t we put a word in to cast her?”
Millie cringed. Why did she reveal Lila’s dream to Della? If Lila found out, she would never forgive her. She felt like a rat.
“What a great idea,” Jonathan said amid groans. “No listen! It would be great. A way to get Administration off our backs.”
“She’d have to pass the audition first.”
“No sweat,” said Della. “I volunteer to coach her.”
Millie forced out the words. “She’d never audition.”
Dick thumped his glass on the table. “Sure she would, Mil. You got her into stagecraft, didn’t you? You can get her to try out, for fun.”
“I couldn’t . . .”
Dick dared her with his eyes. “Oh, come on. You know she really wants a chance to act. This is her golden opportunity. She’ll listen to you.”
Everyone around the table joined in, urging Millie. Her stomach tied in knots. Dick poured her another glass of beer. She felt like she was slipping into a crevice.
“Shh, here she comes,” Dick said.
The students at the table grew quiet. Lila approached and eyed them with suspicion.
“Here’s a large veggie with sprouts. You guys need anything else?” Lila looked at Millie, who shrugged, then lowered her eyes.
Jonathan suppressed a laugh. “Just more beer, darling,” he said, imitating Davis.
Davis punched Jon’s shoulder. “We’re fine, thanks.”
Lila blushed and turned away. Laughter exploded at the table as Lila left the room. Millie ached to say something. How could they be so rude? And Dick sure found this funny. As far as Millie knew, Lila had no interest in Davis. They just didn’t understand Lila. How she suffocated from attention, especially harmless flirting. Millie alone knew about Lila’s strict parents and what effort it took Lila to appear relaxed around other people.
On the way back to campus, Dick pressured her even more about Lila. In vain, she tried to explain to him about Lila’s sensitive personality, but he cut her down. Desperate to have his approval, she acquiesced; she promised she’d try to get Lila to try out for the lead role of Madge.
Dick kissed her. “Save Friday night, babe. I’m arranging for a room for us.” He dropped her off at the dorm, unaware of the maelstrom brewing in her heart.
As she watched Lila studying on the bed next to hers, she chickened out. She couldn’t be a part of that joke. She would have to lie to Dick and say she tried and failed.
Lila looked up at Millie. “What gives, Mil? You’re awfully quiet tonight.”
“Just thinking about the play.” She fell back on the bed and kicked off her shoes.
“You want to run your lines with me?” Millie shook her head.
“You know,” Lila added, “I’ve been thinking. I’m going to try out for ‘Picnic.’ ”
Millie nearly fell off her bed. “Uh, that’s great, Li.” A flood of relief washed over her. “Then we can do it together.”
“What makes you think I’ll get a part? I bet there’s a ton of students trying out.”
Millie shrugged. “Not as talented as you. What about trying out for Madge?”
Lila burst into laughter. “Yeah, right. Me—the beautiful girl. I think the sarcastic school teacher would be more my style. I can really characterize her.”
“Good choice.” Whew. Now the group would stay off her back.
Two days later, Lila found herself under the work lights, performing for the instructor and the handful of faculty and students milling around the stage. She read for various parts, recited the lines she knew by heart, then apologized for her inadequate performance. When the audition ended, she raced for the exit before Millie could stop her, not even hearing the words of praise that wafted behind her.
The members of Thespians were impressed. When the instructor asked for recommendations for parts, Dick, Della and Jon, as a bloc, enthusiastically touted Lila’s talent. They unanimously agreed Lila should play the lead role. With little persuasion, they convinced the faculty a new star was in the making.
Millie sat quietly while the comments flew around her. Lila’s audition merited their praise, but she guessed Lila would turn down the lead. And Millie hoped with all her heart she would, for her classmates, with their condescending contempt, would surely find ways to torment Lila.
Della announced she would play Rosemary after all. No way was she was going to miss supporting Lila in the lead role. What a joke to have homely Lila play the love interest. And Davis would have to pretend he was in love with her. What an acting challenge that would be.
After the audition, Della joined Davis at his house. She planned to tease him about his new co-star. But as she peeled Davis’s clothes off, he deflated her excitement.
“I’ve made my decision. I’m joining my father’s firm. And don’t whine to me, Della. My mind is made up.” He gathered her into his arms, but she pushed him off.
“Damn you!” She spoke to his back as she stormed out of the house.
To hell with him. She headed straight for Jon’s place. Jon was surprised to see her, but voiced no objection.
As they lay in each other’s arms, Della realized Jon gloated over her like a prize. He clearly got a kick out of stealing Della away from Davis. He never really talked to her, never asked her how she felt. Nor did he ever ask her what she wanted or needed in bed. Always his needs, his desires. Such a selfish bastard. Wondering how Davis would react to their affair when he found out. But at least Jon was going to Hollywood, and she planned to go with him, even if it meant screwing him every night until graduation.
Predictably, Jon brought up his favorite subject. “Do you think Davis suspects?”
“No way.” Della rubbed Jon’s chest.
“So, how do I compare?”
“To what?” She knew what was coming. What a jerk.
“Davis. Is he good in bed?”
Della forced the words out. “No comparison, stud. The guy was a real bore. I just liked his down comforter.”
Jon chuckled. Della slid down under the covers. “I find you much more exciting.” She started to explore his body with her tongue. “Just promise me one thing.”
Jonathan moaned. “Anything, anything.”
“Keep him real busy rehearsing with Lila, so we can do more of this.” Della moved lower and Jonathan moaned louder.
“I’m your slave. Your wish is my command.”
Della smiled under the covers. Gotcha: hook, line, and sinker.
Chapter 26
“Just hold it right there, Gregory.”
Jonathan screamed over the roar of the surf, but Davis had his back to him, standing at the water’s edge scanning the dark horizon.
Davis turned to find Jonathan tugging on his coat. Dick and Della were stumbling toward him, fighting the force of the wind. And farther back, he could make out Millie dragging her feet through the sand. Davis pushed Jonathan away and trotted along the beach as quickly as his injured ankle allowed.
“Dammit, Davis, wait up.”
Davis pressed on. “What do you want with me? You’re crazy to be running around this time of night.”
Dick caught up. “Yeah, well, what about you? What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Davis stopped to catch his breath. “None of your business. Did Lila send you to bring me back?” The pain in his leg throbbed. He would never be able to outrun these guys.
Jonathan softened his voice. “Listen, Davis, we need to talk.”
“So talk.”
Della panted up to the group with Millie trailing at her heels. The rain poured down in a steady patter. Millie shouted over the din, wiping the soggy hair from her face. “Guys, can’t we go find some shelter? This is ridiculous. We’ll all die of pneumonia.”
“Quit whining, Millie,” Dick said.
Davis turned to face his pursuers. “Spit it out. Say what you came to say, then leave me alone.”
Della leaned into Davis’s face. “And where do you think you’re going? Ther
e’s no way off this island. You’ll have to come back with us to Lila’s.”
“Like hell I do. Who made you my boss? All you’ve done the last two days is get stoned and drunk. Get out of my face.” He forced himself to walk, one faltering step after another. Della yanked on his coat and Davis lurched to the ground.
“Dammit, Della.” Davis swung at her, intending to push her away; instead, his hand swiped the side of her head.
“You prick! How dare you?” She jumped on his back and punched him.
“Who the hell do you think you are, Gregory?” Dick said. “I can’t believe you hit her.”
Davis managed to get back on his feet. “It was an accident.”
“Yeah, sure,” Della said. “You have nothing but contempt for me. You always had.”
“Oh, Della, get off it.” His fingers were freezing; he could barely make a fist. “Look, why don’t you guys leave me alone, okay? If you want to come with me and find a way out of here, then fine. Otherwise, get lost.”
“Even if you find a way off the island, you won’t get away from Lila,” Millie said. “Please, let’s all go back to the house and get warm.”
Jonathan glared at Davis. “Gladly, but only if Davis comes, too.”
“No way.”
Della groaned. “Davis, come on. Millie’s right. You’re going to have to talk to Lila.”
Davis laughed with a tinge of hysteria. “Oh, that’ll do a lot of good. You think she’s some reasonable person you can have a friendly chat with? You’ve seen how crazy she is. We should all run for our lives.” Davis’s teeth chattered and his head burned like a furnace. He squinted his eyes from the pain and fell to his knees.
“Dammit, Davis,” Della said. “She owns you. You heard her.”
“Yeah, well I think it’s a big joke. I bet she made it all up.”
“Then why are you running, huh?” Dick asked, pressing in on him.
The wet bodies hovered over Davis as he attempted to stand. Behind him a loud wave crashed, sending plumes of foam up the sand. The others retreated at the racing water, but Davis fell back down. Freezing water encircled him, soaking into his shoes.