cheating on the ACT. The third scene is inspired by that one. Maybe it’s people who are cheating on their spouses.”
“Because it picked up on cheating from the second scene,” Sirena added.
I nodded. “So, a fourth scene could build on that last one, or it could ‘call back’ an earlier scene. Like, the teacher and student. But now their argument has gone so far they’re on Judge Judy. That last scene calls back to the first one, putting it forward in time. Call-back scene.”
“Oh god,” Emily twisted her cardigan in her hands. “That sounds so hard. Is it hard?”
Sirena put a hand on her back. “This is like a Harold—a series of related scenes. That’s all. We call it Harold, they call it Montage. You’re fine.”
“I’m fine. It’s just a Harold. It’s just a series of related scenes. I’m fine.”
“Breathe, Em.”
“Okay, I’m breathing.”
“Don’t talk about breathing—just breathe.”
Emily let out some shuddering breaths.
Sirena moved her hand to Emily’s lower back and put the other one on her stomach. “Deep breaths, Em. Down here.”
I didn’t mean to stare, but the calming power in Sirena’s voice and touch and Emily’s now-smooth face and breaths showed a complete trust that made me wish for that kind of connection. I skimmed the room looking for Will and finally caught his eye. I gestured for him to come and sit in my remaining saved chair. We’d have to grab another for Jonas.
He wove his way through the chairs. “Sorry I’m late.” His lips were very pink and his hair was unusually messy and—
“Will,” I muttered, moving my bag for him, “your T-shirt is on inside-out.”
His cheeks flushed. “Seriously?” he asked in a small voice.
“Yes. Is Jonas waiting a few minutes so it doesn’t look like you were—”
“Shut up, Zelda.”
I sighed and shook my head. Suddenly love was everywhere.
But moping wasn’t going to help me out. I elbowed him. “I’m happy for you. I really am.”
He looked at me sideways, then suppressed a pleased smile. “Thanks, Z. He’s . . .” He sighed. “I don’t even know. I think he really likes me.”
I laughed. “Well done, Sherlock. I’ve known that boy liked you since January.”
“What?”
“We came back from winter break, and you got that shawl-collar cardigan for Christmas, and he couldn’t take his eyes off you.”
“Seriously? Why didn’t you say something?”
“I—I don’t know. I should’ve, I guess.” Why hadn’t I said anything?
Will shook his head. “Well, I guess it doesn’t matter now—”
“Hey.”
We looked up. Jonas’s brown eyes melted into my brother’s.
“At least your shirt’s on right-side out,” I said.
Jonas brushed the back of Will’s neck and fingered the tag of his T-shirt. He gave him a slow smile. “I wonder how that happened?” he asked.
“Okay, grab a chair, boyfriend,” I muttered.
“Shhh—” Will said as Jonas flashed him a look of concern and peeled away to find one.
“What?” I whispered.
Will looked around. “We’re not . . . out . . . here.”
I shifted in my chair to frown at him. “What do you mean? You’ve been out since middle school.” I glanced at Emily and Sirena, who were still lost in their own little world.
He tugged at his earlobe. “But I don’t know if this place—Jonas has only been out a few months. I guess someone said something in his cabin yesterday that was kinda homophobic, and he’s nervous. It’s fine. We just have to test the waters a little. Put some feelers out. Jonas said at his last school that improv was a major bro zone. And just look at how few girls there are here. We might have to be Will and Jonas, Excellent Friends.”
“Instead of Will and Jonas, Passionate Lovers?”
“Shut up,” he groaned. “You never get to say the word ‘lovers’ again. Ever. Who says ‘lovers’?”
“Well, you’ve just said it twice.” I grinned. “Okay. I get it. I’m sorry I didn’t think about what it might mean for you to be out in a new place.”
He leaned back in his chair. “Thanks.”
Jonas returned with the chair and slid in next to Will. I watched them fold their arms and find comfort in making contact shoulder to shoulder, knee-to knee.
I turned to my left to introduce my new friends to Will and Jonas, but Emily and Sirena were talking to each other in low voices. I looked around at everyone in small groups, chatting. I assumed Hanna and Paloma were sitting with the rest of their team. Everyone had someone but me.
All three coaches climbed back up on the stage. Ben clicked his pen. “These will