Malory and Kyle must participate in the annual April Fest production as the leading co-stars. If they can cooperate by the end of the production, their long records of uncivilized behaviour towards each other will be forgotten. 
Malory and Kyle attempt to cooperate, grabbing the opportunity to make a positive impact on their own future. In the process, they become entangled in the chaos of the other’s personal life. Malory learns of Kyle’s disturbing reality, and Kyle learns of Malory’s scarring past. Can these two brilliant but messy teens learn to rely on each other in the face of their silent battles?

Between The Lines

 I walk into the cafeteria, back to Olivia and Ron who were seated at a table. They cease the conversation once they notice me. I take a seat beside Olivia. 


 I take a deep breath in and pause, keeping them waiting in anticipation. I smirk. “I’ll have Kyle’s address by tomorrow evening.” 


 Olivia sighs in relief. “How do you do it, Malory?” 


 I put on a narrator’s voice and begin the story of my life. “Most people hoard pictures or music; Miss Malory M.V. Lloyd hoards blackmail.” 


 “Her middle names. She’s never revealed them to anyone –not even to me!” Olivia insists. 


 Ron laughs. “You’re ridiculous! A genius, but absolutely ridiculous!” 


 “Thank me later,” I say, flipping my pitch black hair and silver streak, dramatically. 


 “So,” Olivia says, with a gesture of her hands, “What’s the plan once you’ve gotten the address?” 


 “Well, obviously to go over there and fetch him myself.” 


 My best friend looks at me pointedly. “Malory, don’t be stupid.” 


 “Don’t you think it’s a bit... dangerous to go somewhere you’ve never been to before? Alone? You don’t know where that place is... what the neighbourhood is like... And when are you planning to go anyway? After school tomorrow? What if he’s not home when you get there? There are so many factors you need to consider.” 


 “What if you bump into his uncle?” Ron pitches in. 


 I squint at him. “I thought you said his uncle was flying out.” 


 “I did say that but Kyle hasn’t replied to me in days so I don’t know if he’s left yet or not.” 


 “So what are we going to do, then?” I ask wearily, shrugging. 


 “We’ll all go. The three of us.” 


 Brilliant plan, Olivia. So your parents can further blame me for dragging you into messy situations and being a bad example. They seem to already think I’m not ‘Christian’ enough. They probably talk about me like I’m one of those “rebellious” kids. 


 “Hell no. We don’t have transport for the three of us,” I say, turning to her, “and your parents will lock you in your room the minute they hear you’re planning to step outside to go anywhere just like that.” 


 “And my mom would be sceptical about it, too. Usually if I have something to do she gets at least a heads up two days before,” Ron says, clenching his teeth in frustration. 


 I gesture towards him pointedly. “See? Whereas my mom is out of the country, so there’s really no protesting for me, and I know how to fight. I can handle myself.” 


 “I still think it’s a really bad idea to go alone,” Olivia says, nervously. 


 “Hey, the way I see it, if something happens to me, I won’t have to do the play with Kyle Davidson.” I poke the side of my forehead twice. “Think positive.” I steal a potato wedge from Olivia’s plate and shove it into my mouth, chewing with a smile.


A Dangerous Mission [3]