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

 “It’s like he was a part of the class all this time,” Malory says, baffled. “You should have been there, Olive. The guy’s got potential. In fact, he’s got the skill. We’ve only gotten through with a couple scenes but he has the act down like-” she snaps her fingers. 


 “Wow –sounds like there’s no need to worry about anyone looking like a fool at the actual April Fest, then. If he keeps at it, the show is bound to be a hit,” I say. 


 “How’s practice with Ron, though?” She asks. 


 Practice with Ron has been rather pleasant. We’ve made more progress than Mal and Kyle have, that’s for sure. It’s a pain for the both of us to learn lines, though –because there are just so many other things to do besides sit and read the script. The more practice, the better, I guess. 


 “It’s been great –but if things are going as well as you’re making it sound, I don’t think we’ll even be needed.” I sulk. 


 “You guys will get your night to shine, regardless,” Mal says. “Look at the bright side. You’re still getting a night to perform and you won’t have to do anything else backstage at all. They already have other students for the crew.” 


 I don’t feel much better. Truth is, after I’d read out the script, the whole concept of being intimate with a guy –even if it’s scripted- has been on my mind. My parents won’t let me get near a boy, otherwise. It sounds dumb, but I do want to experience something like the chemistry between Angus and Valerie in the play in my own life. Not that I think it’ll happen for a while, though. 


 Based on what Malory told me about Kyle walking her home and the way he looks at her –I guess I’m a little jealous. I think he’s either starting to like her or already likes her. 


 I mean, who wouldn’t see that coming anyway, right? 


 Malory is blessed with so many opportunities –to be a genius –to be talented –to have an uninterrupted chance at her own love story, even if she doesn’t quite see all of that for herself yet. 


 Granted, she’s missing out on family life and she’s been a victim of depression and there is baggage in her life that just lies dormant. 


 We walk through the corridor and Adrien appears from his classroom. 


 “Hey guys,” he says, with that beaming smile of his. 


 “Adrien,” Malory says, though –knowing my best friend- she doesn’t sound too pleased to see him. 


 I don’t understand how the guys always spot Malory first. It’s typical, she’s gorgeous and smart… but gosh it would be nice to be noticed first. 


 I often wish I could be more like her; confident, noticeable, free-spirited. I wish guys noticed me first. I wish I could do more than dye my hair strange colours every once in a while. I wish I was a heavy reader like Mal –but I’m just not. I’ve tried accepting the fact that everyone is different, but sometimes we just can’t help feeling like we’re not good enough, can we? 


"Before" [7]