Ella;
The second they told me that Jonas kid was going to be the male lead in the spring play I knew I was in for some trouble. Especially when Ms. Lane, the drama director, pulled me aside during choreography and asked in her wispy voice: “He needs to be taught by someone who loves to act, and that’s you. Can you?”
To say the least I was shocked. “Ms. Lane,” I said, “can you ask Megan to do it? I don’t think I’m right for the job.” The last thing I wanted to do was teach this stupid jock how to act decently.
“Oh, no, no, sweetheart,” Ms. Lane replied. “I want you to do it. You have a lot more passion than Megan.”
I sighed and replied with resignation, “Fine. I’ll do it.”
“Oh good!” she exclaimed, as if I had agreed in the first place. She wrapped her hand around my upper arm and pulled me over to a group of laughing guys. “Mr. Jonas, this is your acting coach and your opposite in the spring play!”
He stepped forward, and I felt my breath rush out of my mouth. He was gorgeous.
“Hey, you’re Eleanor, right?” he asked. There was a glint in his eye. “You’re the girl who puked all over Regina Barter in sixth grade.”
The group of guys around him burst into laughter.
I felt my cheeks burn in embarrassment. Sure, he was an Adonis. Too bad he was a jerk.
Prologue