Chapter Twenty-Nine: Julia’s Reasons:

She’s been spending quite a lot of time with him lately. Her friends couldn’t figure it all. Wallace was rather… well…

“He’s just so boring,” Rose said. Julia kind of shrugged.

“Not really,” she said. The director gave her a strange look.

“You sure about that?” she asked.

“He’s a sweet guy once you get to know him,” Julia said. “I’ve known him quite a while.”

“Oh yeah, you can from the same town,” Rose said. Julia tucked her hair behind her ear.

“But why him?” the director asked.

“Why not?” the lead actress asked. Rose tilted her head.

“What are you getting at?” she asked.

“I mean, there’s no reason not to,” Julia said. The director narrowed her eyes.

“You are weird at times,” she said.

“Am I?” the lead actress asked. Rose couldn’t think of something to say. From what she could remember, Julia showed no interest in the boys that were interested in her. They would hit on her and she politely brush them off. Some of the actresses from their drama club tried to hook her up with some of the leads. The dates never really went anywhere. Rose thought that she might be gay at one point.

“Let me ask you something,” she spoke up.

“Yeah?” Julia asked.

“Do you really like him?” the director asked. The lead actress smiled to herself.

“Maybe…” she said.

“What does that supposed to mean?” Rose asked. Julia just shrugged and walked into the auditorium. She and the rest of the club saw Wallace and Leslie sitting in the seats. His cheeks flushed red. She sat up straight.

“Wallace,” Julia said. “You’re here early.”

“Uh… yeah,” the country boy said. “I figured that I might as well with rehearsal and all. I don’t have any other classes today anyway.” The director clapped her hands hard.

“See people?” she asked. “This is what dedication looks like! Watch and learn!” Julia narrowed her eyes when she noticed Leslie sitting on the floor.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“Nothing,” Leslie lied. “I was just leaving.” She jumped up to her feet and walked past the cast and director the double doors.

“Bye,” Wallace mumbled with a wave. The director cleared her throat.

“Anyway, moving on,” she said. “We have to get started. Places, everyone!” The directors scattered around to get to their places on stage. Wallace stared at the door as he took slow steps backwards.

“Are you going to join us?” Rose asked. He turned back to the people on stage.

“Uh… yeah, yeah,” Wallace said. He jogged up to the stage. Meanwhile, Julia smiled as she watched him. She couldn’t put her finger on it. But something about Wallace had her attention. She had to keep him around a little bit longer. Did Julia really like him? Only she would find the answer. Was she going to find out? Julia would have to see.

“Places everyone!” Rose shouted. “We’ve got get to it! Take it from the top!” The actors all scattered on stage. Julia pushed those thoughts out of her head as she got into character. Still, she glanced over at Wallace in the line of “souls” being judged. Maybe she would have to invite him out for the night or something.

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“Thank you for your hard work!” Rose announced at the end of the day’s rehearsal. The club started to clean up around the auditorium. Wallace grabbed his bag and headed towards the exit.

“Hey, Wallace!” he heard behind him. The country boy stopped at the door and turned his head. Julia ran towards him with her hand up. He cocked his head.

“Yeah?” he asked. She stopped catch her breath.

“Are you busy tonight?” she asked.

“No. Why?” he asked.

“Wonderful,” Julia said. “Come out with me tonight.” The country boy narrowed his eyes as he gave her a strange look.

“Where?” Wallace asked. Julia giggled. She playfully took him by the arm.

“Come on,” she said. “It will be fun.” She pulled him along before he could say a word. The country boy didn’t have much of a choice but to follow along.

“Good night, everybody!” Julia said aloud. She and him waved goodbye as they walked out the door. Rose happened to look up in time to see the door swing closed. She tilted her head with a puzzled look on her face.