Chapter Fifteen: Rising Stars:

Three weeks in and Wallace started to get used to the city and his school. His mother kept calling every night. He had to reassure her that everything was going well.

“You can always come home whenever you want,” she said. He would smile and shake his head.

“I’m fine, mom,” the country boy said. “I like it up here.”

“I’m just worried about you.”

“I will be fine. Trust me.”

“I love you, son.”

He smiled and looked out his window. “I love you too, mom.” Classes were going well. So far, Professor Liz hadn’t tried to pounce on him yet. Maybe that was because some of his classmates stayed nearby. Fine by him. Just as long as he got to his highlight of the day.

“So they let you in, huh?” Rocky asked as they left their last class of the day.

“Uh-huh,” Wallace said. “I’m a stagehand.”

“Figures,” the other boy said. The country boy gave him an odd look.

“What does that mean?” he asked. Rocky put his arm around his shoulders.

“You won’t get close to the gods,” he said.

“The gods?”

“All of the actors and actresses. Not many people who join the drama club ever get to act on stage. They most get stage work at best.”

“Okay…”

Rocky frowned at him. “And you are okay with that?”

“Yeah. Why shouldn’t I be?”

His classmate shrugged and shook his head. “It’s fine. Just don’t get your hopes up.”

“Okay…” Wallace said.

“Hey, are you free today?” Rocky asked.

“No,” the country boy said. “I have drama club today.” His pal shrugged his shoulders.

“Fair enough,” he said. “I will see you later then.”

“Bye,” Wallace said. The boys parted ways in the hall.

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This was the highlight of Wallace’s day. He with some other students deemed “unworthy” did the work backstage. It could range from setting up the stage or running errands for the actors. Most of them wanted their chance on stage. Wallace was just happy with what he had.

“I wish I could at least be an understudy,” one freshman girl complained the other day. Wallace just nodded and listened. He himself had another goal in mind. Julia was shocked that he joined the drama club.

“You’re in this club now?” she asked when she saw him leave the auditorium.

“Yeah,” he said, nodding. His crush narrowed her eyes with a puzzled look on her face.

“Since when you have been into drama?” she asked. The country boy shrugged.

“Just figured I would try it out,” he said. “It just happened really.”

“I see…” Julia said. Wallace didn’t know what to make of her response. He never could tell what his princess was thinking. Nevertheless, they were going to be in the drama club together for the semester.

Okay, so he was the stagehand and she was a top actress. Wallace would still be happy to take it.

Wallace pushed open the doors. The club members looked up at the sound.

“Hey!” Roland said. “How are you doing, buddy?”

“I’m good,” Wallace said. He walked over to the crew. Roselyn narrowed her eyes.

“You are late,” she said. The country boy’s face dropped.

“Oh…” he said.

“Doesn’t matter,” she said. She clapped her hands together. “Let’s all get started!” Everyone walked around and got back to work. Wallace walked around looking for Julia. Roselyn put her hands on her hips.

“You!” she snapped. The country boy turned his head as he pointed to his chest.

“Yes!” Roselyn said. “Get over here now.” Wallace dropped his shoulders and walked over to the boss.

“Yeah?” he asked. He looked her up and down. How could somebody so small be so intimidating. She bossed everyone around in the drama club. Two other members watched them with bated breath. Roselyn folded her arms across her chest.

“One of the extras dropped out due to class schedule conflicts,” she said. “You’re going to have to fill in for this production.” Wallace stared at her with big eyes.

“Are you serious?” he asked.

“Yes! We’re running on a tight schedule,” she said. “They do not have to time act in this play. You don’t even have to do that much. It’s not really acting either. Take it or leave it.”

“I’ll do it,” Wallace said without a single thought.

“Good,” Roselyn said. “Come with me.” She turned and walked up to the stage. The country boy shrugged and followed behind. He could feel all of the eyes on him. Some of the stagehands were whispering behind his back.

“Lucky bastard,” he heard one guy say. It donned on Wallace the gravity of the situation.

“Hey, Roselyn,” he spoke up.

“What?” she asked with her back to him.

“Is Julia Thatcher going to be in this play?” he asked.

“Why do you want to know?” she asked. The country boy shrugged to himself.

“Just asking,” he muttered to himself. He looked off to the side as he shoved his hands into his pockets.

“Yes,” Roselyn said. Wallace lifted his head.

“Huh?” he asked. The drama club president glanced over her shoulder.

“Julia is in the play,” she answered. “She is the lead actress.” The country boy’s eyes lit up.

“Really?” he asked.

“Yeah, yeah,” Roselyn. That was all that Wallace needed to hear to build up his motivation to get into Julia’s circle and make his romantic dreams come true.