She quickly dropped my hand. “Oh, sorry, Daddy. I was just talking with Elijah.”
David smiled. “Oh, okay.” He looked over at me. “Looks like your family is gonna be a part of ours with Gabriel’s working at the church, and I just found out today that your sister, Sophie, is going to be Hannah’s homebound teacher.”
Even though I already knew that, I smiled and nodded. “That’s nice.”
“And now you and Abby seem to be new buds, as well.” He glanced back at Abby. “I just thought it was time you were getting ready for bed.”
I quickly rose from my chair. David nodded. “Evening, Elijah.”
“Yes, evening, sir.”
As he closed the door behind him, I turned to Abby. “I guess I better be going.”
She smiled. “Well thank you for walking me home.”
“It was my pleasure,” I said as I returned her smile.
I started off the porch, but Abby reached out and grabbed my arm. “And thanks for listening. I really appreciate it.”
I nodded.
“See you in school tomorrow,” she said.
“All right then. Goodnight,” I said.
“Goodnight.”
Abby went inside the house, and I started off the porch. I didn’t care if Gabriel was still mad at me because I knew I was staying. And that made me very, very content.
Chapter Seven: CASSIE
I caught Zach’s gaze from across the cafeteria. When he smiled at me, I smiled back and waved.
His smile widened as he gave a quick bob of his head.
My attention switched to Elijah who appeared to be succumbing to a coughing fit. “Um, are you all right?”
Once he recovered, he said, “I just don’t think you should be smiling at him like that.”
I sighed. “What’s wrong now?”
Elijah glanced at Rafe for reinforcement. “On the surface there’s nothing wrong, Cass. It’s just you have to be very careful the signals that you give to a guy. I mean, we’re just not sure exactly what the Dominion wants from your involvement yet, so you just need to be careful.”
I narrowed my eyes at them. “Wow, by the way you guys believe in me it’s a wonder the Dominion bothered calling me out at all.”
“That’s not what we’re saying,” Elijah said.
“And just for the record, who made you an expert? You’re just as new at this as I am!”
Rafe dropped his slice of pizza and made a T with his hands. “Whoa, whoa, whoa.” He leaned in on his elbows and lowered his voice. “JayJay’s right, Cass. You can’t go around with this epic chip on your shoulder all the time about the job you’re doing. The two of you have been placed with me for a reason, and you have to trust me when I give you advice. Okay?”
I pinched the ends of my sandwich. Deep down, I knew Rafe and Elijah were right. I just hated admitting it. I also hated having to be such a clueless newbie all the time. I glanced up and found them both looking expectantly at me. Forcing a smile to my face, I said, “Okay, I’m sorry. I’ll remember to listen to you guys.”
Rafe grinned. “That’s my girl,” he said through a mouthful of cheesy pizza.
I didn’t look in Zach’s direction for the rest of lunch. His mood was elevated, and I could feel that all the way across the cafeteria. Besides my newbie status, something weighed even heavier on my mind. Auditions for West Side Story were that afternoon, and I was determined to get a part. After Zach had been revealed to me, I had hesitated about even trying out, but at the same time, the more kids I interacted with, the more good I could do during my stay in Oakdale. Not to mention the more guardian experience I could gain.
When the bell rang at the end of the day, Elijah met me outside my math class. “Nervous?” he asked, his face filled with concern.
“Are you kidding me? I’ve been waiting for this all day!”
His dark eyebrows arched in surprise. “Really? Well, that’s good to hear.”
“Yeah, the only thing that stinks is I’m one of the last ones to audition, so I’ll just have to wait around all afternoon feeling like I’m going to explode.”
Elijah smiled. “Why don’t I wait with you?”
“You’d do that?”
“Of course I would.”
“Thanks Elijah.”
True to his word, he stayed by my side as I watched other girls wring their hands and pace nervously backstage. Before I could brace myself, their emotions overwhelmed me. One girl brushed up against me sending anxiety ricocheting from my head to my toes. All the confidence I’d possessed deflated like a popped balloon. When I finally heard my name called, I’d been so drained by emotion that Elijah had to push me through the curtain.
I stepped onto the stage and saw the auditorium packed with students, and I froze. Literally, the word ‘stage fright’ flashed like a neon sign in my mind. Sitting four rows from the front was Zach. He was slouched in his usual position with one of his arms draped around the dark haired girl, whose name I’d learned was Lauren Sinclair. She was the one he was sitting with at lunch and the one who he’d stayed with the night before.
Lauren’s audition had been flawless earlier in the afternoon, and I only assumed she had stayed in the auditorium to scout out the rest of the competition. Before my emotion sucking episode, I’d surmised she was my only competition for the role of Maria. Now I wasn’t so sure.
Zach had an expression of absolute boredom etched on his face. I realized sitting the entire afternoon through auditions wasn’t his idea of a good time. But I suppose he owed her since she’d let him stay the other night. Zach twirled his guitar pick between his fingers as if it were the one thing keeping his sanity in check. He glanced at me, and his expression changed from boredom to anticipation.
“Cassie Christenson?”
My gaze snapped to the drama teacher, Mr. Conley, who was standing at the edge of the stage. “Yes?” I squeaked.
“Are you ready?” Mr. Conley asked, his voice drained of patience.
I wanted to say, “Well, I wish you could’ve asked me that question about thirty minutes ago. I’m not feeling it so much at the moment!” But instead, I replied, “Yes sir.”
With trembling knees, I stumbled over to the pianist and thrust the music into her hands. Then I walked out to the center of the stage. I feared my knocking knees might give way.
“And what are you singing, Miss Christenson?” Mr. Conley prompted.
“Think of Me from Phantom of the Opera,” I quickly replied. A murmur of astonishment rippled through the crowd.
Mr. Conley also gave me a skeptical look before he mumbled, “Um-hum,” and sat back down. Out in the audience, Lauren smirked at me.
Everyone’s doubt about my ability sent confidence, or maybe pride, soaring back through my veins like I’d been given a blood transfusion. As the pianist struck the opening chords, I tuned them all out. I became one with the music. I didn’t bother restraining myself or keeping it within the rafters. It’s just a fact that, even in human form, I could put some of the greatest vocalists in the world to shame.
When I got to the first vocal break with a musical interlude, I slipped momentarily out of concentration to stare into the audience. I fought the urge to laugh at the expressions on everyone’s faces. The pen Mr. Conley had been aimlessly clicking was now frozen in mid-air. His jaw hung open in astonishment. Several of the others in the audience held the same expression. Lauren had narrowed her eyes to darkened slits of jealously. Next to her, Zach ceased twirling his guitar pick. He gaped at me, mouth wide, with a mixed look of amazement and fascination.
Fueled by their reaction, pride ruled me for the rest of the song. When I came to the operatic flourish at the end, I truly let go, closing my eyes and letting my voice carry me up to the heavens where I belonged. My eyes were still pinched shut when the last chords of the song echoed off of the piano. Before I could open them, applause erupted all around me.
My eyes flew open to see the entire auditorium, minus Laure
n, on their feet and applauding wildly. Mr. Conley even had tears in his eyes. Yes, I must’ve totally aced it!
Mr. Conley stepped to the edge of the stage. “Miss Christenson, you have one of the finest voices I have ever heard!”
“Thank you,” I replied, as I tried to control my roller coaster emotions.
“I assume you did a lot of theater and choral work at your last school?” he asked.
I chewed on my bottom lip. I didn’t know quite what to say. If singing with the Angelic Host counted as choral work, then I suppose I was good to go. “Yes sir, I did.”
“You have quite a stage presence as well.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Mr. Conley finally remembered himself. He turned around to the face the others. “I want to thank all the ladies who auditioned this afternoon. Parts will be posted in a few days after auditions for the guys. Thank you for your time.”
I started off the stage where Rafe and Elijah were waiting on me. Rafe, still outfitted in his practice gear, shot me a look.
I held up my hand to silence him. “I know, I know. I went a little over the top.”
He cocked his head. “Just a little? Nah, I’d say you went extremely over the top!”
“I’m sorry, really I am. It’s just by the time I got out there, I’d taken on all the girls’ nervousness and anxiety, so I did the only thing I truly know how to do and that’s sing!”
Elijah touched my arm. “It’s okay to admit you made a mistake, Cassie.”
“But that’s all I do is make mistakes. It gets beyond frustrating messing up all the time.”
“That’s what being a new guardian is all about,” he reassured.
I looked at him in surprise. Why was he suddenly letting me off the hook so easily? He had been the first one to jump on me about Zach.
Rafe sighed. “Jay-Jay’s right, Cass. You are going to make mistakes along the way,” he paused dramatically. “Many, many mistakes along the way—” I playfully punched his arm. “We just want you to realize what you’re doing and try to do better the next time.”
“Okay, I will.”
He nodded. “Good. Now that’s under control, are you ready to go?”
“Um, just one sec. I left my bag backstage. I’ll meet you at the car.”
The boys nodded and then headed out of the auditorium. After I grabbed my bag from behind the curtain, I started down the steps. I got to the auditorium door and skidded to an abrupt stop.
Zach was waiting for me.
“Hi,” he said with a smile.
“Hi!” I replied, a little too enthusiastically as he held the door open for me.
“You’re Cassie, right?”
I nodded.
“I’m Zach Johnson.” He continued smiling as he started walking me out of school. “You have an amazing voice.”
“Thanks.”
“Didn’t I see you at the coffee house last night?”
“Yes, you did. Speaking of singing, you’re not so bad yourself.”
“Oh that? That’s just me messing around,” Zach said modestly.
“I’d say you’re pretty good for just messing around.”
When I saw Elijah and Rafe waiting for me at the car, I started to walk off. “Wait a minute,” he said. I looked back at him. “I was wondering if you might wanna get some coffee with me or something?”
Suddenly, I didn’t know what to do or say. Was I supposed to go get coffee with him? Was this part of “helping” him? In my hesitation, Zach grinned. “I know a great place where we could go.”
“Yeah, I guess you do.” Before I could say anything else, I met Lauren’s gaze across the parking lot. It burned with such an intensity of pain, jealously, and underlying sadness, it took me off guard.
“Um, that sounds nice, but what about your girlfriend?” I motioned to where Lauren looked like she might start crying.
Zach threw a quick glance over his shoulder before he turned back to me. “She’s not my girlfriend.”
“Are you sure?” I questioned.
“Yeah, we just, you know, hang out.”
“Oh, okay.”
“So are we on for coffee?”
The more that I looked at Lauren, the more I realized I probably should say no to Zach’s offer. Helping him should never be at the expense of someone else’s feelings. My mind told me to tell him thanks but no thanks. But somehow the words came tumbling out of my mouth, “Okay, sure.”
Rafe eased the car up to where Zach and I were standing. “Are you coming, Cass?”
“In a little while,” I answered.
“Are you absolutely sure about that?” he pressed. I caught his eye just as he jerked his head in Lauren’s direction.
An exasperated sigh escaped my lips. “Yes, I’m sure.”
“Okay then.” Rafe sized Zach up from head to toe. Then he narrowed his dark eyes at him. “Dude, you better watch your back with my sister. I can totally describe you if the police need a description!” Zach’s horrified expression must have been too much for Rafe because he burst into a fit of laughter. “Just kidding with you man!”
“Oh I got you,” Zach replied and exhaled in relief.
“See you later,” Rafe called. Then he and Elijah drove off.
Zach opened the car door for me and shifted his guitar to the back seat. “Hop in,” he urged.
Chapter Eight: CASSIE
We made the short drive through town to A Cup of Joe’s. When we got inside, Zach led me to a secluded table in the back where lavender colored candles burned in crystal dishes over the cream colored tablecloth.
AJ waltzed over to the table with a wide grin. “So we’re playing the part of a patron tonight?”
“Yes sir, no singing for my supper tonight,” Zach replied.
AJ motioned to me. “And who is your friend?”
“This is Cassie,” Zach answered hesitantly.
AJ shook my hand. “I’m AJ, Zach’s older and better looking brother.”
I laughed. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“And where’s Lauren tonight?” AJ asked, innocently.
Zach shot him an aggravated look. “At home I guess. You should know better than I do since you make the work schedule around here.”
AJ nodded. “That’s true. She is off tonight…fortunately.” He paused dramatically. “So, what can I get you and your lovely lady friend this evening?”
Zach raised his eyebrows at me. I quickly glanced down at the menu. “I’ll have tall, non fat Caramel Macchiato.”
“I’ll have my usual,” Zach said.
AJ leaned over to Zach. In a not so discreet voice he said, “Good going, man. She’s ten times hotter than Lauren.”
“AJ!” Zach growled.
AJ winked at me and then obediently left to fill our orders.
Zach shook his head. “I’m sorry about that. He lives to drive me crazy.”
“No need to apologize. After all, you’ve met Rafe,” I replied with a smile.
“That’s true.”
Out of pity for Zach, Sarah brought the coffees over. “Thanks,” Zach said.
When she looked expectantly at me, Zach introduced us. She shook my hand and smiled warmly. “Nice meeting you, Cassie. I’ll keep an eye on you guys in case you need anything else.”
“Thanks,” Zach said. After Sarah left, he looked at me. “So you’ve just moved to town?”
“Yeah, my brother, Gabriel, is the new Youth Minister at Riverdale Church.”
“What about your parents?”
I hesitated before I spoke the well rehearsed lie the Dominion had concocted for us. “Um, my parents are dead. Gabriel and Sophie, my older brother and sister are our guardians.”
“Sorry.”
I shook my head. “No, it’s okay.”
“So what happened to them?”
I cringed before mumbling, “Car accident.” I hated telling Zach the fabricated story, but it was the only way to truly keep our cover. We had to have a reason to
be living the way we were—alleged brothers and sisters without parents.
“Yeah, my dad died a couple of years ago.” When I stared at him, waiting for an explanation, he cleared his throat. “He had cancer.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said.
“I was thirteen when it happened.”
Questions kept tumbling out of my mouth. After all, I hadn’t been given a file on Zach like Elijah and the others had for their assignments. “How long was he sick?”
“About a year. He did all kinds of treatments.” Zach stared down at his hands, rubbing his thumbs harshly over each other. “It sucked because it was a freakin’ roller coaster of emotions. I mean, one day it would look like he was going to get better, but then he’d just get sicker and sicker.” He absentmindedly flicked a piece of lint off the tablecloth. “And then he just slipped away.”
Across from him, my chest heaved under the enormity of his pain. When he looked up at me, surprise flooded his face at the understanding in my eyes. He cleared his throat. “This was my dad’s coffee shop. He was Joe.”
“Really?”
Zach nodded. “He left it to me and my two brothers. AJ is the manager.” He smiled. “So now you know why I get to sing here. It isn’t about my talent; it’s about who I know.”
“That’s not true! You have loads of talent. I could see that the other night,” I insisted.
“Yeah, so where did you learn to sing like that?” Zach asked.
“Just here and there.”
He smiled. “I mean, I’ve never heard anyone sing like you did today. It gave me chills.”
My heartbeat accelerated in my chest. He was hitting a nerve when complimenting my singing. “It did?”
“Oh yeah. When you hit that octave,” he paused to shake his head. “It was magic.”
I smiled so broadly my cheeks stung. Finally, humility found its way back to me. “Thanks. I probably went a little over the top with it.”
“Nah, it was awesome. I bet Mr. Conley is gonna cast you as Maria for sure.”
“I’ll be happy just as long as I get a part,” I admitted, although the prideful part of me was dying for the lead.
“Just a part?” Zach asked, skeptically.