Page 40 of Prince of the Palisades

Prince Jadon as Mr. Green.

I almost grimace at seeing my title in front of my name until it hits me.That’s my name on the casting sheet. My heart leaps up my throat. I’m going to be in the play. Overwhelming joy spreads under my skin.

It never occurred to me, through the practices with Annika and the audition process, that I would actuallywantthis. That I’d get it.

A now-familiar hand squeezes my shoulder.

“I knew you’d get it,” Reiss says. Before either of us can comment on how sincere his voice is, he adds, “Mr. Green is a great character. Much more respectable than the butler.”

“Hey!” Karan says, mock insulted. “Don’t be rude on my big day.”

He playfully shoves Reiss, who’s too busy laughing to maintain his balance. He knocks into me. Which is fine, except it’s not. Because I’m so distracted by how nice it is—our bodies pressed together—that I don’t pay attention to where I’m standing. My left foot slides back…into nothing.

Nothing but air until I crash into the pool.

I’m still drying my curls when there’s a knock against metal.

After pulling myself out of the water, disregarding Reiss and Karan’s panicked offers to help, I stomped back into the school. Shoes squishing the whole way. Headmaster Parker ushered me to the nearby gym locker room. It smells like sweat and cheap soap and chocolate body spray. I’m ready to leave.

“Yes?” I call with an edge to my voice.

Ajani steps around the corner. “My prince.This onewanted to see you.”

Reiss waves shyly from around her.

I lower the towel around my shoulders, face caught between a frown and mild annoyance. I’m not angry with him. I just don’t want him to see me like this. Drippy, hair wrecked, someone else’s athletic socks pooled around my ankles.

“Should I dispose of him?” Ajani offers.

Reiss’s eyes go comically big.

“It’s fine,” I sigh out. “I’m not in the mood to get blood all over my new clothes.”

I wave a hand at the Willow Wood Phys Ed uniform Headmaster Parker gave me. The gray T-shirt is itchy, and I’m still wearing my damp boxers. There’s no way I was going commando in these cotton shorts.

“You can murder him next time,” I compromise.

Ajani nods once, shooting Reiss a lethal glare before exiting the locker room.

“She’s hella frightening,” he says.

“Her scare tactics are very effective.” I lean against one of the lockers, arms folded over my chest.

He mirrors my posture, but keeps his arms at his side. He’s clutching something. A shirt or jacket?

“You’re a great swimmer.”

“Lots of practice,” I say. “You know, ocean and all.”

When he laughs, I do too. It’s this contagious noise. Or maybe it’s because he looks so embarrassed, like he didn’t expect his day to go like this. Me either. But I’m not disappointed with what’s currently happening.

The way we’re staring at each other, mouths curled into smiles, chests rising and falling at the same rhythm.

“Karan’s really sorry about the”—his eyes trail over me—“pool thing. I am too.”

My eyebrow arches. “Is that an apology? From the great @TheReelReiss?”

“At least I know how to apologize,” he counters.

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