Page 119 of Disharmony

“Even if I had it, I wouldn’t get the time to check it,” I grumble. “Apart from eating, rehearsals are taking up all of my time.”

Day in, day out. Our routine is the same: eat, rehearse, lunch, rehearse, eat, and more fucking rehearsals. When I used to watch Camp Harmony’s final show on TV, I questioned how they got the performances so slick, but now I understand why. McCallister has conditioned us to become a perfect machine—even I’m spared from his complaints. After hours of practice, I’ve finally stopped making dance missteps.

“Are you excited for the big show tomorrow?” Brick asks.

I sigh dramatically. Excited isn’t the right word. I’m not sure how to feel about it. I want it to be over and never have to hear another damn note of that song again, but it also signals camp ending. My time here has flown by, and even if I’ve not been able to present my authentic self, I’ve made a handful of great friends that I don’t know when I’ll see again.

“I guess,” I reply. “I just don’t know what comes next for me.”

“You’ll get your big break,” he says confidently. “I can feel it. You’ll have me and your dad supporting you in the crowd.”

Before the show airs live in the evening, there is a final rehearsal in the afternoon for the campers’ family and friends alongside industry professionals scouting future talent. They come along to see what we’ve been working on and get a load of free food—which I know Brick is excited about. My nerves are already going into overdrive thinking about it.

“How’s work going?” I ask, changing the topic.

In the background, there’s a knock and a girl calls out, “Brick?”

That’s not his mom!

“Oh, hey…” His ears pink as he turns to face the mystery girl hidden from view. “I’ll be done in a sec.”

I raise my eyebrows.

“Are you speaking to Ash?” she asks. “Can I say hi?”

A second later, a girl peers down the webcam with a huge fake smile and overenthusiastic wave. Too enthusiastic to be genuine.

“Ash, this is Jade,” Brick mumbles, shifting around in his seat the way he does when he’s uncomfortable.

Are they dating? I hope so. Brick moving on will help get rid of any residual weirdness between us. I want him to find someone who can love him how he should be loved. Something I’ll never be able to give him… because I’m hung up on three guys who I’m not sure have even thought about me since our night together.

“Hey,” I address Jade, pushing thoughts of the Basilisks away. She’s pretty with thick brown hair and a perfect blow dry. “It’s great to meet you.”

“You too,” she simpers, but her eyes narrow. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

Yep, they must be dating. Her tone is friendly, but with an underlying warning. It’s nothing new. Being Brick’s best friend has never done me any favors with girls crushing on him. They all hate me. Still, even if she is the jealous type, I’m happy he’s found someone who is so into him that they see me as a threat.

“Jade’s been interning at my dad’s store,” Brick explains. “We’ve been hanging out a lot.”

“Awesome,” I reply.

An awkward silence stretches out, and I’m grateful to hear Cookie shutting the water off and take it as my cue to leave.

“I better go,” I say. “We’ve got one more rehearsal before tomorrow. I’ll see you then.”

Brick smiles. A huge grin that reminds me of how we used to play in the sandbox in kindergarten together. “See you then, Smash.”

I snort at the way he deepens his voice to say Smash, and can’t hold back a laugh, despite Jade’s disapproving glare piercing me through the screen. He’s not used our old nicknames in forever. I used to kick his ass at Mario Smash Bros.

After ending the call, Cookie comes out of the bathroom.

“Things seem to be getting better with you guys,” she observes. “Was there someone else with him?”

“He’s dating,” I say. “It’s good for us.”

“He seems like a nice guy,” she says, then winks, “hot too. It’s a shame you’re too busy lusting after creeps in masks.”

“Hey! Watch who you’re calling creeps!” I throw a cushion at her. “What about you, anyway? You’re all up in my love life, but you never talk about yours.”

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