Pushin' Read Online Free

down,” she says as we all file into the miniature rehearsal room that doubles as our main classroom. As we all settle into fifth period, Mrs. Sinclair looks overly excited to announce our final play of the school year. I didn’t support the spring musical because, as usual, there were no leading roles for a sistah—let them tell it. But in order to maintain my A average, I have to participate in the last production of the year in some capacity. And to continue as an active thespian—or honors drama club member—I have to try out. Every club has its rules of engagement.
    â€œWhat gives, Mrs. S?” Chance asks, making his favorite teacher’s cheeks the same color as her hair.
    â€œThe spring play will be Wait until Dark by Frederick Knott. I am so thrilled! I love this script,” she says, passing out xeroxed copies to half of the class and playbooks to the other half. She only has enough original scripts for the cast members. I snatch up a book and Chance grabs a copy. Everyone’s already visualizing who he or she’ll be, including me. Hopefully I’ll have a good chance at the lead.
    â€œShit,” I say under my breath, but it doesn’t escape Chance’s ears.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” he asks, looking through his packet. “I’m definitely trying out as one of the bad guys in the opening scene,” he says, already absorbed in the dialogue.
    â€œThe lead is a blind woman,” I say, looking through the cast description. “And the only other female role is a little girl. What the hell am I supposed to do with this?” Being blind is a taboo for the women in my lineage—even while pretending, I assume.
    â€œOf course you will need to prepare a dialogue and a monologue for auditions, which will begin next week. Get busy, young people.” Mrs. Sinclair leaves us to our reading and heads back to the theater.
    â€œSo, which scene are we going to perform, my blind lady?” Chance says, not realizing that his playful comment gives me the chills. I never want to be blind again—for real or fiction. My sleepwalking incident a few months ago, where I lost my sight temporarily, was enough for me.
    â€œChance, that’s not funny. And I’m not trying out for the lead. I’m going for the little girl,” I say, skimming through the ancient playbook. I’ve always liked the play, and Mama loved the movie with one of her favorite actresses, Audrey Hepburn, in the lead. Truthfully, I would love to play the lead role, but I can’t take the risk.
    â€œThe hell you are,” Chance says, snatching the playbook out of my hand and writing my name next to the lead role. “There. Now you have to try out. Let’s get to work picking a scene.”
    â€œI appreciate the faith, Chance, but you know I’m not going to get it anyway,” I say, reaching for my script. “And I actually like the little girl. Gloria’s got balls.” Both women in the play have gumption, and I like the plot. “As long as I can be in the last production of the year, I’m good.” Chance’s blue eyes look like they’re trying to probe my mind, but he doesn’t have it like the women in my family do.
    â€œJayd, I don’t get you. One minute you’re up in arms about there not being any parts for you and how unfair the school is. The next you’re turning down the perfect part for you. What the hell?” Alia, Cameron, Matt, and Seth busy themselves with discussing the set designs and other behind-the-scenes details for the production. We have six weeks left in school and the final performance is usually the week before the last, which means our rehearsal schedule will be tight for the next four weeks. The remainder of the class files outside and into the dressing rooms to begin rehearsals. Everyone has to try out: no exceptions. And even if there aren’t enough parts, Mrs. Sinclair makes it a