The Comeback Read Online Free Page A

interest me,” he replied, “and besides, Mr. Fanelli asked me to audition for this part.”
    I was miffed that Dev hadn’t been interested in the lead role. Even though I hadn’t been given the female lead, everyone expected I would get it. Hadn’t he wanted to work with me?
    â€œDid you take it because you thought you wouldn’t have to work with me? You could have gotten Petruchio, you know. You’re good enough.”
    His eyebrow lifted, but he didn’t comment. “Of course not,” he said.
    â€œYeah, right,” I stated.
    â€œThis isn’t middle school,” he said. The condescension in his voice made me want to smack him. “Some of us have grown up, if you haven’t noticed.”
    I had noticed, to tell the absolute truth. Dev was gorgeous, dark wavy hair, tanned skin, white teeth. Connor’s physical opposite, not at all my type. And now I was stuck with him and his “maturity” for six long weeks.

Chapter 4
    B ut, Mr. Fanelli, you know that I should be Katharina instead of Angie Vogel.” It had taken me a day to corner him, but I’d finally tracked Fanelli down in the front office.
    Ms. Murphy, the principal’s assistant, watched us in fascination.
    â€œSophie, my decision is final.” His voice shook a little, but his expression remained firm. “I am the director of this production.”
    â€œOf course you are,” I soothed. “But it’s not fair. I’ve been a lead in every production since freshman year.”
    â€œAnd you’re still a lead,” he pointed out reasonably.
    â€œEveryone knows that Katharina is the star of the show,” I said scornfully.
    â€œBut don’t you think it might be time for a little new blood?”
    â€œNo, I don’t,” I said. My voice was rising. “Mr. Fanelli, you have to give me that part,” I shouted.
    There was a loud snort from the front desk, but Ms. Murphy had her head buried in paperwork.
    â€œNo, I don’t,” he said. But he looked nervous.
    â€œMaybe I should just quit altogether,” I said loudly. Fanelli hated offstage scenes, especially ones that took place a few feet from his boss’s door.
    â€œGo ahead,” he said, but I could see a little bead of sweat form on his brow. “There are plenty of girls who would love to have the Bianca role.”
    He was right. If I quit, he’d give my part to some other girl, probably some stagestruck freshman, just to spite me. On the other hand, the guy parts were a lot harder to fill.
    â€œFine, I will,” I said triumphantly. “But you know, Connor, my boyfriend, will go with me.”
    â€œNow, let’s not be hasty,” he said. “We can work something out.”
    I moved a little closer to the principal’s office and turned on the tears. “I’m just trying to do my best for Kennedy High,” I wailed.
    â€œWhat do you want?” he said.
    I opened my mouth immediately, but he cut me short.
    â€œI can’t give you the role of Katharina,” he said. “It would cause way too many problems.”
    I hadn’t really expected that he would take the role away from Angie, but now I knew I could make a demand. “A guaranteed lead for the spring musical,” I said.
    We shook on it and I tried not to inhale. He overdid it on the cologne. “You’re smarter than I gave you credit for,” he observed.
    â€œThat’s what everyone says,” I replied. “See how easy that was?”
    I was at my locker at lunch the next day, waiting not so patiently for Connor. We had a standing Wednesday lunch date. Juniors and seniors could leave campus for lunch, unlike the freshmen and sophomores, who were confined like prisoners to the lunchroom swill.
    I was sending him a where are you? text message when Olivia Kaplan appeared.
    â€œAll alone?” she smirked at me. Olivia was the biggest gossip at school,