#SamGabeHSAU

AUDITIONS.

Despite the neon pink paper and the huge, blocky font, Gabriel nearly walks right by it. It's Sam who lingers by the bulletin board. "Hey," he muses, "you should do this."

Gabriel walks backward a few steps. "Do what-- OW," he declares, shielding his eyes. "Someone needs to turn down the volume on that paper. Geez."

"It is a little terrifying," Sam agrees with a short laugh. "But seriously. You're so good at acting, you should try out."

Gabriel blows air through his lips. "I don't think so," he says.

"Why not?"

"That is a musical." Gabriel's index finger lands on the other bold-faced phrase - BYE BYE BIRDIE - "and I am not a singer."

"There are parts where you don't have to sing." Sam shrugs. "You could at least try."

"Hmrmmrmhghm," Gabriel says.

Sam frowns. "What?" Gabriel's silent, and Sam shuffles closer. "What's wrong?"

Gabriel's eyes dart back and forth, as though afraid he'll be heard. He leans toward Sam. "What if I go there," he says, "and I make a fool of myself, and I don't get in? Or what if I get in, and then the curtain goes up, and I freeze and can't move? In front of the entire school?"

Sam laughs. "Dude. So what? Besides, you don't have any trouble making a fool of yourself in front of me."

"Yeah, but you're different."

Sam looks him over. "No, I'm not," he says seriously. "You're talented, Gabe. You should try out. Tell me you'll at least think about it."

Gabriel mutters agreement. Honestly, he's afraid if he thinks about it, he won't be able to think about anything else. His blood is rushing through his body right now, and a little voice is singing in his head: wouldn't it be nice if....?

He doodles stick figures on stages for the rest of the day and tries to squelch the improbable dreams that have suddenly taken over his head.

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