Soulmates

Chapter 24

Leo wanted to make something.

    The school setting wasn't much of a help, and it wasn't like he could create something out of air. He didn't just have some sort of garage in his tool belt.

    He didn't even have his belt; he'd left it in the warehouse.

    He looked at the time as his USH teacher continued her lecture.

    Five minutes to go. How to pass the time?

    Wow, he thought. I have ADHD! I can literally focus on anything that is not what I'm supposed to focus on. Let's look at the clock and count to sixty with the seconds. Also, look right above that clock. There's a crack in the wall. That's odd. It doesn't look like it will leak or anything. There doesn't seem to be water damage. I wonder why there's a crack.

    The bell rang with that thought.

    He practically ran to his locker and grabbed his physics textbook.

    Leo understood physics. He had a 100 in that class, and with that extra credit assignment coming by the end of the quarter, and with quarterly exams coming the week before homecoming...

    Let's just say he was confident he'll be getting a bit more than a perfect score in his science class.

    Unfortunately, Hoffman wasn't there today.

    He could see why people were relieved. Hoffman was a depressing man who made Leo want to die while doing something he loved. In all honesty, Leo admired Hoffman's uncanny ability.

    The sub was a nice guy who didn't mind if you skipped the class.

    Leo did, in fact, skip the class.

    He went to Mr. Apollo's room. The Theatre 1 students were getting ready to move over to the auditorium.

    Leo followed behind and pretended he didn't notice the Hadestown cast members next to him. They seemed to do the same.

    Then he saw Cristeen Chambers. A small Filipino girl at his group home at the moment. She'd been in the home longer than Leo had; he believed she'd been there for a year or so.

    In fact, he wouldn't be surprised if Cristeen was adopted by the Britton family.

    He gave a small wave, and she smiled back.

    Mr. A sat the class down on the stage, and the people skipping were in the audience. He didn't notice Leo until he sat next to a Spanish girl.

    "Okay, we have three new judges," Mr. A said. "So, please slate so they can address you by name. You have 5 minutes to practice."

    Leo leaned over to the girl he sat next to. "I don't know how to judge a performance."

    "Just say what you liked than what they can improve on. Just don't be harsh, you know?" she said. "We are letting them improve as actors, not crush their dreams."

    "Are they any good?"

    The girl next to the Spanish girl snorted. "Doubt it." She had an English accent.

    The Spanish girl shot her a glare. "I'm not sure. I've never seen them before."

    "Oh, but look at them," said the English girl. "They're terrified."

    "Sadie. Babe. If you were giving me compliments and opportunities, I'd be scared too."

    "No!"