EMME: Don’t worry about it. Hey, we’re playing at Kat’s Café tonight if you guys want to come.

I’ve only seen Teenage Kicks perform at school events. I’ve always wanted to see them outside of CPA.

ME: Really? That’s great. What time?

Everybody turns around. Probably shocked that I’m speaking. I usually don’t say much. I’m better if something is scripted out for me.

EMME: Eight. We’re testing out some new stuff. It would be really great if you guys came.

SOPHIE: We’ll see.

We’ll see? I know Sophie’s upset, but I want to go. I want to have fun this year. Make friends.

I’m seventeen years old. It’s about time I stop pretending and just figure it out already.

I get to the television studio after having an argument with Sophie about our evening plans. She wants me to call Sheila Marie to see if she can get us into any events. But I’m going to the concert. She can do whatever she wants.

I open up the script for today’s scene and start to draw.

Mom enters the room, her own copy of the script in hand.

MOM: Carter, fabulous news, sweetheart! I just got out of a meeting with Timothy and big things are happening.

I hate it when Mom talks to the show runner. She’s always trying to get me bigger dramatic moments and what she usually ends up doing is making me seem like a big brat.

MOM: What your story line needs is for Chase to come to terms with his feelings for Charity.

She looks so serious, like these are real people. Chase is certainly not a real person. In fact, he’s getting so out there, I don’t even know how to play him anymore. Not like I ever really liked playing him. But I sometimes get the feeling that Mom thinks that I’m Chase.

Mom starts to clap, mostly to get my attention, because it’s clear that I couldn’t care less about Chase and Charity.

MOM: Today you’ll be filming your first love scene!

Great. Mom’s probably convinced that if Charity and Chase get romantically involved, it’ll get me more screen time. The original agreement was that when I’m attending CPA, the producers have to reduce the number of scenes that I have each week so I can go to school full-time. But that hasn’t really happened.

Most parents would want their children to focus on their studies. But I learned a long time ago that my mother isn’t like most parents.

Mom sits down next to me on the couch and places her hand on my knee.

MOM: Honey, I’m so sorry. I completely spaced. How did the lineup for the freshman assembly go?

ME: I got in. Last slot.

MOM: And that’s good, right? The last slot, like the headliner, or am I getting that mixed up?

I remember what Sophie told me.

ME: It’s good.

MOM: Oh, Carter. That’s wonderful. I’m so proud of you. I … Did you eat lunch?

She rummages through her purse to give me a protein bar. My diet has been a serious topic lately since the producers feel the need for my character to appear shirtless. A lot. Because most seventeen-year-old guys hang out at home in khakis and nothing else. In one scene, I take off my shirt before I open up a book. I don’t get it, but apparently the viewers like it. It’s beyond embarrassing.

So I’m on a high-protein diet to bulk up. And I’ve got to work out more. Just more things to add to the list of things I have no interest in doing.

Although Sophie really likes it.

MOM: I know what this is about. Honey, I know that having your first on-screen love scene can be stressful and you’ve known Charity, I mean Britney, for years and she’s like a sister to you, but it isn’t a big deal. Just think of that cute Sophie girl and everything will be fine.

She gets up and leaves without even waiting for a reply. It wouldn’t matter anyway. The decision has been made.

There’s a line outside of Kat’s when I arrive, alone, around seven thirty. As I scan the line, I can’t tell if these kids are from school or not. I knew the band was getting a reputation outside CPA but didn’t know they were this big.

“Carter?” I turn around to find Chloe Nagano, Jack’s girlfriend. Even outside of school, you can tell she’s a dancer. Her hair is up in a bun and she’s got a tight tank top on with leggings, and a sweater wrapped around her waist.

CHLOE: I was just heading inside to say hi to Jack. Is Sophie with you?

ME: No, I came by myself.

CHLOE: Oh. Well, it’s just me here, too. Do you want to join me?

I follow Chloe behind an alley to the back entrance of the coffee shop/music venue. The band is crammed in a tiny space that I guess is supposed to be the greenroom. Emme’s doing homework, Ethan’s running in place, and Ben and Jack are arguing about some band I’ve never heard of.

They all look up when I enter the room.

JACK: There’s my girl.

Jack gets up to kiss Chloe. I stand there awkwardly, wondering what they all think of me, especially after what happened today. Death by association? Sophie said it was an honest mistake and Emme didn’t seem to have a problem, but these guys … well, it’s pretty obvious they don’t like Sophie.

Emme smiles warmly at me.

EMME: Hey, Carter! Is Sophie with you?

ME: No, she couldn’t make it. But I’ve really wanted to see you guys perform.

JACK: Well, I don’t mean to brag….

BEN: Yes, he does.

JACK: You’re in for a treat. We’re on for an hour today, which should mean … three songs with the way this one’s been blabbing on recently.