The Beta

III

*Faye*

People were milling around the theater, and the commotion was stressing me out. I tended to be more of a homebody, staying away from noisy crowds and potentially awkward social situations. My eyes scanned the enormous room for the thousandth time. Where was Kate? I was going to kill her if she bailed.

The ding of my cell phone distracted me. An uneasy feeling settled in my stomach as I retrieved the device from my back pocket. Kate's picture danced across my screen.

"Where are you?" I demanded, lifting my eyes to the shifting masses around me.

"Um, well. I won't be able to make it, Faye. Tell Rhonda I'm sorry."

"What?" It sounded like a growl. I knew this was going to happen!

She sighed. "Tommy has a one-oh-five fever, and my dad and I are taking him to the hospital."

"Oh, Kate! You should've started with that!" The guilt was instant. "I'm so sorry! I hope he's okay."

"Thanks. My dad thinks he has the flu or something."

"Let me know when you find out. I'll pray for him," I promised.

"Thank you, Faye. Sorry I flaked."

Though she couldn't see me, I shook my head. "Totally understandable. I'll talk to you later, okay? Love you."

"Love you!"

I tucked my cell back into my pocket and swallowed down a groan. Social events were horrific as is, but they were way worse when I didn't have a friend to be with. What was I going to do?

Go find a seat, logic ordered. Don't even think about leaving. Rhonda needs your support.

When I turned around to head for the rows of red plush theater chairs, my eyes landed on a familiar figure. My stomach knotted up. It was the creepy suicidal guy, who I assumed was a new neighbor. Thankfully, his back was turned to me, so we didn't make awkward eye contact.

What was he doing here anyway? This was a high school play, and he definitely didn't look like he'd ever enrolled in Tidy Heights High. Neither did he look old enough to be a parent of a student. I reluctantly realized he could be a sibling.

Stop being so nosy. Go find a seat, you big baby.