Page 32 of She Haunts Me Still

“We’re supposed to run lines,” she lies.

“You guys have been running lines a lot, it seems,” Raf says as they wade past the curtains into the theater. He arches an eyebrow. “Anything you wanna tell us?”

“Anything like…” Jessica makes an obscene gesture with her hands, and Mallory offers them both a practiced eye roll.

“We’re just friends.”

Technically it’s not a lie, but it feels like one. Mallory stares at the floor so she doesn’t have to see the skeptical glances her friends trade in response.

“Places for act two, scene five,” Hendrix calls from the stage. “Nurse and Juliet.”

Mallory’s stomach drops. She’s barely seen Arden all week, and now they have to act together. She should have carved out more time, asked Arden to get coffee after their psychology class, so Mallory could have listened to her talk about whatever’s obviously blossoming between her and Raf. But Mallory’s recent dishonesty has noticeably widened the space between them. Perhaps saying someone else’s words will be easier than coming up with her own.

“Before we run this scene, let’s talk about the dynamic between these women,” Hendrix says as Mallory and Arden approach. “While they have a close relationship, there is a crucial status discrepancy at play. How would it feel to care for someone knowing, deep down, you may be expendable to them?”

Mallory’s skin prickles at his words. She doesn’t dare look at Arden.

“Let’s go from the top.” Hendrix gestures with his script. “Juliet, you’ve been waiting for a message from Romeo for days. You’re impatient. I want tofeelthat.”

Mallory nods, glancing at her lines. “Now, good sweet nurse—O Lord, why lookest thou sad?” she says. “Thoughnews be sad, yet tell them merrily. If good, thou shamest the music of sweet news by playing it to me with so sour a face.”

“I am a-weary,” Arden responds, voice a note deeper as she acts. “Give me leave awhile.” She sits on the edge of a rehearsal cube, a hand to her spine. “Fie, how my bones ache! What a jaunt have I!”

“I would thou hadst my bones, and I thy news!” Mallory sinks to the stage in front of Arden’s knees. She presses a pleading hand to her chest. “Nay, come, I pray thee, speak. Good, good nurse, speak.”

But she barely hears Arden’s reply as she registers what’s missing beneath her palm.

“My locket!” Mallory cries, and Arden scrunches her nose as if to say,That’s not in the script.

“Pardon?” Hendrix calls, eyebrows raised.

“I—” Mallory stands, whirling. “I’m sorry. Can I take ten?”

The sigh Hendrix releases is so forceful, it seems to land right at her feet. “We have a scheduled break at the top of the hour, Ms. Webb.”

“Please.” Embarrassment warms her face. “I lost something. I need to check if—”

“Fine.” Hendrix waves his script. “Take ten!”

“Thank you, ten,” the cast echoes, and Mallory spins.

“Mal!” Arden races after her.

Mallory sprints down the corridor, boots clunking on stone. She skids around the corner, flying into the greenroom, where she makes a beeline for her bag. Dropping to her knees, she rummages through it, pulling out her cell phone, keys, and Clinique Black Honey lip gloss. She never takes offher mother’s locket except to sleep or shower, and shealwaysputs it back on.

“What the hell—?” Mallory sits back on her heels, pushing both hands through her hair.

“Mal,” Arden says again, rushing to her side.

“I lost it,” she blurts. “My mom’s locket—it’s gone.”

“No, no, I’m sure it’s not gone. Let’s retrace your steps.”

“It’s no use.”

“Mal, it’s okay, we’ll just—”

“It’s notokay,Arden.” The words come out bitter, all corners and edges. “You don’t understand.”