Natalia Takes the Lead

Chapter Nine

The next week at school, Natalia drowsily hands in her math assignments. She managed to do them, but just barely. She’s pretty sure they’re mostly wrong. She spent the whole weekend walking the dogs, playing with the dogs, and taking care of the dogs. She didn’t know she could be so exhausted. She even falls asleep during Ms. Patel’s lecture. She’s awoken by an elbow to her arm.

Apparently Ms. Patel is asking Natalia to answer a question. “Six,” she responds. She just grabbed the first number that popped into her head. Alarmingly, that was the correct answer. She revels in her luck the rest of class.

At lunch time, all three girls sit down at the table with their friends. Since Uncle Brian moved to Waverly, he’s been prepping lunch for them all every single day. Today, lunch is a fancy quiche, with avocado, strawberry, and mango salad, and chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

The girls are digging in when Caitlin comes up to them. She tells them Ms. Andrews posted the cast list for The Wizard of Oz. Caitlin was cast as Glinda, just like she wanted. Zoe got Dorothy, too. Unfortunately, Natalia didn’t get cast as the Wicked Witch, Darcy did. Natalia still got in though… she was to play Second Apple Tree.

Natalia is happy for her sister and friend, but she’s disappointed in herself. She knew why she didn’t get it; she didn’t really work hard at her audition, like everyone else. But she’s still upset about it.