Elizabeth Stevens [Stevens - The Stand-In: my life as an understudy

my life as an understudy

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my life as an understudy

Elizabeth Stevens

Sleeping Dragon Books

The Stand-In

by Elizabeth Stevens

Print ISBN: 978-1925928198

Digital ISBN: 978-1925928181

Cover art by: Izzie Duffield

Copyright 2019 Elizabeth Stevens

Worldwide Electronic & Digital Rights

Worldwide English Language Print Rights

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any form, including digital and electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written consent of the Publisher, except for brief quotes for use in reviews. This book is a work of fiction. Characters, names, places and incidents either are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

For my sister,

You cant have my chocolate, but you can have my kidney.

P A K I D G E!

Ella! a voice called, the tightly denim-wrapped body it belonged to hurrying towards me. Lindys face fell as she got closer and saw me around the giant canvas in my arms. Oh, its you

And that was how most of the world greeted me. Full of disappointment as though theyd been expecting Narnia and only found the back of an old cupboard full of musty coats. I couldnt blame them, personally. Id been looking for Narnia all my life, too.

Im looking for Ella.

That was another thing people often said to me, in much the same manner as they were affronted I even existed. But I was used to it. That was my life and, when it came to people like Lindy, I didnt much care how little they thought of me, both in what they thought about me and the amount of time they actually spent remembering I existed.

I dont know where she is, I answered, rearranging the canvas so I didnt drop it. Damn thing was big and awkward if not particularly heavy. I thought you had last lesson with her?

Lindy flicked her plait over her shoulder as though she were heavily flirting with someone. I did a quick scan of the hallways, but it could have been any of the guys pushing through the throng of students. Certainly none of them seemed to be flirting back and I hid a smirk.

Well we need to get to the committee meeting, or all her plans with be for nothing, Lindy sighed, like it must have been my fault for locking my fair princess of a sister up in the tower. I had no idea what said plans were and I was happy to keep it that way. Were going to be late! Lindy stamped her foot.

I nodded, not really sure what Lindy expected me to do about it. Ella ran on Ella time and not even an adoring crowd waiting on her was going to make her run to anyone elses schedule. Okay. Sure. Well you two have fun with that.

I made to move past her as I hefted the canvas, but Lindy stepped in front of me with a bored expression. Cant you, like, call her or something?

I mentally rolled my eyes and managed not to drop the canvas on her head. Youll have better luck getting through to her, Im sure.

Lindy looked around like she was about to do something really dirty like, you know, talk to me some more and I huffed, deciding to save her the bother.

Im sure youre fast approaching your quota for being seen with a nobody for the day, so why dont you run along and Ill see if I can find Ella? I asked, making myself sound chipper and helpful like the good secretary I was.

Lindy gave me a grimace I expected was supposed to pass for a smile on that face and flounced away, her skirt bobbing dangerously close to flashing her arse. I hurriedly looked away before it became a train wreck I wouldnt be able to look away from.

I hoisted the canvas back up and pulled my phone out of my pocket with my other hand, hoping I could keep hold of everything. Just as I was sure I had a handle on everything, my bag slid off my shoulder and almost took my phone with it.

There you are! someone else called and I looked over, feeling rather frazzled. But the paint-splattered face that matched that familiar voice made me smile. And this time when they got closer, they didnt pout like Id ruined Christmas. Ive been looking everywhere for you. I told you Id help with that! Rica chastised.

She shook her head at me with an exasperated sigh and grabbed the other end of the canvas before I dropped it as well. I gave my best friend a thankful smile and reached down for my bag. As I hoisted it on my shoulder, I hit Ellas number.

Whats up? Rica asked, already amused by my predicament.

The harpy is required by her minion, I just have to

Where are you? my older sister snapped. No hello or how are you, fair sister, just outrage I hadnt followed whatever order I was supposed to have read in her mind.

Ella, hey! I laughed awkwardly into the phone.

Thank God. Ive been trying to get hold of you all day, she scoffed. I pulled the phone away from my ear; no missed calls or texts

How? Telepathy? I mumbled, shaking my head at Ricas questioning look.

By the time I put the phone back, Ella was ranting. busy, so you need to go in my place.

Sorry. What? I asked.

She grunted in annoyance. I am busy, she enunciated loudly and slowly, like I was a foreign exchange student. You have to go to the Formal Committee meeting for me.

Uh, can I ask why?

Rica made more questioning gestures at me and I shrugged.

Ella grunted again. Elijah Sweet is taking me to the formal and I need someone to make sure Milly stays away from him.

DoesElijah Sweet know this? I asked slowly as though talking to a very large idiot. In fairness, I was.

Oh my God! Cant you just do this one thing for me? she cried. Its in the Willis Theatre, okay?

I rolled my eyes at Rica. Sure. Keep Milly away from him. Although if hes already taking you, what does it matter?

He hasnt asked yet, duh. So talk me up and make sure he does.

Uh, no thank you!

But, no wasnt an option here

Uh, great

I pulled the phone away and looked at it. In true Ella form, shed hung up on me without even waiting for me to answer because she just expected Id do what I was told. Again in fairness, I was going to.

What did she want now? Rica asked as I took hold of the other side of the canvas and we frog-marched to the art rooms.

Apparently Im required at the Formal Committee meeting to make sure Milly keeps away from Elijah Sweet.

Why?

Because hes asking Ella to the formal, dont you know? I asked her like it was obvious, duh.

Rica snorted. And does Elijah Sweet know this? she asked, wanting to know as badly as I did.

I shrugged. I would expect not.

And youre on guard detail?

Wooing detail. He is apparently yet to ask.

Rica looked at me knowingly and I could see her fighting a smile. Because thats going to go well for you.

I gave her my most withering glare. Thank you. Im aware.