~*~ 2 months later The final curtain call was raised for the performance as Alex and Deana took center stage and bowed.  The audience gave them a standing ovation as Deana and Alex was each given a dozen roses.  Marnie let out a whistle from the side of the stage. Marnie seemed to fit right in with the Academy.  She helped John out with all of the side work, helped some of the cast rehearse their lines, and was even allowed to give input on some of the scenes.  She took to it like a duck to water.  For the first time she belonged to something, and made a lot of friends in the process.  The curtain closed, and Alex went right to her. “You were fantastic!” Marnie gave him a hug. “I couldn’t have done it without you,” Alex took one of the roses from his bouquet and gave it to Marnie.  “From one star to another.” “I should be thanking you,” Marnie smiled.  “For introducing me to the Academy.”  “Hey, I just brought you here.  You did the rest.” Alex smiled.  “One thing,” Marnie procured the script from her arm.  “Could the lead autograph this for me?” Alex took the script and inscribed it: To Marnie, my biggest inspiration and best friend.  Love, Alexander James McLean.  “There you go.  Now keep that, it may be worth something someday.” “It would be worth a million dollars, and I would never give it up.” ~*~ The last day of classes approached as they all filed out the high school screaming and throwing their notes in the air.  Marnie waited outside the entrance for Alex, as they were going to walk home together.  Alex ran up to her.  “Last day!  Yes!” Alex threw his fist in the air. Marnie laughed.  “Yup, no more bullying for a while.” “Exactly,” Alex smiled.  They turned around and faced Jonathan with his buddies.  “Going on a trip to San Francisco to meet you little fag friends McLean?  And Marnie, let me guess, heading to the fat farm?” Jonathan snickered. Alex stepped up but Marnie stopped him.  “Wait!”  Marnie turned to face him.  “What right do you have making fun of people?” “Easy fatso, because I can,” Jonathan smirked. “I may be fat, but at least I’m not getting kicked off the team for being stupid.  At least I’ll be spending my summer having fun, not in this place trying to understand the meaning of 2 + 2.” Jonathan looked around at his buddies hiding smiles.  “Yeah, well…” “Oh, good one,” Marnie shorted.  “You know, you spend your time putting other people down because it makes you feel good.  You think of so many things to say to others, but you never have any time to think about your own self-worth.  I think that is way down.  So you know what?  Go ahead, ridicule me!  But at least I know who I am and what I feel.” Jonathan was speechless.  “So let me conclude with something that you will never have the brain power to understand.  ‘Parting is such sweet sorrow.’” Marnie pushed him aside as Alex followed her.  “You go girl!” Alex gave her a hug. “That felt so good!” Marnie said breathlessly. “I was so proud of you.”   Alex laughed.  “Now maybe he’ll leave us alone.” “And who cares if he doesn’t.  He now knows the truth.” “True,” Alex held out his arm.  “Shall we?” Marnie accepted his arm as they walked home together. Part V Contents Part III