Introduction
During rehearsals for “Shrek, the Musical” Helen wasted no time in making me look incompetent. She kept making crude comments about my college dry spell. Not to mention when we were next to each other during ‘Forever’ she would not stop drowning out my voice, or claiming that I was in her space during choreography rehearsals causing me to step out of line. At the same time, she was as sweet as pie to the other cast members especially the other Dragonetts.
When I tried to talk to anyone about what Helen was doing no one would believe me. Instead of Helen getting in trouble for sabotage I was called out for telling on her. Things got harder when our college rivalry came to light. The director, music director, choreographer, and stage manager all thought I wanted to get Helen in trouble because of things that happened in college. No one would listen when I tried to explain what was going on every day at rehearsals.
The fact that Helen wanted a chance with Peter didn’t help my attempts at being friends with her. She didn’t know about our history, but she knew that I liked him. Peter would send friendly/borderline flirtatious messages to both of us. Whenever Helen got a hopeful message she’d tell the other Dragonettes who she called her ‘squad’ them. If I mentioned getting a similar message, or one that was just as hopeful she’d brush it off saying,” Don’t be such a loser. He’s obviously only being polite. Get a hint.”
The only saving grace was my friend James who was helping on stage crew. James and I had been friends since High school. He was cute and was starting to catch the eye of a few cast members. If Peter hadn’t still been giving me hope for a second chance I might have been trying to get James’s attention as well. He saw what was happening with Helen. One day James asked me,” Has Helen always been like that? The overconfident popular diva pushing you aside? “
I sighed,” Yeah. She turned into a Diva in college. Back then her sabotage kept me from getting cast.”
James put his arm around me,” Don’t worry Em. Sooner or later everyone is bound to notice what’s going on. As for your ex, any man can smell a fake.”
