The Ex-Change novel · Chapter 20 of 24

Chapter 20: Going Live

Callie's POV

At five to eleven, I was standing in the wings of a floating stage in a black dress I hadn't chosen.

It was the only one on the rack with my name on it.

Colton and Vanessa had been given white.

I noticed it the way you notice a stain, and then I stopped noticing, because I had somewhere to be.

"Mic check, Callie," said the new producer in my ear.

He had a smooth voice.

"I hear you," I said.

"When the host brings you out, go to the black mark and stay on it. Don't speak until you're spoken to."

"And if I'm spoken to?"

"You'll be given your words."

Jude stood beside me in a black jacket, with his curls pushed back and the staff tattoo hidden under his cuff.

His eyes went to my left ear.

"It's crooked," he said.

"It's fine."

"It's crooked, Callie."

He reached up and adjusted the little curve of plastic behind my ear, light and precise.

The red light on the nearest camera was on, and for once I let him.

"I know what that is now," I said, very low.

"What?"

"Not a habit."

His mouth touched the top of my head, for one second, in front of every lens.

This time, nobody froze.

Behind us, a woman was humming.

She stood on the other side of the wing with her white skirt gathered in one hand.

She was rocking a little on her heels.

It was a pretty tune with a lift in the middle, and she didn't know she was doing it.

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