BONUS CHAPTER
"Okay, But Who Is He?" – Interview with Raye (and Jane, because she refuses to leave)
[Scene opens with Raye sitting in a velvet chair, suspiciously eyeing the camera.]
Interviewer (smiling like he 's about to ruin lives):
Welcome back to "What In The YA Drama Is This?" — today's guest is none other than Raye!
Star of awkward hallway crushes, mystery text messages, and a breakdown over text trauma! Hi, Raye.
My name is Tyler ...your favorite interviewer and here with me is miss Raye . Hi Raye again
Raye:
Hi. Can we not call it a breakdown?
Jane (offscreen, sipping bubble tea):
She cried and dropped the mic. It squealed. People ran.
Raye:
Jane, leave.
Interviewer:
So, Raye. Let's talk Chapter Eleven
He said, " he called you cupcake and his kind of girl "
Who do you think it is?
Raye (visibly sweating):
Okay, look. I have theories. Five of them.
Top suspect? A guy from my creative writing class. He writes weirdly good essays about heartbreak.
Lowkey might be a secret romantic.
Jane (leaning in):
That boy still thinks Shakespeare is a sandwich and it's my class you hate creative writing and literature remember .
Raye:
Okay, fine, thanks Jane but you still have to leave . Theory #2: It's someone from choir.
They were there when I cried. Only like five people saw that. It's math.
Interviewer:
And how many people from that day are still around?
Raye (panicking):
…Five.
Jane:
Math ain't mathing anymore.
Interviewer:
Let's rewind. Be honest — did you kinda hope it was Evan ?
Raye (immediate):
NO....hell no , I don't want to die from drama stress .
Jane:
Yes, true that boy is a walking seven years from now dictionary.
Raye:
Okay, maybe before I realized his soul is made of beige paint and shampoo commercials.
Interviewer:
Not the Pantene slander.
Okay next question: If Mystery Text Boy asked you out today, but you didn't know who he was until the date... would you go?
Raye (after 0.5 seconds):
YES. ...I don't know I might ..I will
(Scratches her hair with a blush )
Jane:
She's down bad. It's a medical condition at this point.
Interviewer (smiling like a villain):
So let's talk emotions.
You've been spiraling, spying on hallway crushes, and semi-accusing Evan in public.
How are we feeling, mental-health-wise?
Raye (gripping chair):
Stable, delusional, and possibly in love with a fictional man texting me from the shadows.
So like… thriving.
But let's be serious it's definitely not Evan , so stop with the evan theories .
Jane:
She cried in the cereal aisle last night because a cereal box reminded her of the message....and yes sure if it eventually ends up to that, I am buying dictionaries for your wedding (laughs out )
To help the priest though , he might need it when Evan starts saying his vows .
Raye (glares at Jane before tossing her an empty soda container ) :
yeah funny you .
(Turns to the interviewer who is laughing like a maniac) shut UP.
Interviewer (clears his throat ).
Um sorry about that miss Raye but you guys are so funny _ back to the cereals ...
Raye:
It said "Shine Bright with Crunch."
It felt personal.
Interviewer (smiles brightly to the camera ):
That's so heart warming , we also should have Evan in this show .
Raye (glares at the interviewer ).
Jane (whistles ) :
Na , that would just be soo draining , you might need a dictionary .
Raye :.
And therapist after , I almost punched his face at art class .
Interviewer : '.....'
Yeah sure , he was suppose to be here , said something like preparing for biology test .
Raye and Jane shares a look .
Raye (smiling stupidly):
Yeah test .
Interviewer:
Jane, since you refuse to leave — who's your top suspect?
Jane:
Honestly? I think it's someone close.
Like, stupidly close.
Someone who's probably had a crush on her forever but never said anything.
Someone who's scared she'll run the moment she finds out.
Raye (narrowing eyes):
Why are you saying that like it's you?
Jane:
Ew. Please. I have taste.
Interviewer:
Alright final round: One word to describe how you feel about Mystery Text Guy right now.
Raye:
Hopeful.
Jane:
Chaotic.
Raye:
That wasn't your question.
Jane:
Your life is the question, and I'm just observing.
Interviewer ( looks back and forth between the two girls chuckling softly ) :.
Thanks for joining us on this emotional mess of an interview.
Catch Raye next time on Chapter eleven : , where she might cry, yell, flirt, and investigate all within five pages.
Until then… stay suspicious, stay sarcastic, and remember:
If someone remembers your choir solo breakdown, they're either your soulmate or your stalker.
Either way? Drama's coming.
[Fade out. dramatic piano music.]