The results were supposed to be announced at 1 p.m., and the top three would have an hour before they took the stage. Each group got the stage for twenty minutes to block their props, and then the finals started at 2 p.m.

All the groups, their chaperones, and the friends and family who made the trek to watch all waited in apprehension.

Jamie had gone to fetch our lunch so we could eat regardless of whether we progressed or not. Uncle Anton was staring at his phone. The rest of us were waiting.

After what felt like forever, the three judges walked on the stage. Emma Kate stood behind them with a girl with bright red hair holding an envelope.

"Shakespeare was an artist," the woman in the middle said. "And today, each of you brought to life one of his plays, be you behind the scenes or on stage. I know you aren't here to hear me speak. You want to know who is proceeding to the next round."

The man to her left chuckled and adjusted his hat. He'd been the judge in the boy's monologue tent. He'd told each of us we'd done a good job on the way out. He took the envelope from the girl with red hair and started to read from the paper inside.

"In third place in the male characters monologues is Jason Kilmer from Kirby Academy," he said, and the Kirby Academy group to our left burst into cheers, patting a red-headed boy on the back.

I remembered his monologue. It had been fun, and he'd brought the whimsy of Puck to life. The judge waited for it to quiet down and then looked at his clipboard.

"In second place from Elmwood High School is Laurant Paterson," the man said, and the pompous director, Dr. Connors, gave a sallow-skinned boy a great big hug.

I definitely wasn't coming in first. I hadn't done better than Jason or Laurant. I certainly hadn't done better than Ed Jenkins Kirby Academy's Oberon, who was announced moments later to have come in first.

"There's still the female characters category," Lilly said, squeezing my hand. "And we don't know who is progressing."

"Anton told me that ordinarily, the schools that win monologues end up progressing," I said. "And usually, the first place in monologue and first place overall is one and the same."

"So what," Lilly said. "Kirby and Elmwood swept the boys' category. There's still room for one school, right?"

"In the female characters category," the third judge said, taking another envelope from the red-headed girl. "In third place is Shayna Christian-Porter from Crestview High School."

We were all silent for a moment as if we couldn't believe what we'd just heard. Lilly was the first to cheer. Kai, Hugh, and Carson all hugged Shayna at once. Even Juan was cheering.

Once it got quiet, the judge consulted her list. "In second place is Rita Finch from Crestview High School."

We cheered and screamed. Rita turned red and looked shocked like she couldn't believe she'd gotten second place. I looked at Lilly. There was a chance we were in the final three.

"And from Elmwood High School in first place is Penelope Jacobs," the judge said, and the Elmwood section erupted like they'd won the whole thing.

Even though pretty much everyone in the audience could guess how that made the final results fall, we all waited with bated breath as the red-headed girl handed over the final envelope to the first judge.

"And in order of performance," the first judge said. "The schools that will be proceeding to the final round are Crestview, Elmwood, and Kirby Academy. We'll see all of you in an hour. Crestview, the stage is yours to block."

Anton looked so flustered that he fumbled with his tablet to pull up the pictures he'd taken of our blocking tape at the theater.

"Great job, everyone," Juan said. "Anton, send that picture to the group. Hugh, grab the blocking tape. Then you, Shayna, and Rita can get the tape in place. Samantha, check the costumes and ensure everyone gets their makeup brushed up after we eat. Novah, Jules, go with Kai and Carson, get the scenery unloaded from the trailer, and put it back in the loading area. Lilly, make sure the lights are set up. Jack, you and I will help out when needed."

Everyone started moving at once. I was surprised that Juan was giving orders but grateful. Uncle Anton was cool under pressure when he was an actor, but I'd never seen him this nervous as a director.

"Juan," I said. "Thanks."

"Sorry for taking control," he said. "I just figured someone needed to shake us out of our daze, and since we have nineteen minutes and counting, it might as well be me."

"I see why you're a great basketball captain," I said. "What do we need to be doing?"

"All the blocking tape needs to go down," he said. "That's important. We can get the props in the waiting zone after the twenty minutes if necessary."

"Jack," Uncle Anton said. "I'm having a hard time sending the photos."

Taking his tablet, I selected the photos and sent them to the group. I gave the tablet back to my uncle and started to try thinking a little more like Juan. He'd managed to look at the situation and be strategic about his choices.

"Juan, take Act I. Then Rita can do Act II, Shayna can take III, Hugh can do IV, and I'll block V," I said. "That's the fastest way."

"I agree," Juan said. "Let's find Hugh. He's got the tape."

Hugh handed each of us the color of tape that corresponded with our act and a permanent marker. I started making strips of the electric blue tape for Act V. Representing different parts of the forest had us moving the trees around quite a bit. Choreographing costumes and set changes had been something Jamie had to give us a lot of advice about.

We managed to get it all placed as fast as we could. On occasion, Uncle Anton nodded in approval but seemed incredibly distracted.

Emma Kate gave us a five-minute and a two-minute warning on time. We'd just put the finishing touches on the tape when we had to give up the stage.

We found Jamie in the tent with six boxes of pizza and a salad for Hugh. She congratulated us, and we all inhaled our food. I was halfway through my third slice of pizza when Uncle Anton pulled me aside.

"The hospital called," he said.

All the things that could possibly be wrong were running through my head. Mary and Mom were both in there. I'd left them to come to the festival.

"What happened?" I asked before the overwhelming number of horrible outcomes consumed me.

"Mary had a mildly negative reaction to a painkiller they were giving her," Uncle Anton said. "I was talking with your aunt, and she thought it might be better if I was there for Mary for moral support."

"What kind of reaction?" I asked. "Is she okay?"

"It was nothing the doctors couldn't handle, Jack," he said. "Mary just had a little scare."

"Can I talk to her?" I asked.

Picturing my sister alone in a hospital in a room not too far from where our mother was dying made me want to hurl my pizza. She was alone, and I was too far away to help.

"Jack," Uncle Anton said. "She'd want you here. I'm going to go. I have to."

"Did you tell Lilly?" I asked since I didn't see my sister as I looked around.

"Yes," Uncle Anton said. "Jamie went to rent a car. I'm leaving when she gets back."

I couldn't process it. Mary was a sweet little kid. She didn't deserve any of this. It should have been me lying in that hospital bed.

I took a breath. "She's okay, right?"

"Mary is going to be fine, son," Uncle Anton said. "I promise. I told my sister I'd look after you kids."

"I know," I said, trying to construct a braver face. Mary would be fine. I would see her tomorrow. It would all be okay.

"What are you going to tell the rest of the cast?" I asked.

"That I have a family emergency," Uncle Anton said. "I spoke to Dr. Porter. Her sister Layla is going to take my place as a chaperone. Everything is going to be fine, I promise."

Uncle Anton gathered the cast around. Everyone seemed so happy and normal. Kai even had red pizza sauce smeared across his chin.

Shayna stood next to me and seemed to sense something stormy in my eyes. "You okay?" She asked.

"It's fine," I said. "Uncle Anton is about to take care of it."

"That doesn't sound fine," Shayna said. "Talk to me."

"You all did a wonderful job," Anton said. "And I couldn't be prouder. I never imagined how well As You Like It would turn out. You all are amazing and so talented. I know you will give a wonderful performance. Unfortunately, I won't get to see it. I have to go back home because my niece had a bad reaction to medication at the hospital, and she needs me. I know I have done my job well enough because I'm not worried. You are about to give a spectacular performance. I leave this remarkable play by the bard in your capable hands."

Uncle Anton answered a few questions, but I wasn't paying attention. Shayna's hand slipped into mine, and she squeezed it lightly.

"Breathe," she said. "We've got this. I'm sure Mary is fine."

"Can you find Lilly?" I asked. "I wouldn't be surprised if she's holed up in the bathroom."

"Yeah," she said, dropping my hand. "Of course. I'm sure she's...."

"Be gentle," I said.

Shayna walked toward the bathroom, and I took a deep breath. Mary would be fine. Uncle Anton was going to be there for her. Everything was under control. I had to focus on being Orlando one more time.

Mary was safe. Uncle Anton had promised. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and found a single text from Mary.

I smiled and rejoined the cast even as my uncle left. I could do this for her because I knew my sister would never want to hold me back. Whatever the weather, I'd have fun, for Mary's sake.