Dungeons by Ivy M. Jones

   "I thought I asked you two to keep your arguments out of my rehearsals?"  Mrs. Cadenjovski yelled from the seats in the fifth row.  From the wings, Brian and Lana yelled a quick apology and the rehearsal resumed.
       "I told you she could hear us!"  Lana hissed at Brian.  Her long brown hair was up in a ponytail braided to her waist, and it whipped around as she spun to leave.
       "Hey, watch it with that weapon you call a hair style!"  Brian hissed back.  He pulled a multi-tool from his pocket and equipped a knife.  "Next time you clock me with it, I cut it off."
       Lana ignored him and continued back to the storage area behind the stage to catalogue the rest of the props.  She'd had enough of Brian's annoying know-it-all attitude and charismatic aura.  He worked for the Technical Department for the high school theater, and if it weren't for the fact that she loved working in the theater's Property Department, she wouldn't have anything to do with him.
       He was too cocky, too smart, and way too hot.  His blond hair was shaggy over his face, even when he pulled it back to a ponytail at the nape of his neck.  He was tall and lean, with muscles that weren't hormone-huge or too wimpy.  And every time Lana saw him working with those his big strong hands, she would be inundated with fantasies involving those hands all over her naked skin.
       But they had worked together all through high school and they were nearing the end of their senior year.  Whenever he'd been single and she'd made flirty passes at him, he had never reciprocated.  When he did have a girlfriend...  Well, Lana thought it was tacky to make a pass at a guy who was taken.
       Lana managed to ignore him for the rest of the rehearsal, bringing props in and figuring out which scene they were for.  She labeled spots for them in storage and on the prop tables, and she made sure to check them in for the evening.  It was nearly 9pm when the rehearsal wrapped for the night, and Lana had just run out of masking tape.
       "Mrs. C?"  She called out as the theater director began packing her script and notes away to leave.
       "What can I do for you, Miss Kerzer?"  Mrs. Cadenjovski was a no-nonsense sort of woman, with straight black hair to her shoulders, cut straight across her forehead.  Her glasses were cats-eye frames, and while she demanded respect, she also gave it.
       "I wanted to apologize again, Mrs. C.  I thought Brian and I were actually having a civil conversation, and then before I knew it, I wanted to knee him in the balls.  I should have been more aware of our volume level and taken it somewhere else."  Lana looked her teacher in the eyes when she spoke.  Mrs. C taught that it showed respect and honesty.
       "Lana, I have no problem with you and Mr. Weiler disagreeing with each other.  In fact, feel free to yell and scream at one another to your heart's content‒ But not here.  You interrupt my rehearsal and you waste my time.  You're right.  You should have been more aware of your surroundings during your argument.  However, I appreciate that you see your error, and I can forgive you the disruption.
       I'm granting you some leeway, Lana, because you are amazing at what you do.  At 18, you're more dedicated than quite a few professionals I know of.  I hope you go on with this passion, see how far it can take you.  In fact, I would be perfectly willing to write a letter of reference if you wanted it.  You're going to Hartman Community for college, right?"
       "Yes..."  Lana was shaking with excitement.  "I hadn't decided on a major yet, so Hartman was the best choice.  I never thought about doing this professionally."  She moved out of the way so Mrs. Cadenjovski could pass and almost tripped when she bumped into a seat.
       "Careful there, Miss Kerzer."  Mrs. C shook her head and smiled.  "Send me an email and I'll see that you get that letter.  Goodnight.  I'll see you Monday