Disclaimer: Checkered Brooke doesn't own Pokémon. Or William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
This story has been edited from the original for its several uses of disgusting grammar, syntax, and flow. The plot, as well as most of the dialogue, remains the same.
"Hey Dawn, wait up!" a brunette panted, running to catch up with her blue-haired friend.
"May, May, May...you know there's no running in the halls, don't you?" Dawn shook her head and closed her locker.
"Are you going to try out for the play? I think it's Romeo and Juliet this year," the aforementioned brunette exclaimed, dismissive of Dawn's reprimanding.
"Mmhmm! I'm going to see if I can land Juliet." She smiled.
"Hmm..." May smirked, eliciting a blush from her friend before she'd even spoken. "Hoping a certain someone is Romeo?"
"So what if I'm hoping someone I know is Romeo? If I do get the part, I don't want to have to kiss a total stranger..." she muttered.
"Yeah. But you'd love it a whole lot more if Kenny got the part of Romeo." May teased.
As much as she wanted to deny it, Dawn knew what May was saying was true. She'd been crushing on her best friend since nursery school, Kenny, for a while.
But that was of no matter. What was important now was the already possible Romeos she might have to face.
"Hmm," Dawn mused, "Knowing Barry, he'd probably go for Paris. Lucas, on the other hand, would probably want to be Romeo too..." she frowned. "But…"
"But what?" May inquired.
"I kept asking Kenny if he would try out, and he wouldn't answer." She pouted.
"Did you try the puppy-dog face?" May laughed.
"Yes," said Dawn, exasperated. "It used to always work!"
"Well, maybe he's gotten used to how cute you look when you do it."
"Hey, May. Hey, DeeDee." As if on cue, a voice smirked from behind them.
"Kenny!" Dawn warned, eyebrows furrowing in response to her nickname.
"In the flesh," he smirked.
Mind still hung up on the conversation she'd had with May, Dawn decided to try and get Kenny to slip and tell if he was going to try out for the play.
"Hey, Kenny?" she began.
"Yeah?" He leaned against his locker.
"What's your favorite color?"
"Green."
"What type of music do you like?"
"All types."
"What's your favorite food?"
"Pizza."
"Are you trying out for the play?"
"None of your business, DeeDee." He smirked, and she groaned. She'd been so confident. "Anyway, though," his tone shifted, "I thought I should give you a heads up, since you'll probably be playing Juliet; Barry and Lucas are trying out for Gregory and Sampson. I'd fill you in on all the details, but I need to get to class. See you after school."
Kenny left, and Dawn began to bang her head on her locker.
"Why. Won't. He. Just. Tell. Me?" Each word was accentuated with a bang. Fortunately for her brain, May cushioned the next blow with her backpack.
"Maybe he wants to surprise you," she suggested.
The bell chimed, signaling to any students remaining in the hall that they had barely any time left to get to class.
"Auditions are at five. I'm gonna go try to get it out of Kenny one more time after school, then I'll meet you back at the auditorium," She said.
"Okay. See you at five." They parted ways, each travelling to their respective last period class.
Knock knock
Kenny knew who it was. He could tell by the knock. He frantically stashed a few papers away, and leapt down the stairs to the door. He opened it to reveal his next-door-neighbor, Dawn.
He coughed, and stuffed his hands in his pockets in an attempt to remain casual. "Hey, DeeDee."
"One, don't call me that. Two, will you please tell me if you're trying out?"
He chuckled. " It's none of your business, DeeDee."
She sighed, defeated. "Fine. Have it your way. Auditions are starting soon, so I gotta run." She made sure to put extra effort into dragging her feet and sulking all the way down his driveway, but once she hit the sidewalk she seemed to realize that she'd be late, and took off running.
Kenny watched after her, leaning against the doorway. He sighed, closed the door, and went to retrieve the stashed papers.
"I'm so nervous!"
"Dawn, relax. You're gonna nail this audition," May soothed.
"Yeah, well take a look at who's auditioning for Juliet." Dawn said. May searched the line, and saw the epitome of popularity itself, Jessie.
Jessie was the cheerleading captain, and had dated almost every boy in school—though now she seemed to be in a stable relationship with her goofy counterpart, James. There were only a few she hadn't dated previously. One of them was Kenny. She had apparently asked him, but he'd refused, saying he liked someone else. Dawn couldn't help but be paranoid about who that was.
"Good job. Next," sounded the voice of Mr. Oak, the director of the play, interrupting Dawn from her thoughts. Jessie approached the stage.
"Name?" Mr. Oak asked.
"Jessie," she stated.
"Auditioning for Juliet, I presume?"
"Yes."
"Alright. Begin." Mr. Oak said, clasping his hands together.
"Wilt thou be gone? It is not yet near day: It was the nightingale, and not the lark, that pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear; nightly she sings on yon pomegranate-tree: Believe me, love, it was the nightingale," Jessie's voice rang out loud and clear, to which Mr. Oak nodded in approval.
"Good job. Next?" he called.
Dawn steadied her breathing, and stepped onto stage.
"Name?" Mr. Oak asked.
"Dawn Berlitz."
"Juliet?"
"Yes, sir," smiled Dawn.
"Begin," the director said. Dawn took a deep breath, and placed herself in the scene.
"It is, it is: hie hence, be gone, away! It is the lark that sings so out of tune, Straining harsh discords and unpleasing sharps. Some say the lark makes sweet division;
This doth not so, for she divideth us: Some say the lark and loathed toad change eyes,
O, now I would they had changed voices too! Since arm from arm that voice doth us affray,
hunting thee hence with hunt's-up to the day, O, now be gone; more light and light it grows," she recited.
Jessie watched with narrowed eyes; she did not enjoy competition.
Mr. Oak nodded. "Great job. Next?" Dawn smiled and stepped off the stage. Jessie walked past her on her way out, 'accidentally' ramming into her shoulder. She rolled her eyes and returned to May.
"That was amazing! I'm positive you'll get the part!" she squealed. Dawn flushed red.
"Thanks!"
"Now, I'm going to take you for some ice-cream!" May said, and pumped her fist in the air.
Kenny took a deep breath.
"Come on, man, you'll do great!" Lucas clapped Kenny on the back. He smiled.
"Thanks."
"So how come you never told Dawn?" Barry questioned.
"Because I wanted to surprise her."
"Next?" Mr. Oak called. Kenny stepped onto stage, a small smile plastering his face. "Who are you auditioning for?"
"Romeo."
"Begin," Mr. Oak said. Kenny took a deep breath.
"It was the lark, the herald of the morn, No nightingale: look, love, what envious streaks
Do lace the severing clouds in yonder east: Night's candles are burnt out, and jocund day
Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops. I must be gone and live, or stay and die."
Mr. Oak grinned. "Excellent, my boy. Next?"
A dopy grin stretched onto Barry's face.
"That's ma cue," He said, and stepped on stage. "I'm Barry."
"Who are you auditioning for?"
"Gregory." Barry said.
"Begin."
"'Tis well thou art not fish; if thou hadst, thou hadst been poor John. Draw thy tool! here comes two of the house of the Montagues."
"Excellent. Next?"
Lucas stepped onto stage. "Lucas here."
"Who are you trying out for?"
"Sampson." He gave Barry a mischievous eye.
"You may begin."
"True; and therefore women, being the weaker vessels, are ever thrust to the wall: therefore I will push Montague's men from the wall, and thrust his maids to the wall," Lucas said.
"Excellent job. That was our last entry, so have a good night everyone," Mr. Oak said, standing up.
Kenny laughed nervously as Lucas approached them. "Just pray that the girls don't ever hear you say that. You will die," he warned, to which Lucas chuckled.
"If I get the part-or anyone, for that matter- then keep Dawn busy backstage when that scene is on. If she gets the part," Lucas said.
Kenny smiled. "Oh, she will. Trust me. I've seen her acting skills," he smirked. Lucas and Barry raised an eyebrow.
"I'd ask, but I have a feeling I don't want to know." Lucas said. Kenny nodded.
"Damn straight."
Barry punched Lucas' shoulder.
"Hey! What was that for?" Lucas exclaimed.
"Practicing. For our fight scene," Barry smirked. Lucas groaned.
"I'm meeting Dawn at the pizza place. I'll see you guys later." Kenny said, eager to separate himself from 'Sampson' and 'Gregory', and walked away.
Lucas and Barry sniggered.
"Hey, Kenny!"
"'Sup, DeeDee?"
"How many times have I told you not to call me that?" Dawn sighed, her shoulders slumping as the brunet approached her.
"How many times have I called you DeeDee?"
"I don't know, a hundred?"
"Then you've told me at least a hundred times." He smirked as they entered the pizza parlor. She rolled her eyes and approached the counter.
"Hello, how may I help you?" asked the cheery waitress.
"One pepperoni and two cokes," Kenny ordered. The waitress nodded, but hesitated before charging them:
"Will that be for here or to go?"
Dawn looked at Kenny. He shrugged.
"Here."
"Table three." The waitress said, and pointed a finger in the direction of their table.
The two took their seats.
"So, did you land the part?" asked Kenny.
"I'm not sure. They're going to post a list of who got what part, and they're going to announce over the loudspeaker who got Romeo and who got Juliet." She said. Kenny nodded, seemingly very interested.
"What?" Dawn asked, suspicious.
"I advise you to not be drinking anything when they announce the leads," he laughed. She rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah..."
"Oh, come on, you know I'm messing with you."
"I know."
"But seriously, don't drink anything when they announce the leads."
It was her turn to laugh. "Okay, I won't!"
After a few minutes of small talk, a waiter approached their table with food.
"Here you two go." He placed the tray on the table.
"Thank you," smiled Dawn.
"Let me know if there's anything else you need," said the waiter, with an added flirtatious wink towards Dawn. Kenny scowled and glared at him.
"No, we're fine," he spat. The waiter quickly made his way back to the kitchen. Dawn frowned.
"Why'd you do that?" she asked.
"Do what?"
"Scare him off! That wasn't very nice."
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry. Let's eat," Kenny said. Dawn rolled her eyes, but eventually broke out into a smile. They each took a slice and began eating.
"So, Kenny?"
"Yeah?"
"Why won't you tell me if you tried out for the play?"
He took a particularly large bite of pizza. "'Cause." Maybe if he talked with his mouth full, she'd scold him for that and forget about the play.
"'Cause why?" Nope. Not a chance.
"'Cause I said so," he said. She pouted.
Once they finished, Kenny insisted on paying for the meal, much to Dawn's distaste. They left the pizza parlor, chatting.
"I wish you had tried out for the play," Dawn sighed.
"Who said I didn't?" Kenny responded. She raised her eyebrow.
"Who said you did?"
"Touché," he muttered. "Anyways, do you think you have any competition for the part of Juliet?" Kenny asked.
"Yeah. Jessie." Dawn responded glumly.
"Don't worry. I'm positive you'll get the part. Remember in third grade-"
"Yes I remember! No need to voice it to the world!" Dawn said, shushing him. Kenny burst out laughing, causing her to blush bright red.
They walked home, and eventually the topic circled back around to the play. "Let's say that, hypothetically, you tried out for the play. And, hypothetically, you got the part of Romeo. And, also hypothetically, I got the part of Juliet. How would you feel inside?"
Kenny pretended to think about it for a moment. "I'd feel happy. Happy, because you got the part you wanted, and because we would both get to star in the same play." Dawn nodded, smiling; satisfied with his answer.
They approached their houses a few minutes later. "See you at school tomorrow." Dawn said.
"See ya." Kenny replied. They entered their respective houses, ending their conversation for the time being.
"Did he tell you yet?" May asked, flopping onto Dawn's bed. Dawn frowned.
"No. But I tried the 'hypothetically' thing you told me about. He said he'd be happy. Because I got the part I wanted, and that we'd get to star in the same play," she recounted.
"Ah. Well, we'll find out tomorrow, won't we?" May winked.
"Oh yeah! There's something else!" Dawn sat up straight, remembering something with urgency.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Spill!"
"When we were inside, the waiter that brought us our food tried flirting with me, and Kenny scared him off."
"Whoa."
"Weird, isn't it?"
"Yeah! Kenny actually scared someone!" May laughed. Dawn rolled her eyes.
"That's not what I meant. What I was wondering is why he did it."
"Well, Kenny has always been a bit overprotective of you..." May said.
"Yeah... but, again, why?" Dawn wondered.
"Maybe..."
May had had the idea that Kenny liked Dawn as more than a friend for a while now. Adding this to my list of evidence, she thought.
"Maybe what?" Dawn asked, eager.
"—Nothing. It was a dead end in my brain." I'll let Kenny tell her himself, she thought. Dawn frowned.
"I should head home now, dinner's almost ready." May said, standing up.
"Okay," Dawn sighed, and walked her outside.
"See you at school tomorrow."
"See ya," May responded.
Dawn went back to her room and opened her laptop. Kenny was online, so she decided to chat.
DiamondRibbons: Hey
MasterCoordinator03: sup, deedee?
DiamondRibbons: One, don't call me that. Two, why won't you tell me if you tried out for the playyy?
MasterCoordinator03: cuz. it's a surprise. ;-)
DiamondRibbons: Grrrrr...
MasterCoordinator03: heh. see ya at school tomorrow, deedee.
MasterCoordinator03 has signed off.
Dawn sighed, closed her laptop, and soon fell asleep to the sounds of the neighbor kids playing outside.
She awoke early the next day, and readied herself and ate in a hurry.
"Well, you're certainly in a rush this morning." Johanna, Dawn's mom, commented.
"Today's the day we find out the parts for the play!" she exclaimed.
"Oh. Say hi to Kenny for me!" Johanna chimed.
She nodded and rushed out the door.
"Hey, May. Hey, DeeDee." Kenny smirked, approaching the two girls as they chatted by their lockers.
"Don't call me that!" Dawn hissed, and started smacking his shoulder with her binder.
May smirked. "Hey, stop the lovers' quarrel so we can get to homeroom."
They both froze, faces painted red, and scurried off to their classrooms—just in time, too…
"And the roles for Romeo and Juliet are..."