NOTE: Hello everyone! This is actually a rework I did on my first chapter. I re-read my fic the other day and took note on how my first chapter didn't have any weight to it. To make a long story short, I'm new to FF . Net and originally post on AO3. Not because I have any kind of bias, but because further down the line my fic is going to have some serious adult themes to it. I will always post a warning no matter how mild before hand (sex, violence etc), but will also remind you that if you're looking to read the unedited version of that specific chapter, to hop on over to AO3. But feel free to stick around FF . net if rape, murder and violence isn't your cup of tea. I'm really happy with how this chapter came out as opposed to the original, so I hope you all enjoy!
"Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take!"
No way he's going to do it.
Kohikana, he's coming closer and his lips are all puckered up, he's going in for it.
I instinctively take a step back, gripping the script I was holding tightly in my hand. I clench my teeth, tightly shutting my eyes as I turned my head away in embarrassment.
"CUT!"
My co-star gave out a huge sigh of frustration as he was scratching his head, I turned to look over at our drama teacher who was looking less than pleased.
"Kohikana, this is a romantic scene! A scene of passion! I want to see you give it your all this time! This is no time to be getting embarrassed! Unless you want to fail my class, than I would be more than happy to find another Juliet!"
I wave my hands out in front of me in defense, "No no! I'm – I'm sorry!"
"Leo! Take it back from your last line!"
I could feel my palms starting to get sweaty. Out of all the females in the class, I just had to get picked as Juliet. My left ear picking up a snicker in the distance as I peered from the corner of my eye into the red audience seats, seeing Sawa and Mine unable to contain their laughter. Thanks for laughing at my pain you guys. Shin, Toma, Ikki and Kent sat beside them, looking indifferent to my suffering. Ukyo seemed to be in the same boat as Sawa and Mine, though he looked more concerned as opposed to finding this comical.
I look back at Leo as he heaved out a heavy sigh, running his left hand through his radiant silver hair, holding his script with little interest in his right. His below the ear layered hair parted over his right eye, having a portion of the sweep cover his left eye. Facial features enough to welcome him into Hollywood with open arms and a slender toned body that made all the boys in school envious. He was the new heart throb in school and gave Ikki a run for his money, unfortunately having two crazed female admiring fan clubs tailing them both. In ways, they were the same, but different. Leo had very little concern for his 'groupies', shrugging them off and looking right through them as if they weren't there. Ikki on the other hand was nicer, much nicer.
"Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take!"
Leo closed the small distance between us, as he cocked his head to the side catching a glimpse of a satisfied smile running across his face. I tried my best to keep a lover's face on with confidence as Leo ramped up this love scene, wrapping his arm around my waist to bring me closer. His face adjacent to mine, here it comes…
"MISS HIMURA, IS THIS REALLY NECESSARY?!"
Leo and I both froze on stage seeing one of our female classmates standing up in the audience with her finger pointing right at us, her booming protest echoed in the nearly empty auditorium. It was one of Leo's groupies.
"Masako, please sit back down!"
"NO! WHY DOES 'SHE' GET TO BE JULIET?!"
I looked at her in disbelief, instantly realizing I was still being held closely in Leo's arm, I pulled away shying away from this situation, I just need to keep my mouth shut. It's not like I wanted to be Juliet in the first place.
"I agree with Masako, we need another Juliet!" Toma declared jumping to his feet.
TOMA! I screamed within. Was I really doing THAT bad a job that my own friends wanted me off the stage?!
"I agree with Toma."
IKKI! Throw me a bone here guys! I'm trying my best!
"Me too."
"Me too."
SHIN?! KENT?! I felt so betrayed … And utterly humiliated.
"Um … Me – Me too!" Ukyo joined in.
Mine furrowed her eyebrows tugging down on Shin's hoodie sleeve, "What do you guys think you're doing?!"
RRRRIIIIINNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG!
Miss Himura slapped a flat palm on her forehead giving all her students a disappointed head shake. "We'll figure this out all tomorrow. Go on and have a good lunch."
"Oh Kohikana, if I were a glove on thy hand!" Sawa teased, puckering up her lips as she made smooching sounds.
Mine giggled along joining in on the fun, "Koko you're crazy for not wanting to kiss Leo back. Do you know how many girls would DIE to be in your position?!"
"Not everyone is in the 'I Love Leo' club like you are, Mine."
"Sawaaaa, at least I have good taste in men. You thought that exchange student that picked his ear wax and ate it was cute."
"I did not!"
"Did to!"
"Did not!"
"Um guys … We're up next." I meekly interrupted.
Sawa and Mine gave alarmed looks, rushing to continue the cafeteria line not realizing their petty fight was holding everyone back. I rubbed my belly not realizing how hungry I have gotten; it must have been all that stage fright taking up all my energy. In all honesty, Leo did nothing for me. Sure, I can see why girls would find him attractive but I don't really know him or anything about him. His cocky and arrogant attitude doesn't help either.
"Hmm? Are you not buying lunch Koko?" Mine wondered.
"Oh, I'll just be getting a fruit cup up at the cashier."
We continued our way down as everyone's attention in the cafeteria line was now redirected. The three of us listened in closely, hearing delightful praises voicing closer to the cafeteria. That only meant one of two things, it was either Leo or Ikki. Our curiosity satisfied seeing Leo's bored face walking by, stopping in his tracks connecting eye contact with me. My eyes wide in shock looking back to the front of the line.
"$4.25 please."
I pull out my little strawberry coin purse poking through my change.
I'm … A little short. This can't be, how can I not have at least $4 in my purse?! My fingers rummaging around already flustered with how cumbersome this was taking, our lunch period was only so long and here I was, taking up the student body's precious minutes.
Dedicating my focus on finding enough money, I didn't even catch an over shadow behind me.
"I'll take care of it." A smooth voice said.
My movements on hold as I realized it was Leo's voice. The rest of the cafeteria lineup went drop dead silent, hearing a 'What does he see in her?' in the distance. I turn around looking up at Leo's shimmering blue eyes with a beaming smile across his face. Confusion took over now asking myself why he even offered to help. The next hottest thing this school was going on about and here he was, right in front of me, acting like a knight in shining armor. Not once have I seen him pull off a generous act, always roaming around the school with a look of disinterest on his face. So why … Now?
Being this up close to him, his face was at a perfect angle under the flooding sunlight from outside the tall cafeteria windows. He really was a thing of beauty, understanding a little more to his appeal. The smell of his cologne saturating my senses, instantly feeling my cheeks warm up. Even if I had no attraction to him, I would be lying if I said his generosity wasn't any good for my fragile ego.
"How much?"
Huh?
Shin? Is that you?
I turned my gaze not even realizing Shin was standing shoulder to shoulder with me, his back facing me and Leo as Shin was focused on the cashier.
"I said, how much?"
"$4 - $4.25." I stuttered.
I felt the air around me get a little tight, practically feeling Leo's sharp eyes piercing through the back of Shin's head. Shin must've known too as he gave out an apathetic, "Hey." With the back of his hand, bringing it back down as he pulled a $5 out of his pocket.
"Tch." Leo spat out, now making his exit.
My feet feeling like I had landed back safely on Earth as the chatter around me, Shin, Sawa and Mine was picking back up in volume now with Leo and his groupies out of the way. I pick up my fruit cup, spinning around to thank Shin as he was already making his way back to the eating area. Watching him walk away as if nothing happened, hearing an, "Idiot." Directed towards me.