Yay! Another one. I've been really working hard to work on both of my stories. I really am trying. And I hope that you really like them. I know I say this pretty much every time but please, if there is anything you think I can improve on (constructive criticism only please) don't be afraid to let me know. The more I know what people do and do not like about it, the more I know how to work the story better to the readers. Also a quick question, for the 'collection of one-shots' that I have up (I have a one-shot idea I am working on right now), should I keep it as a collection or do each of them individually? I'm not sure what I want to do on that and I'd like to have your opinion.
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I see you brought your friends
And you'd think that I'd back down
First time you came up short
Relying on numbers to take the second round
~Cliques Are For High School Girls by The Boys After~
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A book. As soon as we were both in front of the class, Mrs. Skinner had placed a book in each of our hands. Romeo and Juliet. "This is what we are currently reading and going over. I like the students to read the parts as we go along. For that day, I assign roles. Your two are our readers for today. You don't have to fully act it out, like staging and moving around. This isn't drama. I don't want you to just read the words though. Read them as if they were your words. If you could try and put some emotions into it. The scene that we happen to be reading today is Act 2, Scene 2."
A smirk and a shake of the head. It was all I could do. Wasn't like I could go against the teacher. But then I could use this to my advantage. Instantly finding the page, I turned to Emmett. And so it began. "He jest at scars that never felt a wound. But soft!..."
He continued with such eloquence, such emotions, such reality that for that moment, I felt as if he was Romeo and I, Juliet.
Throughout the scene, I glanced at the page only when needed. My eyes were set on Emmett. He poured through the scene like the moment we were in was what inspired the scene. What was most surprising was how he pulled it off. Honestly, he didn't seem the type on the outside. There was definitely a lot for me to learn about him.
"Sweet, so would I: Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing. Good night, good night! parting is such sweet sorrow, That I shall say good night till it be morrow."
"Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast! Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest! Hence will I to my ghostly father's cell, His help to crave, and my dear hap to tell."
With his last line spoken, the class came into applause. It was much better than I had anticipated. Though he was strong and powerful in his approach to the scene, my closeness proved a hard point for him. No one else seemed to notice. The scene had ended but we were still standing closer. Almost like there was a magnetic attraction and I didn't want to pull away.
But we had too. Mrs. Skinner took the books back and smiled at the two of us. "That was absolutely fantastic. You brought those characters to life. I almost felt like I was intruding in on someone's conversations. So what do you think the scene means? To the play, to you, to the characters?"
"Well," I started, "the way that things are written, it is comparable to Romeo and Juliet's romance. Romeo had always compared Rosaline to the moon, and now, his love for Juliet has outshone the moon. So as Romeo steps from the darkness into the light from Juliet's balcony, he has left behind his exaggerated woes and moved toward a more genuine understanding of love. It also shows that Juliet is more mature then Romeo. Although Romeo has matured in the short time since the beginning of the play, he remains somewhat immature when compared with Juliet — something that recurs throughout their relationship. Although Juliet is only 13, she looks at the world with maturity. As later acts show, her parents don't provide an emotionally rich and stable environment, which basically forces Juliet to mature beyond her years."
Everyone just looked at me. The smirk reappeared on my lips. "I like reading. Romeo and Juliet is one of my favourite plays. There is more to it than just the storyline. There is a deeper meaning then just the surface level."
"That is more than I expected. You two can go ahead and sit back down now."
A lot of eyes were on us as we sat down.
All for the rest of the class, I tried to talk to Emmett without bringing attention to ourselves but it didn't work out that way. It seemed like eyes were always upon us. I would occasionally at Emmett. And I would catch him looking at me too. When I could, and without him noticing, I would try to study his face, his features. He was absolutely gorgeous. His jawline was perfectly angular, his nose straight, no sign of 'teenage' acne, his skin was perfectly smooth and pale. The skin around his eyes was slightly darker, like he hadn't got much sleep the night before. But then there were his eyes, what I saw earlier were golden topaz eyes, like liquid gold almost. But now, they were darker, very close to being black but I could see just a little tid-bit of colour in them. Maybe he was one of those that their eyes change with their mood. But then why would they be golden earlier, and not now if he had an all around bad day? Something else was wrong it had to be.
To my distaste, class had to end. Just as soon as I stood up and grabbed my things, Emmett was already gone. He needed his distance. I felt briefly saddened by the thought. I just didn't understand why. All I knew what that it was me. There was absolutely no doubt in my mind it was something about me.
As if there were waiting for me, I was surrounded by a group of four girls. The so-called leader of the groups was the only one to step forward. She had this sick smile on her face. I could feel the trouble brewing already. "So Alexa, you know Emmett?"
"How unfair is that. You know my name yet I don't know yours."
"You know Emmett?"
I just shrugged. "As much as one person can know him in a day."
"You two were very cozy while reading that scene."
Again, all I did was shrug. It annoyed her. "Do you know him?" she hissed.
"Seriously. As I just barely mentioned, I know him as much as having this one class and one meeting before said class. You are way off your rocker."
I just turned around and walked away. I didn't want to get mad. It was only my first day of school. I really didn't need to get into a fight.
I wasn't able to get too far. This crazy bitch decided to grab my arm before I get out of her reach. Instinctively I pulled away and stared right at her. "You seemed like more than just friends in class. How well do you know him?"
Stares already. Her little escapade had gotten us some attention. "I just fucking moved here. Are you that damn stupid? I've been here four days, all of which I spent working on MY house. How the fuck do you expect me to know him?"
"You need to leave him alone!"
"I don't do what people tell me to. Especially you. What give you the right to tell me what to do? Get off your high horse and learn some humility. You are not his girlfriend. If you think you have a chance with him, with that attitude, you are sorely mistaken."
Again, I tried to walk away. And again, she didn't like that.
There was no doubt people were watching. They wanted to see what the new girl was going to do. Forcefully, I pull my arm out of her reach. With a strong stance, I glared the little bitch down. "I fucking swear, you better not touch me again. I will not deal with you and your problems. I've dealt with people like you way too many times. I swear you touch me again, and I will not regret 'defending' myself. You..."
I couldn't exactly continue. I was grabbed around the waist and pulled back a moment. They hands were icy-cold to the touch and that was through my shirt. I whipped around to see who this person was. Alice, which surprised me a little. Shaking the surprise away, I turned back to the girl. "Do not ever talk to me. And most definitely do not ever come near me again."
Walking away, Alice was right behind me.
Pissed off was an understatement. I was completely and utterly angry. That was all I felt. Getting away from her and walking helped relieve it but not enough. Alice was nice enough to stay with me as I took a moment to calm down. Neither one of us talked at first. I needed to calm down and she understood that.
It just so happened that as we walked we headed towards the gym, which was where my next class happened to be. Just as we stopped, I instinctively turned and hugged her. It surprised me just as much as it shocked her. And just like before, she was cold to the touch. I knew there was much more to her coldness then I was sure she wanted me to know. I pulled away after only a moment. "Thank you for pulling me back. I really am grateful."
"I couldn't just let you continue."
"To be honest, I might not have backed away had you not been there."
"Probably not."
"I really do appreciate it. Now, I..."
"You have class to go to, I know."
"You are like some kind of psychic."
She smiled but it seemed a little...off. She was really nice to me so I wasn't going to say anything. "Have fun in gym."
"Thanks. See you later Alice."
With a wave, we were both off in our own directions.
With frustration still hanging there, I actually couldn't wait for gym. Time to work out some aggression. So once changed into the uniform, I headed out into the gym. I looked around and didn't notice anyone that was in my other classes. That was okay though but then again, there were still a few people coming in. I sat down on the bleachers, waiting for the teacher to come in. And shortly after, he did. Four students then came in right after him, all guys. Just my luck, Emmett was one of those students. At that instant, my frustration went back up. I needed this gym class but I didn't need him here. At least not right then. I just hoped there was something I loved going on and could take out this frustration.
Calling us to all sit down on the bleachers where I was, he stood in front. He called roll, going over everyone's name. When he finished, he continued talking. "So as some of you may have noticed we have a new student right now. Alexandra, please come up here."
I didn't really want to but I did anyway. Turning to the class, I just waved shyly. "So Alexandra, do you like sports?"
"Please, call me Alexa. And yes, some sports."
"What about soccer?"
Instantly I smiled. "That's my favourite."
"Well then, you are just in luck. This week we are playing soccer. Do you play or just watch?"
"Both."
"Well, once we are out on the field, I'll have you do a few things, as an example and to see exactly what you are able to do."
Smiling I said, "Sounds good to me."
With that he corralled all of us out to the soccer field, where he had some cones set up for some exercises.
There was a line cones set in front of the goal. I knew what he wanted me to do. I was to swerve around the cones with the ball and shoot for the goal. I took in a few deep breathes and prepared myself. I was ready. And as soon as he said to go, I went. It felt so seamless. I felt almost as if I was gliding with the ball. Once I hit that spot, just past the cones, I kicked the ball to the best spot so I could get the ball in the upper left corner. Effortlessly, I got to the ball and it was in. I smiled as it turned around. "Very good there."
"Thanks."
"Do it again but this time, aim for the bottom right."
I nodded and was off. It was just so freeing. And I was right. I was able to get some of my frustration out.
