Feliks and Toris were sitting together in the library. Not close enough, in Feliks's opinion, but it would have to suffice...no homo after all. They were sorting out what the rehearsal schedules would be, a headache ever since his leads stopped talking to one another. He couldn't help but notice how his friend's eyes kept darting over to where Natalia and Alfred were cuddled up. Now they were too close in Feliks's opinion. He huffed, finally getting Toris's attention back.
"So does this, like work?" asked Feliks, showing up the carefully color coded chart he had drawn up.
Toris nodded. "Seems great, but you know Arthur's going to rip your lungs out when he finds out about all the private rehearsals you've made for him and Al."
Feliks huffed. "If they weren't being children about it, I totally wouldn't be in this position."
Toris laughed, "I know, old friend, let's just try to figure this out. Luckly Bruce's replacement is really good."
"Hm?"
"That Stein girl, a freshman?" Toris said, poking Feliks from his daydream.
"Oh her. She's like perfect for the part. I'm glad she decided to join," Feliks said.
"Do you really think the Yaoi Club will succeed?" asked Toris, his own hopes bubbling to the surface.
Immediately Feliks frowned, he knew what his best friend wanted, and he wasn't thrilled by it either. "They had better."
As if they had summoned her, Elizabeta came bounding into the library.
"Hello boys," she said with a grin.
"Hi Elizabeta," Toris said kindly.
"So like, Liz, do you have any news for me? I'm like desperate!" Feliks begged. Elizabeta would have found it comical if only the situation weren't so dire.
"Sorry Feliks," she sighed. "It would seem that those two are in the middle of a lover's quarrel."
"So like our play," Feliks deadpanned.
Elizabeta's shoulders drooped, "yeah. Only we don't have a magic flower to fix everything."
"Well Arthur's feelings are rapidly disappearing, the closer Alfred gets to Natalia," Toris said glumly.
Elizabeta nodded, "yes we have a man working on that,"
"Really?" asked Feliks skeptically. He was pointing to the corner, where currently Natalia was straddling Al's lap, kissing him hungrily.
"Damnit Gil," hissed Elizabeta.
"Gilbert was your man?" Feliks asked. "No wonder this is like failing. He's the worst!"
"Um, you cast him in your show," Elizabeta raised an eyebrow.
"He's like a decent character actor, but like he totally makes all these dumb jokes like all the time. He never takes rehearsals seriously, and is always flying by the seat of his pants," Feliks ranted.
Toris rubbed his friend's back, making him feel instantly better. "C'mon Feli, you're gonna work yourself into a panic attack."
Feliks let out a deep breath. "Well someone has to go over there and break them up. I can't lose Nat to maternity leave."
"Feliks!" There was a heavy blush on Toris's face.
Elizabeta sighed, knowing neither was about to volunteer to have their head ripped from their bodies so off she went.
"Excuse me, Nat?" she asked softly.
Natalia glared daggers at her, angry that she had been so rudely interrupted. Alfred couldn't help but to have a slightly cross look on his face, after all he didn't exactly want the girl to stop.
"I was wondering if you could help me with my chem homework," Elizabeta elaborated.
Nat rolled her eyes, getting off Alfred's lap. "Yeah sure. Whatever. See you later babe."
He nodded, watching her go, a trance like expression covering his face.
"Hi, Alfred?" a small voice piped up from the other side of the chair. Turning he found a young girl standing behind him.
"You're that chick that helped get Gilbert with my brother right?"
She nodded.
"Thanks dude, they both really needed the push," Alfred said holding out his hand.
She shook it with a slight blush tinging her cheeks. "I really hate to pry, but what exactly happened between you and Arthur?"
A cold look covered the face of the other. "Now why would you want to know about that?"
"I was in your Sadies group, and you seemed to be enjoying yourself. What changed?"
Alfred sighed. "Lili, right?"
She nodded again.
"It's sorta personal."
"Alfred, please tell me. I want to help," she whined.
"Lili, look I really don't want your help. I just want to get past it. Get past him." Alfred stood to leave, when suddenly Lili did something unexpected.
She gave a low bow reciting: "I am that merry wander of the night. I jest to Oberon and make him smile."
He smiled, "Is this your way of telling me, that it's your job to help me out?"
Lili smiled eagerly. He had understood perfectly.
"Very well, you better sit down. It's a bit of a tale to tell." They both sat in opposing chairs. Alfred took his glasses off, pinching the bridge of his nose before returning them to their spot. "I had gone off to speak with some friends. A normal thing, Arthur even had approved of it. So there I was chatting with Derek when Arthur comes storming up and slaps me. Trailing behind him is the computer whiz Eduard. Anyway without any explanation he just hits me. I never thought as Artie being very strong, but that slap definitely stung."
Lili's brow furrowed, "what had you been saying to Derek?"
Alfred blushed, looking away.
"Alfred. I need to know what you said." She sure was persistent, he'd give her that.
He mumbled something under his breath, then rubbing the back of his neck murmured some more.
Lili sighed. "Fine. It's alright if you can't tell me. What you said did seem pretty horrid."
Alfred's face turned red. "No. That's not it at all. Urgh. You're being just like him right now, ya know?"
She cocked her head. "What do you mean?"
"What I said...The things I...What I meant..."
"Alfred?" she asked in concern.
"I told Derek that Arthur was beyond decent, the best guy I'd ever known. That whenever I'm around him I'm beyond delusional, seeing stars and fairies. That I was mad for him, and loving him was the best thing that happened to me," Alfred passion filling his voice.
A look of horror dawned on Lili's face as she realized what had happened. "Eduard most only have caught some of the words...so he thought it was all bad."
Alfred winced.
"Then why are you making out with Natalia?" Lili asked, glaring at the senior.
"Look, I tried explaining it to Arthur. He wouldn't listen, Eduard is the most reputable source our school has. He runs the damn school newspaper for god's sake. Arthur just wouldn't believe me –"
"What so you gave up?"
"NO! I just...it hurt, Lili. His rejection hurt me a lot. Nat just helps me feel better. When we're kissing and flirting the pain in my heart isn't quiet so prominent anymore," Alfred says quietly.
"That's horrible, using a girl like that," Lili was scandalized.
He shrugged. "She knows I have no interest in her. She just likes soaking up the limelight of being around. Plus I think she's trying to make Ivan jealous, now that he and Yao have become even closer."
Lili let out a strangled laugh. "How like an Austen novel this all is."
Alfred smiled, "My gentlest Puck, come hither...Fetch me that herb..."
"I'll put a girdle round the earth in forty minutes" promised Lili. She knew one way or another she would get these star crossed lovers back together again. The next person she had to speak with was Arthur. And there was no way that grouch was going to want to talk to her about relationship problems. She'd just have to find a sly way about it.
"That girl does have talents," Feliks said, watching the conference between his two actors.
"Alfred rarely speaks to underclassmen for so long," Toris agreed.
Feliks leaned back against his friend with a sigh, "maybe all this drama will be done with."
Toris laughed. "Don't catch you chicks before they hatch."
"Puh-lease, that Stein girl has this like in the bag. She's a member of the Yaoi Club, a club that totally is the cupid of our school, and she's playing Puck. A fairy that gets people together!"
"Except even Puck makes mistakes," cautioned Toris.
Feliks dismissed it with a wave of his hands. He glanced up into his friend's eyes, before shyly looking away. The drama would never end between us, he thought miserably.
Hey look, one more chapter before I'm gone for a week. I hope I get some review upon my return...no pressure, of course. I would like to say I do not own Shakespeare or Midsummer. If I did, I'd have died by now. Anything in italics are actual quotes from the show. Sorry for the short chapter, and thanks to people who leave reviews. I love y'all ~T.W.o.W.