CHAPTER 37 (SLIGHT INTERRUPTION)

Now that Jenny and James' case was solved, I could now totally focus on one thing:

The play.

Everything was busy at school. In fact, it was pretty close to Halloween now.

And the play was closer.

Jessica was doing fantastic. She's memorized all her lines and she's injected so much emotion into her acting. In fact, I wouldn't have thought that she was a girl if I didn't know her.

Yup. She was that effective.

Danny and I went out this Monday afternoon. He bought me this cute little keychain.

It was awkward later on though because we bumped into Harold. He gave me a warm greeting while Danny got a cold hi.

Thankfully, he just went away as soon as we finished talking for a few seconds.

When Harold turned his back, Danny stuck out his tongue at him.

I nudged him and told him to stop it, though I was laughing a bit.

Harold would stay as our permanent teacher. Apparently, Mrs. Potts was moving to Switzerland with her rich husband. So it meant that the spot for teaching History was open for Harold, and he cheerfully took up the job.

A lot of girls were thrilled too. I could hear all of them gushing about the news during lunch yesterday.

Danny seemed to have accepted things since he didn't look that angry anymore.

I was hoping that they'd get along, even if it would be a gradual process.

Anyway, not even Harold was enough to keep everyone's minds away from the play. We were preoccupied with it.

Nicole's a great director. She's really pieced the whole thing together. The play was only two days away. I'm feeling a bit nervous, but I knew that we could do it. I've already done this before after all. We'd be practicing this afternoon.

The whole fourth year was working on it anyway, so we had a lot of help. I just learned yesterday that Dougie, Tom and Harry were handling the lights. Jenny was the stage manager and Evangeline would handle the costume designs and posters.

Right now, we were at History class. We were copying down what was written on the board which was about the Crusades.

'Emperor Alexius I asked Pope Urban II for help to save the empire and preserve Christianity in the east', I scribbled down.

I heard someone sigh behind me. That probably meant that Harold passed by. This was pretty much usual now.

"So, you're doing fine?" Harold's voice suddenly said.

I was so surprised that my ball pen flew out of my hand and landed on the floor.

At the same time, Harold and Danny reached for it.

The two glared at each other, their hands on my ball pen.

"I've got it", Danny snarled.

"No. I've got it", Harold snarled back.

The tension between the two certainly eradicating fast.

"I'll take that", Pamela suddenly cut in and grabbed the ball pen.

She threw it to Nicole who caught it easily. "Catch sis."

Nicole grinned and handed me the ball pen. "Here you go Anthea."

I smiled. "Thanks. Um… Thanks too Danny and Harold."

Whew. Good thing the twins were here.

Danny smiled back. "I already had it." Then he shot a glance towards Harold. "But some people didn't get the message."

Harold glanced at him. "Are you talking about me Daniel?"

Danny gave a false smile. "No. It's not about you sir."

Harold rolled his eyes. "Carry on with your task."

Then he smiled at me. "If you have a problem, just talk to me."

I nodded. "Sure Harry. I mean, sir."

He chuckled. "Just call me Harry."

After that, we went back to the Crusades. The bell finally rung after a few minutes.

"I had it. And he knew it", Danny muttered angrily as he stood up.

I smiled. "I know you did Danny. I do."

He sighed and smiled. "I'm glad you do."

I gave him a peck on the cheek before we left for lunch. "Of course Danny."

The next day, Harold didn't come to class. He was sick. He left behind a seatwork though: a seven-hundred word essay about the Crusades. For once, Danny was smiling; something he never did whenever Harold was around.

Oh well. At least his day was getting better.

I, on the other hand, was still nervous for the play. It was already tomorrow, and that certainly didn't settle my nerves down.

Oh well. I've done my best. I hoped that that was enough.

"Achoo!" Harold sneezed in his bed.

Kyle smirked at him. "I told you yesterday not to play basketball when it's raining."

Kyle gave him a tablet and a glass of water. Harold popped it into his mouth and drank his glass of water.

"Thanks. I'm fine. I'll be okay", Harold said in a nasal voice.

"I'll be back. I'm gonna fix up dinner. Mom should be here soon. See ya", Kyle said before rushing downstairs.

"Sure."

Harold sat in his bed, balls of tissue at his side. He had been playing basketball in the pouring rain. It was for a reason though.

He was angry.

He was angry at Danny yesterday for ruining his chances of helping Anthea. Heck, he was angry at Danny for practically everything.

To vent his anger, he chose to play basketball. It had always been an outlet for his anger. Unfortunately, it was raining. He didn't care though. He was too angry to think clearly.

Now though, he wondered whether what he had done was stupid. He was stuck in bed with a fever and a major headache.

Nope. There was no doubt about it. Playing basketball in the rain was stupid.

The weird thing was, he was pretty rational most of the time. This had been a first.

He sighed and took out a picture of Anthea from his drawer. He had secretly hidden it there, fearing that Kyle might find out.

Oh well. He already knew. But Harold didn't want him to think that Anthea had become an obsession now.

"I hate you Danny. I hate you Danny. I hate you Danny", he muttered as he looked at Anthea's photo.

Despite Anthea's high hopes for the two, it was clear that they would not get along.

Harold hated Danny, though Danny was a good guy. He felt that he deserved Anthea. He thought that Danny couldn't make her that happy.

He could make Anthea happier.

Why he even had a-

But he stopped that train of thought. He did not want to think about home. He pushed away the thought, once again concentrating on hating Danny. Hm… Maybe he's find a curse to put on Danny.

He looked at Anthea's picture once again. He closed his eyes, sighing.

"I should tell her how I feel tomorrow", he resolved.

"You'll be fine. I know you will", Danny grinned at me when we were at the backstage. People were already busy fixing stuff and making sure that everything would go according to plan.

I began to breathe slowly. "Okay. I think I can do it."

He smiled at me and pulled me by the waist. "Of course you will."

Then he kissed me. All of a sudden, my nervousness began to evaporate, only to be replaced with dizziness.

Oh well. Carry on. The show must go on.

"Bye. Break a leg", Danny said as he rushed to the right wing.

I waved at him.

I sighed. He really was an amazing guy. I'm lucky to have him.

Someone suddenly tapped my shoulder. I turned around and saw that it was Jessica in a prince suit with her hair tied.

She certainly looked princely, for a girl.

"How do I look?" she grinned.

"Good. Very princely", I replied, meaning it.

She hugged me. "Break a leg."

"You too."

In a few seconds, Nicole asked everyone to get ready. The show was about to start.

Jessica and I held hands, both nervous and excited for the play.

It's show time.

"I'll fix things. Just wait my dear!" Pamela exclaimed, waving her hand.

I nodded. "Yes fairy godmother."

Gosh Pamela looked cute in her fairy godmother outfit. It was periwinkle blue with puffed sleeves and a hood. She looked adorable. Plus the wings on her back made her irresistible to the eye. I could see a few little girls giggle at her.

After saying her lines, I went to the backstage. I immediately slipped on the dress over my ragged ones. It was easy to put it on. Pamela was still onstage, doing some hocus pocus.

I fixed myself up a bit. I wouldn't be back onstage for a few more minutes. I positioned myself behind the curtains.

Suddenly, I heard someone panting behind me.

I turned around and gasped as I saw who it was.

Of all the people I could see, it was Harold.

Oh no. Doesn't he know that there's a play going on?

He continued to pant. He looked like he was just finished with a marathon.

"Harold! Why are you here?" I asked him.

He panted once more. Then he approached me and held my hands. He looked at me, a serious expression on his face.

"Anthea. I need to tell you something", he said.

"Harold? Can't it wait? There's a pla-" I began to say when Harold interrupted me.

He shook his head and made a 'ssh' sound. "No. It has to be now. I might not have another shot."

Okay. I appreciate how insistent you are, but this is not the right time.

"Harold please", I pleaded.

Uh-oh. Maybe the curtain would open.

It would be a disaster of it did.

"No. It has to be now. Anthea…. I… I…" he said but suddenly stopped. He was blushing furiously.

I sighed. "Harold. Talk to me later. There's a play going on."

"No! I'll be fast! I swear! I-"

But he stopped because the curtains suddenly opened.

Oh crud!! The curtains opened!! The freaking curtains opened!!

We were both visible to the crowd now. I was wearing a princess outfit, and he was donning a cap, a shirt and pants. Great. This was so not related to Cinderella.

The crowd fell silent as they saw us. To make matters worse, a spotlight was focused on US. I saw confusion on every face that came into my view.

I gulped.

Oh crud. Now what are we supposed to do?