Content Warning: This story is Rated T for some intense scenes, discussions surrounding learning disabilities, and implications of past emotional abuse. Also some minor innuendos.
An excited hush settled over the crowd as the lights descended, and the curtains rose. The stage lit up, revealing the familiar sight of a young gorilla seated at a piano. He wore a dark violet jerkin over a light fuschia doublet, with a white ruff around his neck and a feathered cap on his head. While he played the piano, various dancers entered the stage, all armed with swords and dressed in either blue or red versions of the same costume.
Hey, I was doing just fine before I met you
But I fought too much, and that's an issue
But I'm okay
As he sang, Johnny stood down from the piano and made his way through the two armies of duelling dancers.
Hey, you tell your friends it was nice to meet them
But I hope I never see them again
A tall castle structure rose out of the stage floor, and Johnny stood on a smaller platform as he sang up to it.
I know it breaks your heart
Moved to the city in a broke-down car
Four years, no calls
Now you're looking pretty in the castle walls
And I-I-I can't stop
No, I-I-I can't stop
And then she appeared, Porsha Crystal herself. Clad in an elegant purple dress, she posed gracefully on a lowering platform, to the cheers of her adoring public.
So, baby, pull me closer
In the back seat of your Rover
That I know you can't afford
Bite that tattoo on your shoulder
As she reached the stage floor, Porsha took Johnny's hand and let him pull her in a ballroom dip. He made sure her head didn't hit the stage floor, and Porsha gave him a nod before he lifted her back to her feet.
We ain't ever getting older
The beat dropped as Porsha tore off the skirt of her dress, revealing leggings of the same colour, and she and Johnny danced in-sync while the other dancers surrounded them. As they danced, Johnny took a few steps back, letting Porsha take the centre-stage as she sang the next verse.
You... look as good as the day I met you
I forget just why I left you
I was insane
She let Johnny hold her in his arms as she sang, a sight that prompted a few "oohs" and suggestive whistles from the crowd.
I know it breaks your heart
Moved to the city in a broke-down car
Four years, no calls
Now I'm looking pretty in the castle walls
And I-I-I can't stop
No, I-I-I can't stop
The pair waltzed centre-stage as they sang the final chorus together. In rehearsals, they'd often burst out laughing whenever they pretended to gaze into into each other's eyes, Porsha especially, but luckily they always managed to keep themselves together during the actual performances. And the crowd loved it.
So, baby, pull me closer
In the back seat of your Rover
That I know you can't afford
Bite that tattoo on your shoulder
Pull the sheets right off the corner
Of that mattress that you stole
From your roommate back in Boulder
We ain't ever getting older
The audience's applause was still audible when Porsha exited the stage, blushing a bit as her co-stars and other crew members heaped their praise on her. "Aw, you guys. Thank you. Wow, just... thanks. It's nothing, really... like, come on, we still got a whole show to do here!"
"Hey Benvolio, you're up next!" Buster called as he passed by Nooshy, who was still trying to stick her fake moustache on. "Okay, so we got Benvolio, then Mercutio shows up, they have their number, then... wait, Mercutio! Anyone seen Darius?"
"Your Mercutio is right here, boss-man!" Darius bellowed out, making Nooshy roll her eyes as they both ran onstage to accompany Johnny. Porsha waved to them as they passed by, then caught up to Buster. "Hey, Mr. Moon!"
"Ah-ha, there's our superstar!" Buster put his clipboard aside as he looked up at her. "Hey, d'you hear that crowd, Porsha? Cause they are loving you out there! You're a Juliet for the ages, I just know it!"
"Yeah, it's great, ain't it? I just can't believe they... oh..." Porsha stopped in her tracks as something caught her eye. Buster noticed this, then backtracked to her. "Something wrong, kiddo?"
"Uh... no. Nothing, I just, um... what's Rosita doing here?" Porsha pointed to the fitting room, where Rosita was putting on a blue robe with a white shawl over her head. "She wasn't in the other shows."
Buster looked where she was pointing. "Ah... see, Meena's parents said she's down with the flu tonight, so Rosita's gonna be filling in as Juliet's nurse."
"Wait, like... my nurse?!" Porsha exclaimed, covering her mouth in embarrassment as some of the crew members looked to her. "I mean, it's not a problem or anything, but um... well, I did all the other shows with Meena. Did Rosita even have enough time to -?"
"I assure you, Porsha, everything's gonna be fine. Rosita knew it inside out before we even cast Meena. You just gotta act out the scenes the same way y'always do, okay?" Buster darted off to deal with something else. "Rosita was actually our first choice anyway!"
Porsha took a deep breath and closed her eyes, rubbing her temples to try and clear her head. "Okay... okay, it'll be fine..."
"Y'okay, Porsha?" a familiar voice caught her by surprise, but she regained her usual perkiness as she turned to look down at the porcupine.
"Oh yeah. Thanks, Ash. I'm good..." Porsha flashed a smile. "Ooh, I forgot to say, I really love your costume, by the way! You're an awesome Tie-bolt!"
"Yeah, it's actually Tybalt, but thanks." Ash slung her guitar over her shoulder and tightened her fingerless gloves. "Right, that's me up. I'll see you back at the apartment!"
"Uh-huh! Break a leg!" Porsha called as Ash ran onstage, then went back to talking to herself. "Okay... like Mr. Moon said, just act the same way you always do, and it'll be fine."
Her first two scenes with Rosita went relatively well. They were fairly small moments and didn't require much direct interaction, since they were mainly focused on Gunter's Friar Laurence, while the nurse provided some minor commentary. Porsha knew they wouldn't be that big a challenge, though Rosita's odd attempt at a more British-sounding accent did catch her off-guard a few times.
The part she was actually worried about didn't come until about two thirds into the show, in a scene that Porsha and Meena had mutually dubbed "the Big One" - a heart-to-heart where Juliet finally confided in the nurse about her fatally forbidden romance.
Porsha waited at the edge of the stage, out of the audience's sight, while Johnny and Nooshy performed a scene together. She tensed a bit as Rosita came and stood next to her, but managed to exchange a small smile with her.
"Don't worry, sunshine. It's gonna be great." Rosita patted her on the back, before Porsha's eyes widened.
"Wait, what did you just -?"
"Alright, we're on next!"
The lights came up again, revealing a beautiful garden set. Porsha sat on the bench in the centre of the stage, her head drooped in despair, while Rosita entered and sat beside her.
"Oh, dearest Juliet. What troubles you, my lady?" Rosita's accent was still a little off, but the gentle, motherly tone she put on more than made up for it. "I would have thought Paris' proposal would bring you glad tidings."
"Uh... indeed, it should! But I do not love Paris!" Porsha rose from her seat and strutted back and forth as she spoke. Her delivery was still quite stilted, though the faux-Shakespearean dialogue at least made it less noticeable. "You see, trusted nurse, my heart has been taken by another... Romeo, of House Montague."
"A Montague, you say?" Rosita pursed her lips. "Well surely, if your heart doesn't belong to Paris, then you must call off the betrothal."
"But I can't! Paris was chosen by my father!" Porsha stood up, holding her hand over her heart. "My whole life, I've only existed to honour my father's wishes. I couldn't possibly dishonour him now."
"But why should it matter who your father is or what he thinks, Juliet?" Rosita stood up and took Porsha's hand. Porsha was taken slightly aback, since Meena never did this during their rehearsals or past shows, though she just managed to stay in-character. "Your life should be yours to live, dear, and you mustn't let your family name hold you back..."
Porsha tensed up again as Rosita started stroking her hand, and a soft guitar began strumming. Rosita closed her eyes and began nodding her head along to the music, before she exhaled and started singing.
Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
Cause there's a million things to be
You know that there are
The set elements began shining like stars around them, twinkling in-sync with the music and Rosita's voice. Porsha was still a little nervous, though she found this atmosphere oddly comforting, so she loosened up a little more.
And if you want to live high, live high
And if you want to live low, live low
Cause there's a million ways to go
You know that there are
They both sat back down on either end of the bench. Rosita still held Porsha's hand in her own, subtly bridging the gap between them.
Y'know it's up to you
Anything you can do
And if you find a new way
Well, you can do it today
Without thinking, Porsha found herself shuffling in on the bench, getting closer to Rosita as the latter continued singing.
You can make it all true
And you can make it undo
You see
Porsha fell a little behind when singing along to the next part, but their voices at least harmonised well enough for the crowd not to notice.
Ah-ah-ah
It's easy
Ah-ah-ah
You only need to know
She felt Rosita's other hand on her shoulder. Porsha hesitated, then slowly returned the embrace.
And if you want to be them, be them
And if you want to be you, be you
Cause there's a million things to do
You know that there are
And if you want to say yes, be yes
And if you want to say no, say no
Cause there's a million ways to go
You know that there are
Rosita suddenly tightened her grip, letting Porsha's head rest on her shoulder. Porsha closed her eyes and exhaled, letting herself be mesmerised by Rosita's singing. It almost felt like a lullaby, and Porsha was sure she'd have drifted off to a peaceful dream in any other circumstance.
Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
Cause there's a million things to be
You know that there are
You know that there are...
Porsha was so caught up in the moment that she barely noticed the music stop, or the applause and cheering from the audience.
"Um... Porsha..." Rosita whispered, snapping the young wolf back to reality. Porsha realised that she still had her head on Rosita's shoulder, and instantly shot up, flashing a nervous little smile to the crowd. She quickly headed offstage with Rosita in tow, getting slightly startled by the enthusiastic clapping and whooping from her co-stars.
"Oh, that was fantastic!" Buster exclaimed proudly, taking Rosita's hands while Porsha passed. "You guys were incredible out there! Heck, Porsha, I'd say you pulled that off even better than you did with Meena!"
"Uh-huh... thanks." Porsha took a deep breath, and kept walking away. Rosita noticed this, and tilted her head in concern. "You okay, Porsha?"
"Yeah... I'm fine, I'm great, I just... I got the next song soon, so I gotta get, uh... I gotta get ready!" Porsha gave a double thumbs-up gesture, then took off to the changing room without another word.
Don't take money, don't take fame
Don't need no credit card to ride this train
It's strong and it's sudden and it's cruel sometimes
But it might just save your life
That's the power of love!
The rest of the show went off without any issue, and the entire cast posed on stage after the final number. The crowd's applause and cheers were more thunderous than ever, and Porsha stood with Johnny at the front while they led their crew and cast-mates in a final bow.
"Alright, and that's a wrap! Ha ha!" Buster did a fist pump as he led the others off-stage. "Romeo and Juliet made their final stand, and might I just say, they stuck the landing! What do you say we all head up to the lounge to celebrate?!"
The cast and crew responded with a resounding cheer, chatting among themselves as they all headed off. Porsha let them carry on without her, and stayed with Buster while he dialled his phone. "Better crack open the champagne, Ms. Crawly, because we are having ourselves a party!"
"Yeah, y'know what, Mr. Moon, I'm gonna..." Porsha faked a yawn. "I should probably get off home."
"Oh... you sure, Porsha?"
"Uh-huh, I'm pretty beat." Porsha let a little smile cross her face. "It's fine, though. Just tell Ash I won't wait up."
"Hmm... okay then..." Buster put his phone away and followed the others. "I'll still be doing a toast to you, Porsha!"
"Yeah... night, Mr. Moon!"
"Goodnight, kiddo!"
Upon returning to the apartment, Porsha sat huddled up on her bed, deep in thought. She was trying her best to focus on the more crowd-pleasing moments, and how everyone involved pulled them off with flying colours. But her mind kept drifting back to the garden scene with Rosita - the nice song, Rosita's motherly voice, her oddly comforting embrace - and she found herself cringing or shaking her head to try and shut it out.
After about an hour of this, Porsha went over to her desk drawer and pulled out a small, glittery journal. Buster had given it to her not long after they started the Out Of This World tour, mainly so she could keep a note of her schedule, but also so she could write down any thoughts or feelings she needed to get out.
For the first few weeks it had been useful for jotting down important times and dates, so she wasn't showing up hours late for rehearsals anymore, but she'd never even thought of writing anything substantial, and she'd been using most of the pages for drawing and doodling in her free time. So Porsha wasn't sure why this incident was possessing her to finally write something, but she sat down and stared at the book for a good few minutes, twirling her pen as she thought about what to say.
"Okay, how do I start this again?"
Dear Dairy - wait, no! - Diary,
So basically, tonight we finished our Romeo/Juliet show for the last time, and I loved it! I definitely think my acting's gotten a lot better since the first time I joined the gang, cause Mr. Moon let me have the lead role for this one (last time I got a lead role, he kinda fired me, lol).
It still felt wierd kissing Johnny (he was Romeo) at teh end, but TBH I think we're both glad we don't have to do that ever again. But he was really great, and so was everybody else - even Gunter made a pretty good Fryer (Mr. Moon was hoping Clay Calloway would do it, but he was still on his come back tour).
Gotta say, tho, tonight's show wasn't completely perfect, cause I kinda made things wierd with Rosita.
She's this nice pig lady who's in the group. She's got a lot of piglets - they're really cute! - and she's actually the one who had the lead role in my first show. Technically it was her role first anyway, but then I stole it, and then Mr. Moon gave it her back. Long story short, it got messy (mainly cause of me) and my Daddy tried to - y'know what, sorry, you don't need to hear this.
Anyway, point is, for tonight's show, me and Rosita had this big scene together, and I made it really ackward (wait, is that how you spell that?!). She didn't even do anything, but I've just been feeling and acting wierd around her lately, and even I don't know why! No one's actually said anything about me doing this, and I can't tell whether it's cause they haven't noticed, or maybe they think talking to me'll make it worse (I get why they'd feel that way about me, if they do).
I'm probably overreacting, tho, cause I do that a lot. Gunter says I'm a drama queen, and yeah, I guess I kinda am.
So it's probably gonna be fine, but I kinda had to get this off my chest. Thanks.
Porsha Crystal.