Act I, Prologue

A romantic play

"If thou rememb'rest not the slightest folly that ever love did thee make run into, thou has not loved." —William Shakespeare

Simon and Jeanette go watch one of Shakespeare's plays for their literature class. As they announce it to their family, their siblings convinced them to make of that night, an unforgettable one! Enjoy your reading time!

Act I, scene I

Miss Caro, the literature teacher of West Eastman High School entered her class. All the students were looking silently at her. On a front desk were Jeanette and Simon.

"Hello class! I have very exciting news regarding the literature class." Their teacher announced. Everyone looked curiously at her. "Next week, we are all going to see a play of one of the most famous dramatists. Can you guess who?"

"Shakespeare?" Jeanette and Simon said in unison. Miss Caro looked at her with a smile. The two chipmunks then looked at each other, smiling a bit too.

"Correct! We have already often talked about Shakespeare during my classes, so now it's time we go see a play of him, but what play it will be, remains a surprise, until next Friday!"

Literature class was the last hour of school for Simon and Jeanette. The duo happily walked out of the classroom, side by side.

"I'm so excited to go see that play!" Jeanette exclaimed.

"Me too! And I'm curious what play it will be. Miss Caro really teased us." Simon replied.

"Yeah, not telling us anything about it. Just when and where. Hopefully Dave can drive us to the theatre that Friday."

"We have one week to tell him. He'll have time to adapt."

"Let's announce it this evening to everyone at the same time. So we don't have to tell it twice, and support the enthusiasm." Jeanette said comically. Simon laughed, and the two went to the rest of their group.

Act I, scene II

The group got home and minded their own business, waiting for Dave to return. When their father came home and quickly prepared a meal, he called everyone to eat.

"Guys! Diner is ready!" He shouted. Shortly after, his six children went downstairs and took place at the kitchen table. Dave had prepared steak and fries.

"Have a nice meal!" Theodore said, and he eagerly started eating. Dave smiled.

"How was school guys? Any exciting news?" Dave asked. Jeanette looked over to Simon, who did exactly the same.

"Our literature teacher announced we'll go see a play of Shakespeare next Friday!" Jeanette declared proudly. Everyone awed for a moment.

"That's amazing! Do you know what play you'll see?" Dave asked.

"She said it'll be a surprise." Simon added. Dave looked happy. Simon saw Jeanette looked at her. She nodded a bit, insisting that he had to say something more. Then Simon remembered. "Oh yeah Dave, the play is next Friday, but it's in the city theatre. Could you maybe, drive us to it and pick us up after?"

Dave finished taking a sip of his wine and put down the glass. "Of course, I'll fix that I'll be available."

"Thank you so much!" Jeanette replied. Dave and Simon smiled.

"No problem. Such occasion cannot be missed. You'll learn a lot from it, I'm certain about that."

Act I, scene III

The evening passed quickly after a boardgame and film. Now, all the chipmunks were in their room. Simon and Jeanette were the last to brush their teeth and just entered their bedrooms.

On their beds, were their siblings, waiting.

"Guys, I'm quite tired of today, so if you could get off my bed…" Simon said.

"Something going on sisters?" Jeanette asked.

Alvin and Brittany both approached their glassed siblings.

"Simon…"

Jeanette…"

"Do you know what—"

"—You have to do next Friday?" Simon and Jeanette both nodded no. Brittany put her hands on her hips. Alvin crossed his arms.

"Seriously? You don't—"

"—Know what I'm talking about?" Simon and Jeanette again nodded no. Alvin and Brittany sighed.

"This is the perfect opportunity—"

"—To show your, love to him!" The glassed duo took a step back from the surprise.

"It's the best place to do it! Really!" Alvin said.

"It's dark. You sit close to each other. There's a romantic play going on—" Brittany listed.

"—And it's just the best place to give hints, or confess, as I said earlier!" Alvin added.

Simon and Jeanette looked hesitant. Both liked, really liked each other. But wasn't it too early?

"It's never—"

"—Too early!" The oldest siblings said. Simon sighed. Jeanette looked to the ground. Both were very tired. And ask a favour to a tired person, and he will be more likely to agree, as the only thing that matters at the moment, is his sleep.

"Okay, I'll see—"

"—What I can, do." Both said. Their siblings looked satisfied. Alvin put a paw on Simon's shoulder. Brittany hugged Jeanette.

"You will succeed!"

Not even a minute later, the lights went off and everyone got in their beds.

Who knows, if she really… Simon thought.

Act II, scene I

One week later

It was 7pm, Friday. Tonight, Simon and Jeanette would go to the theatre. Both were very excited about the play. They had to be there around 8pm.

Jeanette was still busy, with Brittany, on what to wear. They ended up choosing dark-purple trousers with a white blouse and a leather jacket.

"You're astonishingly beautiful!" Brittany commented, standing behind Jeanette who looked in the mirror. "Simon won't resist this beauty!"

Jeanette giggled and blushed a bit. She turned around. "It's just a play you know. Maybe it's a bit too much."

"Jean, you don't dress well for the play, but for a certain Simon Seville. You got me?" Jeanette nodded. "Perfect, let us do some makeup now!"

"No, thank you, Britt. I don't think Simon likes that. He's used to seeing me without."

"Your choice, I won't force you on this one…" Brittany replied, turning around. But then, she suddenly pulled a bottle of perfume and sprayed some on Jeanette.

"Cough, cough. Britt! What was that?!" Jeanette asked, slightly irritated.

"The icing on the cake. Now hurry, Simon's probably waiting." And Brittany pushed her sister out of the room, following her too.

Act II, scene II

Simon was already waiting downstairs. He had a light-blue shirt with dark-blue jeans. Alvin was adjusting his collar one last time.

"I think it's good now, Alvin." Simon said. Alvin took a step back, focussed on the collar. He stuck his tongue out and closed an eye.

"Perfect! Keep it like that, and Jeanette is yours!" Simon rolled his eyes.

"You're all being pretty extreme about it. Such a delicate thing cannot be achieved in a couple of hours." Simon replied, talking about confessing.

"Oh Simon. Don't be specifical, it will go well!" Alvin answered.

"I think you meant sceptical…"

"That's the same." Alvin said, lifting his arms up. At that moment, Brittany and Jeanette came down the stairs. Simon saw Jeanette and was absorbed by her beauty. Jeanette saw her friend and was equally amazed. The four gathered.

Just when they wanted to say something to each other, Dave entered via the front door.

"Guys, it's time to go. The car is ready." He said to his children. Simon and Jeanette were excited. Dave saw the two, well-dressed. "You both are beautiful, really! I wore the exact same shirt on my first date!"

Brittany and Alvin grinned at Dave's sassy comment. Simon and Jeanette, on the other hand, were blushing slightly. Let's put them out of this misery, haha! Brittany thought.

"Well, it's time for you to go, or you'll be late!" Brittany said clapping in her hands. Dave nodded and opened the door. He and his two glassed children left the house and went to the car.

"Have fun out there!" Alvin shouted. He and Brittany stood in the door frame.

Simon and Jeanette sat in the back, and the car drove away from the home. Both looked at each other, smiling of excitement.

Act III, scene I

The car with transporting our protagonists would arrive near the theatre. Dave parked his vehicle and turned around.

"It's just forward, on the right of this street, you'll see it easily. I wish you a lot of enjoyment!" The father announced.

"Thank you, Dave!" The two said in unison.

"So, I'll be back here around 11pm."

"That's perfect!" And the two stepped out of the car. Dave drove away after honking once. The couple was alone now. Jeanette turned to Simon.

"Are we going? The rest of the class and miss Claire is probably waiting." Jeanette proposed, but Simon kept looking at her. He was actually thinking, and coincidentally looking at her. Just go for it, you know how to improvise, as Alvin said earlier… He thought.

"Simon? Are you alright?" Jeanette asked being worried. Simon shook his head and inhaled a bit. Then he smiled.

"I'm fine. Shall we, go?" Simon asked. He pointed his left arm to the right direction, and reached his other one to Jeanette, showing her his palm, asking her to take it. Jeanette immediately understood.

Simon smiled, but felt very nervous. What if she refused, or find it inappropriate. Then it's gonna be very awkw— But before Simon could finish his pessimistic thoughts, Jeanette happily took his hand.

"Are we now?" Jeanette asked, smiling greatly. Simon nodded, and the two walked down the street, to the theatre. Simon took a quick look at their hands, attached to each other. Then, his eyes moved to her head. Jeanette looked in front of her and to the buildings on her left. But what caught Simon's attention was her happy smile.

Jeanette noticed and looked over to her friend. She smiled too. "You are sure everything is alright? You're acting, differently. And you're blushing."

Simon looked surprised. He touched his cheek with his other hand, and it felt hot indeed. "I'm really looking forward to the play…"

"Me too!" Jeanette said excitedly.

Act III, scene II

The two got to the theatre and entered it, arriving at the reception room. Miss Caro was waiting and saw the two chipmunks.

"Hi Simon and Jeanette! You're one of the last ones to arrive. Here are your tickets." Miss Caro gave them two pieces of paper. "Our play will start soon in the main theatre. It's via that red double door"

And long did they not have to wait, as a person announced that everyone had to go to their seats in the theatre. Jeanette and Simon sat somewhere in the left upper corner, coincidentally away from their class, which was spread across the room.

Simon looked at the letters of each row. "We are on the letter B. And our numbers, 21 and 22."

"That's over there." Jeanette pointed. The duo, after passing through lots of people trying to find their seats, arrived at their seating.

"We have a decent view from here. The podium is visible from here." Simon commented. Jeanette took a seat next to him.

"Ahh, I'm impatient for the play. And we still don't know which one!" Jeanette added. This gave Simon an idea. He took the ticket and analysed it.

"What I thought! It's Romeo and Juliet! Shakespeare's most famous play." Simon explained.

"I've heard so many things about it! Romantic, tragic… And now we are about to see the play! So exciting!"

"I can't hide my joy either. It's been a whole week we said it non-stop." Simon said giggling. Jeanette laughed too, and turned her head to Simon.

"But I'm also happy to be here with you…" She replied softly. Simon looked down, trying to hide his blushing. Jeanette went back at looking across the room.

Simon noticed and did the same. The theatre was beautifully decorated in a 19th century style. On the ceiling were frescoes.

"Have you seen the ceiling, how it is decorated?" Jeanette asked, pointing up.

"Yes, it's magnificent!" Simon replied. Jeanette smiled and continued looking around. Simon looked her way and noticed an odour. He sniffed rather indiscreetly.

Oh, no! That smell of Brittany's perfume! I must tell him before he notices. Jeanette thought.

"Jeanette, you—"

"It's Brittany that sprayed it on me! I didn't—"

"—You smell, good." He replied softly. Jeanette froze for a second, but the ice melted as she blushed.

"Thank you, Simon… Simon?"

"Yes, Jeanette?"

"Your clothes are beautiful. You're very, handsome." Simon felt warm from the inside, despite only having a shirt. He was starting to sweat a bit.

"You too, you know. I love your trousers." Simon answered.

"Thanks! I bought them 50% off."

"It were the sales, I guess?"

"Yep!"

Now the two felt extremely enamoured. Simon pulled his collar with one finger and opened the two upper buttons. Jeanette had taken her jacket off.

Act III, scene III

The room became dark, and the play was about to begin. The podium lit up and the curtains opened. One man stood there.

"Two households, both alike in dignity,

In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,

From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,

Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

From forth the fatal loins of these two foes

A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;

Whose misadventured piteous overthrows

Do with their death bury their parents' strife.

The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,

And the continuance of their parents' rage,

Which, but their children's end, nought could remove,

Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;

The which if you with patient ears attend,

What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend."

The curtain closed and the audience applauded. This was the prologue, but already amazing. Jeanette thought. She looked to her right and could still see Simon despite the darkness. She went back to watch the play as time passed.

"O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?

Deny thy father and refuse thy name;

Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,

And I'll no longer be a Capulet."

"Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?"

Jeanette smiled, hearing one of the famous parts of the play. Simon and she were very entertained, but something stayed in their minds. Them! They both imagined themselves incarnating Romeo and Juliet, for the love they share and want to share. The play continued.

"Wouldst thou withdraw it? For what purpose, love?"

"But to be frank, and give it thee again.

And yet I wish but for the thing I have:

My bounty is as boundless as the sea,

My love as deep; the more I give to thee,

The more I have, for both are infinite."

Such a romantic story. Jeanette thought.

More time passed. It went fast, as the enjoyment was great. The play approached its end.

"O my love, my wife,

Death, that hath sucked the honey of thy breath,

Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty.

Thou art not conquered; beauty's ensign yet

Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks,

And death's pale flag is not advanced there."

As Romeo just found the body of his lover Juliet, Simon heard sobbing on his left. He discreetly looked without moving his head too much. Jeanette was in tears. Simon felt moved too.

"O true apothecary!

Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die."

And Romeo fell on the ground. Later, Juliet would wake up.

"O comfortable friar! Where is my lord?

I do remember well where I should be,

And there I am. Where is my Romeo?"

Jeanette was still weeping. Simon saw her hand on the armrest. In an act of empathy and love, he put his on hers. Jeanette noticed and looked. She smiled, but continued sobbing. Simon smiled back. The chipette turned her hand and grabbed Simon's. And they watched the end like that.

Act IV, scene I

"Yea, noise? Then I'll be brief. O happy dagger!

Snatching ROMEO's dagger

This is thy sheath;"

"There rust, and let me die."

And Juliet fell on Romeo's body. Simon let one tear go. Jeanette squeezed his hand.

"A glooming peace this morning with it brings;

The sun, for sorrow, will not show his head:

Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things;

Some shall be pardon'd, and some punished:

For never was a story of more woe

Than this of Juliet and her Romeo."

The curtain closed, the lights went on, and the audience stood up and applauded fanatically. Simon and Jeanette did the same, breaking their hand grip.

People started to leave the theatre. Simon took Jeanette's jacket on time, as she had almost forgotten it. He came back to her. Jeanette's eyes were red of the sobbing. Simon smiled at her and she smiled back.

"Shall we?" Simon asked softly. Jeanette nodded. She took Simon's hand again.

Act IV, scene II

The two walked out of the building and were back on the street.

"What did you think?" Simon asked.

"It was, it was beautiful. The best play I've seen…" Jeanette replied. Simon smiled a bit.

After some walking, they arrived at the place where Dave had to come pick them up, but he wasn't there yet.

Simon saw Jeanette was cold. He put her jacket on her. Jeanette looked up to him. She gave him a hug.

"I'm so happy, we saw it together. You're the best I can get…" Jeanette said softly. Simon felt enamoured, but remained silent.

Jeanette released the grip and looked him in the eyes. She approached him slowly. Simon did the same. Their lips were moments away from each other, until…

"Guys! I'm here!" Dave shouted from his car, a bit further down the street. The two chipmunks left their trance and followed the noise. They got to the car and entered it.

"And, how was the play? Which one was it?" Dave asked, without looking.

"Romeo and Juliet. And it was…" Simon turned to Jeanette and looked at her. "… Beautiful."

"Aah, it really is. Or that's what I was told, ehem." Dave added.

Jeanette was tired and put her head on Simon's shoulder who wrapped his arm around her.

"Simon?"

"Yes, Jeanette?"

"If I were Juliet, would you be my Romeo?" Simon gently put his head on Jeanette's, and smiled. Just, smiled.

Act IV, Epilogue

Hey guys, Munkchip here. I hope you enjoyed this one-chapter story that I came up with. I really enjoyed writing it and if you'd like to see more of those short stories, then tell me in a review in addition to your opinion of this fanfic. Anyway, I hope to see you in another story of mine. Stay healthy!

Exeunt