Chapter 4

"No."

Tala stared at Kai, wanting very much to sigh in frustration. But that would mean defeat and he refused to accept defeat so fast. "Come on, Kai. You fit the part perfectly."

"No, Tala." Kai said slowly as if he were talking to a child. "I'm not trying out for the play."

"No?"

Kai raised an eyebrow at him. "You seem to have a problem with that word."

Tala nodded empathetically. "Yeah. I do. I also have a problem with you not trying out for the play."

The two boys were walking through the car park after the try-outs for the girls. Tala managed to catch up with Kai as he was leaving the school.

"I heard that Michael and Johnny are trying out." the red-head added.

"Good for them. Now can you leave me alone?" Kai said snappishly. He reached into his jean pocket and pulled out his keys. He pressed the button on the remote control and a red sports car beeped in reply.

Finally the sigh that longed to escape Tala finally did. "Dammit, Kai. One little play won't hurt your reputation. In fact it might boast it for a change."

"No, it won't but it'll do a hell lot for my grandfather's." Kai said as he climbed into his car, slammed the door and revived the engine.

Tala stepped back as the car purred to life and drove out of the parking lot smoothly. He watched it until it disappeared from sight. Then, grumbling under his breath, he kicked the dust and turned to head to his own car.

The family's old butler greeted Kai at the door of his mansion, offering to take his school bag. But Kai shook his head, gazing around the room. There was something different with room's appearance. Then he knew when he saw the heavy cloak hanging on the coat hanger.

"Where's my grandfather, Bernard?" he asked.

"Master Voltaire is in his study room." Bernard said. "He said he wishes to see you as soon as you get home."

Nodding his thanks at the man who have faithfully served his family for years, Kai started up the stairs. He headed straight to the study room without bothering to drop off his bag in his room. The doors were close. No surprise there. The study room doors were always closed especially when the master of the mansion was home. Quietly, Kai opened the door and entered the room. His grandfather stood staring out the window of the room that was filled with cupboards of books.

A trait, Kai mused, we seem to share...

"You wished to see me, grandfather?"

"Ah, Kai." Voltaire Hiwatari turned to face his only grandson. "How was school?"

Kai hated it when his grandfather did that, acting as if he cared about his life at all. "Cut the crap and cut to the chase." he snapped. "What do you want?"

Voltaire's grey eyes narrowed. "I do not like your tone, Kai."

Kai glared back but didn't say anything. Voltaire watched his grandson for a moment before he turned back to stare out the window again.

"It seems that your school will be having some sort of a play. Am I right?" he enquired.

"Yes, grandfather." Kai answered dully, secretly wondering how did the old man find out and why would he be so interested.

"It's a Romeo and Juliet play, is it not?" Voltaire went on.

"Yes."

"Then why you not involved?" while speaking, Voltaire turned.

Kai met his glare boldly. "Because I have no interest in such things."

"Well, now you do." already Voltaire's quick mind figured out that such a play would have important people attending it and what an impression it would make if his grandson became star of the show. People would know him for his generosity as he was planning to contribute a sum of money to the play and for his grandson's talent. Whether Kai could agree was another thing but Voltaire knew in the end, everything will go his way.

Silently daring the bluenette to defy his order, Voltaire waited with a smug smirk.

With a resigned sigh, Kai gave in; knowing well to defy his grandfather's wishes meant punishment. "Yes, grandfather."

"Good boy."

The next day, Jade fidgeted in the soft cushioned seat of the school auditorium hall. Today, after the try-outs for the Romeo part, the results will be announced and she hoped against hope she could get the leading lady role. She had always wanted to be Juliet ever since she saw a similar play as a child but lacked the courage to try for the part. Now in a new school, she figured she could start anew and give it a shot. She didn't regret her actions but the waiting was barely bearable.

"Hilary, what time is it?" she asked quietly, her voice filled with anxiety.

"Two minutes since you last asked me." Hilary hissed back. "Chill out, will ya?"

On her right, Mariah sat and now leaned into chastised Jade. "Just relax, okay? Sit back and have a good laugh at the lame attempts these guys are making to get the part. I don't understand why they don't just pack it in." she sighed. "It's obvious Ray's going to get the part."

Jade forced a tight smile. She had met Ray several times with Mariah present of course and found him a friendly and well-mannered Chinese guy. She could see why Mariah had the hots for him and she didn't mind acting the play with him. Only if Mariah doesn't mind.

"I don't know..." Hilary said. "Johnny is pretty good."

"Don't sweat it. He is after all a drama queen." Mariah giggled.

Only Jade didn't seem to find that funny. Her stomach were in knots and she was certain they were bats in her stomach, not butterflies. Trying to set her mind off her nervous state, she focused on the stage and its actors. A girl was playing as a stand-in for Juliet and Johnny McGregor was on his knees before her, reciting words from the script.

"Aye me." the girl said while trying to control her fits of giggles.

"She speaks: O, speak again...um....brilliant angel!" Johnny stumbled, forgetting the actual words and stole a glance at the script in hand. "For you're...um..."

Mrs. Judy waved her pen at him from the front table. "Thank you, Johnny. That would be all."

As he exited the stage to nurse his wounded pride, Miss Sharon called out the next boy and when she did; her own voice was mixed with surprise.

"Kai Hiwatari."

Jade sat up straighter in her seat as Kai strolled onto stage casually without a script in hand. Next to her, Hilary was ordering Mariah to pinch her to see if she was dreaming.

The girl on stage snapped out of her dazed state when Mrs. Judy coughed. She fumbled over the first part of her lines but managed to get them out. "What man art thou that thus bescreen'd in night. So stumblest on my counsel?"

Moving forward to the girl with silent grace, Kai took her hand and the girl almost swooned as he spoke his lines as Romeo. "By a name, I know not how to tell thee who I am: My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself, Because it is an enemy to thee; Had I it written, I would tear the word."

Every word was spoken with intense devotion and unrequited passion that could only happen between Romeo and Juliet.

'Juliet' nearly melted but somehow managed to press on in a shakily voice. "My ... my ears have not yet drunk a...a hundred words. Of that tongue's utterance, yet...um... I know the sound: Art thou not Romeo and a Montague?"

Calmly, Kai said. "Neither, fair saint, if either thee dislike."

Jade had to remind herself how to breath as she watched Kai practically swept the actress and the judges off their feet just by reciting his lines with remarkable devotion and without making a mistake. She knew she was right when she thought Kai would be the perfect Romeo. He certainly fits the part.

"Wow." Hilary breathed quietly in awe after Kai stepped off the stage. "I had no idea he was so good."

"Yeah, he's good." Mariah said with less joy. "There goes Ray's chance to be Romeo."

"Come on, guys." Jade said turning to them. "Kai's good and you know it."

"Now I do." Hilary agreed.

After half a dozen guys later when the audition was finally over, Jade was certain Kai would get the leading role. No one else would match up to him. Now the only question that remained was who will play the lead lady. Al least two dozen girls had turned up the previous day to try-out. And the lucky girl will get the act with the Ice Prince, depending on how one would look at it.

Mrs. Judy gave a long speech on how hard it was to pick the actors and that everyone was very good before she eventually got to the point. A hush silence fell over the hall as she cleared her throat and announced the students chosen to play the minor characters and the lead characters.

"For the role of Juliet will be Miss Jade Summers." Mrs. Judy nodded at Jade who was at the moment too stunned to do anything.

It was Hilary and Mariah who started to hug her, congratulating her that broke her out of her shock. A few girls, who tried out, graciously congratulated her while others 'graciously' tossed their long manes over their shoulder and left the hall.

"And..." Miss Sharon's voice rosed over the student's voices, demanding attention. "The one who will be playing Romeo alongside with Jade as Juliet will be Kai Hiwatari."

All eyes went to the bluenette who was sitting way at the back of the crowd. He acknowledged the teacher's announcement with a nod of his head, knowing all along he would score the part.

"There will be practice here tomorrow after school. Don't be late." Mrs. Judy said strictly.

After everyone was dismissed, the students crowded around Jade to congratulate her and wished her good luck. A smile on her face, she thanked every comment. As everybody laughed to a joke Hilary said about being Jade's personal manager, Jade glanced to the back of the auditorium where Kai had sat and caught a glimpse of his white scarf and his blue hair before the door closed after him. She noticed then how nobody went to congratulate him.

I have night's cloak to hide me from their sight;
And but thou love me, let them find me here:
My life were better ended by their hate,
Than death prorogued, wanting of thy love.

Words of the play ran through Kai's mind as he left the school. He wasn't surprised when he got the part. He had expected it even if he did not look forward to it. If his grandfather wanted him to be involved, well now he was. But he couldn't ignore the fact he was a little surprised when the new girl got the role as Juliet. As much as he would hate to admit it, she made the perfect Juliet.

"Well, well." a voice drawled. "The Great Kai finally decided to humbled himself and tried out for a play."

Kai didn't bother to face the speaker and kept walking. "Leave me alone, Tala."

"For you to go home and learn up your lines, no doubt. " Tala said but made no move to leave. Instead he was grinning.

Kai growled under his breath but Tala ignored that as well.

"So what made you finally decide to join the club?" Tala asked. "Was it me and my constant annoying pestering?"

He didn't answer. Then Tala's voice dripped. "Or was it that new girl? Jade?"

"It was my grandfather, okay?" Kai snapped. "It's just one of his brilliant plans to upgrade himself in the community. He figured lot of VIP people will be attending the play and by making his grandson join the play, he figured that should get their attention."

"Unless Jade steals the show." Tala said rubbing his chin thoughtfully. He was the only person who was aware of the hostility between grandfather and grandson. "You know that girl is a very good actress. Great voice too." And a heart of gold, Tala thought, thinking of how concern Jade seemed to be when she heard of Kai's liking to be alone. It wasn't plain curiosity as it was with most girls. Her eyes reflected her genuine concern for other people than herself. But Tala wasn't going to say anything about that to Kai. Let him figure it out himself.

Kai grunted something which would have been a reply but Tala couldn't make it out.

"She'll make a great Juliet." Tala said.

There's no doubt of that, Kai found himself thinking along the same lines.

At the school gate, they stopped, preparing to go their separate ways. Kai had walked to school that day. So he will walk home from school.

"I'm going to town to hang out with the guys." Tala said. "Wanna come?"

"No." Kai turned on his heel and started walking.

"You'll miss a lot of fun!" Tala hollered after him.

The reply was nonchalant. "Whatever."

Tala snorted. Typical.