Chapter 6

The next three weeks of practice flew by in a rush. Preparations were made and the auditorium was set up for the opening of the play. By the third week, the costumes for the play were ready. Practices went as usual at school and outside school. On alternate days, Jade would go to Kai's 'house' and practice their dancing scene as well as their lines together. Bernard would watch and give his opinion. Only once during her visits, she met Kai's grandfather and she got the impression he didn't like her. Maybe it was because she was probably the first person to set foot onto his territory. Or maybe because she spent too much with his grandson.

Now there's thought. As if I had a choice, she had thought.

On the night of the play, every seat was filled with eager parents and friends. The crowd was anxious and excited. But not as excited as Jade.

Hearing the mutters of the crowd behind the curtains, she felt butterflies flutter in her stomach and she took a deep breath to calm herself. The fact that Hilary was busying around her making sure everything was in order didn't helped at all.

"Should you tie your hair up or down?" Hilary pondered, stepping back to study the effects of the accessories in Jade's hair. "I think down looks better but I heard people in those times wore their hair up."

"Hilary..." Jade said wearily. She already exhausted just by sitting at her dressing table.

"Maybe if I tie it in a bun." Hilary went on.

"Hilary!" Jade finally mustered enough strength to snap at her friend bringing her back to her senses. "Calm down."

"Okay. I'm calm." Hilary assured her.

Jade stood, her aquamarine blue dress shimmering in the light. "How do I look?"

Hilary smiled. "Lovely. Like a princess."

"Really?" Jade mused. "God, Hilary. I'm so nervous."

Hilary took her hand. "You'll do fine. Besides if you screw up, Kai'll be there to clean up your mess."

"Thanks a lot, Hil." she said dryly. "That helped."

The cue was given for the first act to begin. Checking herself one last time, Jade inhaled deeply and muttered a short prayer under her breath. Her hand clutched the cross necklace around her throat. Then she stepped towards the stage.

The spotlight was bright in his eyes but he ignored it as he spoke his lines. Through the glaring light, he caught glimpse of his grandfather in the front row with a disinterested look.

"We should leave." Ray said as Romeo's cousin. He gestured for them to leave. "If the Capulet discovers us, it could mean trouble."

Kai laughed off his fears and smirked. "Why do you fear so, Benvolio? Is that not the purpose of our masks? To hide our identities?"

The two teens wore black masks that covered half their faces and drone on a black tux each. Girls swooned over them, admiring their looks and acting skills.

"True. But the girl you seek is not to be seen. Let us leave." Benvolio said.

But Romeo's attention had wandered. His gaze rested on the dark-haired beauty that descended from the stairs like an angel dressed in a long blue dress that caressed every curve of her slender body. Her silky raven hair left down cascaded past her shoulders, framing her half covered face.

Jade was beautiful. More beautiful than Kai could ever imagine. His breath was caught in his throat as he stared at her in awe. Of course, no one could tell the difference in his acting for that was what he as Romeo was supposed to do.

"Who is she?" he asked, recovering quickly without pulling his eyes away from Jade.

Ray glanced at Jade and like the bluenette was stunned. It took a while for him to find his voice again. "I don't know."

"I've never seen anyone like her before. She could teach the sun how to shine." Kai muttered. She could light up the darkest night...

Jade's gaze drifted over the audience below when she stepped onto stage and with disappointment realized that her parents weren't among them. She sighed inwardly. No doubt they were caught up in another fight and had forgotten their only daughter's night.

Yet, why am I not surprise....?

Behind her, she heard Kai speak but the words weren't that of the actual script.

"You're even more lovely than I could possibly imagine."

Confused by his words, she turned and was taken by the way he looked. Kai looked incredibly handsome in his tux. The mask he wore could not hide the sensual gaze in his crimson eyes as he studied her. Jade felt herself flush. Then with start, realized she couldn't remember her lines. So she made up her own.

"Thank you, kind sir." she said, satisfied it sounded appropriated and fitting. Inward, she was cursing Kai for not following the script. "But I assure you that you must have mistaken me for someone else."

Amusement and admiration danced in his voice. "And I assure you I for one will not make such a foolish mistake." he held out his hand to her. "My lady, will you dance with me or will I offend you if I held you in my arms?"

From there on, Jade felt herself fall back into line and smiled as she accepted his hand. "Not at all. Even saints' dance and to dance in the arms of one is never a crime."

"One who speaks her mind. How...enticing." Kai said smoothly in such a way the audience never knew the script had been slightly modified on the spot.

Jade glared up at him through her glimmering mask as he swept her into his arms. "That wasn't part of the script." she said under her breath, loud enough for him to hear only.

"So?" he replied, his lips barely moving. "It works for us, doesn't it?"

A shiver ran down her spine unwillingly. Surely he didn't mean anything when he said 'us'. Did he? Jade turned her attention to concentrating on dancing without missing a step. She knew it was a cardinal rule to not look at your feet when dancing but she couldn't help it. Her own heart beat against her ribcage so loudly she was sure her dancing partner could hear it. She was so nervous.

"Don't look down." Kai muttered in a hiss.

Her eyes went up and found herself staring into his dark red eyes. Strange. She never noticed how intense they were before...

As her body gradually relaxed and allowed him to lead her across the floor, her own eyes never wavered from his eyes. Never for once did he take his of her to glance at the audience or to check their position on stage. They just danced. Just two people caught up in the rhythm of each other. To them, there was no stage, no audience. Just the two of them.

Finally after what seemed like forever, a short girl playing as Juliet's nurse came up to them and coughed softly, drawing their attention. "My lady, your mother wishes to speak with you."

Her interruption drew Jade aware of where she was and she stepped back from Kai as he released her from his gentle hold. His hand however cupped her elbow, resisting when she tried to turn.

"Ka- Sir." she said, correcting her mistake quickly. "Please, I have to go. My mother calls."

His eyes held her gaze, dark with something she couldn't read. "Must you?" it wasn't a question. It was statement.

Although inside she was trembling, she held his gaze. But hers was pleading, wishing he would let go of her arm. "I have to go." she said softly but the reluctance in her voice was clear. Jade prayed no one realized it wasn't acting.

"Very well." he released her and stepped back. He bowed and turned, his dark cape flapping behind him as his white scarf would.

Jade watched him as he melted into the shadows before she felt the consistent tugs of her nurse and turned to follow her.

The curtains were closed behind them and the crew moved in quickly and swiftly to change the props and scenery. Jade was busied around by Hilary and Mariam to get into her next scene's dress, a simpler white outfit with loose sleeves. The hem of the dress barely brushed the floor, showing the tips of her dainty sandals.

"Jade, you're up next. Come on." Mrs. Judy urged. She stood near the stage in the sides in case anybody forgot their lines so she may help them out and kill them the moment they stepped off the stage.

Jade found herself pushed onto stage by Hilary and smoothing out her dress, she stepped onto the stage where the curtains were lifted and the spotlight shone upon her. Kai was there already, waiting for her. He didn't change his clothes like she did. His appearance still made her breath catch and she was frustrated at herself for that. Gathering her dress, she stepped to the center of the stage gracefully.

"Oh, Romeo. Deny my father and refuse my name. Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and I'll no longer be a Capulet."

Kai came up to her, circling her lazy like a wary predator. "Shall I hear more or shall I speak to this?"

"Do you want to?" now it was her who was changing the lines. She didn't know what possessed her to do so. Only the glint in Kai's eyes. And what shocked her even more was that she didn't care.

He lifted an eyebrow, slightly confused. "Should I? How can I with you...?" his gaze drifted over her, taking in her image. "You here very much like an angel I dreamt of. How can I when our families are forever driven by hatred? How can we?"

"We can't...can we?" she said softly, gazing into his eyes, amazed that he could turn the lines back to track. "We can never be."

"But do you...want to mine?" he asked. "Will you be mine?"

A soft smile curled her lips. In the background, Miss Sharon started to play the piano. Without turning her eyes from him, she started to sing and her voice was that of an angel, sweeter than when he first heard her. It stunned him, touching him to the core of his cold soul.

"There's a song that's inside of my soul.
It's the one that I've tried to write over and over again
I'm awake in the infinite cold.
But you sing to me over and over and over again."

Jade moved forward, turning to the audiences at this point. She held out her hands as if she were an angel reaching out to the world.

"So, I lay my head back down.
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours, I pray, to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope.

Sing to me the song of the stars.
Of your galaxy dancing and laughing and laughing again.
When it feels like my dreams are so far
Sing to me of the plans that you have for me over again.

So I lay my head back down.
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours, I pray, to be only yours
I know now, you're my only hope.

I give you my destiny.
I'm giving you all of me.
I want your symphony, singing in all that I am
At the top of my lungs, I'm giving it back.

So I lay my head back down.
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours, I pray, to be only yours
I pray, to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope."

The auditorium was silent as the song ended. Jade turned slowly as Kai approached her. He took her hand in his and pulled her against him. She met his eyes and found herself breathless when his lips claimed hers. It shouldn't have surprised her but yet it did. It was supposed to be a quick kiss, nothing more. But this kiss was different, passionate, filled with gentle longing. Her eyes fluttered close as she suppressed a moan in her throat. His lips were warm against hers as he nibbled her lower lip.

Somehow she could tell Kai was fighting for control over his senses by the way he held back. He pulled back slightly, meaning to stop before she slapped him for taking advantage of the situation but to his surprise; Jade leaned in, capturing his mouth with her own. Her action surprised him yet it placed his mind at ease. Giving her one last kiss, he finally mustered enough sense to pull away but only slightly.

It was the smattering applause of the watching crowd that reminded them where they were. A faint of red tainting her cheeks, Jade opened her eyes. Kai saw the innocence and embarrassment in her lovely green emerald eyes, having never really noticing them before.

Then they heard the girl who played as Juliet's mother calling for her as a cue to exit the stage. Remembering her lines and forcing herself not to remember his lips, she drew back only to be brought up short by his arm curled around her waist.

"Would you leave me unsatisfied?" he said breathlessly against her lips.

"What satisfaction can you have tonight?" she replied softly, taking the moment he spoke to compose herself.

"Only to hear to say you love me and only me." his crimson eyes flashed. "Give me your love in exchange for mine."

She took his hand from her waist and held it to her cheek as she cupped his. "I would give you my love even before you would ask. I would love you only as you would love me."

"My love would be boundless. Held down neither by man nor earth." Kai muttered.

"So will mine." she said.

"Juliet!" her mother called. The girl was anxious for the play to carry on.

"Coming." Jade called over her shoulder.

"Tomorrow night." he urged, drawing her eyes back to him.

She nodded. "Tomorrow night then."

Then to his surprise, she removed the cross pendent from around her throat and slipped it onto him. He opened his mouth to protest but her finger on his lips silenced him gently. "I shall count the hours till we can be together again." she muttered before she lifted her skirts and fled.

Kai could only watch as she hurried off the stage. His hand unconsciously went to the necklace around his neck and clutched it tightly. "So will I." he muttered to himself. "So will I..."

It was a success. That was at least what everyone said as they exited the hall with smiling faces. The play was awesome. Everyone loved it. Miss Sharon and Mrs. Judy were probably the happiest that evening. Their hard work paid off. But most of all, everybody loved the lead actor and actress. After the play, everyone gathered around to congratulate the actors for a job well-done.

"Well done, Jade. That was wonderful." Miss Sharon said practically beaming. "You and Kai did great tonight."

"Thanks, Miss Sharon." Jade said as she put on her coat. Her gaze wondered to where a crowd had gathered near the stage. Not surprising, Kai was the center of their attention.

Why did I ever think he felt something the way I did? He probably kissed a million girls before me...

Jade sighed, the memory of their kiss still lingering in her mind. As much as she tried to deny it, there had been something when they kissed. She didn't know what it was but she was sure. Now she wasn't so sure. After a short moment watching Kai flocked by girls, she turned and headed to the door unaware that moment, Kai looked up and around for her. He spotted her leaving the hall and mumbled a quick excuse to the group of girls who surrounded him. He pushed his way towards the door, now didn't even bother to say sorry.

Then someone stepped in his way, blocking his view of the door as it shut behind Jade. A man, tall and broad grinned at him and held out a hand to the teen.

"You're Voltaire's grandson, aren't you? I must say, young man, that was some fine acting you showed there. If you even consider giving acting a shot as a career, call me."

Kai growled in frustration and shoved past him, ignoring the name card the man held out. With no more obstacles in his path, he hurried to the door, grasping the cross necklace in his hand. He yanked it open and darted outside.

Only to find it...empty.

She was gone. Sighing in disappointment, Kai opened his palm holding the necklace. He had been clutching it so hard it left a cross mark in his flesh. Why had she given it to him? Did she feel something as he did when they kissed?

A ghost smile touched his lips as he recalled their kiss. Her lips had tasted...different...innocent against his. Her lips had sent unknown sensation through his very core, warming him to his very being.

Yes..., he thought as he turned and started to walk. She's different...

Author's note: Here's my Christmas present to you guys reading this story. Merry Christmas and pls R&R! Happy holidays!