Chapter 7: Theater Project

"Princess May, you're looking nice!"

"Thank you." May said. She is currently in a carriage with Ninetales, going through town and receiving several compliments from the people.

"Hi Princess!"

"Hello to you." May waved.

May always loved when she could ride through the town and see how everyone is doing. Helping keep the peace in her kingdom always made her happy.

"Hey look, it's the Princess." A familiar voice said.

May looked to her left and saw the gang. They had asked her if she would want to walk around town again, but she had said no. She wanted to go to town as May and not Daisy. May waved at the gang and they waved back.

"I like how you're exiting the castle more, Princess." Drew said.

"Stop the carriage." She told the coachman. He did what he was told and stopped moving the carriage.

May looked at the gang from the fair distance she was at from them. "I see you all around town whenever I exit the castle, how are you enjoying Petalburg?" She said, so she doesn't give herself away.

They all stared at her, excited on the inside that the Princess stopped to talk to them.

"Well Your Highness…" Gary started walking towards May. Misty grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

"She's the Princess Gary. You can't just walk up to her." Misty said.

"Right. Sorry." Gary apologized, rubbing the back of his head.

May giggled a little. Ninetales decided to jump out of the carriage in front of the gang.

"Ninetales!" May called.

Dawn gasped. "Is that an Alolan Ninetales?" She said excitedly as she ran up to the Ninetales.

Ninetales growled as Dawn got closer. Paul quickly pulled Dawn back to them.

"Careful! The Ninetales doesn't seem to like us." Paul said.

They all stared at the Ninetales as it continued growling at them, teeth showing.

"Umm...nice Pokémon…" Ash said.

Ninetales growled louder and started slowly approaching the gang.

"Uhh...why doesn't she like us?" Misty said.

"Ninetales that's enough!" May said as she opened the carriage door and rushed down the small steps to the ground. On the last step, May tripped over her dress and started to fall.

Like lightning, Drew rushed to the carriage and caught May in his arms. "Careful Princess." He said as he helped her stand. ("Talk about Déjà Vous") He thought.

May looked up at Drew and blushed. She quickly composed herself and backed away from him. Ninetales growled at only Drew this time.

"Ninetales, don't." May said.

Ninetales didn't stop growling. Drew slowly backed away from May and Ninetales stood in front of her, quieting her growl.

"I'm sorry if I caused any trouble." Drew said to May. He took a step towards her and Ninetales growled again, showing her teeth. Drew stepped back.

"It's okay." May said. "My Ninetales doesn't do well with strangers."

"Oh…" Drew said. "Well then." He took a step forward again. Ninetales growled louder at Drew.

"Drew, what are you doing?" Dawn asked.

"We probably shouldn't approach the Princess like that." Gary said.

"Yeah. She's like my guard dog. She can be pretty vicious when she wants to be." May said.

"She's an excellent guard for you Princess." Drew said as he slowly squatted down and kneeled on the ground. He held out his hand to Ninetales.

Ninetales didn't stop growling.

"Don't worry. I won't hurt you or the Princess." Drew said.

The gang and May watched as Ninetales slowly started approaching Drew, still growling.

Drew smiled as Ninetales stopped growling and sniffed his hand. Ninetales then proceeded to walk closer to Drew.

Drew pet Ninetales on her head.

"Nine~!" Ninetales said as she nuzzled her head into Drew's hand.

Everyone looked at Drew in amazement.

("He's...not afraid.") May thought. She walked to Drew and bent down to his level.

"I'm impressed." May said.

"It's nothing, but thank you Princess." Drew said as he continued petting Ninetales. "You have yourself an amazing Pokémon."

"Thank you." May said. Drew's hand froze on Ninetales's head and he looked at May. ("Those...eyes…") He thought.

Drew shook away his thoughts. "Well," Drew suddenly said, standing up. "I'm glad that your Ninetales likes me now."

May stood up. "Yeah. Me too." It became silent for a moment too long before May spoke.

"Well umm...I better get going." May said. She turned and entered the carriage with Ninetales hopping in after her. May closed the door.

"It was nice meeting you Princess." Drew said.

"Same to you all." May said. The carriage started moving again.

"He wasn't afraid of you." May said quietly.

"Nine~!" Ninetales agreed.

May looked at Ninetales. "You knew exactly what I wanted, didn't you? Someone who wasn't afraid."

Ninetales just nuzzled her head onto May's arm.

"Thank you Ninetales." May said. "I think he's the one."

May's seventh period is cooking class with Gary, Ash, Misty, and Dawn. They learn about making Poképuffs, Poffins, and even Macarons. May's eighth period is Theater. She has this class with Drew. They learn about acting and how to work the equipment backstage. This is the final class of the day.

"Attention class, I have some exciting news." Teacher Lisa said.

The theater became silent and everyone looked up at the teacher that's standing on the stage.

"The exciting news is that we have our first theater project for the year!" Lisa announced. The class all clapped and applauded.

"I wonder what it is." Drew said.

"Me too." May/Daisy said.

"Okay, settle down class." Lisa said. The theater got quiet again.

"The first play of the year I've decided we do is…" Lisa paused for a moment before continuing. "Aladdin!"

Everyone started cheering for the chance to act in a play of the famous Disney movie "Aladdin".

"Okay class, I already have a list on the bulletin board backstage, so you all can decide if you want to play a role in this play." Lisa said. She then left backstage and to her office, followed by several students.

"Are you going to audition for the play?" Drew asked.

May shook her head. "No. I don't think so."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't really like doing anything solo in front of an audience." May/Daisy answered.

"But you won't exactly be alone. There are plenty of people acting as well."

"I know, but it's still nerve racking."

"I understand that." Drew said.

"Did you want to be in the play?" May/Daisy asked.

Drew shrugged his shoulders. "Here's the deal." He said and he looked Daisy straight in the eyes. He smiled. "I'll audition for Aladdin if you audition for Jasmine."

May's eyes widened and she quickly shook her head violently. "No. I could never."

"You could if you give it a try." Drew said as he stood up. He held out his hand to Daisy.

May looked at it in confusion.

Drew grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet. He then slipped his hand down and held hers. May blushed at the contact.

Drew led May up the stairs of the stage and they walked backstage to the bulletin board. Everyone looked at them and they all felt jealous at the sight of them holding hands, girls and boys alike. They moved out of the way for Drew and May.

Drew let go of May's hand as they look at the list of roles.

"You don't have to audition for Jasmine if you don't want to. I won't force you." Drew said. "I just think you should at least try to act in the first play of the school year. You might grow to love it."

May stayed silent as she looked at the list. Drew looked at her.

"What do you think? Want to give it a try?" Drew asked.

May smiled, faced Drew, and nodded her head.

"So who do you want to audition for?" Drew asked.

"Jasmine." May said simply.

Drew looked at May in shock. "Really? You actually want to play the lead role?"

May shook her head. "Wrong. I only want to play Jasmine if you play Aladdin."

Drew smiled. "Then that's what we'll do."

May nodded. "You'll help me with my acting, right?" May asked shyly.

"Of course. We can practice together."

"Sounds good."

Everyone goes back to their seats in the theater. Teacher Lisa walks back out.

"Okay class, I'll call up one by one to hear who you want to act as." Lisa said. She started calling up the other students.

"I'm excited that we could act out "Aladdin" because I always loved Disney movies growing up." May said.

"Me too." Drew said.

"So umm...why did you want us to play Aladdin and Jasmine?" May asked.

Drew shrugged his shoulders. "I figure you'd be amazing in the spotlight."

"Really?" May asked. Drew nodded. "And you'd be amazing in the spotlight as well?"

Drew flicked his bangs. "Don't you think I'd be?"

May nodded shyly and slightly giggled. Drew cocked his head.

"What's so funny?"

"Do you always flick your hair like that?" May said, giggling.

Drew looked at her before leaning back in his seat and whipping his head to move his bangs to the side, like flicking it without his fingers. "It brings the girls."

"And you like that?" May asked.

Drew thought about how to answer that question. I guess he always thought that girls fall for him because of his looks and his charm. He really never thought if he liked all the attention or not. He definitely didn't like the running part, but likes being popular...I guess.

Drew shrugged his shoulders. "It's weird. It's like I like the attention, but I don't."

May nodded in understanding.

"Drew." Lisa called from the stage.

Drew stood up and walked to the stage to tell Lisa that he wants to be Aladdin in the play.

"Daisy." Lisa called as Drew was walking back to his seat. May stood up and walked to the stage to tell Lisa that she's auditioning to be Jasmine.

Everyone who's acting in this play received their audition script. May sat back down in her seat next to Drew.

"Okay, auditions are next Friday during class." Lisa said.