Very long time with no installment but thought i'd come back to it. Hope anyone reading enjoys! Apologies for any offence at the somewhat light usage of the character Alexander in any part of the story.

Monday

Matt and I are the only ones from the society to go to this college and he is in only one of my classes. This is just as well because otherwise neither of us would get much work done.

English lit. Third period out of four on a Monday. Also on Wednesdays and Fridays, second and first. Matt and I sat next to each other and drove the teacher mad with our constant talking. Today was no different. We laughed about the day before and he apologized for the bruise he had inflicted around my wrist. There was no mention of the whole kissing thing. It was like it never happened, or it was just rehearsals…

And at the end of the lesson: "See you tonight, Katie?"

"Sure, I'll be there." Nothing more.

Rehearsals in the evening were just as much fun, though slightly more serious. We all did college work between our parts and the acting was a bit more intense. We only rehearsed in the evening when we were getting close to a performance (only two weeks away!), but almost always met socially.

I was the first person to arrive that evening, straight from college, besides Jackie who always opened up in the evening. Jackie was actually head of the society, adult supervision and all that, even if it was Ricky who really led us and directed us.

"Hey Jackie!"

"Oh, hey Katie." She snapped on the lights of the main hall and went in. I dumped my bag and folder in the corner and walked over to where she had begun to inspect posters.

"Is that for the play?"

"Yes. They're good aren't they?"

I glanced at them. They were bold and bright. The words at the bottom caught my eye: The slightly controversial play written by Sally Kennelly and Steven Holden.

"Is that necessary?"

"Yes." Ricky had come in and was looking over my shoulder. "People think we're like the CAAS."

"Are we not?" Then thinking about it, I asked; "What is the CAAS?"

"Children's Amateur Acting Society."

"Oh. Do we have a name like that?"

"We are the SAS." I merely raised my eyebrows at him. "You mean you don't know?" He affected disbelief. "How long have you been a member of this society and you don't know what society you are part of?" He looked over at Andy just coming through the doors. "Can you believe it?" He sighed, "The Senior Acting Society. Try to keep up."

I stared at him and Andy snorted with suppressed laughter. "Load of rubbish, I know!"

By now most people had arrived. Tables were pulled out, chairs pulled up, the kettle went on and someone pulled out a packet of biscuits. Those who knew they were not needed straight away began to work or talk. Matt appeared and shot a smile at me across the room.

The rehearsal went generally quite well. Ricky decided to pick apart the scene where Alexander meets his future wife, Roxanne. Louisa and I tried hard, and unsuccessfully in Ricky's opinion, to act like we were attracted to each other and it was just as hard as the scene with Alexander and Hephaistion.

However, by the time it came round to 8.00 and we split it was pretty near perfect. Always a good feeling.

Saturday

Work on Saturday was as usual, except Tess was eager to hear about the play as soon as the shop was quiet and she had finished tidying her office-a task that was never completed and with which she started each Saturday.

She came out smiling, "Well, come on. Tell all. How did you get such an odd part? When is it on?"

I laughed, "I don't know how I got the part, but the dress rehearsal is tomorrow and the first performance is on Friday. Do you not read posters?" I indicated the one in the shop opposite.

"I guess not! It looks real fun. Are all the tickets sold yet?"

"I don't think so."

"Well, I want one. Two. Tom can come with me."

"Okay, I'll make sure you get them. It should be good-"

Andy, Will and Clare burst through the door at that moment. "Oh hey Katie. Jackie told us to tell you if we saw you, which we are doing right now-"

"In case you hadn't noticed!" interrupted Andy with a grin.

"-Not to come early tomorrow because Jackie's friend couldn't come to do your make-up. So you are just going to have to look like a girl, again."

"What do you mean, 'again'? Surely I look like a girl all the time!"

"You know what I mean," said Clare.

"Thanks," I muttered sarcastically.

"That's okay!"

"She'll be there on Friday though," interjected Will.

"So we'll see you at the Old Theatre tomorrow then? Don't forget to mess your lines-a bad dress rehearsal means a good first night."

"Okay."

They left as they came, quickly and noisily. The silence was loud after they had left. I turned back to Tess and realised that she was staring at me in surprise.

"I've never seen you like that before! So full of confidence." On impulse she hugged me. "It's great!"

Surprised in turn I hugged her back. "Uh…gee, thanks…"

Then we both laughed at each other.