"My dearest madam, let not your hate encounter with my love," Sami paced under one of the trees on campus. She recited the words of the monologue she had chosen to audition with. Helen, from All's Well That Ends Well, a play that was also, written by Shakespeare.
"For loving where you do; but if yourself, whose aged honor cites a virtuous youth," Sami continued, the words ran through her head in a clear picture as she tried to remember it clearly.
Sami shivered as a gentle breeze rolled past. She shrugged a little deeper into the purple funnel jacket she was wearing. If Moose were here, Sami thought to herself with a smile. He wouldn't have ever let her live that tiny shiver down.
Sami continued to pace under the coloring leaves of the fairly large tree she was under. Shadows of long branches were cast along the grass, and it was much cooler there than under the partly cloudy sky.
--
Monster bounded down the stairs leading his way out of MSA. He felt a rush of relief as he felt the cool autumn air gently brush against his heated skin. He shrugged his jacket further up as he walked a slower pace across campus.
Monster sucked in a huge breath of the cool air and breathed out slowly. He loved fall and winter the cool air always cleared his head. It was a very helpful and very comforting feeling when your thoughts are nice and clear. It makes it easier to think about whatever was going, and what was going one…was Sami.
She was all he could think about and at times he caught himself imagining her in his head. Her smile, her laugh, the way she smelt whenever she moved and her hair stirred the air. Sometimes…he could even hear her voice in his head…
"Did ever in so true a flame of liking, wish chastely and love dearly, that your Dian was both herself and Love,"
Monster's eyes narrowed in confusion as his pace started slow down even more. Sami's voice was never that vivid in his head, and this was the first time it ever quoted Shakespeare…
"O, then give pity to her whose state is such that cannot choose but lend and give where she is sure to lose"
Monster made a sharp turn to his left to see a petite figure pacing in the shadows of a nearby tree. Monster's heart skipped a beat. He took in a sharp breath which allowed him to walk quietly and slowly toward the tree.
It was definitely Sami, he watched as she paced quietly in the shadows with her back to him. He leaned comfortably against the tree, hidden in the dark shadows as he watched.
Sami heard the quiet patted foot steps behind her, and the sense of the presence of another person filled the air. Sami stopped mid-sentence, and tensely, but sharply turned around ready to kick a creepy pedophile's butt.
Sami's heart jumped, but then eventually calmed once she realized who was in the shadow. She let a slow breath and smiled in relief.
"Dude, you completely spooked me…" Sami chuckled half-heartedly.
Monster laughed a bit more exuberantly than she had, and stepped out of the shadows. His spiky hair casted a shadow that hid his warm brown eyes, but Sami could still feel their intense gaze as he stared down at her.
Sami grinned, "Hey, Monster"
Monster grinned back, he was extremely happy with how the day had turned out for him. This was the first time he and Sami had complete one-on-one time. No one was around, school was out, and it didn't seem like she was leaving anytime soon…
"Hey, Sami…practicing your audition monologue?" Monster asked, he immediately shrugged his book bag off of his shoulders and set it down next to the tree before walking back up to her.
Sami's eyes widen a bit in shock and confusion, but she quickly composed herself. It was obvious that he intended to stay, and it made her stomach flip flop thinking about it. Her heart started race and the only thing she could think was 'you need to leave…NOW!'
"Uh…" Sami coughed, "Yeah, I was, but if uhm, you wanted to borrow the tree…." Sami motioned up at the practically bare branches.
Monster chuckled, but Sami continued, "…then I can just go and find somewhere else..."
"No" Monster answered quickly, but then composed himself to answer calmly, "I mean…if you need help…I can give helpful suggestions…"
"Uhm," Sami stammered, "Well, I mean…I was…leaving soon anyways…it's getting pretty late…"
She could see her book bag on the side of the tree opposite of Monster's, and her entire body was itching to grab it and sprint off campus without looking back. She was usually such an amazing liar, but the fact that she wasn't used to boys giving her much attention…at least not boys that are supposed to be her friend, and only her friend…
Wait, was she thinking? She can't just assume that Monster was…well, you know…after all…he is her friend…why wouldn't he want to help her?
Sami looked at Monster feeling the heat of his intense gaze. She didn't like the way he was staring at her or how uncomfortable it made her, but she had to give him the benefit of the doubt. He was her friend, and maybe by actually trying to push toward him…she could establish a well needed line that should not be crossed. Establish a genuine, innocent friendship and make sure that it stays that way.
Sami could feel the sudden shift in Monster's mood. His laid back, comfortable demeanor changed to a more awkward one. Sami realized that she had just been standing there thinking about what she was going to do…that she failed to vocalize a response. She was such a dork sometimes.
Monster coughed loudly, and then looked at her with sad eyes, "Well, okay…if you've uhm, got to go…then…maybe later…"
He was about to turn and get his book bag when all of a sudden both his heart and his breath stopped at the sound of Sami's voice.
"Well, if you're offering…I could use the opinion of a more experienced colleague…" Sami's small voice sounded behind him.
Monster turned back around, and a huge grin replaced the disappointed look that was once there. The excited, hopeful look in his soft brown eyes made Sami regret what she said, but at the same time…it made her heart skip a beat.
Sami's knees nearly gave out at that last thought. She swallowed hard, and blinked a few times trying to clear her thoughts. She felt a pang in her heart and she could feel her mind getting ready to go off on a tangent, but a voice cut though her ranting thoughts.
"My opinion?" Monster echoed smiling.
His joking tone made Sami smile, "Your…professional opinion, of course…"
"Well, of course" Monster grinned as he plopped down softly on the grass. He looked up at Sami expectantly, "alright, you may proceed"
Sami's eyes widened as she thought about actually performing her monologue. The only reason she let him stay was so that she could establish a friend and a boundary. She felt completely self conscious about performing in front of people…which was weird, because her entire life was based on performance.
She looked down and into Monster's waiting eyes, and finally spoke, "Uhm, actually…I'm more of a uhm, visual…learner…so…if you would be ever so kind as to…show me how it's done…maybe that will help?"
Monster chuckled before lifting his body off of the ground, "You know there's no need to feel uncomfortable performing around me…no judgments…"
Sami blushed and ran a nervous hand through her long hair, "Am I that readable?"
"No" Monster responded.
His tone shocked Sami, the sincerity and the somewhat double meaning behind it.
"You're just easy to read… for me" Monster grinned and shot a quick wink that left Sami somewhat speechless.
She silently made her way on the ground in an Indian style position. She stared up at him waiting for him to start, and tried to ignore the shivers that were shooting up and down through her body. She bit her lip and waited.
Monster drew in a breath and was about to start, before he was interrupted.
"You're not going to slate?" Sami asked innocently.
Monster smiled down at her, her with her caramel brown eyes large and full of childlike innocence.
Monster rolled his eyes playfully and grinned, "Hello, my name's Freddie de Luca…"
Sami chuckled, and his eyes playfully cut towards her in a warning glance. She covered her mouth and waited for him to continue.
He smiled and finished, "…and this is a monologue from Romeo and Juliet…"
Monster raised an eyebrow at Sami, and she nodded her head for him to continue. Monster closed his eyes, drew in a breath, took a beat, and then spoke.
"Tybalt, here slain, whom Romeo's hand did slay;" Monster began.
Sami listened intently as Monster's smooth voice floated through each line that flowed from his mouth. Sami hung on to each word and for the minute and a half that he was reciting, Sami was totally taken by what she couldn't believe was…artistic genius.
Sami's heart fluttered with enthusiasm as Monster took a breath after his last line. She watched as he took a beat, and then gracefully let himself out of character. His warm eyes found hers' and he smiled softly, waiting for her opinion.
"Wow" Sami breathed after a moment of silence. She subtly shrugged against herself as a light, but cool breeze whipped around them. Her soft eyes peered back into his, "I had no idea…that you were so…talented…"
Monster's rough laugh cut through the cool, but silent air. Sami couldn't help, but smile back at his obvious joy.
"Gee, thanks" Monster chuckled.
"No," Sami laughed, her eyes shining brightly as she thought about the misinterpretation of her compliment, "I just meant…that for someone to always be the stunt man…you're gifted"
Monster smiled widely, "Why, thank you very much, Ms. Monroe"
"You're very welcome, Mr. de Luca" Sami chuckled.
Monster slowly lowered himself to the ground and sat softly on the grass next to Sami. He peered over at Sami and stared at the curtain that was her hair. He watched as it lightly stirred in the light breeze.
Sami shivered slightly as the light breeze shook through her body a little. She wished silently to herself that Moose was here to add his hoodie to her semi-warm funnel jacket. She shivered again, but this time; because she could feel Monster's intense gaze though her hair shield.
Sami turned her head to look at him just as the wind started to pick up and whipped her hair around her face. Monster laughed as he watched Sami struggle to wipe her hair off of her face, and tuck it securely behind her ear.
Sami laughed a long with Monster.
"Guess, I'm full on hair today…" Sami laughed. Monster chuckled. "Glad, my choking on hair amuses you, Mr. de Luca"
"Yes, it does…very much so…amuse me…" Monster laughed. He paused to take in her adorable face. Her pretty soft brown eyes were shining and he couldn't help, but feel overwhelmed, yet comfortably warm despite the chill in the air. "So, are you ready for your audition?"
"No" Sami stated bluntly. They laughed at how brusque the answer was.
"Auditioning gets easier the more you do it…it'll just be a matter of pulling something from your repertoire, and going over it about a week before auditions…" Monster assured her. However, Sami as not assured.
"Repertoire? Oh man…" Sami groaned, "I only have three monologues…a serious one, a comedic one, and…I just pulled this one last week…"
"That's a start" Monster tried again, "I have about…15 or 17 solid monologues that I have in case an audition presents itself…"
Sami's eyes bugged out, "15?!"
"Yeah, well, sophomore year…they start hitting you with loads of different performance projects…and your year has barely begun…trust me…you will end the year with at least 7 solid monologues…then junior year is where you'll focus more on play analysis…so…by the time you're a senior, like me," Monster grinned, "you'll have about 12 solid monologues…all from published, professional plays…that you will have read…critiqued…analyzed…and at least three of those you will have directed as a student project…so…right now…you're good"
Sami let out a low whistle, and then shivered a more profound shiver. The temperature was starting to drop, and the wind was really starting to pick up.
"That's… a lot…" Sami mused, mostly to herself.
"Yeah, well," Monster agreed, but continued, "MSA's all about preparing you for the performance world…that way…once we all go to New York…as Cable so highly believes that we will all be, together…finding a job should be easier than it would be without the training we receive here at MSA…"
Sami fought with her hair as she continued to listen to Monster's words. She was really happy that she was at MSA, but not just for the training she would be receiving…it was the people. People like, Monster…who were so passionate about what they were doing…and so willing to help out those who needed it. She was immensely grateful for the friends that she had made.
"Wow" Sami breathed.
"So, in conclusion…" Monster grinned, "You're going to do fine…"
"Really?" Sami asked, turning towards him curiously.
"No" Monster changed his mind. He watched as Sami's face dropped, but then break out into a shy grin when he said, "You're going to do great"
They laughed at the wind blew Sami's thick hair back around her face. Sami let out a frustrated, but playful sigh as she gave up on fighting with her hair and the wind. Monster shook his head in playful defiance.
"No, no, no…" He leaned over and carefully wiped the hair from Sami's face, and tucked it neatly behind her ear. "Hair must remain out…of the face…" Monster insisted.
Sami's eyes widened as she acknowledged the extremely closeness of their faces. She could feel Monster's eyes on her, his warm breath on her face, his fingers still lingering by her ear, and her heart banging against her chest.
But, she couldn't help the chills that were rippling up and down her body. She felt almost captivated by his eyes, and she couldn't help but notice how extremely good looking Monster was. His dark hair spiked up into an adorable Mohawk. His perfectly structured face, and not to mention he was still staring at her with those amazingly soft brown eyes of his. Her heart sank once a certain curly headed, soft eyed wonder popped into her head. Why were Monster's eyes moving closer…
Warning signs flashed in her head. Sirens were going off. DANGER DANGER DANGER!
Sami snapped out of her trance very quickly. So, quickly she was almost dizzy. "Yeah, uhm," Sami quickly broke out of the awkward position. She stood quickly and brushed off her jeans. She picked up her book bag without even looking at Monster. She felt light headed. She picked up her personal script of, a Mid Summer Night's Dream, and turned back to Monster who was now standing awkwardly next to the tree. Her pulse was thumping very loudly in her ears, and she felt she couldn't hear anything. She gave him a half-hearted smile, "yeah…uh…it's getting late…and…colder…so…I should go…but uh…thanks…you know, for everything…" She felt like such an idiot. She felt like she was shouting, because she couldn't hear her voice over her insanely loud pulse thumping.
Monster nodded, and Sami took that as her cue to leave. She slowly turned around, and tried her hardest not to sprint off of campus. She walked briskly, and with purpose, but stopped when she heard her name being called through the loud thumping in her ears. She stopped and turned around to see Monster about 15 feet behind her.
"You're going to do amazing!" He reassured her with a tight grin.
Sami smiled softly, though she was sure he couldn't see it, because the wind had whipped her hair in her face again. She ran a hand through her hair, and waved at Monster before she continued to make her way off of MSA's fairly large campus…her pulse slowly dying down.
()()()()
"So, he just like…came out of nowhere?" Andie's cool, raspy voice surged through the speakers of Sami's cell phone.
Sami tapped her mechanical pencil against her math homework. She looked over at her phone which she had put on speakerphone. She couldn't keep what was going on with Monster a secret anymore. It didn't set right in the pit of her stomach.
"Yeah, he just…showed up…" Sami sighed. She turned back to her homework, but her mind was fuzzy. She had about a gazillion things running in and out of her mind. She stared at the white page covered in black print, why the heck did she take Math Analysis?
Suddenly something sounded a lot like a broken record flowed through the speakers of her phone. Sami stared confused at her phone hoping that it wasn't broken, but then as the mixed up confusion sounded a lot like words…
"Missy, Missy!" Sami shouted to get her attention. The line went silent, "Slow down…we don't speak speed!"
Andie's raspy laugh reverberated through the speakers, as Missy shouted something in Spanish.
Sami laughed, "Now what were you saying?"
"I was just saying that this is some seriously crazy…stuff…I mean…he almost kissed you?!" Missy exclaimed excitedly through the phone.
Sami sighed, pushed her homework aside, and rolled over onto her back. Looking up at the ceiling in her room it reminded her of Moose's Michael Jackson poster. She grinned…all she wanted to do was talk to him at the moment. She loved whenever they talked. They talked about anything and everything. Not just school and who was dating who…and crap like that. Things that were important…or well, important to her.
Things like…why this is this…and that is that. Why gravity exits….why God put us on Earth….why people do what they do. How at this exact moment…someone's doing the exact same thing we're dong…or…doing something that we would never ever imagine doing.
"Well, I mean…he tucked my hair behind my ear…and then…all of a sudden…his eyes…were like…getting closer…I just…I don't know…maybe he was trying to kiss me…maybe he wasn't…who knows…" Sami sighed in frustration.
"You were staring into his eyes?" Andie asked in a very stern, and very serious tone.
Sami sighed again, closing her eyes…she knew where this was going. She remained completely silent.
"Oh no…" Missy's voice was colored with concern and disbelief.
Andie's raspy voice filled Sami's quiet room, "Please, tell that you're not-"
Sami's eyes flew open, and she rolled back over on her stomach and cut Andy off, "NO! No, trust me…guys…look…I'll admit that I'm….attracted…to Monster…but…no…no…NO! I….guys…you know how I feel about Moose…and nothing is going to change that! I promise that nothing will change that…not even an older…very hot…sweet…brown eyed…"
"We get it!" Andie and Missy both shouted over the line. There was a beep that followed their shout…Sami's heart jumped, and she smiled.
"Moose has brown eyes too, ya know…" Missy interjected sadly.
Sami rolled her eyes, "Yes, I am very aware of that…and if you two don't mind…my wonderfully brown eyed and very loyal boyfriend is beeping through…and I would very much so like to talk to him"
"Okay, we can take a hint" Andie's tone now seemed delightfully happy. Probably because she was glad to know that Sami sounded extremely excited to talk to Moose and would not be breaking his heart…anytime soon.
"Adios, mammi, love you" Missy hung up.
"Later" Sami could hear the smile in Andie's voice.
As soon as both of her friends were gone, she quickly switched over to the other line. She took her phone off speaker phone, and held it to her ear. She couldn't help but grin once she heard Moose's adorable voice on the other line.
"Hey, Gorgeous" Moose greeted her as soon as he heard her pick up the phone.
Even when he wasn't there to stare at her with those amazing eyes of his, his voice was enough to make her blush.
Sami smiled even wider, "Hey!"
"What's up?" Moose asked her innocently. She loved how he always called her just to talk. He wasn't someone who just called to ask a question about something and then hang up. Nor was he satisfied with just texting…she loved hearing his voice.
"Well, I just got off the phone with Andie and Missy…so you called at the perfect time…I needed a new distraction from my Math Analysis homework…" Sami laughed.
Moose laughed, but make a ticking noise with his tongue, "Now, Sami cakes…you need to get your difficult math done so you can get into a good college…"
Sami's nose wrinkled with disgust, "ew. College? You mean higher learning, tons of life experiences, and the training to actually get me somewhere in life? No, thank you!"
Moose's laugh flowed through the speaker and Sami felt tingles as her heart warmed. She really liked him, and nothing was ever going to change that.
"You're funny" Moose chuckled, "Sami cakes"
Sami rolled her eyes, "Ugh. Gag me…don't call me that…please!"
Moose chuckled, "And why not?"
"It's just so…I don't know…" Sami struggled forwards. Pet names just seemed so grotesque. She could deal with the blush worthy complimentary names like…gorgeous, beautiful, cutie…
"Oh, well, see that's not a good enough reason, and now the name is here to stay" Sami could hear Moose smile as the words left his lips.
Sami let out a frustrated sigh, and rolled over onto her back.
"You love me" Moose laughed at the sound of her own personal disgust.
"Bleck!" Sami laughed, "I hate you"
"Horrible liar!" Moose laughed freely. Sami smiled, as she thought about it. That was twice today someone basically said they could see right through her. Man, was she really becoming that obvious?
"So, what were you and the girls talking about?" Moose's voice cut through Sami's voice, and the suddenness of the question made her jump. She struggled for an answer.
"Uhm, well, you now…girl talk…you're not allowed to know…duh…" Well, that lie was a major fail. Sami coughed, and then yawned loudly.
"Oh, of course…" Moose laughed, "I can see it's something that you're not willing to share…well, anyways…it's getting late…I just really wanted to hear your voice…and besides you need to finish your homework…"
Sami yawned for real this time, "Yeah, I wanted to hear from you too…and it is getting late…I just wish this homework wasn't so friggin hard…I'm going to be up all night…"
"Oh, well, I took Math Analysis last year…I could-"
"No, no, no…. I couldn't ask you to stay up with me…Moose, it's almost midnight, and this could take hours…."
"Oh, well, I was going to say I could tutor you, but uhm…I'm gong to bed right now…" Moose's voice was quiet on the other line.
Sami's heart dropped, and her cheeks flamed, she was so embarrassed! How could she just assume that's what he was going to say? Her mind stuggled to find a cover up, but it couldn't!
Sami just stayed silent unable to cover up her little flub. Gosh, she could be such a dork!
"Oh my gosh, girl, you need to stop tripp'n! Of course I was going to stay up with you, Sami cakes!" Moose laughed, "Gosh, take things to so seriously"
Sami let a huge sigh, "Gosh, I hate you"
"Hate me? Or absolutely adore me, because I am about to help you conquer the Analysis of Math, boo yah!" Moose's voice was full of enthusiasm.
Sami laughed, she really did adore him. He was someone who would do just about anything for her. So, what if he was a little slow when it came to the intimate stuff? He was there for the more important things. She would be crazy to ever let some super cute Italian guy…with a passion for the arts…and a sensitive yet…masculine….oh, God…what was she doing?
Okay, I know right ? FINALLY ! I love you all ! I'm sorry for keeping you guys waiting for so long !
Sorry, it's so short. I'm going to TRY to update again soon...Junior year has been CRAZY busy :(
It's late, and my mom is getting on me about it...sooo...I can't go back and look up all of the usernames of people I'd like to dedicate this to...so, it's dedicated to ALL of you ! Even you non reviewers, haha. Kay, love ya'll !