I hope everyone who has been reading this has enjoyed it. I've only gotten two reviews, (by the way thank you for those), so I'm not sure. Please let me know what you're thinking! The quotes from Romeo and Juliet are from Act I, scene iv. Once again, I own nothing but this story. Please enjoy this chapter.
Romeo and Juliet
When Ernst had thought that his situation could not get worse, he was very wrong. Once rehearsals started, he realized just how bad he was at performing. He stuttered and mumbled his way through the lines, only for Herr Sonnenstitch to yell at him. It didn't help that Melchior was very confident, and seemed to be having the time of his life playing Mercutio, and as it turned out, Hanschen was actually a very good actor.
The adult was yelling at Ernst once again.
"He is doing his best, Herr Sonnenstitch!" Melchior Gabor brazenly interrupted in defense of Ernst.
After striking Melchior with his switch, Herr Sonnenstitch returned to Ernst, who stared at the ground, feeling like he wanted to cry.
"Look at me!" Herr Sonnenstitch yelled at him. Ernst snapped his head up. Ernst felt the teacher's hot breath on his face as he continued to yell. It was thoroughly unpleasant. As he finished humiliating Ernst, he turned, "Herr Rilow!"
Hanschen, who had been leaning against table, stood up. "Yes, Herr Sonnenstitch."
"Take your classmate outside and practice with him. We will move on to another scene."
"Yes, Herr Sonnenstitch." With a slight bow of the head, Hanschen walked out the room. Ernst followed him slowly, as if he were walking to his own execution.
Outside, Hanschen opened his script. "We can start where Romeo and Juliet meet. Is that acceptable?" His manner seemed very cold. Ernst assumed that Hanschen was not very happy, counseling Ernst in his lines, when he already knew his own.
"Um, yes, I suppose." Ernst frankly didn't want to read ay lines, but realized he had to start somewhere.
"If I profane with my unworthiest hand
This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this,
My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand
To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss."
Hanschen moved so he was very close to Ernst. Ernst could hardly focus on the lines in front of him. He didn't start to read until Hanschen prodded him, "Good pilgrim…"
He took a deep breath, "Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,
Which mannerly devotion shows in this,
For saints have hands that pilgrims hands do touch,
And palm to palm is hole palmer's kiss."
"Ernst, try not to stutter, and speak a little louder," Hanschen instructed him, but he continued, "Have saints not lips and holy palmers too?"
"Ay pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer." Ernst was quite uncomfortable, as Hanschen was nearly standing over him. He didn't look up at him, but turned his gaze towards Hanschen's toes.
"O then dear saint, let lips do what hands do—They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair."
"Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake." They didn't touch, but Ernst was able to feel the warmth from Hanschen's body. Feeling his proximity was very different from when he felt Herr Sonnenstitch's. It was not unpleasant, even a little pleasurable. However, he was forcibly reminded of the previous Friday, when he had run from Hanschen.
"Then move not while my prayer's effect I take."
Ernst began his next line, but Hanschen stopped him, pulling his face up and kissing him. He held the thin boy's face to his, and took advantage of the shock to press the kiss deeper.
Ernst began to shake violently, under Hanschen's grasp. He felt very conflicted. Part of him was thrilled with the kiss, another chastised himself for this joy, and yet one more was truly terrified.
He attempted to pull away, but realized that Hanschen would not let him go. A wave of panic swept over Ernst, and he pushed Hanschen away, turned on his heel and ran, dropping his script.