Chapter 25:…I love it when you hate me

Drama Hair and Makeup Tent-Wednesday-4:23pm

Aaron looked at himself in the mirror; the costume wasn't something that he ever saw himself wearing yet here he was, in no position to argue otherwise. He pulled at the collar in an effort to loosen in but came to no avail, he'd have to just live with it.

The costume was a brown tunic that had puffed sleeves that was pinched by a black leather belt that was placed around the waist, giving a certain bulbous shape to the area below the belt. The brown hose that he wore on his legs were of the same colour as the tunic. They were slim fitted but also allowed room to breathe. They led to a pair of buckled boots that had a maroon cuff turned over the top.

The collar in question was as white and fluffy as you'd expect from this period. Aaron hated it already. He wanted nothing more than to just throw it in the trash and do the performance without it.

The plus side was he enjoyed the change that dressing this way brought. It was a nice distraction and something that he didn't do this often if at all. He figured that everyone else would have the same feeling as they got adjusted to their costumes.

He could see Max in her costume; it wasn't something he would have pictured her in. It seemed too effeminate.

It was a white dress, almost gown-like that cupped her shoulders, leaving a large part of her neck open. The long sleeves blended seamlessly in with the rest of the dress as it crashed to the floor. it had a wavy texture, adding a more relaxed tone to the outfit while still keeping it quite regal.

Her hair had remained the same except that it had a leather laced diadem going across her forehead. The piece was intertwined with two small blue roses on each end, then two yellow roses before finally being crowned off with one slightly larger red rose.

"You actually look stunning" Aaron remarked as he approached his Co-star.

"I'm glad you think so, I hate dresses" Max replied as she sat down in her chair in front of the mirror.

"And I hate whatever this nonsense is" Aaron said from his position behind Max as he fiddled about with his collar. They looked at each other in the reflection of the mirror as they conversed. "It's fine, this dress rehearsal will help you get used to it"

"You always know what to say, don't you?" Max called back with a smile as she turned and stood up. Her freckles shone through the trace amounts of pale makeup she had applied. "OK, may as well get this over with"

Max's natural innocence and beauty made her the perfect casting for Ophelia. She had the sad, melancholy aura around her that she simply didn't deserve. Match that with the mask of confidence to hide crippling anxiety that Aaron wore and you had the perfect leading couple.

Aaron left Max to make the final adjustments before the curtain came up. He decided he'd ask Nathan about how he'd feel about skiing while he had the chance. The two had been spending a majority of their drama sessions working together, building the rapport that Hamlet and Horatio were known to have.

It turned out for the better as many of the workshops they did together, ended up in laughter.

Nathan was however, nowhere near as much of a fan of his costume. He actively hated the pompous grey tunic he wore, even more so the teal tights. The most detestable feature for Nathan however, was the silly hat with matching teal feather he had to wear on his head. Its's safe to say he had no intention of remembering to bring it on stage.

"What's that?" Nathan questioned loudly as Aaron became visible in the mirror.

"What, my costume?" He replied in confusion.

"Yeah, yours is alright, I look like an absolute tool" Nathan sighed in frustration as he pushed some various fabrics and makeup sponges away from him.

"Bro, it's fine, don't worry. Everyone knows we won't wear this shit normally. It's just for the production" Aaron tried to reassure him, he knew how volatile Nathan could be.

"Easy for you to say man, you're not wearing tights" the two shared a soft laugh as Aaron nudged him on the shoulder from his standing position.

With the atmosphere less tense and more cheerful, Aaron figured now would be a good time to mention the Ski trip.

"So, there's this Ski trip taking place over winter break, I don't know if it's before the new year or after but Wells said if enough people sign up, the Academy will foot the bill, you in?"

"Skiing huh?" Nathan questioned, turning around to face Aaron. "Sure, as long as they don't expect me to hang around the green slopes all day with the beginners" His tone was of that usual Nathan Prescott disgust but Aaron knew he didn't mean any harm.

"You're good man, I'll be with you, I don't really wanna waste my time with that shit either. Worst case, we go off on our own and do the slopes we wanna do" Aaron said in an effort to reassure him. He knew Nathan just wanted people to actually listen to him for a change.

"Ok, I'm in" Nathan said with an almost smile, he seemed like he was actually excited. "You should ask Victoria, she knows what she's doing, she's been skiing before. Hayden too, if there's enough of us, then they can't say shit if we wanna go off together"

There was mild excitement in Nathan's tone, it was refreshing to see and Aaron knew that if Victoria and Hayden agreed to come, then there was the foundation of a good group.

Aaron tapped Nathan's shoulder as he departed, he had to get on stage. As much as he pretended everything was ok, he was very nervous. While they had gone over some scenes in class, as well as several script read throughs, there was something about being on stage, in costume that made Aaron sweat beneath the lacy collar he hated.

Still, he decided to take a deep breath and do what he usually does, Just go for it.

Brooke always stressed over the lighting for drama productions. Since Steph left, she had to step up in a big way. She was more than happy to do it, she revelled in the chance to play with the high tech toys. It was just ensuring that everything was in keeping with Mr Keaton's vision.

There were numerous que's she had to follow and ensuring that all the effects went off as and when they were needed. There was a surprisingly heavy amount of smoke and striking lights needed for a Shakespearian drama.

Even now, as she tightened her trademark ponytail, Brooke could feel herself exhaling at a steady pace to calm her nerves.

The vibration of her phone threw her concentration, causing her to jump in surprise. Composing herself, she was able to see it was a text from Nathan, Brooke found herself doing things she normally wouldn't around that boy. A prime example was that she was going to reply to whatever his message said. Normally, she wouldn't look at her phone until after the production but something about that boy made her ignore all instinct and read his text.

Ski trip happening in the winter break, you coming?

Short and simple, just like Nathan. Brooke initially didn't know what to think of the text but she knew this was Nathan's way of saying 'there's a skiing trip happening and I'd like you to come with me'.

She shook her head and let out a slight smile as she replied.

Sure, I guess I can spend a week falling on my ass

She was just as blunt as he was, yet the two of them had that mutual understanding on how to take each other.

They had been spending a lot of downtime together but nothing that would amount to anything serious. As far as Brooke knew, they were in an exclusive relationship or whatever they would call it. She just wondered why they hadn't done anything public at this point. Not that she minded, she preferred not being in the public eye, especially for something as soppy as her relationship status.

Still, she figured this trip would be a small group so if they were going to ease into exposing themselves, this would be the best way to do it.

The cold air, brought her thoughts back to the lighting booth in front of her. She remembered that the dress rehearsal was about to start and that brought back all the anxiety she had about getting it right.

The artificial lighting that they had placed over the seats set a warm tone on its own. Despite being November, there was a Christmas feeling with the way everything was laid out. Brooke, shockingly wasn't one who cared much about the hype around Christmas she couldn't lie though, she did enjoy the magic that came with the actual day.

Composing herself for the hundredth time, she readied herself for curtain up.

Aaron, as Hamlet is stood centre stage, in the midst of the famous soliloquy from the first scene of the third act. The light shines solely on him as he stares into the empty seats of the makeshift theatre.

To be, or not to be, that is the question.

"Thus conscience does make cowards of us all, and thus the native hue of resolution" Aaron bellowed, accentuating with his arms. While there were age appropriate props and furniture on the stage, as well as a backdrop, the delivery was abstract in its own way.

"Is sickled o'er with the pale cast of thought, and enterprises of great pitch and moment. With this regard their currents turn awry, and lose the name of action. Soft you know"

The emotion on Aaron's face conveyed one of almost agony. He was really trying to portray the inner turmoil Hamlet was wrestling with.

"The fair Ophelia? Nymph, in thy Orisons be all my sins remember'd"

Max, as Ophelia entered stage left, reading a bible. Max's vacant, innocent look really lent itself to conveying the thoughts, or lack thereof, that were going through the head of the troubled Ophelia.

"My good lord, how doth your honour for this many a day?" she asked, Hamlet was yet to face her, still facing the empty audience.

"Good, I humbly thank thee" He said, almost not acknowledging her place by his side. The glossy look in Aarons eyes helped to convey how this whole ordeal was putting pressure on Hamlet.

"My lord, I have remembrances of yours?" Ophelia called, inching ever closer to the stoic prince. "That I have longed to redeliver.

"No, I never gave you aught!" Hamlet called, finally turning to face her. His voice weighed heavy with those words. He had a look of confusion on his face that had no right to be there.

"My honoured lord, you know right well you did" Ophelia replied, placing her right hand on Hamlets idly hanging left arm. " I ask thee, my good lord to take back these rich perfumes and gifts of wax along with the words of sweet breath composed"

"Surly you jest!" Hamlet spat back, pulling his arm away as he veered downstage right before turning to face the vacant audience. "Are you fair?"

"My lord?" Ophelia asked confused, clutching her bible to her chest in her left hand. "Wh…what means you?"

"If you be honest and fair, you shall admit no discourse to your beauty" Hamlets voice was slightly raised, almost sounding angry rather than confused.

"Could beauty have better commerce than honesty?" Ophelia replied dryly.

"Aye, truly, for the power of beauty will sooner transform honesty from what it is to a bawd than the force of honesty can translate beauty into his likeness" Aaron's throat was feeling dry, all he could think about was swallowing as much water as possible the next time he was offstage.

"This was sometime a paradox, my fair Ophelia, but now the time gives it proof. I did love you once" The words hung in the air, they were spoken with such conviction but no one believed them.

"Indeed my lord, you made me believe so" Ophelia replied, taking one step closer to the Prince whose gaze was fixed sorely away from her.

"You should not have believed me for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it. I loved you not" Hamlet finally turned to face her with the final four words, tears brimming in his eyes. He could not fool Ophelia, she knew his hearts true feeling

"You truly wish to see me deceived? For me to believe that though did not truly love me, after showering me with gifts and words of such, such sweet breath?" Ophelia was now downstage right, staring up into Hamlets almost watery eyes.

"Get thee to a nunnery!" Hamlet bellowed before walking behind Ophelia to centre stage. "Why wouldst though be a breeder of sinners? I am myself indifferent honest, but I could accuse myself of such things that were better if my mother had not borne me. I am very proud, revengeful, ambitious, with more offences at my beck than I have thoughts to put them in, imagination to give them shape or time to act them in."

Hamlet was writhing in internal agony at his feelings for Ophelia. He never stopped loving her, he just wants for her not to have her life ruined by allowing him into it. His thoughts of revenge and general discourse were too much for the fair maiden and undeserved.

"Were is thy Father?" Hamlet asked as he stormed up to Ophelia.

"At home, my lord" Ophelia replied, she wanted nothing more than to remain fixed in his gaze, at his side.

"Good, let the doors be shut upon him, let him play the fool in no company but his own. Too a nunnery go, and quickly. It is the only way though shall escape such calamity and be as chaste as ice. Go thee to a nunnery, or else though shall marry a fool. A fool who will bring you nothing but more pain that you should ne'er have to see! A fool who throws away the beauty in front of him because he lives in constant torment. Torment that is a cancer on the brain"

Ophelia cupped Hamlets face in her left hand and looked up at his eyes as tears streamed down from them. "And what if I want to marry a fool" She said as tears filled her own eyes.

"Then, my sweet Ophelia, you are truly as mad as I" Hamlet exhaled as the two leaned in and kissed each other.

While there was never any mention of this in the original, it was added in by Mr Keaton as he felt the story needed to be lighter than the one we were all used to a tragedy had no place at Christmas so he decided to bend the source material as best as he could. He wanted there to be a genuine display of feelings between Hamlet and Ophelia.

Many people would agree with this, especially those who were familiar with the original text. The story was almost Romeo and Juliet but if it was viewed on the other side of a crooked mirror.

Max and Aaron felt weird; this was the first time the two of them had kissed, ever. Even though it was for the dress rehearsal, they had never practiced it before because they were just too awkward to even consider it. Still, there was definitely fireworks, of a sort.

"Cut!" Mr Keaton shouted. While the dress rehearsal was supposed to go off uninterrupted, Travis couldn't help but offer his own anecdotes on how the scenes were unfolding. "Brilliant, simply perfect you too! Keep that energy, that passion and we will have people bawling in their seats"

Max and Aaron both breathed a sigh of relief, they were doing a good job, nothing was ruined yet.

Chloe had watched a majority of the dress rehearsal from the edge of the theatre. She couldn't help but feel intrigued. After all, Max was doing something her and Rachel did not too long ago. It was almost nostalgic, in a way, giving Chloe a comfortable sense of melancholy.

She couldn't lie, she found her girlfriend to be amazing; Max was a natural at her role. Chloe smiled all the way through each of Max's scenes. There was something about seeing Max just take a leap, one she herself had taken a few years prior, that mesmerised Chloe. She felt enthralled.

Everyone always knew Max to be timid and shy so seeing her be daring was a welcomed, refreshing breath of air. The way she said her lines with such conviction and how she positioned herself on stage. Even though Ophelia was unsure of herself, Max was not.

She was shocked, however to see Max share a kiss with Aaron. She never figured seeing Aaron kiss anyone other than Kate and the thought of Max kissing a boy just made her feel weird. Then again, Chloe was reminded about how she had her own *adventure* with Aaron a few weeks ago, down the beach.

Eh, he's a good kisser, at least Max won't totally hate it

Chloe thought to herself as she smiled. Sharing Max with someone else, a guy even, wasn't something Chloe had considered but seeing the two of them kiss made her think devilish thoughts. It couldn't be with Aaron though, he was with Kate so the idea of engaging in a threesome with him was not on the cards.

Unless three became four? Urgh, Chloe Price, stop being horny.

Chloe shook the dirty images from her head and turned back to the production that was in front of her. Even though most artistic portrayals were lost on her, she had to admit, the sets looked pretty. Theatrics didn't interest her, she wasn't a *girly girl* but there was something about the costumes and the design of the production that really caught her interest.

Max found herself overwhelmed with a sense of joy as she sat down in her makeup chair. The dress rehearsal had gone off without a hit and she was, along with her co-stars, riding the high.

She couldn't keep the smile from her giggling face as she wiped the white face paint off, returning colour to her rosy cheeks. Despite how much she wanted to keep the flower wreath that was in her hair, she figured it was time to take it out…if she could. Max struggled to remove this part of her costume. It had become woven into her hair and with all the product that accompanied it, it was proving difficult to come loose.

Aaron appeared in the mirror behind her, bringing a smile to her face. He was cleaning the fake blood off his costume when he asked:

"So, I'd say that was pretty successful" Max knew Aaron was nervous, so to see him happy with the performance made her smile yet again.

"Yeah, you were right. Just had to believe in ourselves a bit"

"Max, you were awesome, I have to say, there's no one else I'd wish to share the stage with" Aarons words were always so genuine. Those honeyed words mixed with that warm, caring smile would be all anyone would need to hear to feel good.

"Come on, I wasn't that good" Max said humbly "I just did what I had to"

"And killed it" Aaron replied as he sat next to her. "Maxine Caulfield, have faith in yourself, you are simply brilliant"

Max couldn't help but hug Aaron from her seated position. He was someone who she genuinely cared deeply for. He really made her feel worth something and always offered sound advice. She was so happy to call him a friend.

After retreating from their hug, Aaron pulled off the ridiculous collar that had been irritating for the better part of the last hour and threw it onto the table in front of the illuminated mirror before looking down at his phone

"Hey, I gotta take this, I'll catch you later, Max" Aaron called as he retreated out of the tent.

Max just shook her head and turned her attention back to the flower wreath that was in her hair. She was determined to remove it now. She struggled for a minute before hearing a voice from behind her"

"Wow, so my girlfriend can act incredibly well but she struggles to take flowers out of her hair?" Chloe called as she leaned against the frame of the tent.

"Yes, I have been successfully defeated by flowers" Max jested as she stood up and walked over to Chloe.

"You were great, Max. I'm so proud of you" Chloe called as she walked to pull Max into a loving embrace. The two shared a quick kiss before Max rested her head into Chloe's shoulder. "So, is Aaron a better kisser than me?" Chloe smirked, causing Max to go red.

"Well, uh, I don't know Chloe, it was just acting" Max replied as she lifted her head off her bluenette.

"I don't know mind, I saw fireworks" Chloe said as she started to tickle Max, causing her to laugh.

"Chloe, stop, you know I hate that" Max protested as she giggled unintentionally.

"What you gonna do, Ophelia, poison me? You can't even get that flower crown off" Chloe was intentionally trying to provoke Max at this point, she liked to annoy her in the silliest of ways. "Come to think about it you should keep it, you look cute"

The two had now ended up on the floor due to Chloe's incessant tickling of Max. The Bluenette found herself looking down at the doe eyes of her girlfriend once again. The innocent look in her eyes just mad Chloe's heart skip a beat. There was something so perfect she saw in Max.

The two found themselves kissing each other again, only more passionately this time. Their togues fighting for control over the others as their breathing picked up.

"You know, you'd look good wearing just those flowers, Max" Chloe said suggestively as she broke away from Max.

"You can't be serious, what if someone walks in?" Max responded, her face now read again.

"There's no one here, they've all gone to drink somewhere. You know how these Drama kids can be with after parties.

Max just looked at the door in silence. Listening for any signs of other people, signs of activity of any kind and when it didn't come, she looked up at Chloe and smiled a consenting smile. Chloe kissed her before pulling at the laces on Max's boots. As Chloe pulled them off, Max just giggled to herself as she felt Chloe go to work on her socks and underwear.

After they were discarded, Max looked down and couldn't see Chloe. It was when she felt the hot breath against her thighs, she realised where she was. Chloe had put her tongue to work on Max while she buried herself under the long gown she was wearing. Max placed her hand over her mouth in an effort to keep herself quiet. Even though she was sure there was no one around, she didn't want to draw unnecessary attention.

Chloe had now inserted her fingers into Max while licking her. Max found it incredibly hard to stay quiet, part of her wanted to let out moans of pleasure, it would turn her on even more. Max flet Chloe's hands go to her hips and throw her over 180 degrees. Her face was now buried in the pillow she had conveniently placed behind her head.

Chloe's tongue went to work on Max's other whole. It was something she had never really experienced before but right now she was rolling her eyes back inside her skull. Chloe frantically used her now free hands to remove the bottom half of her own clothing, all while keeping her tongue buried deep inside Max. when her bottom half was bare, she turned Max over again and saw the ecstasy in her face.

"Did that feel good?" Chloe asked hungrily. All Max could do was nod in agreement as Chloe took her jacket and tank top off, sending her beanie crashing to the floor in the chaos. She pulled Max to her feet and lifted the gown over her head before kissing her again, letting her taste herself.

Chloe sat on the dresser table and pushed Max to her knees. It was her turn to taste Chloe and she did it with enthusiasm. Max dropped down and buried her head deep into Chloe's inner thighs, moving her tongue in a manor of ways. Chloe lifted her left foot up onto the chair beside her, her blue nails glistening in the light of the mirror.

Max pulled Chloe in tightly as Chloe's left hand ran through her hair intensely. Her right hand cupped her own breast and began to pull at her nipple. Chloe couldn't help but let out soft moans as she did this. Max was much better with her tongue than she was and the feeling brewing told her that.

In one swift motion, Chloe pulled Max's head deep into her as she climaxed all over her girlfriend's face. Gently releasing Max from her hold, Chloe began to sigh loudly as she recovered her breath. She looked down at Max who was wagging her tongue at Chloe, trying to get her to laugh.

"Wowzer's Max, I forget how good you are at that" Chloe began as she jumped off the table and embraced Max.

"Well, you can make it up to me by using that purple toy of yours to finish what your tongue started" Max whispered in Chloe's ear.

Chloe was shocked as to what Max had asked her. They'd never done anything like that before but all Chloe could think about was getting Max back to her dorm. The two energetically threw their clothes on as quickly as possible in order to continue their endeavour. It was out of pocket for Max and Chloe loved that, so much. As the two left the tent, they looked forward to what would happen when they got back to Max's dorm.

Aaron had received a text from an unknown number; that wasn't weird, but the context of it gave him pause.

In the Parking Lot-RA X

Aaron had assumed it was from Rachel so he just had to see what she wanted. He was still unable to wrap his head around the fact she was not only still alive but part of a secret society that had such pull in how things worked. His heart raced for some reason as he hurried across the concrete. Aaron hadn't even had time to change out of his costume.

As he entered the parking lot, he scanned around for places where Rachel would be. Aaron figured she would be hard to spot, the last thing she'd need is to get spotted by someone who recognised her from Blackwell. Especially considering she worked closely with the drama department, if anyone would recognise her, it would be one of those.

A few seconds went by and Aaron's phone started ringing. He figured it would be Rachel as it was an unknown number. Without hesitating, he answered.

"Rachel?" Aaron said in a hushed tone.

"So he figures it out" Rachel's voice came from the other side of the phone.

"What's wrong, what do you want?" Aaron replied, scanning around to make sure no one could listen in on their conversation.

"I just wanted to see how you got on. You know how I feel about a good Blackwell production"

"Can you see me right now?" Aaron asked as he tried to guess where Rachel could be.

"Yup, it's cute seeing your head spin around. You won't find me but I'm just letting you know that you'll have an update on things tomorrow"

Before Aaron could say anything, the line disconnected and he didn't get any answers he wanted. This whole thing was spinning him out but all he could think about now is sleeping. Hopefully tomorrow would have an answer.

A/N: Tur, this was for you. Sorry for the cheeky Max and Chloe ending. I figure you'll have to come back to see how it ends. I had a hard time trying to basically write a play in continuous prose but I hope I did a good enough job for you guys!

I hope you're all enjoying the story and as always, Review, Follow and Favourite. Big love to you all!