[ Jack ]
Elsa and I walked in the room...together. I don't know what came in me that made me want to assure and help her out but whatever it is, I hope it won't come again because it sure as hell embarrassing and awkward, I can suddenly see Hiccup and Astrid in the two of us. Ridiculous. When I opened the door for her, heads turned to us, especially the Mojos and boy do they look appalled. I still slung both of our backpacks on my shoulder as I ambled in the quiet room, the sight must be an abhor for Olivia- which explains the frown on her face.
Elsa and I stopped in the middle and looked for two vacant abreast chairs. I did tell her that she has to stay by my side if she doesn't want to get wounded again.
"Psst! Jack!" I turned my head to where it came from and saw Punzie waving at me. I tapped Elsa's shoulder and pointed her to Punz's direction. She nodded. On our way there, she kept holding her bandaged arm in place and kept steadying it. Maybe it hurts a lot more than it looks. Since the row composed of three chairs and Punzie sat on the closest one to the aisle, I walked through the narrow space first so I can sit by the window. Elsa came after, sitting in between us. I slung the straps of her backpack over the chair in front of her and put mine behind me.
Elsa glanced at me, "T-thanks Jack..." she stuttered shyly.
"It's no problem" I smiled at her. Through my peripheral vision, I saw Punzie smirk at me. I didn't mind it, instead I just looked out the window and ignored the chattering in the ambiance.
Yes, I decided to ignore all the people's conversations in the room and whatever annoying noise may cause me disruption, but my ears kept overhearing things I didn't even wanna hear. 'Try' is more like it. I heard the preps, two rows behind, debating on which Victoria Secret fragrance is the best smelling. The Jocks talked about what game they should watch on Friday night, and Punzie apologized to Elsa about not telling her about the posters. I guess it's not spying if your ears decided to overhear them. Elsa gladly accepted the apology, that made her open up about her incident earlier with Olivia. She started talking, I can tell from the sound of Elsa's voice that she's still traumatized with what occurred; scared, intimidated and afraid.
"Before I can lose too much blood, Jack came in and well...rescued me. He told me to go while he has a word with Olivia. I went back to the dorm building and waited there. When he came back, he lead me up to his and Hiccup's dorm. He wasted no time; he quickly treated my wounds with delicacy. It was like...I was his friend, which I appreciate very much. After that, he told me that I should stick with you guys and it'll be fine. And that's what I'm going to do"
I can't believe Elsa just said that...Elsa! Of all people!
"So that explains why you two are together! He also carried your bag, hmm! " Punzie remarked teasingly.
Elsa giggled softly, "He's a gentleman after all" then she nudged me, breaking my train of eavesdropping. I acted startled and looked at her with wide eyes, "What?"
She laughed whole heartedly, "Nothing. Go back to sight seeing"
The door suddenly opened and in came my young adult teacher. We all stood up and greeted her a Good Morning. She gestured us all to sit back down and we obeyed. She placed her bag and laptop on the desk before facing us.
"Okay class, I know it's just the start of the school year but I have already prepared and set everything up for your project this semester" Ms. Oceania, my English Lit teacher began talking. Class just started a few seconds ago and she's starting off with the project? How thoughtful.
English Lit is an easy class, let me tell you that. But sometimes all the literate works are very time consuming and tiring to understand, especially since they use big words from whatever century they came from. I've lived for almost 300 years, yes, but I seldom cared for the transition of Old English to Modern English; all I cared for was snowballs and fun times...that is until North designated me to be a High School Student. Man, I miss my job.
"As you guys know, my class has a great impact on your grade. If you fail, it's goodbye HAA. So I am encouraging all of you to participate well in this project and all will be well." she sat on the desk and looked at each of us. "This semester, you are all going to be in a play, a Shakespearean play to be exact. I already split the class into 2 groups- whoever has a better play gets a higher grade of course, and in addition to that, the winning group will also perform in the Fall Event" she explained. The ladies, and some guys, gasped excitedly.
The Fall Event is a long program we do in the gymnasium every start of the school year. It is hosted by the English Area; all the English teachers have to find students who will perform at the said event. It's always an elimination in the class and whoever is better will surely be in the event. There are song solos and duets, speech choir, broadway musicals, debates, and of course, the role play reenactment which is the most awaited part since it's a full play. It'll be just like you watched theater for free.
"Now, it's up to you on what play you are going to present. There is a time limit of 30 minutes. However, a full play must be presented in the event, but don't worry I shall be assisting you with that" she smiled. She proceeded to telling us the rubric of how she'll grade our presentation. Most of us listened intently while some could just care less since it's only acting and wearing classy costumes.
After that, she took her notebook and started reading off the group and the members in it. Punzie, Elsa, I, and a couple more cool kids were in the same group. Ms. Oceania assigned Punzie as our leader The other group consists of the Mojos and the rest of the class; Jenna being the leader of Group 2. Oh great, I see a competition already.
"Alright, I'll allow you guys to take the rest of the time to talk to your group mates about your project" Ms. Oceania said as she sat back on her chair and started encoding stuff on her laptop. "Oh, and you'll have 1 week before you present it to me. Surely that's ample time for you to prepare and impress me."
Punzie stood up. "Alright Group 1! Form a circle!" Punzie clapped her hands and gestured for all the members to come close to where we are. There was a variety of teenagers coming forth; athletic jocks, socialite preps and some tech-loving kids. We took one side of the room while Group 2 occupies the other half. The used to be silent room became boisterous, especially with the talkative kids sitting with one another. We all moved our chairs and formed a circle. Punzie was in the middle, looking at each faces observantly. "So, suggestions?"
"How about Julius Caesar?" Philipp, an athletic jock, raised his hand. "There are plenty of guys in that play, and it has fight scenes" he said.
"Uhh, no! No offense, but that play is boring to our generation despite how great the story really is." Belle, a prep and slight nerd, protested.
"Yeah, but you enjoy it" Eric, a friend of Philipp's, snickered.
"Do you guys even know the story of Julius Caesar?" Punzie glanced at the boys questionably.
"Uh yeah we do!" Eric chuckled.
"Okay then" Punzie faced them, "Tell us" she crossed her arms, a smirk formed on her lips.
"Pretty sure someone dies" Adam, third member of their group, pointed out.
"Clearly you guys don't know." Punzie rolled her eyes. She turned to everyone again, "Here's an idea: Romeo and Juliet" she smiled.
"Finally! You just read my mind, Punz!" Belle winked at her.
"Oooohhhh!" Aurora, a socialite prep, cheered. She's a member of the Cheer Squad, it's quite natural that she agrees with her captain and the choice is pretty cliché to girls. "That's a great idea! My aunts are great dressmakers, I can ask them to make some just for the play!" the girls, Aurora's social group to be exact, murmured to one another in agreement.
"Uh hello? What about our choice? You girls just decided on this?" Philipp interrupted.
"Honey, you can be my partner in the play. That good enough?" Aurora flirted.
A soft blush crept up his cheeks, "Umm, okay then. Deal." Eric and Adam immediately looked at him funnily and began talking some sense into him in a teasing manner.
"Well, we'll need background music if we want to be the ones who'll perform in the Fall Event!" Ariel, a friend of Aurora and Belle's, chirped out loud.
"Ssh! We don't want the other group to hear our idea!" Belle covered Ariel's mouth. It wasn't really necessary for Belle to do that since the room is already so noisy.
"Hey! Lewis, Roger, Wendy! Do you guys have any sound systems we can use for the play?" Punzie turned to the group of techies who doesn't seem to be very interested in the topic.
They all took their headphones off and nodded, "We have remote controlled ones" Roger said.
"Great!" Punzie exclaimed. "You guys can be in the play and operate the music system!" She turned to the corner near the Jocks and saw Alice and Lady, "Ladies, gentlemen, you can help me with the props" she decided, looking at each of their faces seriously.
"Hey, why are we talking about all that extra stuff?" Meg suddenly asked. All heads turned to her, "We should pick who's playing who!" she added excitedly. "The acting is graded higher than sound effects and props!" All the girls, except Punzie and Elsa, giggled.
"Hmm..." Punzie held her chin, to look sophisticated and smart, and turned all around the group circle, analyzing each face carefully. She turned twice before she stopped and stared at...me. My eyes widened, what now? She formed a heart with her hands and held it up in front of her. She shut one eye and smirked at the sight inside of her hands. "Perfect!" she squealed.
"Huh?" I sat up straight and looked at her, baffled.
"What? What's so perfect?!" Aurora stood up and walked up to Punzie. Punzie straightened up and let Aurora peek inside her heart formed hand, like it's a pair of binoculars. That's when I noticed that they're eying me...no...us. Everyone else also seemed to get it beforehand and looked at my direction. I slowly turned to my right and saw Elsa sitting one chair apart from me, her face obviously filled with shock. She glanced at me, our eyes met. Realization suddenly hit us and we both hurriedly looked at Punzie, "NO!" we exclaimed simultaneously.
Me?! As Romeo?! I mean, yeah, Romeo and I are both good looking and the role is apt enough for me, but there is no way I'm playing a lead part! The protagonist even! Especially if I'm opposite her! Elsa?! As Juliet?! My Juliet?! It sounds like an atrocious idea from the beginning, considering our history. I know she can pull off the role but I don't think we'll be able to do it...together! Let alone rehearse with each other! Maybe instead of being in love, we'll show antagonism to one another, showing more war between the opposing sides; completely breaking the 'star crossed lovers' idea of William Shakespeare.
"Oh come on, guys!" Punzie put her hand down and pouted at us.
"There is NO way I'm going to be Romeo!" I wiped the air in front of me as a gesture of disagreeing.
"And I can't be Juliet!" Elsa whined, folding her good arm over her chest.
"I assent for Jack and Elsa to be the lead!" Aurora raised her hand up, she glanced over her right and they all nodded. Punzie looked at the others kids on the left, they all agreed as well. Apathy suddenly vanished from those who were uninterested at the start of this meeting.
"Jack we don't even have to vote anymore or suggest someone else, my arbitrary is approved by everyone else." Punzie smirked at me, gesturing to Elsa and I.
"Punz, you and I both know that I can't memorize lines that fast!" I protested.
She crossed her arms at me, "Sorry Jack, even if you're my friend, there is no way I'm going to let you play someone else besides Romeo. That's your character like it or not" she smirked.
"But-
"No more 'buts'! I have to assign everyone else too!" she dismissed me with a hand wave. Like what she said, Punzie started giving out roles to our group members, not leaving anyone out. Since there was only 15 members, she only filled out the characters that are really important to the story and plot.
I crossed my arms and slumped on my chair, there's absolutely nothing I can do to change Punzie's mind. She's so bigoted with the decisions she already made that it sometimes can be so unbearable. I looked at Elsa; she rubbed the bandage over her arm gently, obviously in deep thought. She sighed and at the slightest movement of her wounded arm, she winced.
"H-hey...Elsa" I called out to her.
She faced me, "Yeah?"
"D-does it hurt?" I asked as blandly as I can.
"Yeah..." she looked down at it. For some reason, her answer sounded bilateral; physical and emotional.
"So...Juliet, huh?" I changed the topic, hoping she'll at least lose some stress.
"You're cool with that?" she looked at me again.
I nodded at her, "But...don't step on me again" I teased.
She smirked, "I'm not going to, don't worry"
A soft chuckle came from me, "I can assure you, I'm not hard or even boring to work with"
"If you say so, Jack" she smiled and looked away.
Huh, turns out my friends are right. She's cool to speak with. She does have a way with her expressions and choice of words. Either that or she doesn't have a choice but be nice to me, but I doubt that being fake is the reason behind her bright angelic smile. Maybe if I met Elsa differently, we would have been good friends by now. It's only unfortunate that what happened is opposite to nice and heart warming. I sighed. If I had been broad minded and un-bumptious when she first arrived here, everything would have flown smoothly; no scandal in the first day, I'd have a swollen foot and not feet, no Mojo scam, no enemy and basically...the sun would have shine brighter because I won't have to avoid or dislike anyone. I'm a Guardian, who is supposed to be mingling with these youth and watching over them, yet I showed intolerance to an honest mistake. I'm the one who started something big out of something that is so small. I am...ashamed. And goodness knows why I just realized that now. What would North say?
"Hey Belle, do you think you can edit out the story a little bit and make it a 30 minute read?" Punzie requested, turning to the bookworm.
"Yeah sure, I'd love to!" Belle lit up.
Punzie exhaled and sat back in her chair, between Elsa and I. "You two okay playing the lead right?" her head turned from me to Elsa.
"It's fine, Punz. But please...I wanna be austere in the costume" Elsa smiled sincerely.
"Of course, I'll make sure of it" Punzie placed an assuring hand on her shoulder. "Jack?"
"Well, I have no choice. Besides, I'm perfect for the role, aren't I?" I held the collar of my polo suavely and smirked.
Punzie rolled her eyes and pushed me playfully, "Narcistic!" she teased.
A few minutes later, the bell finally rang. We arranged our chairs back into their proper places and our teacher went out of the room first. The three of us: Punzie, Elsa and I, let the others go out first. We sat down on our chairs, patiently, and watched as everyone exited the room. We don't wanna squish in the narrow hallway so we just waited them out. When the coast was clear, we all stood up at the same time. Punzie draped the strap of her tote over her left shoulder and swept her blonde hair to the other side. I was about to slung my backpack over my own shoulder when I noticed Elsa was about to get hers. Again, I don't know what it was, but it must be a reflex since I immediately took it before her fingertips can even touch it. She looked at me, one eyebrow raised, as I slung both of our backpacks on one shoulder. "What?"
"Jack, I can carry the bag on my own..." Elsa said.
"You carry this with your right arm and as of now, it's wounded. Can't let you mess it up even more, especially now that it's slowly healing." I reasoned.
"Well...okay then" she smiled. "Thank You" she said appreciatively. For real.
Punzie smiled at me. She crossed her arms and started looking at me questionably. My eyes widened slightly, "C-can we go now?" I scratched my nape awkwardly. Punz stepped back, allowing Elsa and I to get to the aisle. We walked out of the room and I shut the door behind me. I let the girls walk in front of me so they wouldn't notice and remark the pinkness of my cheeks.