Chapter 3

Romeo and Juliet

The next few weeks in school seemed pretty much the same as the first week. Aria began to wonder if that week just got put on repeat. Derek continued to tease her, there were parties every weekend and then the following week , everyone would talk about how awesome that party was.

As Aria made her way to History, she overheard Derek, Ian, and Kendal.

"You know, we have homecoming soon, Derek. You really need to start think about who you are planning to ask out," Kendal said.

"Homecoming's not till November. We've got the Halloween dance first," replied Derek.

"Yeah, Kendal," Ian chimed in. "We don't need to start worrying about the dance now. It's only September. I haven't even officially asked you about yet. Besides, Derek here, can get any girl we wanted."

"I know that. But last year, Derek did not ask anyone out."

Derek thought for a moment. "That's because there were no girls I was interested in."

"What about my friend, Karin," Kendal suggested. "I could set you up with her."

"Karin Wales! No way! I once asked her how her day was and she did not stop talking for an hour."

"Man, I hate it when girls do that," Ian commented.

Kendal snapped at him. "You're not helping, Idiot!"

"Okay, fine. What about your other friend, Lacey. She and Derek would go good together. Don't you think?"

"Lacey's already going out with Matt," Kendal replied. "Look Derek. It doesn't matter you who ask out so long a she's at least somewhat cool. Just ask someone." She then turned to Ian. "And you. You better asked me to Homecoming soon before I decide to go with someone else." With that Kendal marched off.

"Maybe I can solve both of our problems and just ask Kendal." Derek looked at Ian to see his reaction.

"Dude!"

"Just joking!"

Aria rolled her eyes and continued on to History, Derek and Ian not far behind her. She briefly wondered why Derek had not asked anyone out. Kendal was right. There are probably a lot of girls at this school that would want to go out with Derek. After all, he was pretty good looking with his wavy, dirty blonde hair that went just past his ears, not to mention that fact that he's on the football team. Is he really waiting, looking for the right girl? Maybe he's actually more sensitive than Aria gave him credit for.

"Hey, Sash-quash, you're in my seat," Derek said looking down at her.

And maybe not. Aria grabbed her books and moved over to another desk without saying a word.

Vanessa's right, Aria thought. I do need to learn to stand up to him.

At lunch, Aria told Vanessa what she overheard about Derek not wanting to ask anyone out for the dance.

"That is pretty weird," Vanessa agreed. "Usually guys like him just ask out the prettiest girl he can find."

"Maybe he really likes Kendal, but can't ask her out since she's with Ian."

"Could you imagine if those two started dating?"

Aria though about this. "I think the problem with Derek and Kendal is that they have too much in common. They're both arrogant, self-centered, and shallow."

She then turned to Walter. "You've been awfully quiet."

"I'm not interested in gossip," he said flatly. "You know, what I don't understand about you two is that you complain about how girls always talk about each other behind their backs, and here you are doing exactly the same thing."

"We're not gossiping," Vanessa declared. "We're just discussing Derek and Kendal possibly liking each other."

"That's the same thing."

"No its not!"

The two of them argued for the rest of lunch. Aria had grown use to their bickering. She thought about the possibility of someone asking her out, but she knew that was unlikely. Not a single boy in this school seemed interested in her, but still Aria enjoyed fantasizing about a handsome boy she had never met showing up and falling for her.

After lunch Aria had Geometry, which unfortunately had Kendal, but at least not Derek. Luckily for Aria, Kendal decided to ignore her. When class let out, Aria then made her way to gym. She did not care for gym since she was not good at sports, but still, once again she was free of certain classmates. Since Derek and Ian play football and Kendal is a cheerleader, none of them needed gym. Aria remembered trying to talk Vanessa into taking gym with her even though she plays volleyball, but Vanessa wanted to take Sculpture with is only offered at this time. Walter had gym earlier since boys had it at a different class period.

Gym class at Sheerwood High is kind of a joke. The girls always purposely took a long time to get changed and by the time the coaches got everyone together and finished taking roll, that class period was more than halfway over. Today, the girls played kickball for about ten minutes before it became time for them to change back into their school clothes and head to their next class which for Aria is English.

It turns out Mrs. Norbert was not kidding about being passionate about Romeo and Juliet. It's been three weeks and they still were not even halfway through discussing the play. Aria had to admit, she was getting pretty tired of it. She sat down in the classroom and pulled out her copy of the play and waited.

"Good afternoon, class." Mrs. Norbert remained seated on her stool. Aria imagined being nearly nine months pregnant made it difficult to move around.

Once Mrs. Norbert had everyone's attention she continued, "Today we will be acting out my favorite scene with Romeo and Juliet on the balcony. Now, do I have any volunteers for the parts of Romeo and Juliet?"

No one raised their hand.

"Very well then. It's look like I get to choose." Mrs. Norbert looked around the classroom. "Derek! Why don't you be Romeo."

Derek grunted and then walked up to the front of the classroom.

"And for Juliet, let's see…"

Aria stared down at her desk not making eye contact with her teacher. Oh God, please don't let her pick…

"Aria, you will be Juliet. Now come on up."

Aria sighed while joining Derek at the front of the classroom. Then then began to read where Mrs. Norbert told her to start.

"Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?"

"With more feeling, Aria. Pretend you're dreaming about your true love."

Aria looked at Derek. She could not think of anything more impossible to do right now.

"Yeah," Derek added sarcastically. "Pretend you love me so much you will fake your own death just to be with me. I, thinking you are actually dead, kill myself over you and then you wake up, find that I'm dead, kill yourself over me."

"Derek!" Mrs. Norbert looked surprised at his remark.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Norbert. But I don't understand the point of this play. People killing themselves over love?"

If this were any other teacher, Derek would have got in trouble for that kind of comment. Mrs. Norbert, however, welcomed her student's opinion even if they went against her own. Aria had to admit, she agreed with Derek on this one. She just did not understand how a person could be so in love with someone they could not even live without them.

"Tell me, Derek. Have you ever been in love?"

"No."

Mrs. Norbert then looked to the rest of the class. "How about the rest of you? Has anyone here ever been in love?"

Only a few of Aria's classmates raised their hand. Ian only raised his after Kendal gave him a sharp look.

"Interesting. This gives me an idea for an assignment. Tonight for homework I want you to write me a short paragraph about whether or not you would be willing to die for your love so that you can be with them forever. If you did not raise your hand just try to imagine what it would be like to be in love with someone and write me your best response. Remember, there is no right or wrong answer. Just be honest and give me your opinion."

When class let out, Ian met up with Derek.

"Nice going, dude. You made her give us an extra assignment."

"It's just a paragraph," Derek responded then asked, "Would you die for Kendal?"

"Sometimes I think I might die because of Kendal."

Derek just laughed as the two of them exited the classroom.

Aria thought about what she would write for her paragraph. Honestly, she could not imagine being so in love with someone that she would be willing to die for him, but then again, she could not picture herself being in love at all. When she sat down in Band she turned around and asked Walter what he thought as he assembled his saxophone.

"That's a difficult question," he pondered. "I'm not sure how I would answer that. Like you, I do not know what is feels like to be in love."

"Mrs. Norbert said we had to imagine what it feels like if we've never been in love. I can't picture myself ever wanting to die for any reason."

"Well then. Just write that you value your own life and are willing to move on without your love."

The band directer stood up on the podium and everyone was ready to play their instruments. This year, for the fall concert, they will be playing "My Heart Will Go On" from Titanic. It seems like the theme this year at Sheerwood is going to be love. Aria just could not get away from it.