Recap:
This was the first time I noticed my team mates staring at me. Their faces held the expressions of anger, disappointment and hope. Mostly disappointed that their team leader, that's me, is so out of game, so out of focus, and will just cause them their victory. However, there was hope in their eyes as well. They hoped that it is just a phase I'm going through and they really hope I won't let them down.
Chapter 3
"Cody. Hey Cody. Hello, anybody home?" Marcus said as he waved him hand in front of me.
I blinked and looked up, "Hey Marcus, didn't see you here."
"Erm Cody, I have been sitting here talking to you for the last five minutes. When you didn't reply to my question I kind of realised that you weren't listening. So what's up? Don't tell me the sky," Marcus laughed at his own joke but stopped when he realised I didn't catch on.
"I can't focus preparing for my decathlon as I'm busy worrying that Romeo will steal Bailey away from me and my decathlon team hates me!"
"That's easy to solve! Just get rid of the problem. And by problem, I mean Romeo."
"How? I can't just get rid of him; he needs to be there for the play! I wish I could replace him but I'm spending all my weeknights at decathlon preparation!" I sighed in defeat.
"Don't worry my good man, I have a plan!" Marcus wrapped him arms around Cody's shoulder and grinned mischievously.
Marcus is right; I have to do something about it, I can't afford to lose Bailey.
"Cody Martin! What are you doing?" Bailey screamed at me.
All eyes were on me as I looked around. Okay not a good sight, I was sitting on Mr Romeo, or rather I landed on him. Let me take you back to what happened a moment before this.
"I managed to sneak a script from one of the crew members and it says here that on this cue, Romeo is going to hold Juliet's hand and experience their first kiss amid all the drama they are facing. I tell you, this is rubbish. How can anyone still have time to stop and sweet talk to his sweetheart when he is being chased by the army! Like where did the army disappear to?" Marcus started getting all agitated as he tried to rip the plot apart.
"Erm, Marcus, so what's our plan?" I tried to remind him of our initial purpose of being here.
"See if I was the director, I would have planned for the army to charge in and capture Romeo before he can kiss Juliet! So here is where you come in. You get to be my actor!" Marcus handed me an old knight suit.
We stood behind the stage at the top floor and looking down I can see Bailey at the centre stage reading through her lines and getting instructions from the student director.
"Are you sure this is safe? I'm supposed to jump on this lighting rope, swoop down the knock Romeo out? What if I knock myself out before I knock him out?"
It's not that I'm chickening out, but Marcus' plan sure had some loop holes.
"Trust me, you'll be fine. Just pretend you're like Tarzan! Remember to knock down Romeo and not Bailey!" Marcus gave me a pat on the back before signalling for me to jump.
I adjusted my knight' suit and grabbed hold of the lighting rope, swung and I thought, wow Marcus was right, it might just work. Then again, I spoke too soon, as my hands were slipping and I couldn't exactly knock Romeo down like I imagine. I fell off the rope but lucky me, someone broke my fall.
"Cody! What are you doing here?" Bailey screamed at me again, trying to get my attention.
I hurriedly got off Romeo when I heard him groan in pain, "My ankle!"
Everyone began crowding around him, even Bailey.
I stepped away from the crowd, hoping to sneak off since they're distracted. However Bailey caught me by the collar before I could make my get away. Bailey was clearly furious with me.
"Now where are we supposed to find another Romeo?" Bailey sighed.
I did cause the trouble and maybe this is the moment for me to be a hero for my Bailey. I shot my hand up in the air, "Me. I'll be Romeo!"
"And you're going to let us down! I can't believe we call you our president." Apparently Aaron from Science Club was in the audience and he shouted at me when he heard my volunteerism. I saw him shake his head in disappointment, just like yesterday.
"Thank you for your services Mr Martin, but we won't be accepting your offer. In fact, Timothy was merely an understudy! The real Romeo is a transfer student on a spring programme. He has applied to be in the play and we offered him the role. However he was held back in his school back home due to some late assignments so we cast Timothy to allow for rehearsals to begin. Not to worry, our new Romeo's a professional at his school theatre performances and in fact, he'll be here this evening. Fantastic, I guess everything is in place! Everyone, that will be all for today, we'll be back tomorrow," the director informed the cast and crew and what's left of the audience.
Bailey was definitely relieved hearing the reassuring statement from the director but that didn't get me off the hook. She began starring at me, waiting for an explanation for my actions.
I guess it's good to start off by apologising, "Bailey, I'm so sorry."
"Don't say sorry when you don't mean it. Just go. Hanging around here will just make me even more mad." Bailey said.
"Bailey, please, just listen to me for two minutes. Okay, one minute," I counter offered after earning the stares of Bailey.
I took a deep breath before continuing. "I admit. I was jealous and insecure!" I exclaimed as I raised my arms in annoyance. "How can I not be jealous? I'm not just going to be sit there and let some guy waltz in and sweep my girlfriend off her feet just because he speaks Shakespeare and wore pantaloons while I'm at the labs mixing ammonia and chlorine."
I sighed and was prepared to face the music of whatever treatment Bailey will throw at me. I hope it's not silent treatment; okay I will take silent treatment over breaking up with me.
Lucky for me, Bailey doesn't seem to be fuming anymore and finally understood my insecurities as her tone was no longer of anger.
"Oh Cody, honey, it's just a play. I promise you, the kiss will be nothing more than professionalism!" She smoothed my shoulders to calm my nerves. "And remember, you're the full package of both looks and brains. Where am I supposed to find someone else as good as you?" Bailey giggled.
I smiled and nodded. Seriously, I couldn't believe my luck. I trashed my girlfriend's rehearsal and not only did I not get any scolding, but she was comforting and reassuring me about our relationship!
"Just try not to push the next Romeo off the stage alright?" Bailey laughed.
I grinned and replied, "I will try to control myself from portraying a knight and Tarzan or running up on stage to punch Romeo during the scene."
"Where did you even get the knight's suit from? I think you look rather dashing in it, actually," Bailey fluttered her eyelashes at me.
I nearly melted into goo at that moment. I've been dating Bailey for over six months now and I still get cotton-mouth and butterflies all the time when I'm with her.
I absentmindedly nodded along before realising I need to reply, "It was Marcus' plan actually. If you like it, I shall wear it more often then. Well my fair maiden, shall we head for a smoothie?" I offered my arm for her to sling.
Before Bailey could reply, she was interrupted by a voice.
We looked up and got a shock. Bailey knew the jealousy moment is not going to end just yet and there will be a lot of assuring to do with him around as I felt her hand grip tightly to mine.
"Moose? You're the spring transfer student?"
