Author's Note:
School plays are common, right? The themes for such plays usually revolves around that which is difficult to see in real life. As such, love, war, deceit are some of the themes you can find in school plays from anywhere. Coveted roles such as the lead or the female lead usually causes alot of drama between students, especially those which kissing scenes, and that is exactly what I want to portray!
Chapter 15: Final Rehearsals
I sat in my own seat, thinking over the influx of news I got today. You guys would think this to be an ordinary day, and I'll be in my classroom. Only it wasn't. It was dark. I could feel cool breeze blowing against my skin as the light dims to give off a sense of atmosphere. I was in the theatre. It's now the final rehearsal for the School Play, which is said to be the main event for the School's Culture Festival for the next three days.
Which I've forgotten. Darn. I remember in my mind exactly what happened when the class gave their final confirmation on who's gonna do what tomorrow. I remember exactly the words that were spoken.
"Are all the preparations done?" Our class president yells out, her voice enough to shake those sleeping wide awake. "Test of Marksmanship?" She gave out, listing down the first of the stalls we would be putting up for the Festival.
"Yes, we have all the guns, ammo and targets, as well as the prizes, ready!" A group of guys replied almost immediately, a slight tone of fear in their voice.
"Next up, Test of Speed?" Her voice boomed across the room once more.
"We have cleared all variables." One of the more studious groups replied. The girl show no signs of being intimidated while shifting her glasses.
"Test of Strength?" The next question came out straight after the reply. A group of burly guys smiled and laughed with each other, knocking their fists as they replied.
"Oh yeah, they're gonna need to be real strong to win our prizes!" They joked to each other.
"Test of Luck?" The president continued, moving on to the nest stall that we'll be setting up.
"Ooh, ooh! here!" Surprisingly, Gina was the one who raised her hand in excitement. "We're done with the preparations as well!" She gave out with a smile. She seemed really excited for the Festival.
"Test of Wits?" Another question comes up, making me wonder just how many game stalls we'll be putting up. Seems a lot, as the other classes just put up an attraction like a Haunted House or a Cafe, yet we're putting up five?
"Yeah, we're ready as well." An unexpected voice replied, it was Sergio's. He's looking as calm as ever, but somehow I could feel a hint of excitement from him as well.
What's with all the names, they're just game stalls, right? I sat in my seat, slumped after going through the class just now. Unfortunately, they planned almost everything while I was out in the past three weeks, so I don't think I'll be doing anything at all. As I was staring out the window, letting my mind wander at the scenery outside, the Prez listed out the last stall.
"Test of Skill?" The question, although the same as the others, brought about some chuckles and laughs.
Wait, why are they laughing?
Just as my attention span was dyng off, the sight of my vision fading as my eyelids droop down to a close, I felt a hand grab my shoulders and pull me up from my seat.
"Yeah, he's ready, too." That was when I realized it was Sergio who had his hands on my shoulders, agreeing on my behalf.
"Wh-What?" I called out, waking up from my slump. I certainly didn't hear of any of this!
"We had everything set-up while you were not present, you just need to be the target for the Festival." The Class Prez tell it to my face, now standing in front of me.
"Wait, what?! A target for what exactly?!" I yelled out as I started panicking. Obviously, I didn't expect this. Perhaps I should've. This does sound like something the Prez would do.
"Dunk Tank."
"WHAT? HOW THE HECK IS THAT A TEST OF SKILL?" I yelled out amidst the laughter and cheers of my fellow classmates, all of whom were in unanimous agreement.
"Sigh..." Back at my seat, I feel really tired and zoned out as the thoughts danced in my mind. I wasn't paying much attention to the play.
"It's starting!" Sergio say out like a child excited for a toy. I guess it's starting. The lights dimmed down even further, and I think I could see smoke gently emitting from the stage.
I gotta say, they're doing a really good job producing ambiance and atmosphere.
I watched on, my interest slowly building up as the curtains to the stage slowly opened itself, the light of the play coming into my eyes. Sergio sat right beside me, his eyes even wider than mine. He has said that he's always interested in plays like this. I didn't believe him back then, but now, I think he was telling the truth.
Wait, why am I even here? I hate plays!
That was when the lights moved, the sounds shifted, all for the entrance of the female lead of the play. She stood out into the light, with a light-blue dress that had none of those unnecessary accessories so commonly seen. Though there's patches here and there, she still managed to make the whole thing look stunning. Her hair was braided from one end to the other, yet her look was unimaginably simple and pleasant. Her green eyes, no longer as bright as usual, perfectly portrays the role she's supposed to play. That of a poor peasant girl. The dark, lush ends swayed with each step she took, mesmerizing the audience as she got to her rightful place on stage.
"...Wow..." I unconsciously gave out as I stared on with my jaws dropped. A short glance all around revealed the same reaction from most of the audience.
Sergio only smiled and chuckled at what occured, seemingly unaffected by the sight.
Then, it was time for the main lead to show up, and just the thought brought out a feeling of annoyance chewing at my heart. As the rehearsal continued, I remember what Gina had told me.
"Final rehearsals for the School Play?" I asked out in question, holding the pamphlet close as I walked down the hallway with Gina at my side. "Yeah, and I'm gonna be the female lead!" Gina boasted without holding back the slightest. She sure looked excited.
"Hey, nice job by the way. Wasn't it always what you wanted? To be a female lead in the school play?" Sergio exclaimed with a smile as, congratulating the girl who looked as though she was over the moon. Gina smiled back with a thumbsup, bashful but eager.
"So, are you gonna come and watch the rehearsal today, Amato? Please? Pretty please?" Gina repeated as we stopped in front of our classroom. Her constant asking tore away at my resistance, until there was nothing left.
"S-Sure. So who's the lead?" I tossed out the question after agreeing, without much thought on the subject.
The lead appeared in a grand entrance of his own. It was different, with his character being a prince and all. The servants would sing and the orchestra music would play in the background. As the lights shifted and shone, revealing his face, I instinctively bit my lips. Johann stood in the spot on stage with a smile that captured the hearts of all the girls watching, evident from their reactions. The feathers and the cape only made his appearance that much more grand. As much as I hated it, he looked really good as the prince.
"Uh.. calm down, we can't have you doing anything now..." Sergio warned me as he looked as though he was ready to hold me back should I moved. He must have been watching my reaction of Johann stepping onto the stage.
Soon, after a whole lotta talking, we're finallyat the big scene that everyone was waiting for. The kiss. I tensed as the two leads walked into the scene, one at each end of the stage. Sergio was still occasionally moving his eyes to check on me while the whole thing started rolling. I felt like I was on probabtion or something.
Well, I guess I was pretty harsh yesterday. Still, I...I don't want this kiss to take place, even if this is just a play. I know that it's selfish, but... I just...
As they got close, their eyes closed and emotions rised, my hands dug into the arms of the chair in the theatre.
I need to do something! Anything disrupt the play! Any hogwash will do!
"Cough! Cough!"
I ended up coughing out as loud as I could. I even stood up to catch more attention.
"What are you doing?" Sergio whispered in an urgent tone, catching sight of the audience as well as the Drama Teacher, Mr Benoit, looking crossed.
"I don't know!" I whispered back with no intention of stopping!
Its no surprise that after that fiasco, I found myself banned from watching the rehearsal, or any other rehearsals in the future. The play resumed soon after, and I could only lean against the wall besides the main doors waiting for the whole thing to end.
"Hey, you didn't have to speak out for me, you know? I was the one being stupid. Now you're missing the rehearsal as well." I spoke out with my eyes closed. It's definitely not one of my brightest ideas. Sergio was beside me, resting with his arms behind his head.
"Eh, It's all right. It's just the rehearsal, I'll just catch it on performance day." He gave out as he pushed aside my concerns. Still, he couldn't hide the regret he's showing on his face.
Darn, I wished he would just be more angry at me at a time like this.
"I'm just glad you didn't jump on stage or something..." He added on, not moving from his position. I found myself staring at Sergio with widened eyes.
A few seconds later, I burst into laughter, and Sergio soon followed.
After the whole thing, the three of us ended up heading home together. Gina, Sergio and I. As we walked, the crashing of the waves hitting against the walls of the canals echoed through the near empty streets of the Residential District. The wind was stronger and colder than before, probably due to the coming winter.
I guess I'm glad that we're moving, as the cold is driven away with each step. Well, that's how it feels to me, at least. My eyes lingered towards the rooftops, a habit after what happened before. I still can't bring myself to face Gina, when I found out that she worked really hard for that scene. In response, Gina would walk in front of me and stare at my face with a smile, only to have me look away from guilt.
"Look, it's okay." Gina suddenly hopped in front of me again, and shot out to hold my hands. "It's just acting... All right?" Gina says so with a smile.
I know she's trying to cheer me up, but, why? If anything, she should be angry at what I did. I keep getting the idea that she's getting the wrong idea about why I'm upset. I think I heard a face-palm from Sergio after that.
"I'm sorry.. About the rehearsal.. " I muttered out to Gina, my tone soft and weak, just as we were about to go our seperate ways. The need to apologize was coming back, stronger than ever.
"Apology accepted. Just...promise you don't do something like that for premiere night, okay?" Gina asked out as she started jogging in the direction of her house, waving back at us. Right after, Sergio gave his goodbye and began walking towards the direction of his house as well.
Was he trying to tell me something with that look on his face? Hm, oh well.
Heading down the familiar street alone, the strangest feeling that somebody's watching hit me. Yet, there was no killer's intent behind the gaze, which was why it was strange. Brushing it off, I picked up my pace, and began running back towards the mansion.
I'm sorry about the little details about the play, I don't know much about school plays. Here in Singapore, we never had any at all. Not by students, at the very least. All right, as you probably realized, I'm setting everything up for the Culture Festival! Be on a look out for familiar faces appearing as well as Cameos. Who knows who I'll sneak right in! As usual, Praise, Comment or Criticize in your reviews!