I was just so stupefied, "is this what Emlyn calls a play? Play… more like a flub." I said when Emlyn coaxed me to the theatre to watch the forthcoming school play.
I sat watching them bungle the play and act totally off track until teachers interfered and re-started the audititons. I was going to audition but it was too late and it didn't bother me at all because I found the play really boring and there were more upcoming plays.
While I kept watching and laughing with Emlyn as the actors made a fluff, Nicole cat walked into the theatre with her minions.
I had earlier asked Mrs Kayla and even my Dad about Nicole's sudden behavior and how it really confused me, they both were on Arthur's page.
I was extremely shocked to see Nicole in the theatre; she usually never hung out there or got interested in the school plays. They obviously weren't good enough for a top actor like her.
"Yo Emlyn!" Nicole called out to Emlyn from the back. The theatre was shortly rowdy while the teachers were busy sorting some things out.
"Nicole? What are you doing here? Are you out of places and people for your devious games and now you've decided to come torment me here?" Emlyn said to her while I wondered what would happen next.
"Oh don't be silly Em. I'm here to act," Nicole said and waved at me, I confusingly waved back.
"You what?! Act? You, Nicole Martin, participate in a school play? That's a taboo"
"Well, I'm a changed girl now. Right Stephanie?" Nicole asked me and I became dumbfounded.
I responded, "right," wondering what she was up to.
"Ch…" Emlyn dramatically swallowed his saliva, "changed?! The last time you came here, you got me in suspension! So you see that door where you walked into? Just walk right back into it and exit this place with your little puppets," Emlyn said and snapped his fingers, pointing to the door.
"Would the old me stand here and listen to your trash talking? Would I even come here in the first place? I told you—I'm changed. Someone made me realize that life isn't just about fame and money, there's more to it and the kind heart of someone else has made me turn a new leaf," Nicole smiled and turned to me and I smiled in return, telling myself that I was right and they were wrong.
"No way," Emlyn mentioned, somewhat abashed.
"Yes way darling. Now hand over the scripts."
Something muddled me—while Nicole gave her little speech on being a changed person, the rest of the students were so puzzled that they grabbed their phones and began filming, but when Nicole saw them filming, she whispered some words to her minions and they went and snatched every single phone from the students who were filming.
"Okay people, settle down. We've wasted enough time."
"Mr Benson, I already rehearsed the scripts. Can I play the role of the antagonist?"
"Nicole Martin, you can't appear here suddenly for a role. You didn't go through the auditions or give us a heads-up when it was announced, and you once claimed that school plays are too small for a superstar like you." Mr Benson gave her a dirty look.
"I know, I know. Please sir. I really wanna prove to my Dad and everyone else that I'm not whom I used to be. I promise to devote my time to the play and follow your rules."
In few minutes, Arthur entered the hall with Jasmine. Seeing Nicole sitting next to me, Arthur shook his head in disappointment and I returned such gesture with a scowl.
I later exited the hall to receive a video call from my mom. Ugh!
"Good afternoon ma."
"How are you?"
"Fine. Why did you have to call me now? You knew I'd be in school."
"Oh, sorry, I didn't know. I hope your father isn't treating you badly, that dog. Do you know if he brought any woman to the house?"
"Why would you call him that? And why do you care about who he decides to bring home? What's your business with that?"
"Stephanie, are you talking to me that way? Are you out of your mind? I just knew that that foolish man planned to ruin your life by taking you abroad with him. He has poisoned you ehn? This is exactly why I didn't want you to…"
"Bye," I hung up.
Every week, my mom called to 'check up on me,' she would divert the topic to my Dad like she wanted me to spy on him for her. She didn't care a bit about me and that pierced right through my heart like a sharp blade.
Arthur walked out of the theatre and tapped me from behind as I immediately wiped my watery eyes.
"Guess what," he said.
"Look Arthur, I'm not in the mood for that. I just want to go home and get some sleep."
"No, you need to hear this. Jake told me Nicole wants to be a part of the play and she claimed to have been a transformed person. He said they were all shocked by her words and tried to get it in video but Nicole's giggle buddies snatched the phones and when it was given back to them, the videos had been wiped out. Now what does that say to you?"
"Arthur…"
"It means Nicole only said all of that and joined the play to deceive you. I thought she asked you to get it on video if you think it's one of her pranks but now, she doesn't actually want anyone to have a video proof of her change…"
"Just go buy me lunch cause I'm too hungry to listen to you." I patted him on the head and left.
I moved back into the theatre and Mr Benson approached me with a script, "Rehearse those lines and go stand over there."
"What? I-I don't…"
"We're running out of time! Hurry."
I was so confused. I collected the scripts and looked it up. I nervously got on the stage and worked with the script I was given.
I made just one dope and perfect move for my role and pulled so much attention to myself! I dazzled the audience; everyone who was watching praised my talent and I thought—I hadn't even performed the real play yet and I was already pulling it off!
"So she's this good in acting, amazing," said Jasmine.
"We've been friends for quite some time and… wow!"
"I knew," Arthur said in a proud manner.
"Hmm, impressive," Nicole said
Nicole was next to act. The rehearsals were going perfectly. Arthur then said to me, "just look at her—she is such a show off. Just cause she's seen how good you are, she tries hard to put all her energy into it."
I replied, "why do you despise her so much"
"I don't. I'm just tryna prove a point—she is cunning. Just don't fall for her mischief."
"I know Arthur, you've reminded me a thousand times. I'm not dumb, you know."
"I know. I'm only looking out for you," he answered.
"Maybe you're looking out too much."
Arthur smiled, "you are the best friend I've ever had, trust me when I say I can't be looking out too much."
"Knock it off Romeo and Juliet, we are trying to concentrate on a play here," said Andrew.
"Yeah cut it," Emlyn said in an obvious jealous state.
"Seriously man? Romeo and Juliet? We are just best friends who care a lot about each other," Arthur said and I smiled, but Emlyn's facial expression was the total opposite.
Nicole had her eyes fixed on Arthur but I couldn't figure out why.
WHAT MIND-BLOWING DRAMA DO YOU THINK WILL OCCUR NEXT¿
WELL LET'S FIND OUT:
MOVE FURTHER FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER.