Seeing his doubtful expression, Claude laughed, "Besides, it has another advantage. Even if we do screw up, we can just say it was an experimental thing. Since there wasn't any script, I'm sure the audience would understand-"
"-And we won't get ridiculed that much?" Willow's voice was low. They'll surely be the laughingstock of school tomorrow.
Even if he didn't want to participate, knowing his sister, he'll have to do it anyway. She'll just hit him with the 'protagonist always acts in a school play' crap.
"That's one way to put it," Claude agreed a little stiffly.
Feeling that the atmosphere was getting awkward, Ms. Everdeen stepped in. Pulling a bowl with paper chits out of her bag, she set it on the first bench of the third row, which just happened to be Willow's.
"I'm sure you guys are excited, right?"
"..." A dead silence. No one was 'excited'.
Not dampened, Ms. Everdeen summoned her inner Ms. Cornelia. (For the readers who don't remember, Miss Cornelia was the teacher who was overly enthusiastic even when everyone else was dead inside and out.)
Smiling widely, she shook the bowl to mix the slips. "Everyone who is interested, come up and draw a role. Please note that the roles would be permanent and can't be changed."
No one moved for a while. Seeing their obvious lack of interest, Ms. Everdeen looked over to Adelia. "Aren't you coming, Miss Astor? All actresses start from school plays, right? With your face and skills, I think it'd be such a shame for you to stay out of this. Just like your father, you're a face that belongs to the screen, Miss."
Ugh. Willow looked away. This was too much secondhand embarrassment for his thin skin. A normal person couldn't possibly digest such obvious sweet talk. But then again, his sister was never a normal person.
Immediately recharged with compliments, Adelia grinned. With an aloof expression, she strutted over to the front. "Since you're insisting so much, I guess I'll 'reluctantly' do it."
She gracefully put her hand in the wide mouthed bowl and rummaged through the slips. After a few minutes, she finally chose one and handed it to Ms. Everdeen.
She opened it and read aloud, "The mother. Congratulations, Miss Astor, you're going to play Hansel and Gretel's mother in the play."
"Who's next?"
Claude stepped forwards. "Ma'am, since we changed the story, it's not like I can do my former role. Can I draw now?"
Ms. Everdeen nodded. Claude quickly chose one and handed it to her.
"Hmm, let's see what Mr. Laurent drew. Oh, it's quite a good one!" She cried enthusiastically, "-Hansel!"
Claude smiled, satisfied. Ms. Everdeen waited, but one came up.
Willow could feel Adelia's impatient gaze on him. Sighing, he accepted his fate. With an obviously not interested and gloomy smile, he stood up and said, "I'd like to go next."
Claude, who was just about to encourage Willow to take part, stopped. He smiled, "You're taking part too, Will? That's great! We can act together. You know, I think it's actually a blessing in disguise that this whole thing happened. I get to act in a play with you! Just like we used to!"
Charlie stood up, blocking Claude who was just about to get close to Willow. He coldly interrupted, "I'm sure it's not the time to reminisce, right, Mr. Laurent? And besides, the past is the past," He smirked and put an arm around Willow, "All that matters now is the present, right?"
Claude showed a strained smile. "Yes, Mr. Taylor, the present is important, but that doesn't mean you can just exclude the past." With a light laugh, he continued, "-And Mr. Taylor, the present of today would surely be the past of tomorrow, you know?"
At his provocation, Charlie sneered, "Not when the present and future are the same."
"Who knows about that?"