ASTRA P.O.V
Ever since I saw Xander and Chandler kiss, they've done absolutely everything together.
They even drive each other to rehearsals.
"SCENE FOUR- JACK AND SALLYS MEETING" The main cast is called- the stage is set up and I get chills at the thought of starting a romantic gesture towards...Max.
*****
"And since I am dead, I can take of my head to recite Shakespearean quotations!" Mack finishes- and it's my qeue to get on stage.
I do the usual- Hide. behind the gravestones, leave 'accidental' clues and to sigh and romantasize about Max.
"Sally- Are you there?" He says.
I let out a fake squeal and Jack runs of stage after finishing his Lament.
Then I push myself on stage, and I start my solo, and my words are soft- and gentle.
"I sense there's something in the wind
That feels like tragedy's at hand
And though I'd like to stand by him
Can't shake this feeling that I have
The worst is just around the bend
My heart skips a couple beats, when I realise, max flashes me a smile from the other side of the stage.
And does he notice my feelings for him?
And will he see how much he means to me?
I think it's not to be
I edge over my focus to the fake crowd and fake tears flow from my eyes.
What will become of my dear friend?
Where will his actions lead us then?
Although I'd like to join the crowd
In their enthusiastic cloud
Try as I may, it doesn't last
I am dashing around the stage and, that's Jack's qeue to sneak on stage, and I have no pretend he isn't there, so I keep singing
And will we ever end up together?
no, I think not, it's never to become
For I am not the one
And here's the part I regret ever having to do.
"Sally.."
"Oh! Jack! It's you."
"So I have the best job for you Sally you are to design my santa suit"
"Oh Jack, you don't see what's coming!"
"Just because I cannot see it doesn't mean I cannot believe it, join me Sally, tonight-"and he takes my hand as directed, and spins me into his arms
Everything was going fine until-
"Jack, Sally, I'm not believing it- like at all- you both lack comfortability with each other- and therefore- I am giving you guys a penalty- If you want to stay here- you need to be comfortable with each other. Whatever happens outside the theatre, is outside the theatre- and you may want to use after school time to perfect it" Mr Marlow says, and you can telwith his tone- it's not a joke.
The words are harsh and I really really don't want to do it.
Max and I look at eachother and sigh .
"Fine" we say in synchrony.
******
MAX P.O.V
"Look, I know you hate this- but we have to figure it out, right?" I say, grabbing my bags.
"whatever, just meet me at the park 11am sharp tomorrow" Astra orders.
"But what about school?" I say, and Astra shoots me a dirty look.
I sigh and mutter fine under my breath.
******
It's 10:53am and I'm currently waiting at the park- with two hazelnut hot chocolates.
Hazelnut hot chocolates were our favourite thing in the world- so I'm hoping it'll jog her memory.
"Early- I Like it" Astra says, and the look of her makes me skip a beat.
pulled back blonde hair in a messy bun, a Peter pan collared dress and her glasses.
"Wow.." I say- not realising that came out of my mouth.
Astra smiles, and I realise I'm an idiot.
"Sorry- just getting into Character I think" I say, what a stupid cover up.
I try to focus on what Astra is saying- but it's so hard- considering shes always pushing up her glasses and writing down things with her small hands-
"Okay well- I think we should focus on a husky tone for you"
"Do you not even realise I got you a hazelnut chocolate?" I say- interrupting her.
"Oh! yeah- mmm! my favourite!" She picks it up and sips it generously.
I get up, in anger and clench my fists
"I know, that's the thing! I know! I know your favourite food, your favourite drink, your favourite place- I even know your favourite piece of clothing- You like sequins on shirts!"
"I liked sequins when I was 11, okay- and I'm sorry- Okay, you left me! You left me, okay? You left me and I don't know why !" She yells back.
I am so confused and so I just let it all out.
"You....You said I was boring and you told everyone I was really boring when we were 12. I had to fight to keep my friends- I was in such a terrible place for years. Life sucked without you, astra. Life sucked so bad and now you pretend you don't remember me- this isn't my fault." And after saying that, my throat felt bare.
She looks at me- and a tear rolls down her cheek.
"Let's just pretend everything is fine between us- So the show can go on- but you- You will never speak to me, got it?" Astra says, and her tone is low and quavery.
******
It has been weeks since Astra even tried to talk to me outside of Theatre- 6 weeks to be entirely exact.
We are 10 weeks into show- and she won't even talk to me.
"Dude, you're spacing out again" Zack says, waving his hands in front of me.
My eyes are still fixated on Astra.
"Oh, I get it- still in love with the queen of musical theatre, huh?"
"I'm not in love with her- I'm just-"
"Youre just in love with her, dude. Trust me you haven't dated anyone ever, you turned out Kasey Rose, literally every guys best pick when wanting a full package and for a while, everyone thought you were gay- but you're in love with Astra." Zack teases, and I'm too scared to speak. I don't want to make anymore bad choices.
"She totally likes you too, she dated Chandler for 6 weeks and they didn't even kiss? not once!" He keeps blabbing on until I say-
"But she acts like I don't exist"
Zack's eyes widen, and it's as oxegyn had been banished.
"So you are in love with Astra." and he ruffles my hair and clicks his thumbs.
"She acts like you don't exist now, but she isn't going to ignore you when you do talk."
"Yeah, yeah you're right. I'm gonna talk to her- But I do not like her"
"whatever man"
******
"Cast of scene 4 I need you to run this through" Mr Marlow says, flipping over his clipboard.
"Dude- have you talked to her yet?" Zack asks me- nudging my shoulder.
I turn over to him, and his eyes widen.
"Dude- Its scene 4 again. It's the 'let me hide behind you while you sing about how lonely you are' scene for Sally and your 'I'm so lonely and I'm sick of Halloween when I secretly love you' You need to get it together" And I already know that.
The scene runs quite okay- but it's only an okay- which isn't good enough.
I love the gentle, light tone her voice gives you and the look of how light her eyes look.
"and will we ever, end up together?"
I don't know why, but it bothered me.
I felt tense.
"No, I think not, for I am not the one"
I run on stage, losing all senses and Mr Marlow gives me an unimpressed look.
" Dont you remember anything?
What are you afraid of? " And at first, she shoots me an evil stare, but then quickly improvising with an
"Jack, we haven't connected for years. How can I be trusting, when I don't even know you anymore"
It looked like an improvisation- but it felt like an excuse to tell me off.
"HEY! what was that?" I yell at Her and she just looks at me furiously.
"You started it."
"Go on a date with me....This Saturday" I blab. She turns over to me.
"No" She says.
"Please. I won't try anything and we can talk about the musical" I push up my glasses, and she pushes up hers.
"Fine, but it's for the musical, and that's it."