I spent most of Sunday recuperating from my hangover so by Monday I felt mostly fine, besides the dull throb at the back of my head.
However, I was still feeling dead when I walked into the auditorium for our play auditions.
I had no idea what role I was auditioning for. I hadn't memorized lines or anything, and unfortunately Mrs. Faye was requiring everyone to audition for a role, meaning I couldn't work backstage.
"Maybe I can be a tree?" I asked her hopefully.
"There are no tree roles Aubrey," she laughed.
"But trees are very important!" I protested. "Without trees we wouldn't have oxygen or money or anything and then we'd be all dead!"
She patted my head. "Sorry but no. If you don't want a big role there are plenty of small ones you can audition for." Then she walked off.
I frowned at her retreating figure.
"Welcome to the auditions for Romeo and Juliet!" Mrs. Faye said loudly. We were all scattered in different seats across the auditorium.
"We will be auditioning in alphabetical order. Please know your lines or at least have your script ready."
I felt a tiny bit of relief in knowing I still had some time before my auditions. I quickly scanned the script. Lady Capulet didn't have that many lines. Neither did Lady Montague.
The theater doors slammed open and everyone turned to look. Carter strolled casually inside looking bored.
"So nice of you to make it Mr. King," Mrs. Faye gave him a disapproving look. "Please have a seat. Auditions will be starting momentarily."
He made his way over to me. I was too busy stressing over this to acknowledge the tiny flutter of my stomach.
"Yo," he sat next to me. "How are you feeling?"
"Meh," I shrugged. "I've been better."
I mean I completely and totally embarrassed myself in front of him but YOLO right?
"I studied my lines all night. I'm gonna blow everyone else out of the water," he pulled out his script.
"Can't wait to see that," I mumbled.
"First up," Mrs. Faye announced. "We have Kimberly Chambers auditioning for the role of Juliet."
Kim, as everyone liked to call her, walked up the steps to the stage confidently. She didn't have her script and stood in front of us, her posture straight and her hands clasped behind her back.
"I will be reciting some of Juliet's lines from scene two, the apple orchard," she cleared her throat.
"O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I'll no longer be a Capulet."
Her face was twisted with anguished and she stretched her hand out as if she was reaching for someone.
"Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for that name which is no part of thee
Take all myself."
The auditorium was silent.
"That was wonderful!" Mrs. Faye stood up. "Truly wonderful. Thank you."
Kimberly bowed and made her way down the stage.
Most of the auditions went the same way, although some of the males auditioning for Tybalt or Romeo auditioned together because they were doing the scene where both characters fought.
"Next up we have Carter King."
I sat up a little straighter in my seat and watched as after walked up to the stage. Some of the girls were whispering and giggling among themselves and I had the strong urge to run over each and every one of them.
"And what will you be reciting?" Mrs. Faye's pen hovered over her clipboard.
"I will be reciting some of Tybalt's lines from act one, scene five."
She quickly scribbled something down then nodded for him to continue.
Carter cleared his throat then suddenly his face became irritated.
"This, by his voice, should be a Montague. Fetch me my rapier, boy.
What, dares the slave
Come hither, covered with an antic face,
To fleer and scorn at our solemnity?
Now, by the stock and honor of my kin,
To strike him dead I hold it not a sin.
Uncle, this is a Montague, our foe,
A villain that is hither come in spite
To scorn at our solemnity this night. 'Tis he, that villain Romeo."
I was speechless. Carter could really act. The farther he got into his lines the angrier he became. I glanced around when he was finished. Most students mouths were open and their eyes wide.
"That was..." Mrs. Faye floundered. "That was spectacular!" She clapped. "Marvelous!"
Carter bowed and came back to so sit next to me.
"Show off," I muttered.
"What was that?" He leaned toward me. "What's that thing you like to say? You mad or nah?"
I rolled my eyes.
When it was my turn I took my script up to the stage. The lights were bright and shining in my face causing me to squint.
I had concluded that Lady Montague had the least to say, with a total of three lines. As an added bonus, no one had auditioned for her part.
"Whenever you're ready," Mrs. Faye encouraged me.
"I will be reciting Lady Montague's lines from act one, scene one," I cleared my throat and conjured my wisest sounding voice.
"Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe."
I was hoping that would be the end of that but Mrs. Faye motioned me to continue. I sighed and changed my voice to slightly distressed.
"Oh, where is Romeo? Saw you him today? Right glad I am he was not at this fray."
"Thank you," Mrs. Faye smiled at me. I quickly hurried down from the stage.
"Alright my young actors and actresses," she swept her arms out. "Results will be posted outside the doors by Friday morning. Thank you all for auditioning."
"Like we had a choice," I grumbled.
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On Friday morning everyone rushed to see what part they had gotten.
"I got Juliet!" Kimberly squealed.
She was telling everyone who would listen in a ten mile radius. I pushed my way through the crowd to see the list.
Lady Montague - Aubrey Powers
"Yay," I said half heartedly to myself. An arm slung around my shoulder.
"Guess who's Tybalt?" Carter grinned.
"Let me guess?" I tapped my chin. "You?"
"Of course. Who else?"
"Still as arrogant as ever I see."
"You know you like it," he teased flicking my nose. He turned and sauntered off while I stood there trying to calm my racing heart.
Hi guys! How are you?
Haven't been doing QOTD's lately and that's bad because it's my way to get to know you guys! So here's one:
QOTD: if you could travel anywhere in the world for free where would you go?
I would go to Paris because I've dreamed of living there since I was little and I just love the culture. Except for the snail eating. I don't like that.
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