Cupid & Psyche

Cupid & Psyche: Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

I never thought that breaking someone else heart would be more painful than breaking your own. Especially when the person you didn’t intend to hurt is not worthy of the pain.

Andrew was a martyr—just like me; he could be a saint for his kindness—not like me. I think Janica was hallucinating when she said I could be a saint. I am no Joan of Arc material. Andrew should be the saint. Sure the credits should be posted to me. Only that sometimes he is just too kind for his own good. I didn’t know that of all the players in this world, Andrew is one of the 4 % left for the good guys. He even managed to put up a smile like nothing had happened and this is seriously bugging me.

“Psyche!” Mr. Severino called my attention and I blinked. “Hello, this is a rehearsals and in case you didn’t sleep well I think you better get off the stage, sweet thing!” he yelled at me.

“I’m sorry, Mr. S—“  he raised his hand to silence me.

“If you don’t have anything good to say then shut up. This is a school play, sweety. Even though you’re just the understudy you should still focus on what’s happening in the play.”

“Well I thought I’ll just be backstage—“ I immediately shut my mouth when he glowered at me.

“So you want to be backstage instead?”

“I’ll watch more intently now, Mr. S.” I prompted with a swift apology. I saw Persephone look at me but I couldn’t hold her gaze for long.

Mr. S clapped his hands all together and he stood up from his seat.

“Okay, right from the top!”

Maybe I forgot to tell you what the theme of the School Play is. Actually it’s a musical about a teenage drama queen named Gabriella who wants to take the world by storm. Yeah, I know it’s kind of lame. I’d rather be on Mid-Summer Night’s Dream.

Persephone was in the middle of the song “Fireworks” by Katy Perry when Mr. Severino’s assistant came to him and whispered something. Persephone continued singing but then she couldn’t help but look at them as Mr. S himself stood up and went backstage. I was also distracted when she stopped and my eyes followed to where everyone was staring.

Then I noticed everybody stopped too and I heard a commotion was running at the backstage. Meanwhile I look at the seats in front to see Andrew still seating there and watching me. He mouthed the words: “You’re great” to me when I didn’t do anything but just look at my perfect twin sister.

“Fine, Jen, just prepare him and I’ll deal with everything later!” Mr. S shouts back at his assistant as he storms back at the stage.

“Okay, future stars we have a little problem.” He said. “You see, our lead male, Jason had tripped off the stairs earlier and he had a terrible sprain…” most of my co-actors whined at the thought that Jason wouldn’t be on the play anymore. “But he rose is pointing finger.  “Listen, you guys there’s a but. I found a new replacement for him.”

Jason was supposed to be Persephone’s partner as he plays Peter, her male counterpart. He’s really good in school plays—especially when the role is about “cool dudes”. It’s just so disappointing that he couldn’t be on stage now. At least I somehow trust Mr. S to choose the best replacement for him.

 “Cupid!” he shouted and the hairs on my neck stood up. I sucked in my breath as he went out of the backstage. My co-cast especially the girls giggled and exchange whispers immediately while I on the other hand was boiling mad.

Mr. S stood at Cupid’s back and he placed his hands on his shoulders.

“This is Cupid Confiar and he’ll take Jason’s spot as Peter from now on.” some of the girls run up to congratulate him. I turned around immediately, heading towards the backstage and pretended to busy myself with my script.