Soulmates •Josh Kiszka•

Sonny and Cher.

"You can't just sit around and watch life pass you by. You have to keep dreaming. Sonny taught me that, and I intend to do him proud." -Cher

-

Friday morning was the day that we would find out who got what part. I was nervous, but Emily reassured me that I would make it at least as an extra, but I hadn't told her Mrs. Taylor said I had to be a main character aka Juliet, to get enough credits. I tried hard over this week to fight my urge to drop out of the whole thing, and just let life take me where I was meant to go; but I didn't.

"Have you heard from Josh?" Emily smiled at me while I opened my locker.

"What? No why would I-" I began, as I grabbed my book.

She furrowed her eyebrows and jolted her head forward, "why? he totally flirted with you on the bus the other day"

"Oh," I began as I closed my locker and started walking down the hallway, "yeah I wouldn't put that under the flirting category.. he was just telling me he didn't think you were slow" I giggled in thought.

"Lex, he was telling you that he knew I wasn't slow and so me sa-" Before she could say anything more, Sam ran up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her up and spinning her around. I smiled, but was thankful he got her to stop talking about the whole situation. I walked into the bathrooms, and set my book down onto my bag on the floor, walking over to the sink.

"Hey, how do you think your audition went?" Ronnie smiled, walking up to the sink beside me.

I shrugged "alright I guess", I was a bit over people asking me, because if I didn't get this main role, I would be seeing these halls forever.

She nodded, noticing I'm a bit off and she put on some chapstick. "My brother's have this gig thing Friday night, wanna come with?" she looked over to me, obviously changing the subject.

I thought for a second as I let out a sigh, "sure", I didn't give it much thought though, until I realized she said gig.

"A gig? What do you mean by that?" I asked, turning my full attention and body towards her.

"They started this band, they don't have a name yet.. but they actually aren't half bad!" she smiled.

I nodded slowly, to which the bell rings. Saved by the bell.

I grabbed my bag, told Ronnie I'd see her later and headed to my class.

-

The next morning came quickly, and my stomach churned as I walked into school. All the kids were running to the board to see who got what. I slowly walked up letting out a breath, Emily and Sam walked closely behind me.

Second Guard - Gavin Powell

Third Guard - Ryan Gold

Nurse - Sabrina David

Sampson - Justin Farley

Second Musician - Mallory King

First Musician - Jacob Kiszka

Gregory - Hunter James

Lady Montague - Olive Moore

Abraham - Jesse Sanders

Lord Montague - Carson Jones

Benvolio - Bentley Chester

Rosaline Capulet - Veronica Kiszka

Lady Capulet - Giovanna Puckett

Lord Capulet - Johan Davies

Friar Lawrence - Kingsley Underwood

Tybalt - Patrick Richards

Romeo - Joshua Kiszka

Juliet - Alexis Morris

There it was, I got the part. I couldn't help but squeal, thinking how all I had to do now, was do the darn thing, and graduate.

"Congrats!" Emily smiled, still having no idea how big of a deal it was.

I smiled and hugged her, "this is great!" I giggled.

Everyone slowly walked away to their classes or lockers, while I stood, staring at the paper.

"Practice at my house after school?" Josh chuckled from behind me.

I turned around, ever since tryouts, I have seen him in a different light. I smiled and nodded, "sure."

He blushed while looking at the ground, and we slowly walked away.

"What was that?!" Emily giggled while nudging my arm.

"What was what?" I asked, laughing.

She just shook her head and we walked to class.

-

"If I profane with my unworthiest hand, this holy shrine, the gentle fine is this: my lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready to stand smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss." Josh looked up to me from his script, as his eyes met mine, I felt that pit in my stomach grow larger, and my cheeks grew hot, feeling, in that moment, as if I could crawl into that hole.

He stood there and waited for me to recite my lines back, but I couldn't move, I was frozen in that moment.. sitting at his kitchen table, staring into his eyes.

"What are you guys doing?" Jake chuckled from the fridge as he pulled out a water.

Josh looked to Jake, but I just kept looking at him, curious as to what this feeling was. "Practicing our script," Josh replied.

"Well don't forget we have that gig tonight, so we need to practice in an hour to make sure we have everything down. Kyle is on his way." Jake replied, setting his water down.

Josh and I went back through our script like nothing happened, but we were quieter than before, almost like something was sitting on the surface but neither one of us knew how to break it.

"Did you wanna stay for our practice? It's usually private, but I can let that slide for you," he winked. Something was confident about his demeanor, but shy all in the same way.

I agreed, and told him how Ronnie had invited me to go to the gig tonight, and he lit up at the thought of me being there tonight. We shut our scripts, and walked out to the garage.

I watched as Jake played his guitar and Sam looked like he was just getting to know his way around the bass, I smiled in thought.

"Where is Kyle?" Josh sighed, "he is always late we really need to find a new d-"

"No, what we need is a band name! The gig is tonight and we still don't have a name. They're going to have to introduce us as 'the brothers and Kyle' again." Jake shook his head.

Before anyone could say another word, Kyle burst through the garage door.

"Sorry I'm late, I was cutting wood for Gretna Van Fleet." he sighed, setting his bag down and sitting at the drums.

"If you're l-" Jake started

"Wait? Gretna Van Fleet" Josh exclaimed.

"Yeah," Kyle looked from Jake to Josh seemingly out of breath.

"That's it!" Josh smiled and looked at all the boys.

"It's what?" Sam asked.

Josh shook his head, "that's our band name! It's unique, I think it would work.. Maybe drop the N though,"

"So, Greta Van Fleet?" Jake slowly smiled in thought. The boys shook their heads all agreeing and started to play.