The Love Debate // Jamilton

Ara's role

If Thomas had ever been nervous, it was never this extreme. 

His nerves before the show made everything unbearable. He couldn't eat, sleep, or breathe for days before the showing of the school's new musical, Miranda, about the life of founding father Lin.

He was playing the role of the third president, Daveed Diggs. Alex was playing founding father
Lin, of course. But Thomas was most excited because the role of founding father Onaodowan was portrayed by guudie gf Luisa (YUM). 

Luisa was practicing the cabinet battle scene, when she caught a glimpse of her. 

She turned to Thomas, "Hey, do you know her name?"

He turned his head to where she was looking, "Oh, that's Arabella, but we usually call her Ara."

"Ara." Luisa looked down, smitten at her new crush. She had to talk to her.

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Ara was a strong woman. Not physically like Luisa, but mentally. She was adamant, tenacious, assertive, and confident. 

Luisa was trying not to check her out, but she couldn't resist. Wavy brown hair lightly grazed her waistline. Her dark blue eyes, darting around the costume, looking for imperfections. Pale skin contrasting with the navy blue of Chris Jackson's coat. 

"I think these cuff links should be longer."

Luisa didn't notice that she was staring until Thomas pulled her back down to earth.

"Helloooooo, Luisa? Luisa, are you okay?" 

She came back to reality, heat rising to her face when she realized. 

"Oh, crap. I'm down bad."

Thomas knew in that moment he had to come up with a plan to help the bestest friend he's ever had. 

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"Luisa, just go talk to her!" Thomas whispered, pushing Luisa towards the dressing rooms. 

"She just makes me so nervous!" Luisa whined.

Luisa walked down the long hall until she found Ara's desk. Ara was nowhere to be found. Luisa walked away, disappointed. 

"Hey, are you alright?" said a lovely, but unfamiliar voice. 

Luisa began speaking, facing away from the stranger, embarrassed of her sad state. 

"I'm alright, thank you," she let out a lengthy sigh, "I know you probably won't be able to help, but there's this girl. She's amazing. I don't know her, but her smile lights up the room, her eyes full of history. I want to meet her, but she isn't here."

Luisa turned around when she felt a hand on her shoulder, "It's nice to finally meet you, Luisa."

Ara was standing there, eyes lit up, full lips smiling bright. 

Luisa was horrified. Did she know she was talking about her? She probably thought Luisa was a creepy stalker!

"I-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to-" She was cut off by Ara's finger touching her lips. 

Ara let out a melodical laugh, "It's okay, Luisa. I actually was coming to meet you too."

Luisa was stunned, "Really?"

She laughed again, "Yes, I've had a crush on you for forever!"

For Luisa, it seemed like the air had become thin. She was so shocked that someone like Ara could have a crush on someone broken like her. 

"Can I kiss you?"

Ara nodded in response. When their lips connected, she felt a shock. It was like they were meant to be. 

Little did they know, a certain cast member was watching the entire time. 

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The first half of the act had gone well, until it was time for Cabinet battle #1, when founding father Onaodowan stood next to President Chris Jackson. 

The moment Luisa caught Ara's eye was when everything went south. No one seemed to notice that their characters had moved closer while Lin and Daveed were supposed to be arguing. 

Finally, Luisa's character had to move back so she could get yelled at by Lin. She caught a glimpse of Ara before she moved, mouthing, i love you.

Ara was so stunned that she forgot her lines while the rest of the cast stared at her. She luckily got it down after an awkward, long pause. 

At intermission, Ara ran into Luisa's arms, grinning from ear to ear. 

I love you too.

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Alex and Thomas high-fived in the background. Literally (not in the show). 

Thomas gave him a quick kiss. 

"We did something good."

Alex smiled moving Thomas' hair out of his face, 

"We sure did, darling."