No Reason But Us

Chapter 11 : Volunteer

A couple of days later, inside Felix's art room, "Hey," Oddey walked in all of a sudden and got a little addled from seeing him again since the date.

"Hey, Oddey," Felix said.

"Hey," Gage greeted as well, but Oddey did not want to acknowledge his presence.

"Felix, can I borrow your USB? I misplaced mine. I need to print out an assignment."

"Oh, mine is full for now. It's filled with my videos for film club," Felix answered.

"You can borrow mine," Gage offered.

"Uhm... thanks, but I'll... just find another way," Oddey declined, then left, which made Gage feel dejected since he was trying to help, and Felix could sense the heavy tension between them.

"She's still mad at me. I thought you said that she's okay."

"That's what she told me, but I guess she's not entirely okay," Felix replied.

"Well, I don't blame her anyway." Gage shook his head and read his script again.

"She'll get over it."

"It just sucks, that's all."

"Well, at least it's worth it," Felix remarked, which Gage found odd to hear.

"Uhmm... What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean, at least you and Courtney are friends, right?"

"Yeah, I guess, but I didn't mean to hurt her feelings."

------

Gage was reading his script and acting out his role in an empty classroom, but he was having a hard time because this was the first time he had to play a main character.

"Hey!" Courtney came and dropped her bag at the side. "How's the practicing?"

"Uhm... okay, I guess, but I did memorize the first part already."

"Great, let's start rehearsing then," she said, taking her script out. "But before we start, I want to say thanks for doing this."

Gage just gave her his handsome, sweet smile. "Don't mention it."

"I'm serious," she took his hand and held it. "I'm so happy that we're doing this together."

"You're my best friend, Court. I support everything you do," he assured her. Courtney couldn't help but blush. "Okay, come on, let's start. I have a lot to do later."

"Right, right, you go first. And... action!"

"But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, who is already sick and pale with grief, that thou her maid art far more fair than she: Be not her maid, since she is envious..." Gage recited his line without looking at the script, yet he was trying so hard to express the words he was saying. "Her eyes in heaven would through the airy region stream so bright that birds would sing and think it were not night. See how she leans her cheek upon her hand! O, that I were a glove upon that hand, that I might touch that cheek."

Courtney did not look impressed, though she decided not to point it out first and continued, "Put a little more umph in it, Gage."

"Sorry," he apologized.

"Okay, let's do this again."

"But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun..."

"A bit more than that. Again."

Gage was starting to feel annoyed, but at the same time, he had to accept what he signed up for, so he took a deep breath and did it again, "Sure. But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, who is already sick and pale with grief, that thou her maid art far more fair than she..."