Enamored

10

"Psst. Kid. Wake up." (N) groans and tiredly looks at Ash. The bleached-haired woman tugs the teen out of the room and down the stairs. The teen yawns and shivers as the cool air rattles his bones. "Why are we outside? You know I have school in the morning?" Ash glances at (N) while opening the shed. "I need your help to find that book you and Myles were talking about."

The two dig through some boxes for a while. (N) reaches for another box but stops as he sees Ash holding a photo album. "You find it?" The woman closes the album and places it back in the box. "No. Just some old memories. Uh, maybe it's here." As Ash dug into another box a toy suddenly activated and started singing nursery rhymes. "Oh shit!" "Turn it off!" "What do you think I'm trying to do?!"

Ash whispered shouts and finally ripped the batteries out of the toy. "Ash. (N). Go back to bed. It's too early for this much excitement!" Clara calls out from the window causing the two to quickly shove the boxes back in the shed. "Look what you did! You got us in trouble!" "Me?! You're the one who dragged me outta bed!" "Whatever! Just go! Go go go!" Ash pushes the teen back inside. Unknown to the two the box with the photo album was left open in the shed.
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Yuki reads over the script and looks at Myles. "It's good. You said you're almost finished right." "Yes. I'll definitely have it finished before the festival." (N) smiles and turns to the music club. "Do you guys think you can help with the music?" Sky nods and motions for Myles to come over. The girl takes out stacks of CDs. She holds one up and hands it to Myles. "Reading the script gave me a sad, melancholy feeling. This one is called Mother Goose by Rebel."

The students listen to the CD for a while and Myles smiles. "It's amazing. I know it will work for the play." "I'm glad." The door opens and Sapphire steps in. "It's very lively in here. How's the club going?" "Good. We're all giving it our all." Sapphire smiles and pats Myles's head. "Let's both do our best." "Yes." "Mmm. I glad it was you." Sapphire leaves the room and Myles walks over to the center. "Okay. I'm to act with the music now."
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"We're off to school now." "See you guys later." The two teens say as Ash and Clara stand in front of them. "I'm excited to see you perform tomorrow." "Give it your all at rehearsals." Myles pumps both fits up and smiles. "I'll give my all!"
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The drama club stands backstage as Myles fiddles with his dress. Yuna smoothes out any wrinkles and looks around. "It's pretty dark back here." "Yea. I'll bring a flashlight tomorrow." (N) says and looks at a shaking Myles. "Oh god. My heart is racing." Rose gently pats the male's shoulder. "Relax. Just pretend the audience isn't there." (F/n) crossing his arms. "Think of them as aliens." "Aliens?" "Yep. And this performance will determine the fate of humanity."

(N) elbows his friend. "Don't put pressure on him like that. He's really nervous." "No, it's okay. I'll perform like our lives depend on it." Sapphire peeks around the curtain. "Okay drama club. You guys ready?" Myles looks at her and nods. "All ready to go." "Great. Give it your best." As she leaves the black male looks down. "I think I'm going to throw up." "What? I thought you were calming down a second ago." Myles looks at Yuki with a nervous smile.

"I know. It's that just everyone worked so hard to get here and I don't want to let you guys down." "You won't. Don't put all the pressure on yourself. Everyone is working to make the festival special." Myles nods at (N) and smiles. "Right. Let's do this!" Myles places his hand out, (N) does the same, and everyone copies. "Let's go drama club!"
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(N) sits in his room reading over the script when Myles knocks on his door. "Come in." "You're still up?" "Mhm. Just going over the script one more time." Myles walks in and sits beside (N). The (h/c) haired male watched as Myles played with his fingers. "Nervous?" "Yes. I can't help it." "It's okay. It's your first performance. Try to get all your nervousness out tonight." "Okay."

(N) props his head on his hand as he leans against the small table. "Your aunts are coming to the play right?" "Yes." Myles looks at the table causing (N) to straighten up. "Something wrong?" "No, it's just...I can't help but feel grateful and guilty for my aunts." "Myles. You have to stop blaming yourself for everything. I'm sure your aunts don't blame you. Right now you need to focus on the play."

Myles stands up and walks to the door. "I'll focus on the play." "Make sure you have everything you need." "Okay. Thanks for listening to me. Goodnight (N)." "Goodnight Myles. I'll see you tomorrow."
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(E/c) eyes open and stare at the ceiling as (N) sits up. 'Man, I'm parched.' The teen walks downstairs to the kitchen and chugs a glass of water. (N) yawns and starts to walk upstairs but stops when he sees the living room light on. 'Who's up at this hour?' (N) eyes widen as he sees Myles on the floor with pictures surrounding him. The black male looks at him with teary eyes.

"I. I was looking for...batteries...for the flashlight in the shed and...a box fell over." (N) inhales sharply and rushes over. He picks up the pictures and snatches one from the black male's hand. "Aunt Ash was an actress. She and Aunt Clara gave up their dreams for me." "Myles no! It's a misunderstanding. Go get some sleep okay? I'll clean up." (N) helps Myles up and the male walks away. 'Shit. What terrible timing.'

The teen picks up a picture of Ash wearing a costume. "He found out." (N) turns to see Ash in the doorway. "God. I really messed up. Damnit."
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(N) glares at the gloomy sky and turns to Myles. The male slowly tied his shoes and walked past (N). "Hey! Aren't you going to tell your aunts that you're leaving?" Myles continued to walk as (N) quickly caught up. "Myles." "I'm so selfish. I'm living out my dream while they gave up their dreams. I've wasted everyone's time." (N) gently places his hand on Myles's shoulder.

"It wasn't a waste of time. Everyone put a lot of effort into this play. You can't give up now."
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"C'mon. We have some time before the play. Let's go explore the festival." (N) looks at the guide. "Where do you wanna go first? Myles?" The black male looks up. "What? Sorry. I'm trying to keep it together for the play. I can't let everyone's hard work go to waste just because I was upset." "That's right. Just hang in there."

(N) gently grabs Myles's hand and leads him to a game. (N) aims and pulls back the rubber band. He lets go and the stack of cards falls. Myles claps his hands and (N) drags him to another game. A few minutes later (N) walks around the school alone. 'Damn. How the hell did I lose him?' The teen stops as he spots a familiar black woman looking at a poster. "Clara? You're alone?"

The woman looks at the teen and smiles. "Hello (N). Ash told me she had to run an errand." (N) looks off to the side and frowns. "Is she going to come?" "Ash wouldn't miss Myles's performance for the world." Clara glances around the teen. "Where's Myles?" "I'm not sure. We got separated. I was just looking for him." The woman nods with a smile. "Well. I'll leave you to find him. See you later." "Yea. See you later."

The (h/c) haired teen walks back outside and finds Tsumiki sitting on a bench eating a crepe. "Tsumiki. Have you seen Myles?" "Yes. He's in the library looking at some old drama performances." "Oh. Thanks!" (N) yells as he runs back into the school to the library. Upon entering the room he sees Myles in front of a TV. The screen displayed a younger Ash acting on stage. "Aunt Ash won an award for this performance...she's really good. She was a senior just like me."

A woman hands Ash her award and a microphone. Ash grins at the audience and shouts. "This is just beginning! Just you wait! I'll be in all kinds of movies! Acting is the best! I-" Myles jumps as (N) turns the TV off. "Myles. All you can do now is what you want to do and nothing else."
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Myles plays with his finger and shifts in his dress. "Myles! It's time!" "You can do it!" "Don't be nervous." "It's just like we've been practicing." Myles nods at his friends and slowly walks on stage. (N)'s finger hovers over the curtain button. His eyes narrow as he presses it. 'You got this Myles.' The curtain rises and the audience claps. Myles continues to stare at the floor as his shoulders shake.

The drama club watches him from the control room. "Something's wrong." "What's he doing?" "He's frozen." (F/n) turns to (N). "Should we drop the curtain (N)?" The (h/c) haired teen stares at his crush. 'Come on Myles.' Myles covers his face as he starts crying. "Oh no." "Drop the curtain (N)!" (N)'s finger hovers over the button but stops as a loud voice yells. "Make your dreams come true Myles!" (E/c) eyes widen as Ash stands at the auditorium doors.

"Don't you get it Myles?! Clara and I didn't give up our dreams! You are our dream! Ever since we opened our bakery we've been waiting for this moment! To see you living out your dream! Tell him, Clara!" Clara stands up from her chair and yells. "You can do it Myles!" (N) runs out of the room to the side stage. "That's right Myles! Chase your dreams while you can! Be better than (F/n) and I!"

Myles wipes his tears and takes in a deep breath.  "If you'd like I can take you. I can take you to a place in town. Where wishes come true." 'Take us there Myles. Take all of us there.'