From Introvert To Inlove

Chapter 3: School Play

"Girl, isn't reading boring?" Johnny said to Nicole.
 
"Just shut up Johnny, I'm literally reading Inner Beast by The Legend Season 3. The most peak season right now. The part where Mateo is getting 1 versus 4 by 4 powerful enemies. One of his friends who has the ability of lightning speed carrying their healer to heal Mateo during the fight without getting noticed."
 
Johnny went quiet; he opened his phone and started playing Zombie Outbreak. A girl named Maya, the classroom president of Jonathan and Nicole, burst into the classroom. She was practically radiating sunshine, her bright smile a stark contrast to the quiet hum of the students, mostly lost in their own little worlds.
 
"Good morning, my fellow grade 9-Rose!" Maya announced. 
 
A few students mumbled greetings in return, but most remained focused on their devices, their eyes glued to screens filled with colorful pixels and flashing lights, including Jonathan and Nicole.
 
"I know you're all busy with your phones there, but there's some exciting news that will hopefully distract you from your phones for a bit."
 
She paused, her eyes scanning the room, taking in the expressions of apathy and mild annoyance on the faces of her classmates. Undeterred, she continued.
 
"You've been chosen for a very special project!" Maya declared, her hands raised in the air, emphasizing the importance of her announcement. 
 
"This year, Grade 9-Rose will be responsible for putting on the annual school play!"
 
Complaints and groans can be heard from the students who are in the room. Oooooh, a school play? Wonder what kind of school play.
 
"Oh my fucking shit, seriously, a role play?" Jonathan said silently, focused on his game.
 
"A roleplay!? Now I will have no time to read this novel in the afternoon at home," Nicole also complained, silently.
 
"I know, I know, it sounds like a lot of work, but trust me, it's going to be amazing! We're going to have a ton of fun, and I'm sure it will be a huge success. I've already been talking to the teachers, and they've given us some amazing ideas."
 
Maya paused again, her eyes meeting Jonathan's, her expression turning mischievous. 
 
"We're going to do something different this year. Something that's never been done before."
 
Maya leaned forward.
 
"This year, we're going to put on a... magical play! A play that will transport us to a world of wonder and adventure, a world where anything is possible!"
 
Maya's voice grew louder as she spoke, her energy contagious, spreading a ripple of excitement through the classroom.
 
"I'm so excited, and I know you are too!" Maya declared, her smile lighting up the room.
 
With a final wave, she walked over to the board, her gaze fixed on his two fellow classmates, Jonathan and Nicole, who are still focused on their phones and near each other.
 
"So, who's ready to make magic?" Maya asked, her voice filled with anticipation.
 
Maya, her energy crackling like a spark, surveyed her classmates with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
 
"This year's play will be a story of forbidden love, perilous journeys, and a princess who can't speak a word!" She announced.
 
The students, still reeling from the unexpected news, exchanged confused glances.
 
"This play will be called 'The Silent Princess,'" Maya continued.
 
"And the roles have been carefully chosen."
 
She then proceeded to assign roles by writing it on the blackboard. Jonathan doesn't want to see what Maya is writing by sticking their eyes on their phone.
 
"You, my friend, are the brave and valiant knight who must rescue the princess." 
 
Maya pointed at Jonathan. Jonathan threw his phone on the table and looked at the blackboard with a shocked face. Maya jumped with sweat on her head. Maya knows Jonathan's rumors, but she fights her fear. Nicole giggled.
 
"Oh nooooo, it looks like Jonathan is the prince; I wonder who is the princess," Maya mockingly whispered to Jonathan, her eyes still on her phone.
 
Nicole, the Silent Princess: "And you, my dear, are the princess, whose heart speaks louder than any words." Maya looked directly at Nicole.
 
Nicole's phone slipped down her hand, falling to her table. Jonathan and Nicole just stared at the blackboard, soulless.
 
"Ayiiieeeeeeee" people in the classroom ayied for Jonathan and Nicole's role.
 
The Sorceress: "Now, we need someone wicked, someone with a heart full of darkness." 
 
Maya's gaze landed on a quiet girl named Lily, who always wore dark clothing and carried a mysterious aura. 
 
"Lily, you're perfect for the part of the sorceress."
 
"Okaaaay," Lily replied without hesitation. 
 
We know he wants to see the most fiery person in the room and the most silent person in the room, act in a romantic way.
 
The King:"And of course, we need a wise and loving King!" 
 
Maya turned to a tall, bespectacled boy named Daniel, who was usually found reading in the corner.
 
"Daniel, you have the gravitas for this role."
 
"Yeeeess, ma'am!!" Daniel shouted.
 
The Royal Guard: "And to protect our kingdom, we need some brave guards!" 
 
Maya pointed to a group of four athletic students, all of whom looked surprisingly excited to be part of the play.
 
"Yes, ma'am!" The four shouted.
 
Jonathan and Nicole were frozen in place. This was definitely not how they saw their lives unfolding. Well, this will be a good way to improve these two friendsrelationship with each other. Both of them just stared at the ceiling above them.
 
"Now," Maya continued,
 
"We'll start the practice this afternoon. I know this will be a lot of work, but I know you can do it. After all, this is more than just a play; it's a chance to explore the magic within ourselves! Any questions?"
 
Jonathan raised his hand, and Maya, including the others, felt a shock of fear; this might not be going well.
 
"Mama!" Jonathan shouted after raising his hand.
 
The students around laughed after Jonathan called Maya'mama'. Maya shakingly raised her hand, pointing at Jonathan, her hand shaking.
 
"It's Maya Jonathan. Is there any question?" Maya asked, shakingly.
 
"Is there a fuckin kissing scene!?" Jonathan asked angrily, still staring above.
 
"W-well, y-yes.."
 
Jonathan hit the wall beside him with the side of his palm, making the whole and the nearby classrooms shake. It's a good thing that it didn't make any cracks, but it looks like his strength and anger are coming back. 
 
Nicole is more soulless than before
 
"Th... There's really no need for a direct kiss; we can find a way to like cover it to think the audience both of you kissed but both of you were actually not," Maya replied.
 
Smokes started to come out of Jonathan's nose like an angry bull. Is this really his anger? Is this the anger he shows in the gang and while fighting? Is this the reason why he is the top 4 most feared person in the gang war?
 
"Tha, that's all for today now. I... I'll be going. Remember to practice in the afternoon," Maya said and rushed outside.
 
"Class president!!! This is your classroom!!!" The students inside the classroom shouted, but Maya didn't hear it.
 
Jonathan and Nicole were silent, looking up at the ceiling. Was it a bad idea to make him join?
 
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*Riiiiiiiiiinnnngggg*
 
"What room did the class president say? The room where we practice?" Jonathan asked Nicole. 
 
"The drama classroom," Nicole replied.
 
Jonathan and Nicole went to the classroom as they arrived. They found the other actors standing there, whispering. When they noticed Jonathan and Nicole standing on the door, they stopped their whispering.
 
"Okay, everyone, take your places!" Maya said after noticing Jonathan and Nicole. 
 
She seemed to be struggling to maintain her usual bubbly enthusiasm. 
 
The actors awkwardly shuffled into position. Lily, the sorceress, stood in the middle of the room, her dark eyes gleaming with an unnerving intensity. Daniel, the King, was perched on a chair, his brow furrowed in concentration. The four Royal Guards, all wearing makeshift armor made of cardboard and duct tape, stood at attention, their faces taut with anticipation.
 
Jonathan and Nicole stood near the back of the room, their eyes fixed on the floor.
 
"Let's begin with the opening scene." 
 
Maya said, her voice shaking slightly. 
 
"The Silent Princess is being captured by the Sorceress. Lily, can you show us how you imagine this scene?"
 
Lily stepped forward, her movements graceful yet menacing.
 
"You will learn to be silent, Princess!" 
 
Lily hissed, her voice a raspy whisper, as she grabbed a stuffed toy from the prop table. 
 
"You will learn to submit to my will!"
 
She kneeled down in front of the toy, her hand hovering over its head as if ready to strike.
 
Jonathan's eyes narrowed. It was as if a switch had been flipped, his anger replaced by a focus that radiated out from him like an invisible aura.
 
"I'm sorry, I can't do this," he said, his voice low and gravelly.
 
"What do you mean?" Maya asked, her eyes wide with concern.
 
"I can't stand here and watch this. I have to protect the Princess," Jonathan said, his gaze fixed on Lily.
 
Lily chuckled, a dark, unsettling sound. 
 
"It seems our brave knight is already in action."
 
"Jonathan, it's just a play." 
 
"This play is about protecting those who can't protect themselves," he said, his voice firm. 
 
"This isn't about pretending. It's about standing up for what's right."
 
The other actors watched, their eyes darting back and forth between Jonathan and Lily.
 
"Maybe we should start over," Maya said.
 
"It's just a play, Jonathan; it will be hard to make another scene again."

 
Quote For The Day (Or I Don't Even Know If It's Good To Be A Quote; I got this one from my friend): 
Forget about X and Y; how about U and I?