My First Love Stories

Chapter 7 Rehearsal

I couldn't get on the fact that the scene required kissing, but to my relief Bob suggested that it could be faked by covering my mouth letting him peck his hand instead.

It also required ninja moves like those newlyweds kissing where the groom held her bride's waist while bending.

That was too much to handle but as long as it was not real, I'm in.

We were taking a break when Ms. Ruby entered the room to check on us.

"Let me interrupt you for a moment" she got our attention by clapping her hands.

"We are planning to showcase this play next month and there will be three shows per day" she said as she wrote the details on the board.

Everyone whispered about the new announcement.

"To avoid conflict on your class schedules, we are planning to add more people to act as substitute for some characters... and these people are the members" she gestured her hand to the officers sitting at the back of the room.

Eric grinned behind and waved at us.

Does that mean including Eric? I wonder.

"Krisha will substitute Zasha and Eric will replace Ron" she wrote our names on the board.

My jaw dropped when I heard his name.

Jei tapped me and said "This is your chance Zash" he pointed his lips to Eric.

"Stop it" I shut him up.

Now I know why he was always reading the script in our PE class.

You cheeky Eric! I smiled inside.

Few minutes after the break, Direk called us again to continue our rehearsal.

"This time Eric, I want you to play Ron and Zasha will be Riela" as he flipped the pages of the script.

"Let's do scene 4" he pointed to the part where we were included.

It was on scene 4 of the scripted entitled "Reunion" that after 15 years, Riela and Ron would meet again.

"They were best friends in college so imagine how excited Riela will be when she sees him" he gave emphasis to the emotion he wanted.

"You both missed each other and Riela has a crush on Ron, so how would she react? Of course, she needs to hug him" he embraced himself to set an example.

First the kissing scene, now hugging? What a totally new experience huh.

"Ready? 3, 2, 1 Action!" the signal was given to start the act.

Knock knock

"It must be Ron" Joe said.

"I'll take a look" I opened the door.

"Ron!" I said as I was beaming my widest smile.

"Riela! It is nice to see you again" He put his hands on my shoulder and I awkwardly wrapped my hands on his waist.

"Cut" Direk shouted

"Zasha, you need to hug him first and you, Eric, hold her waist and not the other way around" he showed us how to do it.

Everyone laughed. Eric and I looked at each other blushing and laughing at the same time.

"Got it?!" Direk with his poker face was ready for another take.

Although it was not as perfect as he wanted, he told us to practice our lines more and ease the awkwardness between us.

We continued rehearsing until 9PM, I already called my parents to pick me up.

We were all walking at the parking lot when I saw my dad's car.

"Goodnight guys, see you on Monday's rehearsal" I waved my hands.

"Bye Zash" Jei and the rest said.

When I was about to turn, someone held my hand. It was cold and rough.

"Zash, wait" I heard a familiar voice.

When I turned around Eric grabbed my hand.

"You'll be attending the acquaintance party next week, right?" with a worried look.

I almost forgot!

Every beginning of the first semester, the school holds an Acquaintance Party to let students mingle with others from all levels and courses.

"Yes, I'll be there" I nodded

"You must be there, promise?" he held my hand with both his hands.

"I promise" I raised my right hand as a sign.

"Okay, bye!" he gave me his sweetest smile.

"Ahmmm... Eric, you can let go of my hand now" I tapped him.

"Sorry..." he said as he released my hands.

"Okay, bye, see you Monday" he turned towards Jei who was already a few meters away.

I stared at him for a while until my dad called me.

See you... I whispered.