✔️ The Gang Leader's Sister (gxg)

Chapter 18 - Lilian

„Uhh, I'm so happy for you!", Amber smiled as we sat down on the table the boys and Brooke usually sat on. They hadn't arrived yet, so it was only Amber and I with our lunch trays.

„Thanks", I smiled back. I couldn't stop smiling since what happened Saturday morning. Brooke and I had spent the whole weekend together so it felt weird that haven't seen her since Monday but it was only lunch time and I would see her any second. We had been very busy the last two days with the Romeo and Juliet play. Even though we worked on the same project it seemed like we just miss each other all the time. While I was working on the scenery with the backstage group Brooke directed the test runs of the actors. The play would be in a few weeks so we had a lot of work to do. Our teacher checked on us ever Wednesday and we could come to her all the time for questions but we were doing pretty good on our own.

„Hi", Brooke dropped down next to me and gave me a quick peck on my cheek. Since we were official we also acted like it, not minding what people thought. I sensed a few weird glares here and there and could also hear some laughs but it was far away from actually being bad. Maybe they didn't care that much or maybe they were afraid of Brooke's brother. Boston still didn't talk much with me but I was glad that he and Brooke were back on talking terms.

I smiled at Brooke and inhaled her smell. The fresh scent of smoke gave away that she had just had a cigarette which I didn't mind too much. The scent suited her.

„How are you?", Bastian sat down next to Amber who gave him a small smile. It was obvious that there was something between them.

We talked for the rest of lunch time, ate our sandwiches and after that Amber, Brooke and I went to the theatre to see our teacher like every Wednesday.

When we got there we all sat down together and waited for the rest of the pupils to get seated.

„Alright everyone, it looks like the scenery team can go home for today since or color order hasn't come, yet, and we can't keep going without."

The next few hours went by rather slowly. Everyone except a few actors left and I was still seated in one of the rows watching the rehearse. I was surprised at how good Brooke actually was at directing. She pushed the actors until they were honestly really good.

Even though they were quite good it didn't exactly make my day to watch Karter and Riley rehearsing as Romeo and Juliet.

I could sense that Brooke didn't like it either after she heard my story and what they both did to me.

When it was over everyone left as soon as they could leaving Brooke and I behind alone.

I got up from my seat and went up the few steps to the stage. I took one of the printed out scripts that were laying around on the floor and started to read the translated version of the old play on a random verse.

„Good pilgrim, you don't give your hand enough credit. By holding my hand you show polite devotion. After all, pilgrims touch the hands of statues of saints. Holding one palm against another is like a kiss", my voice was filled with irony as I read Juliet's words at my girlfriend who was packing her bag.

Brooke turned towards me laughing at my ironic commitment.

„Don't saints and pilgrims have lips too?", I was surprised that she actually knew the text without having to read it.

She saw my surprise and grinned at me while walking towards me. She taking my hand just as Romeo would with Juliets.

„Yes, pilgrim—they have lips that they're supposed to pray with", I read Juliet's next line and raised my eyes to Brooke's after. The depth in her eyes and the soft touch of her hand made me drop into the moment and my voice started to get unsteady.

Brooke kept her eyes on me as she spoke the next verse. „Well then, saint, let lips do what hands do. I'm praying for you to kiss me. Please grant my prayer so my faith doesn't turn to despair."

She came closer to me. Not close enough that she could kiss me but close enough for me to feel her body heat.

My voice was just a whisper when I read the next line from the white paper. „Saints don't move, even when they grant prayers."

„I knew, you were good!", exclaimed a voice just as Brooke opened her mouth to say Romeo's line to kiss Juliet.

We quickly turned our heads to Mrs Devon who stood at the entrance doors of the theatre.

„Lilian, I want you to play Juliet and I don't want to hear any buts. You will play her", she clapped her hands to underline that that was final.

I knew that it wouldn't save me to disagree to her so I shut my mouth. Brooke seemed to dislike the idea as well but she kept silent too.

Great, not enough that I had to play in front of the whole school but Karter was Romeo so I had to kiss him and Riley wouldn't be so happy that I got her role either.

Mrs Devon left the theatre again and I threw a glance at Brooke.

"You'll do great", she said with a small smile, trying to convince us both that this wasn't too bad in the first place. 

We both knew it was a lie.