Tragic

Chapter Thirty-Four: After School Special

Hunter

Dress rehearsal is only three days away and Elliot and I have been avoiding each other for most of the week. Well, she answers me if I ask her questions at school but that's about it. Now's not the time to bring any attention to ourselves and we've been extra careful not to.

I watch Dylan stroll onto the stage with his shirt buttoned incorrectly. "How did people wear these clothes Mr. G?" He fumbles with the buttons once again. "They're so not cool."

I shake my head. "Well, I'd bet if Shakespeare saw what you wear, he may have the same opinion."

"True that," he says with a smirk.

I walk to the center stage. "Okay, if everyone's final fitting went well you are free to leave. If you still need some adjustments, see Darcy on your way out."

Most of the cast leaves quickly, throwing dresses and other random items Darcy's way. Darcy rolls her eyes at me. She's quiet, but I rather like her sarcasm. After a few minutes the chatter dies down, and it appears I'm the only one who remains. My eyes drift up on the alter, and I see someone still laying on it. I smile when Elliot's delicate frame comes into view. Her arms are splayed out to her sides, her eyes closed.

I take a few steps up so I am looking over her. "Rehearsal is over, Miss Monroe."

She peeks one eye open and then closes it again. "Well, Mr. Graham. If I had a decent acting partner, I wouldn't be so nervous about this scene."

I laugh. "All you have to do is die. Romeo has most of the lines."

She sits up and glares at me. "Exactly. It's a very pivotal scene where he professes his undying love for her. He actually dies for her. You can't recite lines like that without emotion. It compromises the integrity of the whole play."

I run my hand along my jaw in amusement. "I didn't realize theater meant so much to you."

Her eyes widen. "This is one of the most influential plays ever written. Love through generations is based on it. How could you not want it to be done properly?"

I watch as she throws her dress over the alter and begins to jump off. I place my hand on her waist to stop her. "What if I ran the lines with you? Maybe it would make you feel better about it, even if Dylan does suck."

She remains skeptical for a moment while she dangles her legs over the edge. A smile crosses her face. "Did everyone leave already?"

"I believe so."

She nods slowly. "Okay."

"Lay back like you were."

She hesitates but complies, resuming the position she was previously in.

"Okay, now close your eyes."

Her eyes flutter closed, and I lean myself over the alter, speaking softly. "First, I need you to relax. A dead person, or someone pretending to be dead, can't be so tense."

Elliot peeks an eye open and closes it again before taking another deep breath. "Is that better?"

"Hmm, much." I run my hand down the length of her arm, and she trembles. "The chemistry between the actors is very important. He comes to find that his one true love has taken her own life. The grief that he feels is overwhelming, it makes him desperate. Desperate to take her place. To be with her even in death."