Strong ✅

LOVE ON TOP

It was another day, but not just any day. It was Aaliyah's senior year. There was a rumor going around that this year's school play was a rendition of Romeo & Juliet, but it was called Forbidden Love. Aaliyah couldn't wait. She was such a theatre geek. She used to go to musicals with her mother every summer before her family fell apart. It made Aaliyah sad to think of it now.

As Aaliyah walked down the hallway, she greeted her friends. Ashley Gomez and she had known each other since fourth grade. Aaliyah knew she had a crush on Axel and it killed her to see Aaliyah and Axel together.

Axel Garcia was Aaliyah's soon-to-be husband. He proposed last summer on her birthday. It was really cute, but the two agreed that Aaliyah shouldn't wear the ring in school because then they'd have to worry about everyone else's reactions and then further explain that it was arranged. It was something that both she and Axel didn't like telling a lot of people, unless it was absolutely necessary.

Ethan Barnes was Aaliyah's drinking buddy. They were so weird when they were wasted that you wouldn't even want to know.

Caterina Fisher was Ethan's girlfriend and they were so cute together that sometimes Aaliyah could swear that she dies at how cheesy and cliche their relationship is, but she wanted something that amazing.

Daniel Kelly was Aaliyah's best friend, without him, she didn't know where she'd be. Probably in jail with Ethan

Kendall Baker was Danny's girlfriend. She was literally a shop-a-holic. Aaliyah hated shopping, but always went with her anyway because she loved her that much and because Kendall gave good fashion advice.

All of Aaliyah's friends were weird and funny, but that was why she loved them.

As the friends parted their separate ways, Aaliyah walked down the hallway. Just then, the door to her right smacked against her face and she fell down. As she started to get up, she met the most beautiful pair of brown eyes, even more beautiful than a summers day. It was only eight a.m. and she was already pulling out the corny Shakespeare jokes.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry. I didn't see you there. Are you alright, babe?" Aaliyah heard a country accent ask.

"Oh I'm fine. No harm, No foul, right?" Aaliyah said dreamily. The guy chuckled at her awkwardness. He had a dark buzz cut head and stubble lined across his face. His eyes, a chocolate color.

"Alright then, love. Do you need help getting to your next class?" He asked in a sweet manner as he helped Aaliyah off the floor.

"Um, I suppose if you don't mind...?" Aaliyah stopped mid-sentence, realizing that she didn't know his name.

"Jordan Green." He replied.

"I'm Aaliyah Bell. Are you from Somerset?" Aaliyah asked quite curiously.

"Actually yes. How did you know?" Jordan questioned with that beautiful gleaming twinkle in eyes.

"I was born and raised there for about ten years. Then I moved to Manchest--" the bell cut Aaliyah off.

"Late on the first day. That's not good." Jordan teased. Aaliyah chuckled in response while she dragged him to class.

As the two opened the door to drama class, all heads turned their way and it was honestly very intimidating.

"You're late, Ms. Bell." Ms. Davis said, while writing today's assignment on the board.

"I'm so sorry, Ms. Davis. I was showing Jordan around. He's new." Aaliyah stated, pointing towards Jordan. She nodded her head in response. Aaliyah sat in her seat.

"Why don't you sit next to Aaliyah, Jordan?" Ms. Davis suggested.

"Um, I guess." Jordan said. Jordan walked over and sat next to Aaliyah. Axel was staring at her from across the room. He was starting to freak Aaliyah out, the way he was staring at her all the time.

Axel passed Aaliyah a note half way through class.

Ax: Hey love! Why are you hanging out with the new guy?

Aali: Be nice. He's nice, get to know him. Love you Cheshire Cat.

Cheshire Cat was his nicknames. Aaliyah created it because when he smiled he kind of looked like a cat and he hated them but he'd really just have to deal with it because they weren't going to be changed after all the years they'd been best friends.

Ax: Alright. I'll try. Love you too, Bellbottom.

Bellbottom was Aaliyah's nickname and she hated it and that's exactly why Axel kept saying it. Call it revenge.

Aaliyah continued to pay attention to the lesson, but she felt like Jordan was looking at her.

She turned to look at him and indeed, he was looking at her. Aaliyah couldn't help but grin when she saw his million dollar, take-your-breath-away smile.

While Ms. Davis was talking about the upcoming play, the entire time Aaliyah was thinking about anything but Romeo and Juliet. She had this fantasy that Axel and Jordan would be best friends. She knew it wasn't going to happen. Axel already wasn't fond of Jordan.

She hoped that they would get along. Axel meant a lot to her and Jordan seemed like a really cool guy that she'd like to get to know more.

Ms. Davis explained that everyone would audition for the play on Saturday and Aaliyah was really excited. The woman said that a close friend wrote the rendition and Aaliyah was really anxious to find out who it was. The play would revolve around characters Jane and Roman and Aaliyah was buzzing to start rehersals.

When Aaliyah got home, she ran up the steps and called Ashley to run parts. Ashley said that she wanted to play the part of Jane's sister, Shannen.

This play was so different. Instead of Romeo and Juliet, it was Roman and Jane. Aaliyah just loved this play and she really hoped that just maybe she might get the part of Jane.