kickthestickz ~ the habit of pursuing happiness

prologue

Chris was nervous, which was not unlike him before his first appearance of the night on stage. He was to play Mercutio in the high school's production of Romeo and Juliet, which at first seemed overdone until the challenge of having no costumes and little to no props was released to them. Chris looked down and smoothed out his faded scarlet button-up, remembering the challenge and thinking of how unusual it was for him to go on stage without physically being someone else. He remembered when he bought the shirt with his mother last spring. The store clerk had platinum blonde hair and thick makeup which creased near her eyes and her mouth, revealing her fake smile and old age. He remembered thinking of the similarities between her and his own mother.

Nicolas had brought him out of his reminiscent trance. "Babe, the scene is about to start. You alright?" He asked, taking Chris' hand. Chris smiled up at him, squeezing Nicolas' soft hand and assured him that everything was alright. "You're going to do amazing, as usual. We've practiced a million times over." Nicolas was also dressed in modern clothes: a dark cyan button-up with black suspenders attached to the waist of his khakis. With a wink and a peck on Chris' cheek, Nicolas had returned to his wing for the entrance.

They had been together for many months now after meeting in that year's theater class and growing a strong bond quickly. Their instructor, Mr. Clarke, soon had more than one jokester to worry about what with the arrival of Nicolas not dissuading Chris from his humorist ways. It seemed only fate that they both were selected for the Romeo and Juliet play, as well as characters that were close friends—Romeo and Mercutio. Of course, once Chris and Nicolas became a couple, the two roles were portrayed as slightly more than just friends. Mr. Clarke soon discovered it was to no avail in scolding them for sneaking kisses or holding one's hand more than necessary and let them do as they wished with the role.

Jeremy, playing Benvolio, soon appeared next to Chris as they waited for their cue. Poor Jeremy, people had said when they heard he was to play Benvolio. He's a mere shadow of an actor compared to Chris and Nicolas. It wasn't that Jeremy was a bad actor; after all, it was difficult to be selected for this play. It was just that the chemistry Chris and Nicolas had when on stage made Jeremy fade as he lacked the explosive performance the two could give. This was not unbeknownst to him, as rumor had it, Jeremy had requested a role change so he wouldn't look so out of place on stage with those two. They were impossible to match in stage presence. Nevertheless, Jeremy had stayed in his role.

Sure enough, the lights came up and the scene began.

"What, shall this speech be spoke for our excuse? Or shall we on without apology?" Nicolas protested at the others, trailing behind the two. Chris no longer had to wipe his sweaty hands on his black slacks, as he was consumed with a new confidence only Mercutio had. "Give me a torch. I am not for this ambling. Being but heavy, I will bear the light." Nicolas stretched out his hand, now standing to the right of Chris.

"Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance!" Chris approached him.

"Not I, believe me. You have dancing shoes with nimble soles. I have a soul of lead so stakes me to the ground I cannot move." Romeo replied, moving away. A small smirk was apparent on Mercutio's face.

"You are a lover. Borrow Cupid's wings and soar with them above a common bound." He gestured to a great beyond before storming toward Benvolio. After an exchanging of lines, Chris saw his opportunity to advance.

"Is love a tender thing?" Romeo had shouted. "It is too rough, too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn."

"If love be rough with you..." Mercutio took bold steps toward Romeo, hovering just behind Romeo's left shoulder. Admittedly, he had to rise up on his toes to be seen over his boyfriend's shoulder. "Be rough with love. Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down!" After saying these words directly into his ear, Mercutio kissed Romeo on the cheek quickly before turning away, chuckling.