Romeo and Romeo?

Switching Places

Ms. Paige looked at everyone with sparkling eyes. "I have the greatest feeling this will go off without a hitch." She was thrilled after the finale run of rehearsal.

The group of teenagers shrugged for most of them didn't care if the play went good or not. Most of them we're just riding out their detention sentence. 

They were all dressed in their starting costumes. Teresa looked radiant and everyone else looked wonderful if they were put up to her and judged in a beauty pageant. 

Newt stood to the side with Chuck, Alby and Ben. They talked to each other in hushed whisper.

"What happens if we get into fights on stage." Ben questioned

"In front of all these people?" Alby laughed. "It be a better show then watching these kids act."

"Ms. Paige may make us do the Spring play." Newt smiled, he wouldn't mind it.

"No, you know what the V.P. we'd be expelled." Chuck said

All four boys stood still. They knew Chuck was right and for that they couldn't fight.

Ms. Paige called attention to everyone, "We begin in two hours! Now, you may change from your costumes and into your clothes. Food has been set up in the back for you all to enjoy before show time. You've all done wonderful and i'm proud of you."

The cast dispersed to dress rooms to change then to the back to eat. Everyone sat together and carried light conversation. 

"Wait Newt, what kind of car was it your dad gave you?" Gally asked from across the table. Newt looked at him and swallowed his gulp of drink that was in his mouth.

"A 2010 Toyota Camry, blue. Seven thousand miles."

Gally grinned, "Dude that's great mileage on a car that's eight year old."

"Yeah, it was a birthday gift."

"Along with the phone right?" Aris asked at the other end of the table.

"Yeah. New phone who's dis?" Newt chuckled

Everyone laughed, "Anything special about it?"

Newt shook his head, "No." He lied.

No one knew about Newt's suicide attempts.

Thomas looked at Newt, "It's pretty cool that your parents care for you so much."

Newt smiled, "I'm sure yours do too. You're a good guy, they must have raised you good."

Thomas smiled, even though it wasn't true. His parents raised him poorly, but didn't let it shine through him. Newt called him a good guy and it sent a weird feeling through him.

Their break went by quickly and before they knew it they were back in their costumes getting ready to start the show.

"Outside those door are over two hundred people. Two hundred of your friends and family and members of your community. They are all here to see you act in this play. Do not let them down. Once I open those doors then curtains will open in ten, those in Act One, Scene One need to be in there places ready to go on my mark of the curtains rise. So are you ready?"

Everyone replied the same, "Yes Ma'am."

"Then my pupils," Ms. Paige took a deep breath, "Break a leg."

The two boys who played Sampson and Gregory took place on stage holding fake dull tips swords and small shields with them. 

Ms. Paige opened the doors and people flooded into the theater taking their seats, before everyone knew, they lights flickered, voices silenced and the curtain rose. The play was just beginning.