star-crossed

i. a clash of opinions

Mrs. Duncan stood up in front of her Honors English 11 class, staring at the group of teenagers who would rather play with their pencils than listen to a word she had to say, brandishing a dusty, leather-bound book that looked as if it had just been pulled from the Smithsonian Archives. Viola raised one eyebrow and nudged Miranda, who was sitting across from her in their little group of desks. She gestured at Mrs. Duncan, and they both leaned a little closer to pick up every word she was saying.

            "I'm excited to announce that we are about to start our Shakespeare unit!" Mrs. Duncan said, shaking the book back and forth. At least ten years' worth of dust fell from it. Viola and Miranda recoiled. Whatever Mrs. Duncan had to say was not worth the lung disease they'd get from hearing it.

            "About time," Cory muttered, quiet enough that only Miranda and Viola could hear. "What?" she said, her voice falling to a whisper. "We've only been promised this since, like, September. I thought the syllabus lied." Mrs. Duncan's gaze landed on Cory, and she fell silent, hanging her head.

            With a curt nod, their teacher went on with her lecture. "Thank you. Now, as you may know, it's incredibly difficult to get students who clearly are not invested in the text to understand Shakespeare. Therefore, I have decided that it is best for us to stage the show as if it were a theatrical production! There won't be any after school rehearsals since I see you all every day, but—" A hand shot into the air. Mrs. Duncan sighed. "Yes, Cordelia?"

            "Please, it's Cory. And what play is it, again? I don't think you ever told us," she said, bouncing in her seat and causing her chair to squeak.

            Rather than tell them, Mrs. Duncan held out the front cover of the book, causing everyone to squint as they tried to take in the gold text engraved on the brown leather. Viola, being near the front of the room, was one of the first to see it. Her eyes went wide the minute she processed the title.

            Romeo and Juliet.

            They were going to read Romeo and Juliet.

            No, they were going to perform Romeo and Juliet.

            And she was determined to get Juliet, no matter what it took.

            A smile tiptoed across her face, open-mouthed and wild, and she didn't bother to hide it, no matter how stupid she knew she looked. Miranda nudged her. "Close your mouth, Vi. You're going to eat a bug or something."

            Viola rolled her eyes. "Whatever. I've heard bugs are an excellent source of protein." Cory giggled. Miranda looked at her like she'd just sprouted five extra heads.

            Mrs. Duncan shot her a scathing glare. "Miss Sinclair, I'm going to have to ask you to move to this desk for today, since you, Cordelia, and Miranda clearly don't understand the meaning of the word quiet," she said, her tone icy. Viola stifled a groan as she slung her backpack over her shoulder and moved to her new seat, slumping into her chair as she dropped her bags. Cory and Miranda smirked at her, and she made a face back at them. "Miss Sinclair! Act your age. There is a time and place for immaturity, and it is not right now."

            "Sorry," she said, tugging at one of her curls and focusing her full attention on Mrs. Duncan, who gave a small nod and looked at the rest of the class as if the previous two minutes had not occurred. She started explaining Romeo and Juliet for anyone who hadn't read it, but she didn't listen. No, the boys behind her proved more interesting than a scene-by-scene rundown of a play she'd already read five or six times.

            "Dude, that's one of Miranda's best friends. Now's your chance to get an in with her!" one of the boys said. Though she wasn't looking at him, in her mind, he nudged one of his friends. Viola resisted the urge to laugh. Countless boys had a crush on her best friend. She'd feel bad for her if Miranda didn't encourage their attention so much.