Romeo and Juliet: Modified , Lashton

Act 2: An Afterschool Practice

"Mum I think I'm sick. Possibly dying." Ashton said in the weakest voice he could muster, fluttering his big hazel eyes at his mother who was reading a book at the dining table.

"You are going to school, Ashton." She replied, not even glancing his way.

He groaned and rolled his eyes. "But mom, I really don't want to this. It's humiliating!"

"Ash, babe, there's always things we don't want to do but we have to. And there's worse things in life then performing in a play." His mother said.

"Yeah like getting the shit beat out of me because everyone thinks I'm a homo."

"Watch your mouth or I'll pop you in it," she said harshly, giving her son a stern look before speaking again, "And if anyone does that I will personally kick their asses. No one messes with the Irwin's, you hear?"

"Yes I do but I still am worried, mom. I'm so embarrassed. Why did they have to do this to me?" Ashton said softly so his voice wouldn't break.

Tears formed in his eyes as he began to sniffle. The woman set down her book and walked over to Ashton, wrapping her arms around him and stroking his hair. He shut his eyes right and leaned into his mother's touch because he so desperately needed her comfort right now.

"Baby, kids are cruel. They have been since the dawn of time. There are rare cases, like you, where there are good, sweet natured kids who don't want to hurt anyone. But most times kids just look to hurt others because they can't handle their own hurt. It's a sad thing, but what matters is that you don't become like that. Ever." She spoke and combed her hands through his hair.

He nodded and murmured, "I love you, mom."

"I love you too, my darling." She said and kissed his forehead.

Pulling away to look him in the eyes, brushing her thumbs along his cheeks, she spoke, "Now go get ready. I'll take you in late, okay?"

Ashton nodded and smiled at his mother.

"What?! How come he gets to go in late?" Lauren screeched from the stairs.

"Stop being mean to Ash, you fart!" Harry yelled at his sister and came rushing in.

Lauren looked him dead in the eyes before running down the steps and chasing the little boy through the house.

"Kids," their mother mumbled, shaking her head, and Ashton chuckled.

***

In Theatre the class had started to pick other people for the other roles in the play. Calum had been casted as Benvolio, Romeo's cousin, which wasn't a very surprising thing seeing as the two were basically brothers. Michael was chosen to play Ashton's nurse, to which Ashton found quite amusing but Michael was very displeased. He would have to dress in old clothes and dye his hair a natural colour as well which made him even more upset than the fact he was going to be a nurse. At least this meant he could be with Ashton a lot more.

Many others were given roles too. A girl named Kennedy with dark hair and dazzling blue eyes was casted as Paris, who tries to win the heart of Juliet as well. Two boys and girls were picked to play the Capulet's and Montague's. The rest of the class being placed into other roles and so on.

Then they were all given a personal scripts, instructed to highlight all their parts within it.

"Romeo's so damn whiny." Luke commented as his yellow highlighter bled onto the pages.

"Then that's something you two have in common." Mrs. Hardedge retaliated and the class laughed.

Luke's face tinted pink as he sucked in his bottom lip, eyes glued to the sheets of paper in his lap. Ashton sort of felt bad for him but remembered that if anyone deserves this punishment it's him.