Star Crossed Actors

Chapter Eight: Augustus

Thoughts raced through my head.

Did Reese like the kiss? I didn't know what came over me, but the way she laughed made me want to kiss her.

So I did.

But now I was having second thoughts about my decision. Hindsight's always 20/20.

I waited in the schools parking lot for my dad to pick me up, my head in my hands.

I heard a car pull up, and looked up.

"Hey, Augustus, let's go. I've got to be at work at fifteen minutes," I heard my dad say.

Sighing, I got into the shotgun seat of my dad's car.

"Where's Amelia?" I asked.

"Oh, I dropped her off at a friends house. I don't have time to take you home, so you're coming into work with me today."

"Oh, joy," I said sarcastically. "I'm putting on my music."

"That's fine."

Dad pulled out of the parking lot, and left the school.

I plugged in the USB cord to my phone, and put on the song Permanent Vacation. I needed something upbeat.

I stared out the window, taking in the scenery of the woods behind the highway.

After about ten minutes, dad pulled into the college's parking lot.

"I've got five minutes, you know where vending machines, bathroom's and the library are, right?" Dad asked, handing me a twenty dollar bill and getting out of the car.

"Yea, I won't do anything irresponsible. Promise."

I got out of the car, and started walking into the building.

"Bye, have fun doing whatever assistant principal's do."

"Alright. Stay out of trouble!"

We entered the building, and broke off into different directions. I headed towards the library, and my dad went towards the offices.

I walked down the hall, peeking into windows of classes going on. One was an acting class, and someone was holding a skull.

Hamlet, was my guess.

Another was taking a Trigonometry test. A pencil snapped, and I could see people panicking.

I'd be panicking too. Trig sounds scary.

I kept going down the hall, and made a right. The library was just down the hall.

"Excuse me," I said to someone passing me in the hallway. I edged my way around her, and walked into the library.

I was looking for the historical fiction section, Reese had texted me the name of a book she thought I'd enjoy.

"Let's see, where is it...ah-ha, there it is."

I grabbed the book Sophia's War. It looked really good, so I pulled up a chair and started reading.

<________>

I closed the book, and sighed.

Holy COW that was an amazing book. It had adventure, death, betrayal, everything a good book should be made of.

I put it back on the shelf I'd found it on, and walked out of the library.

"Um, excuse me, sir," I asked a professor.

"Yes? How can I help you?" He said, smiling.

"Where are the vending machines?" I asked.

"Head straight down this hallway, make a right, a left and another right. Or, I could direct you to the cafeteria instead."

"Cafeteria, please."

He pointed down the hall. "Now, make a left, and two rights. Have a pleasant rest of your day."

"Thank you, sir, you as well." I walked down the hall, and made a left.

I checked my watch, and saw that it was 6:05.

I made a right and another right, and crashed into someone.

"Oh, my gosh, I'm so sorry," I apologized.

"Augustus? What are you doing here?" I heard a familiar voice ask.

"Jack? What are you doing here?" I asked, looking up at my friend.

"Nuh-uh, I asked first," Jack said.

"My dad had to work so I went into the library to read a book Reese told me about. Now I'm getting food."

"Nerd. Can I come for food? I'm hungry?"

"Sure. Why were you here?" I asked, walking down the hall.

"I was at study hall getting homework done. I can't really concentrate at home, my parents are always blaring the TV."

"Oh, alright. We had homework?" I asked.

"Yea, in Astronomy."

"Crap," I muttered. I fell asleep in that class. "I'm totally screwed tomorrow."

Jack laughed, and then pointed through a door. "Cafeteria."

We walked through the double doors, and grabbed some trays to put the food on.

"My dad gave me a twenty, what do you want? On me," I said, pulling the bill out of my pocket.

"Thanks, man, I'll have a pizza and a soda."

I grabbed him a Coke, and he walked over to where the hot food was.

I grabbed myself a Pepsi, and grabbed a bag of potato chips for myself.

I met Jack by the register, and paid for the food.

"So," Jack asked, picking up a piece of his pizza. "How was drama club today?"

"Good...we did some Macbeth readings, sword-fights, and kissing."

"What?!" Jack dropped his pizza. "You kissed her?! Nice, man!"

I grinned. "Um, thanks? I don't know if that was smart, I don't want to damage our friendship."

"Oh, please! Reese has liked you for over a year!"

"I'm sorry, what?"

Jack paled. "Oh, crap. Do NOT tell Caroline I told you that, she'd end me in a heartbeat."

"My lips are sealed," I promised. "Really? Over a year?"

"Yea. It's practically perfect, she likes you, you like her...."

I nodded, a grin lighting up my face.

"I've got to go plan a drama club lesson for tomorrow, if you see my dad tell him I took a bus home."

I stood up, and Jack said, "Alright, what's the lesson?"

"Romeo and Juliet."