The Ereri Project!

Knife (High School)

Mid December, Opening of the Boys' Show

"But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is east, and Juliet is the sun." Levi recites carefully as he moves across the stage.

Eren walk out onto their makeshift balcony and leans on his hand, listening to the monologue he's heard Levi go over at least twelve hundred times already.

"See how she leans her cheek upon her hand. Oh, that I were a glove on that hand, that I might touch that cheek!"

Eren always wanted to laugh at that scene after he saw Tromeo and Juliet a few weeks ago. "Ay me!" he says.

"She speaks," Levi says. "Oh speak again, bright angel!"

Eren just wants to be out of this dress, but they've only just begun.

...

Early October

"Okay boys," says Mr. Pixis, clearing his throat. "Quiet down so I can announce cast and plays, then you can collect your scripts and rehearsal schedules."

Every year a Trost high, in favor of one big fall production, they do boys versus girls plays.

Regardless of the gender of the actual characters in the individual plays, they were either performed by all boys or all girls depending on the team.

This year's theme was Scenes from Shakespeare, and the boys were challenged only to perform duet scenes while at least one of the characters from each scene had to be a woman.

Competitive as most of the performing arts boys were, naturally, they accepted the challenge.

So, as Eren, Levi, Erwin, Mike, Jean, Marco, Connie, Reiner, Berthoult, Thomas, and a small handful of freshmen waited to hear which scenes they'd receive, they were all secretly hoping they wouldn't be one of the ones who had to wear a dress.

"Alright then," Mr. Pixis takes a sip from his flask. Most student chose to accept he kept juice or water in it 'cause he was a great teacher and none of them wanted him fired.

"From Much Ado About Nothing, Benedick will be played by Mike and Beatrice will be played by Erwin. From Hamlet, Hamlet will be played by Jean, and Ophelia will be played by Marco."

Eren just wanted to hear who he was playing. As Mr. Pixis went through the list he was slowly getting worried he hadn't gotten a part at all.

"And finally," Mr. Pixis says slowly.

"From Romeo and Juliet, Romeo will be played by Levi and Juliet will be played by Eren. Since I was most impressed by you two, you'll be getting three scenes unlike the others who will only get one or two."

...

Mid December, Closing of the Girls' Show

Levi was mostly unimpressed with the girls this year. Though perhaps that had more to do with what he and the boys had muddled through these past few weeks.

He couldn't see as much work and love poured into their performances as he knew he and the other boys would give later on.

He had to admit, he was impressed with the girls who'd played the Witches from Macbeth but those were parts that seemed built for hammy people, which most of the actress from their school were.

He met Eren outside the dressing room and kisses him hello. "Ready to make a bunch of girls cry?" Eren asks.

"Literally and spiritually," Levi replies.

Eren grins. "I can't wait to see you in this costume."

"I can't believe Pixis wouldn't let us see them until tonight."