The Brightest Stars

Kristen

Our last week of school beautification has finally ended, but the group still seems to come to the same table. It used to be to bother each other or talk about school beautification. But now, as our free week starts, we all sit together. Belle's incident seemed to have united us even more. I try my best to tell her this, but she still seems bummed about the last doctor visit she had.

She still hasn't said anything as we make our way toward the auditorium. "Not everything is down in the dump after this asthma attack. Look! We're all more together than ever. We all actually laugh along when we bully each other and..." I steal a quick glance towards Max as he walks up ahead with Nate. "You seem to be more connected with Max.." I bump my elbow at Belle's side and she gives me a soft chuckle. "I guess he hasn't given you only flowers that day..."

"Shut up," Belle says with a small smile. She steals a glance at Max as we enter the auditorium and this time we sit up front. Resolme will be talking about our first performance on Shakespeare. "He visited me only once and gave me flowers. That's all."

"That means a lot," I teasingly say. "What did Hannah say? Oh my god. I bet she was in love and already planning your wedding."

Belle laughs and I smile at this rare sound. My heart beats faster with the thought of Belle coming back to normal. "Some of that was true. She did just stand on the side so he won't see her from the front door. She just smiled and did surprised gestures at every second of our conversation. After that, she said, and I quote, 'He sounds like a nice guy! Who is he?!'" I laugh as she tries to imitate her sister's voice. She really doesn't have to do much because even in the voice they're identical.

"I bet," I say with a smile. We look up at the stage as Resolme makes her way to the middle of it, and starts to repeat the same dates of performances and practices.

We have a week starting today to choose a monologue, block it, and perform it for the class. In the second week those that want to do duo or trio groups, will block it and perform it. In the third week, we will do one last practice for every group. Then on that Friday, we will perform it to the school. It really is a big hustle, but I love every aspect of it. Especially with our new group of friends. I can only imagine this year's performance day.

I hear Xander and Luna whisper to each other as Resolme continues with the explanation of when we perform at the local university. I turn to look at them and say, "You two should do the Virginity scene from All's Well That Ends Well." They both quietly laugh at my tease as Belle turns around also.

"Or you could do the Macbeth and Lady Macbeth scene where the wife convinces him to do the killing. It can get very...physical..." Belle gives me a smirk and we both laugh quietly as we watch Luna roll her eyes at us.

Now I say to Belle, "Why don't you do the scene in Midsummer's Night Dream where Helena follows Demetrius in the forest? You should be Demetrius and Max should be Helena." Belle has her eyes wide in surprise and I raise my eyebrows playfully.

"Wait!" Luna says. Resolme looks our way and she quickly falls back in her seat. "Sorry," Luna says loudly. When Resolme continues answering questions, Luna leans over at us. Curiosity shines in her bright green eyes as she whispers, "Max?! Really?! Oh my god. I knew it!"

Belle rolls her eyes and says, "Thanks a lot, Kristen."

"Oh no!" Luna says with a playful smile. "Don't worry. I'm very good at faking it."

"Faking what?" Xander says. Luna shrugs as if nothing is going on, and he shakes his head with a chuckle. He then looks at Belle. His expression is oddly serious as he says, "You should talk to him. He seems like a nice guy. I hear he's from Spain."