This is the last stop I want for Maca before we actually meet. It’s not the last person I’ll have to talk to, but I don’t need Archie to talk to my sister. I can do that on my own. Besides, it’s not exactly like I needed Archie to convince all the people I’ve talked to so far, it was mostly for Juliana, and because I didn’t want to go alone the whole day. It’s been more fun with Archie here. I like surrounding myself with the people I love, even if it’s to do uncommon things.

This stop is probably the most special out of all the places I’ll make Maca go, mostly because it’s literally presenting my word to her. I’m an actor, I live to be on stage and performing and Shakespeare is my biggest passion. It was my favourite course in Uni and every time we produce one of his plays I feel so lucky and honoured even if I play just a small role. It’s being able to be part of it. And I want to show Maca that, I want her to see my world and what I love the most. I want that to be the last thing she sees before meeting me: my passion.

Furthermore, she’s a literature student. She surely has studied Shakespeare too and I don’t know if she loves him, too, but I do think it’s the most evident thing we have in common and it’s important. Whether she loves him or not, it’s part of her career. Shakespeare is the most noticeable figure in English literature and for theatre.

There’s a difference from sharing a hobby or a passion like Doctor Who or music to share something that’s the core of your career. This is something you’ll do your whole live, you’ll make a living out of this. It’s elementary and sharing that, even if we have different careers, is an amazing thing.

That’s exactly what I want to tell her, how we are connected through Shakespeare, not just the post-its. And if she loves him as much as I do, then it’s even better. It could be like Rosalind and Orlando, brought together by the power of Shakespeare. That would be wicked.

I know this is a huge favour, but I also think that what I have in mind is actually cool. If this works it would also help us to get ourselves noticed and out there. It would help us to expand our horizons and bring more audience. Moreover, it would be another chance to perform for the love of it.

I really think it’s a good idea. I just have to convince the guys.

It’s our first weekend off, but we love what we do, more than anything, and we love the stage so if we can, you’ll find us here when we don’t have anything better to do, which is most of the time. I, however, am always doing things so when I have days off, I go around, engaging myself in different activities but I never miss a rehearsal.

So when Archie and I make it to the theatre we’re not surprised to find Raj, Danny, Mathew, Olivia, Leon, and Carl there. It’s not the full company, but an important part of it and they are working on preparing the scenography for our play.

“Hey there,” Archie calls out loud, getting their attention of our colleagues who seem surprised to see us here.

“Reid, Archie! What a surprise. Did you come to help?” Leon asks and Archie looks at me. Why not? We might as well help as we talk.

“Not exactly but we will,” I answer and they smile. So we go on stage with them and start helping with what we can. For now, painting.

“What brought you here if not the goodwill?” Raj asks us after a while, he and Matthew are carrying some carpets.

“I know half of it, but I’m also curious as what you want them to do, Reid,” Archie speaks and I chuckle. This is something we’ve never done but I’m sure someone else out there surely tried it before. “Go on, enlighten us.”

Still painting, I decide it’s better to just say it instead of beating around the bushes. By now I’m tired of repeating myself, but I have to.

“I’m meeting Maca,” I say and I hear my mates laughing.

“Finally! I lost thirty pounds because of you, kiddo,” Carl says hitting me on the back of the head. Oh right, that bet. “How long has it been since you started talking to her?” he questions out loud.

“And consequently talking about her all the bloody time,” Olivia adds and I blush. I swear I didn’t do that on purpose, okay?

“Five months,” I reply and they all keep laughing at me. I just sigh. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry, Reid. We understand,” Raj says ,coming to my side after he drops the carpet. “So, how can we help you because that’s why you’re here, right?”

I smile at the perceptive actor who’s played the best Hamlet I’ve seen. It’s great that he’s here because last year we did Hamlet and it’s been our most successful play so far and I want Maca to see that.

“Well…” I start and proceed to explain the whole Maca’s Day Project to my mates, making sure they know this is the last stop and henceforth, the most important of them all. I tell them how much I want Maca to see my work and what we can do. “So I want you to do a Shakespeare flash mob!” I finish and they blink in surprise. “When she gets there, you start acting out of the blue, just like your regular flash mob. Just a scene and once you’re done you give her the letter and that’s all.”

“And you’re meeting her this Sunday? But that’s too short notice, Reid,” Olivia says but I shake my head.

“I’m sure you all remember your dialogues from Hamlet. What about performing a scene from that one? You all did so great,” I compliment them and they smile at each other because we are all very proud of what we did last year. “Please. I really want her to see it and it’s an amazing way to advertise our company. To get Shakespeare out there. Imagine how wicked it would be if out of the sudden a bunch of people start speaking in Shakespearean English and being all dramatic. Wouldn’t you love it? I bet someone will record you and upload it to the Internet and it would be great publicity for us. It would get Shakespeare closer to people, to those who never go to the theatre. They would see how wonderful it is.” I smile as I see them understanding my idea. “I want you to do this for Maca, but also for everyone else who will be around.”

“And what scene would you like?” Raj asks and for the way he’s looking at me I’m pretty sure he’s in.

“Hhmm,” I mumble, thinking about it. “Why not Scene I, Act V where Hamlet find out Ophelia is dead? It’s the whole scene with the skull so it would help to clear the misunderstanding with that iconic element in Hamlet,” I suggest and they look at each other, very aware how everyone thinks that Hamlet is holding the skull for the vary famous “to be or not to be” when in fact it does not happen there.

“I think that’s a good idea,” Leon supports and I want to cheer because I’m convincing them. “It would be great and very fun to do. And who knows? Maybe we could start something and then more people will do dramatic flash mobs.”

“That would be wicked,” Olivia laughs and considering the way they are smiling I think I’ve convinced them already.

“But how would we know when to start acting?” Matthew asks and I lose my smile. “You don’t know how she looks like so how are we going to recognise her?”

And I stay silent because I didn’t think of that. I just got too excited with this idea.

“Surprise Maca, too. Don’t tell her about this in the letter,” Archie proposes and I look at him confused. “Tell her another thing, like… like… make her listen to a playlist! Tell her that she has to listen at the same time that you do and give her something iconic to recognise her. Also make the person before text Raj to tell him how she’s dressed so they can recognise her. Send her to where the flash mob will take place but don’t tell her what’s going to happen so she’ll be even more surprised when she sees the guys.”

“Wow, that’s really clever, Archie,” I tell him, my smile coming back. “Thank you! Yes, I will do that. And I… I’ll give her my headphones, the purple Beats one. You know them. She’ll also be carrying a Polaroid, because she has to take a picture with you all at the end.”

“I think that solves that issue, then. We should rehearse to make sure we remember all the lines,” Raj states and all the other nod. “And call Sam to tell him about it.” Sam played King Claudius, so he’s important. “I’ll convince him, don’t worry, Reid,” Raj tells me and I smile. “We’ll help you.”

I’m so grateful for all my friends, for the amazing people that are part of my life that are willing to help me because they understand meeting Maca is something really important for me. They understand I need to make this special for her, too.

 “Thank you all,” I say from the bottom of my heart and they just bow their heads. “One more thing: you can’t mention my name when you meet her.”

 “One last question, then,” Leon intervenes. “Why didn’t you tell her your name? Did you always planned this day for her?”

“Oh, oh, I know the answer of that!” Archie hurries to say before I can give my answer. “Reid has his reasons,” he says and I laugh out loud. “Really, that’s what he’s said to everyone who’s asked the same. And he won’t tell.”

Raj laughs and pats my back. “Fair enough, then. If you don’t want to share that, it’s fine. She’ll know your name by when we’re done.”

“She will,” I say and my stomach ties in knots. “And I’ll finally see her. After this stop I’ll finally see her.”

A chuckle escapes my lips and I look down, so excited but also terrified. I can’t believe I’m so close to finally meet my post-it girl. It feels so long but it’s been only five months. I laugh at the inconsistency of time and how it makes us so anxious when it’s not even a real thing.

“Okay, then why don’t we try to rehearse a bit now so you can see if this is what you want to show her? Archie, you can be Claudius,” Matthew proposes so we do that.

And we stay there until very late, rehearsing, practicing lines and even looking for the old costumes we used. It’s great we never throw something away. Archie and I take our leave when everyone else is leaving with the promise that tomorrow I’ll come to deliver the letter they’ll give to Maca.

“So, where now?” Archie asks me and I smile at him, passing my arm around his shoulders.

“Now, my friend, I’ll walk you home. Thank you for everything,” I say and he looks at me curious.

“There’s still one letter left,” he reminds me and I nod.

“Remember what I told you? This was the last one I would bother you with. I can take charge of the other on my own. I’ll go talk to my sister to ask for her help,” I tell him and his eyes widen. “I want Maca to meet her and the kids.”

“Uhh, intimidating. You’re introducing her to the family before you even meet her,” he teases me and we both laugh. “You really can’t do things in the conventional way.”

“You know me, I reject the mainstream,” I continue the joke as we keep walking. “But really, Archie, thank you for everything today. It wouldn’t have been the same without you.”

“It’s okay, Reid. I hope everything works out for you and Maca. You’re almost there,” he reminds me and once again my stomach is tied in knots.

“Yes, almost there. I can barely contain myself.”

“All the wait will be worth it,” he supports and I nod.

“I know… she’s worth it, I can feel it,” I say with determination because I honestly believe that with every fibre of my heart. My post-it girl is wroth everything I’m doing.

-:-:-

AAHHH We're almost there, almost there! Do you feel the excitement building? So keep the comments and votes! 500 and I'll post chapter 10. Really, all your comments made me really happy!

Bel, xx