<It's crazy how they can switch up on you and change into a person you never expected>

|15|

I TOOK the script paper offered to me by Ms. May.

"So the script which I'm giving you guys is to be performed now and you have five minutes to carefully go through it. You'd better do that immediately because I will be randomly choosing the actors. And it's a test! A fun one if I may add," she announced, walking back and forth, her pointed black heels making a clicking sound.

Everyone in class---I wasn't an exception---groaned loudly not seeing the fun in anything she said. What's with teachers and tests today? I mean it's just the second week of school. They should give us a fracking break. Another reason to hate Penfield.

Speaking of tests by the way, I wondered how I fared in chemistry. I had paid no attention whatsoever then, I was rather busy staring at Jayden and if I manage to get a C that's fine by me. Not.

"Groan all you want but my decision is final, loves." Ms. May's brown eyes glinted with humour, a fact that she was enjoying this. Sadist.

I glanced at the paper. Ugh! A Romeo and Juliet scene, again. We've acted it so many times before and it's becoming a humdrum performance. Couldn't we act out Macbeth, like the time he met those witches? Or Othello, when he killed his wife Desdemona in a fit of jealousy? Come on, adventure or mystery is better than romance sometimes.

Says the queen of romance herself, good mind teased.

Choosing not to reply, I continued reading the cringy love scene. For real, that part on the balcony with Juliet gazing at the moon and Romeo standing beneath is extremely cheesy. I hope Ms. May won't pick me, I really wasn't interested in being dramatic and spewing out old English words. No please.

"Your minutes are up people! Heads up!" Ms. May's lilting voice carried through the airy room.

A profound feeling of apprehension hung in the air as we all held our breath, waiting.

"Katharina as Juliet!"

Phew, the class visibly sighed out, shoulders which were hunched up before came down. Thank God I wasn't chosen.

Katharina, the most irritating human being in this fracking world, sashayed out and stood on the stage situated in front. It was a makeshift one, just a series of raised sturdy wooden boards pinned to each other. She observed her voodoo black nails, her signature bored sneer on. If it was my mom, she'd say Katharina was dry, according to her Nigerian slang and it was a hundred percent accurate. The girl just didn't know how dry she was. Her "I don't give a fuck" attitude was boring as frack and to be frank, no one cared.

"Don't thank your stars already. I'm yet to choose the male lead." Our drama teacher turned her brown frizzy hair in all directions as she scanned for her next prey.

That apprehensive feeling returned once more, albeit stronger this time around. Probably because the boys didn't want to put down their egos and pride in professing an undying love for a girl, even if it was a show.

Ms. May had an evil grin on her face, I was almost tempted to join her.

"You, the young man beside Jamila." Yeah, Jayden was sitting down next to me again. He was new here after all and I still felt guilty about lunch so I escorted him to his classes, which surprisingly were my classes too. Kismet? Don't think so. We had become friends now and I had to admit, my very first friend in this fracking school.

I know it's surreal huh?

What about Kian? Isn't he your friend? bad mind asked. No. I refused to give any other thought to Kian. Look what thinking of him cost me in Chemistry class.

"Yes miss?!"

"What's your name?"

"Jayden Ross Ma'am," came Jayden's dutiful answer.

"Okay. You're acting out the part of Romeo," Ms. May ordered.

"Sorry to say, but it's my first day in school and besides, I really don't know how to."

"Do you know how to brush your teeth?" Ms. May asked, a corner of her lips lifting up in a mocking smile.

"Uhm yeah I do. Everyone does."

I was confused. What did brushing one's teeth have to do with acting? Jayden was in the same boat with me because he had that adorable baffled look on his face.

"Then you can act. Acting is like brushing one's teeth, easy, simple and a careful performance," she stated, her ever white teeth gleaming like it approved its owner's statement. Seriously?! I was an inch away from face palming.

"But---" Jayden began. I pitied the poor guy, he stood no chance against Ms. May. She was a dramatic woman just like her subject and we were used to that. Well, most of the time.

"No buts here, come on and remove those glasses of yours. I'm sure Romeo didn't wear glasses in his time," she bossed him, gently crossing her shirt clad arms against her chest. Don't let her diminutive stature fool you, she sure had strength packed in that tiny frame of hers.

Jayden flashed me a 'I don't know what the frack I'm gonna do there' look. I gave him a small smile, one that seemed to put him at ease once he saw it.

Gurl, you have a magic smile. Charm him for me will you? Pretty please, bad mind begged shamelessly. Keep quiet hoe!

Going to where Katharina stood, still looking like a bored hippopotamus, Jayden placed his glasses on the cleave of the turtleneck he wore. He didn't climb on the stage though, he stayed below so it would appear Katharina was above and he, beneath.

"I know we're not in our right apparel and all but action!" Ms. May yelled, waving her hands like a mad woman. I wouldn't be surprised if she really was.

"But soft, what light through the yonder window breaks?. . ." For pretty much being a bitch, Katharina was intelligent and aced all her classes as she was doing right now.

"She speaks," Jayden whispered to us, the audience as an aside.

"O speak again bright angel! For thou art as glorious to this night, being o'er my head." His face had a wondrous look as he gazed, according to the scene, up at Katharina.

"O Romeo, Romeo. Where art thou Romeo?" Deny thy father and refuse thy name. . ." Katharina's sneer was gone now, a pleading countenance coated her facial features. Her tanned hands were raised towards Jayden in a beckoning fashion.

They were doing great, despite the fact it was an impromptu thingy. Even I can't stand cramming long lines such as that. I had to admit, very smart. In Jayden's case, not Katharina's. Definitely not complimenting the bitch.

"O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?" Jayden ran a hand through his curly hair as if he couldn't stand not being with the love of his life. Suddenly I wished to be on the receiving side of that attention, even if it's just a front.

Hot hot hot. I'll leave you more than satisfied. You'll be begging for more, I assure you, bad mind whispered seductively.

I concur, good mind chortled heartedly. What the frack did my mind just say right now?

"He's so gorgeous," Maude's silly voice reached Aliyah's and I's ears. I sat in front of them so I was able to hear whatever they said.

"Not just gorgeous, Maude. He's drop dead gorgeous. Girl, I wanna meeelt. My ovaries are burning," Aliyah drawled excitedly. They both giggled loudly. Bitches.

I rolled my eyes. They were lucky Ms. May didn't catch them disrupting her drama class. Did girls have to die because of a guy? What's the big deal?

And kettle calls the pot black, good mind jabbed at me. Stop pestering! Duh, I'm better, at least I don't drool everytime.

As soon as I 'said' that, my eye caught Jayden's belying the statement I had just made. He gave me a tentative smile and I returned it swiftly, wanting to reassure him that he was doing good. Convinced, he turned back to Katharina.

I sighed dreamily. Without his glasses, he seemed, if that was possible, hotter and more attractive than before. My God! I still wasn't able to take notice of his eye colour with how distant I was, but that's fine. I was more than content watching him be Romeo.

It's official now, Jayden's becoming too much of a distraction. Who agrees with me?

***

The electronic bell blared noisily, indicating school dismissal. Stepping out of the bustling school building with Jayden, I silently bid it goodbye. It was a long walk from the school to the outside lot so we occasionally conversed on our way.

"Penfield High is very different from my old school in Canada. The teachers, students, everything is like. . . I don't know how to describe it," Jayden mused, adjusting the backpack on his shoulder.

"You mean a big joke? Don't sugarcoat your statement because you're talking to me. I'm no student here," I declared bitterly. The sting of not being accepted still stung.

He laughed, a deep rumble that vibrated through me. I grinned stupidly forgetting that I had been a tad moody earlier.

"You really don't like this school right?"

"Yeah." I stuck my fingers into my jean pockets, deciding to say something before he asked me why. I wasn't ready to go down memory lane.

"Why did you come to Penfield High though? There are so many other great schools out there."

He glanced at me, shrugging. "I don't really know to be honest. My mom picked it and here I am, I guess."

We were reaching the gate now and our discussion trailed off, each silent in thoughts. Jayden broke it.

"Wanna exchange numbers?" he asked, bringing out his phone.

"Yeah sure." Like I could miss a once in a lifetime opportunity such as this. We exchanged numbers and I was about to say a word when I heard someone shout our names.

"Jamila! Jayden! Wait up!" Kian was running towards us.

While we stood waiting, curiosity filled my mind, eager to know why he was calling. I was sorta riled up at him for what he had done to Jayden.

He finally arrived, chest heaving. The evening sun lit the piercing on his ear adding to the bad boy vibes he gave off.

To my downright face and amazement Kian said, "Jayden, I'm sorry for what I did during lunch time. I was pissed off and I don't know, my words came out wrong. No qualms?" He held out a strong palm.

Even Jayden was astonished too, because both of his brows went up in disbelief. But he hid his astonishment, managing to say, "No qualms, it's okay," and took the hand Kian offered.

I fixed a pleased beam at Kian, he did the same. Okay, it's no longer a no. Kian's my friend now.

Kian tapped his star dotted white sneakers against the paved ground, like he wanted to say something and was waiting for Jayden to leave.

Jayden noticed his agitation and left to give us some space but not before he called out, "Bye Kian and Jamila, see you guys tomorrow. And Jamila, thank you for today."

"Goodbye Jayden, you're welcome," I replied in a low tune, not too sure he heard me. I was preoccupied by Kian who stood extremely close, so close that I could feel his minty breath wash over my flustered face.

I began walking off, pretending I was mad and didn't see him. Kian trailed behind me. Wasn't he going home or to the fields for practice?

Ambling next to me now he remarked, "The evening is lovely."

"Yeah." It was true. A cloudless sky and the sun's rays shone over everything, casting a warm golden stream of brilliant glows. A faint breeze blew, fluttering the leaves of trees and giving out a whooshing sound. Students milled about, their loud voices renting the air once every minute.

"I have something to ask you though." He rubbed his knuckles together.

"Hmm?" I looked sideways at him.

"It's my dad's birthday on Saturday night and he said I can invite all my friends."

Where was he going with that statement? I hope it's not another invitation.

"Will you be able to make it?"

There, an invitation. Again.

A/N: No strength for any chat, it's 3 in the morning mehn. Btw I won first place in Teen Fiction Category for The Evergreen Awards. Thanks guys! Don't forget to vote and comment. Thank you :-))

Nita.