"Did you hear about the drama competition?" Sarah asks me, leaning against the school's locker.

After grabbing the book I need for my next class, I close my locker and turn to face her. "Um...no?"

She playfully rolls her eyes at me and straightens up. "Well now you did."

"Okay, you've got a point." I laugh. Sarah links our arms together and we start walking towards our next class.

"How come you didn't hear about it before? It's all everyone is talking about these days."

"And you are telling me about it because..." I trail off, entering the classroom. I walk towards an empty seat at the back of the room, with Sarah trailing behind me.

"Because we have to take part in it. Duh." She says as we sit down.

"Wait, what? Sarah what do you–" I raise my voice in shock, causing some people to turn their heads and look at us. I lower my voice then and say in a hushed tone, "Sarah, what do you mean by 'we'?"

"Me and you, of course. Oh, and Alex, too." She says with a bright smile.

"You're joking, right? Because there's no way I'm going to take part in a drama, let alone perform in front of others. Did you forget how socially awkward I am?" I protest.

"Yeah, and it's the perfect opportunity for you to overcome your shyness."

"Shyness– what?" I groan in frustration. "Sarah, you don't understand, I–"

"Amy, listen to me. I'm not going to force you into anything that you're not comfortable with, but you should know that this will benefit you. Besides, what's the worst that can happen?"

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe I'll end up embarrassing myself in front of a hundred people while on stage."

"You're thinking too much into it. That's what you always do." Sarah started reprimanding me. "Life is too short, Amy. We are already in our last year of highschool. Don't you want to try new things and enjoy your life before we get into college?"

"I can also enjoy my life while I'm in college." I say, throwing her a pointed look.

"Like you're clearly doing it right now?" Sarah says with another roll of her eyes. "You didn't even date a single guy till now. How are things with Noah, by the way?"

"Dating is not one of my priorities right now." Now it was my turn to roll my eyes. "And Noah and I are fine. We've been texting back and forth and now we're good friends...I think."

"Friends?" Sarah scoffs in disbelief. "A guy shows interest in you and you immediately friend zone him?"

I am quick to defend myself, "I didn't friend zone him. We're just talking right now and getting to know each other." Okay, this isn't a complete lie. "How are things between you and..." I trail off, knowing I don't have to finish my sentence.

"Are you still wary of him?" Sarah folds her arms on the table and looks at me with a pained expression. "Amy, he has changed. He really has. I've given him another chance and you should, too."

"It doesn't matter what I think of him, as long as you are happy," I say to her with a sigh. 'Why hasn't the professor arrived yet? I don't want to have the same conversation again.'

"Alex makes me happy. Like, really happy. And it would hurt me a lot if my best friend and boyfriend don't get along," Sarah says earnestly.

Thankfully the teacher entered into the classroom right then and I didn't have to reply to her. But upon second thought, what Sarah said was true. I wouldn't like it either if people I'm close with, weren't on good terms with each other. Maybe I should look past what Alex did in the past. After all, what matters is how he treats his girlfriend now.

******

"Uh, why are we all gathered here?" I ask to Sarah, looking around the room.

We are currently standing in the basketball court. By 'we' I mean me, Sarah and Noah. Except for us, the place is totally empty. This was a free period for Sarah and I. And she used the time to gather a meeting, apparently. I had texted Noah to come meet us here. He probably had to skip his class.

"We're waiting for Alex," Sarah says.

It's funny to think it used to be just Sarah and me. But now it has become a group of four. I don't particularly mind the presence of others. I just find it difficult to actively interact with people I don't know very well. But in a way it is kind of nice, I guess. And since my best friend is actively making an effort to get me to warm up to Alex, I should give in. And Noah...well, I like his company now.

"Do you have any idea what this is all about?" Noah whispers into my ear. His warm breath hits the shell of my ear and I feel a pleasant chill running up my spine.

"I might have a clue," I say, reciprocating the hushed tone.

Noah chuckles lightly and it causes butterflies to swarm in my belly. I bite on my lower lip to prevent a smile from forming on my face. I don't want to give Sarah any reason to tease me about later. Just then, Alex enters into the court and Sarah ushers him towards us.

"Alright, so everyone here has heard of the upcoming drama competition?" Sarah asks, looking at us expectantly.

"Yeah...?" Alex says.

"Okay, so how about we all participate in it?" Sarah jumps a little in excitement. "Obviously we are going to need few other members but that can be arranged–"

"Woah, woah, slow down." Noah cuts her off. "I don't think I want to take part. And I can't miss practice. So don't count me in," Noah says, raising his arms in mock surrender.

"Yeah, me either," comments Alex.

I purse my lips and remain silent because I already gave my answer to Sarah in classroom.

"What? You guys are no fun." Sarah huffs and crosses her arms across her chest with a pout. "I mean, I get why Amy wouldn't want to join. But you guys, too?"

"You called a meeting for this?" Alex asks with a displeased tone.

"Yup. And babe, you have to be in it. We'll do the classic Romeo and Juliet. It'll be perfect!" Sarah says dreamily while Alex was turning pale by the minute. Honestly, I feel bad for him now. She then turns to me and clasps my hands together.

"Do you still not want to join?" She says with a pleading look.

"Um, no.." I reply, avoiding her eyes.

"Yeah, and that's a smart decision. Who wants to role play fucking Romeo and Juliet in front of others?" Alex snickers.

"Alex!"

"What?"

"You have to take part in it and that's final." Sarah says with a tone of finality. "And for you two," she turns to look at me and Noah, "since Amy isn't joining, I won't force you, either. So you lovebirds are off the hook."

Noah nearly chokes upon hearing Sarah call us 'lovebirds' and then coughs to recover, while I just glare at her. But she didn't react at all, as if completely oblivious. 'Does she ever take me seriously?'

"Hey! That's not fair. Why am I being forced then?" Alex grunts.

"Because you are my boyfriend. So obviously you are going to be my Romeo."

Alex rolls his eyes without being noticed by his girlfriend. "Can you even act? Cause like, what's the point in taking part in a competition if we're not even good at it?"

"Actually, I'm pretty good at it. It's you that I'm worried about." Sarah scoffs. "But no worries. We have two weeks to prepare ourselves."

The look on Alex's face is so laughable right now. That guy is probably regretting getting back with Sarah. Luckily, I won't have to be a part of it anymore. Noah looks relieved as well at not being forced. Although, seeing him act would have been a sight to behold. Football team's captain reciting Shakespeare. It's a shame that won't be happening though.

"Alright then. I'll go enter our names before lunch break. But Amy, will you be there during the rehearsals?" Sarah says grabbing my hand. "I need you as my moral support."

"Of course. Anything for you." I say smiling, which she immediately returns.

Sarah leaves the basketball court, hand in hand with Alex, and by that I mean dragging Alex behind her, leaving me and Noah behind.

"So...moral support, huh?" Noah says, turning to look at me with a teasing smile on his face.

"Yeah. At least it's better than actually playing a role." I say, smiling in return. That's what Noah does to me. He always makes me smile and feel giddy. 'Oh, no. Am I starting to catch feelings for him?'

"Oh, yeah. Way better." He laughs again. I feel my cheeks heating up at the sound of his laughter and my heart leaps in my chest.

'Maybe I am...'