Under the Same Sky [BOYXBOY] - CHAPTER 40

Array
(
[text] =>

A/N: Here’s a picture of Samuel to brighten up your day. Thirst in peace 😉
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

‘Alright, alright. Everyone settle down,’ Miss Alberta said as she breezed into class shortly after the bell rang. It was a month into the second term at Lumière. The Christmas vacations were over and January had already extinguished itself in cloudy skies and cold nights, ushering in the bright skies and cloudless nights of February.

‘William, get off the table. Stacey thank you for keeping my chair warm for me but now if you don’t mind I would be taking it back.’

Will hopped off the teacher’s desk with a sheepish grin and Stacey got off Miss Alberta’s swivel chair with a small pout. Miss Alberta pinched their cheeks apologetically before placing her books on her desk.

‘Now class,’ she began, clapping her hands together as she turned to face her students. ‘I’ve got several pieces of exciting news for you but first, Henry.’

Henry raised his head in surprise. ‘Yeah?’

‘You’re telling us how your date with Sarah went immediately after class.’

Henry’s face filled with trepidation. ‘Do I have to?’

‘Of course, you do,’ Reginald stated firmly.

‘Yeah,’ Jonas agreed. ‘We are the ones who set you two up. If it weren’t for us you two would have spent the rest of your lives just staring and smiling awkwardly without even talking to each other.’

Miss Alberta nodded. She had a mischievous grin on her face. ‘What they said. So get yourself ready buddy. We need the deets.’

Henry placed his face in his hands and groaned. ‘Fine.’

‘Good boy. Now to the news. The Headmistress herself is coming over to observe our class today. Now, you all know I like to keep an informal classroom but I need that pay raise which means no shouting answers from the back.’ She looked pointedly at Will.

‘No sleeping in class,’ she moved her gaze from Reginald to Jason who was already beginning to doze off but woke up after Noel reached in front of him to nudge him.

‘No footballs or basketballs in class.’

John removed the ball from his desk and placed it into his duffel bag with an awkward smile.

‘No whispered gossips.’

Stacey glanced down with a guilty smile.

‘No copying people’s answers.’

The guys at the back nodded sagely with innocent smiles on their faces.

‘No spacing out,’ she snapped her fingers at Marcus who had disappeared into his head as he gazed out the window. He blinked in confusion and looked around causing Miss Alberta to shake her head.

‘No singing -save it for the choir, Lucy. No rapping either -I know it’s difficult Richie but please try to control yourself.’

Lucy and Richie gave her a thumbs-up as they nodded.

‘And especially no public displays of affection.’

This time the entire class turned to look at Samuel and Pearl who blushed at the attention.

‘I love you guys and I’m happy for you, I really am but please turn it down a notch, preferably to zero.’

Samuel and Pearl nodded and the class turned its attention back to the front but Jayden kept his gaze on Samuel who turned to smile at something that Pearl whispered to him.

‘Why do you even need a pay raise?’ Lucy asked curiously.

‘Yeah, they’re already paying you a buttload of cash.’

Miss Alberta gave them a droll look. ‘Every weekend I have more than twenty students trooping into my house for free food and some of them seem to regard my pockets as their personal bank accounts so yes, I’m getting that raise.’

‘What’s the other news?’ Noel asked curiously.

Miss Alberta brightened up considerably. ‘Ah yes. You guys would love this one. As you all know, Valentine’s day is just around the corner and-‘

She was interrupted by loud cheers and it took her a while to get the class back under control.

‘As I was saying,’ she continued after the cheers had died down. ‘Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and the powers that be have decided that instead of the traditional Valentine’s Day Ball, this year they would host a Valentine’s Day Play!’

Dead silence greeted her announcement. None of the students seemed pleased, in fact, the disappointment was obvious on their faces but to her credit, that didn’t seem to dampen her enthusiasm or dim the smile on her face.

‘Oh come on, I thought you would be excited to hear this.’

‘Why?’ Stacey asked incredulously. ‘We all prefer the ball. You know where we can wear pretty dresses, dance and have fun.’

The class muttered in agreement causing Miss Alberta to roll her eyes. ‘Oh please, we all know the ball was just an excuse for you to get drunk and have sex.’

‘Yeah, it was,’ Richie stated obviously. ‘But we can’t very well do that at a play now can we?’

Miss Alberta sighed. She placed a hand to her forehead as she shook her head sadly. ‘Culture and arts are dead in this generation.’

‘What even is culture?’ Will asked thoughtfully. ‘I mean opera is basically fat women flashing their tits at horny old men.’

Miss Alberta considered it before nodding in agreement. ‘Well quite, but be that as it may, management has decided that you young ones need to be exposed to more arts so the play is coming on, organised by yours truly.’

‘Wait, what even is the play?’ Noel asked out loud.

‘I’m glad you asked. There was a bit of tension and apparently, even as the theatre director I don’t get a vote but management managed to settle on an old classic. Romeo and Juliet.’

The entire class groaned which caused an amused smile to form on Miss Alberta’s lips. ‘A bit cliché I know. Not my first choice either but I don’t make the rules so there you have it.’

Noel nudged Jayden who hadn’t taken his eyes from Samuel the entire time. He blinked and tore his eyes away just as Pearl placed her hand protectively on Samuel’s arm.

‘Are you okay?’ Noel asked worriedly. ‘You seem pretty out of it.’

Jayden nodded and they turned their attention back to Miss Alberta who had continued to speak.

‘Auditions would be held late in the afternoon today at the theatre hall. All are cordially invited. Of course as your homeroom teacher, it goes without saying that it is your duty to show up and do me proud.’

Will made a disgusted face. ‘Ech. Hard pass.’

Some of the class nodded in agreement while the others –most of them females- looked mildly excited as they considered the prospect.

Miss Alberta pouted. ‘Sad, you would have made a dashing Romeo. But, sadly I can’t force any of you to be there. As your English teacher, I can however force you now.’

Will made a horrified face as a mischievous gleam shone in Miss Alberta’s eyes. She gave them a devilish smirk as she clapped her hands together enthusiastically.

‘Alright, everyone. That’s our lesson for today. Group yourselves and pick out a character and scene from the play. You are expected to act that scene and it would make up sixty percent of your grade so I suggest you put on your best breeches.’

The class groaned but they had no choice but to comply. William attempted to go with a minor character but Miss Alberta roped him into playing Romeo and to everyone’s surprise except maybe Miss Alberta, Will made a very impressive Romeo. In fact, he was second only to Samuel in that regard, who had paired up with his girlfriend who of course, played Juliet.

Jayden wore a bored look on his face the entire time and his eyes were distant but they immediately snapped into focus when Samuel and Pearl began their part. He couldn’t tear his eyes from him the entire time and he couldn’t help the weird feeling of jealousy that started to bloom in his chest when Samuel bent down to capture Pearl’s lips in a kiss for the end of their part.

He was so distracted that he didn’t notice Noel’s eyes on him the entire time. The day passed by quickly after and before long the bell went off to signal the end of the school day.

They slung their backpacks over their shoulder and followed the stream of students out of the building and into the bright sunshine.

‘Hey guys,’ Leo called as he bounded up to them. ‘The rest of us are meeting up at the lake, you in?’

Noel nodded. ‘Sure, see you there.’

Leo waved and run off to rejoin Cam. Noel watched them disappear into the mass of students before turning his attention to Jayden.

‘So, wanna talk about it?’

Jayden glanced at him. ‘Talk about what?’

‘What’s been going on with you lately. You seemed out of it today at class and not only today. Since the term began you’ve been staring off into space or more precisely at someone.’

Jayden was silent.

Noel sighed. ‘You like him, don’t you?’

‘Who?’

‘Samuel.’

Jayden scoffed. ‘Of course not.’

Noel rolled his eyes impatiently. ‘Yes, you do.’

‘I don’t.’

‘Are you denying it to me or to yourself?’

Jayden grew silent.

Noel’s eyes softened. ‘Jayden, you know you can tell me anything, right?’ Noel’s tone was gentle. ‘We are best friends so don’t bother to deny it, I know you. Do you like him?’

Jayden let out a heavy breath. ‘That’s the thing.’ His voice was barely above a whisper. ‘I don’t know.’

Noel took one look at the tortured expression on his best friend’s face and nodded in understanding.

‘It’s alright. I’ll help you figure it out but…’

‘But?’

Noel bit his lips as he tried to figure out how to word the question. ‘You know Samuel’s straight, right? And he has a girlfriend, so what are you gonna do if you find out you like him?’

Jayden’s eyes grew heavy and his shoulders drooped. ‘I don’t know.’

Noel patted his arm comfortingly and soon they were at the lake. It seemed that they were not the only ones that had the same idea. Tons of students milled about, some just sitting and chatting with friends, others jumping into the cool water of the lake and the rest just running about, playing all sorts of games.

Noel ducked as a volleyball soared past his head and turned around as he wondered where their friends were. He didn’t need to wonder though for Leo’s yells soon showed them where they were.

Cam was lounging underneath the shade of a tree that stood at the edge of the lake as he watched with an amused smile as Leo engaged in a shouting match with a couple of guys from the year above them.

He looked up as Jayden and Noel approached. ‘Glad you decided to come.’

Jayden placed his backpack down as he took a seat on the blanket, his movements as graceful as a cat.

Noel nudged his chin towards Leo. ‘What’s up with him?’

Cam shrugged. ‘They were making fun of my hair. I told him it was fine he should just forget about it but you know, Leo.’

He shook his head in frustration but there was no hiding the pleased smile on his lips. He gestured to the space beside him and Noel flopped down.

Things were getting heated but luckily, Paul appeared and dragged a still screaming Leo out of there.

‘You should have just let me deal with those sorry twats,’ Leo muttered darkly as they reached the tree.

‘You would have gotten your ass handed out to you,’ Paul replied dryly.

‘It would have been worth it. At least I would have gotten a few blows in. They made fun of Cam!’

Paul sighed. ‘How about this, the next time they make fun of him I would help you kick their asses. Now come on, let’s go change and you can cool off in the lake.’

Leo frowned but he nevertheless followed Paul to the changing rooms. Jayden’s eyes roved around, searching for Samuel as Noel glanced at Cam with a thoughtful expression on his face.

‘Cam, I’ve been meaning to ask. You seem more of an Aquila than a Draco. How come you were placed in Draco?’

Cam nodded contemplatively. ‘I guess I am, aren’t I?’ He shrugged. ‘I just wanted to be with Leo. I know him so well that it was pretty simple to answer the questions the way I knew he would so I would end up in the same house as him.’

Leo came out of the changing rooms with Paul and laughed as he shoved Paul into the lake, jumping in with him. Paul’s head broke out of the water as he uttered a string of profanities at him which just caused him to laugh louder.

A soft look came on Cam’s face as he stared at him. ‘I guess I have become so dependent on him that I can’t function properly without him.’

Paul shoved Leo’s head into the water and refused to let go until Leo tapped out. Leo came out sputtering and he shot a dirty glare at him. He turned and waved at them.

‘Oi, what are you guys doing there? Come in, it’s more fun in here.’

They shook their heads and Cam turned to Noel with a curious look. ‘I thought Paul had a phobia for water.’

‘No, he has a phobia for water in enclosed artificial places like swimming pools and bathtubs. He considers them unnatural and a death trap. He is cool with it if it’s natural and in wide-open spaces.’

Jayden’s mind was half-focused on the two as they continued their conversation. His eyes were on Samuel as he played water ball with a few of his friends from the basketball team.

Samuel turned as he felt eyes on him and smiled as his eyes landed on Jayden. He turned and muttered a few things to his friends before swimming away towards him.

Jayden felt his breath catch in his throat as he watched Samuel’s muscled form break out of the water. Water rippled down his face, chest and abs as he grabbed a towel and sat down next to him.

‘Hi,’ he said with a bright smile.

Jayden’s throat was dry as he struggled to let out a reply. ‘You look wet.’

Samuel blinked before letting out a small laugh. ‘I guess I am. And you look dry.’

Jayden gave him a small smile. ‘I guess I am.’

Paul and Leo came out of the water and joined them underneath the tree. Leo plopped himself beside Cam as he towelled himself off whiles Paul sat beside Noel who blinked and tried to look away from Paul’s bare torso.

‘I can’t believe they cancelled the ball and gave us a stupid play instead,’ Leo complained loudly as he tossed the towel away in disgust.

‘I think it’s a nice change,’ Noel offered.

‘Of course you would,’ Leo muttered.

‘Well, some of us are glad we wouldn’t have to watch you stick your tongue down random girls’ throats all night,’ Cam retorted sharply.

Leo huffed sulkily as Paul turned to Samuel with a curious expression. ‘What about you, what do you think? It’s your birthday after all.’

Jayden turned sharply to Samuel. ‘Wait, what? Your birthday is on Valentine’s Day? Why didn’t you tell me?’

Samuel shrugged. ‘Didn’t think it was important. It does get lost in the main celebrations.’

Jayden frowned but before he could reply Leo burst out into giggles. ‘Who would have thought, you are a cupid baby. Oh my God, now I’m imagining you in a cupid costume with the wings and arrows and everything.’

He burst out into even more giggles at this whiles Jayden fought valiantly to ignore what the image of Samuel in a cupid costume was doing to him.

Noel turned to Samuel. ‘So what are you going to do for your birthday?’

‘Well, Pearl wanted to throw a party but it would clash with the play.’

Leo scoffed. ‘What are you talking about? Throw your party, no one is even going to that play. It would be a way better alternative anyway. No one in their right mind would choose some dumb play over a party thrown by one of the most popular guys in school.’

Samuel chuckled. ‘Maybe but I’m going to be at the play. What’s the point of the party if I’m not even there?’

Leo shot him an incredulous look. ‘You’ve got to be kidding me. Why the hell why?’ He took a deep breath and looked up at Samuel with pleading eyes. ‘Listen to me. All your life has led up to this moment. That’s the reason you were born. You have to save Valentine’s Day. No one can do it but you.’

Cam smacked him on the arm. ‘Stop being so dramatic, it’s just a party. If you want to snog someone so bad then just do it at the play.’

A light lit up in Leo’s eyes. ‘You’re right. The theatre would be dark and no one would see me. Cam, you’re a genius!’

‘Wait, no. That’s not what I meant. I wasn’t serious.’

But Leo wasn’t paying attention to him. He threw his hands up in frustration causing Noel to throw him a pitying look.

Samuel chuckled at them. ‘You guys do that then. Meanwhile, I’ll be up there on the stage performing.’

Paul tried and failed to hold in a snort of laughter. ‘You’ll be what?’

‘Pearl wanted us to audition for the roles of Romeo and Juliet. She says it would be a fun thing to do as a couple and I didn’t argue. It does sound exciting.’

‘You? On stage? Performing? As Romeo?’ A wicked smirk crossed Paul’s face. ‘Oh, I’ve got to see this.’

‘Nice to know you support me,’ Samuel remarked dryly.

Paul grinned at him. ‘Of course, I do. I would be in the front seats with my camera cheering you on. Definitely not hoping you’d do something embarrassing I can use as blackmail later.’

‘I’m touched.’

Leo reached around to pat his shoulder comfortingly. ‘I feel for you buddy. The things we do for women.’

He shook his head sadly while the rest struggled to contain their laughter.

‘I think I’ll live but thanks bro,’ Samuel replied in amusement. ‘What about you guys? Any of you going to audition?’

Leo made a horrified face. ‘Absolutely not.’

The others shook their heads and the conversation moved on to other topics. Later in the afternoon, Jayden strolled over to the theatre where the auditions were taking place. He took a seat in the shadows at the back and watched as Miss Alberta commandeered the stage with a clipboard and a wireless head microphone.

‘Alright people, places! Let’s get this show on the road. Stacey, where’s my coffee? I need caffeine!’

The students scrambled into place as Miss Alberta took a seat below the stage. Stacey run up with her coffee and took a seat by her. She picked up a piece of paper and scanned through.

‘Okay, up first we have Ronald auditioning for the role of Montague.’

Ronald stepped onto the stage and Miss Alberta gestured for him to begin. He performed a short scene and the next actor was called on stage. It went like this for a while, with the performances ranging from absolutely horrible to not quite horrible to acceptable.

By the time they were halfway through, Miss Alberta had already downed eight cups of coffee to steel herself from the horrible performances.

‘Please tell me the next lot has at least a bit of promise,’ Miss Alberta whispered to Stacey as she rubbed her temples tiredly. She could already feel a migraine coming on.

‘Erm,’ Stacey scanned the list hopefully. ‘Up next we have Samuel auditioning for the role of Romeo.’

Miss Alberta sat up at that. ‘If his performance is anything like the one he gave at class this morning I think we have found our Romeo.’

Samuel indeed did not disappoint. He delivered a breathtaking performance that ended with the entire stage resounding in applause. He bowed off the stage and gave a thumbs up to his girlfriend who stepped up for her turn.

‘Up next, Pearl for the role of Juliet.’

Jayden had to admit she was quite good. She delivered her part flawlessly and together with Samuel, they would make the perfect Romeo and Juliet. He squashed the jealousy that threatened to rise in his chest and brought himself to focus on the rest of the performances.

The time crawled by slowly and it was almost evening when after recalls and retakes did the auditions finally end. Miss Alberta conferred with Stacey while the actors milled about the stage nervously, hoping they made the cut.

‘Alright everyone, gather around,’ Miss Alberta called as she stood. ‘After a torturous day of auditions, we have finally decided on most of the cast. Now before my assistant reads out the list, I would like to thank you all for coming. All of you are extremely talented people but it has been clear after today that for some of you, your gifts lie outside the stage. Those who did not make the cut are welcome to stay on as stagehands. Over to you, Stace.’

Stacey stood and read out the list of those who made it to the play. As was expected, Samuel got the role of Romeo but there was a character who was noticeably absent from the list.

‘Wait,’ one of the actors spoke after Stacey was done. ‘What about Juliet and the rest? You haven’t cast them yet.’

‘Yes, thank you,’ Miss Alberta responded tiredly. ‘I’m aware of that but I can’t decide between two of the six who auditioned for the role. I’m too exhausted to think about it any further and believe it or not I have a life outside of school. I would make the decision tomorrow morning and would post the full list of cast on the notice boards.’

Muttering broke out across the stage and Miss Alberta soon had enough. ‘Alright, that’s enough. Thank you for coming but if you’ll excuse me I’ve got a saucy date to get ready for. Now shoo!’

She waved them away and walked out through the side door, Stacey trailing after her. The crowd on the stage slowly began to disperse and the theatre slowly emptied out.

Samuel held Pearl’s hand comfortingly as he whispered something to her. He bent down to kiss her softly before waving as she also made her way out. Soon they were the only ones left in the theatre.

Samuel picked up the script and moved about the stage as he practiced his lines.

‘That was quite the performance.’

He looked up as Jayden stepped out of the shadows and made his way up the aisle toward the stage.

A smile broke out on his face and he moved to the edge of the stage. ‘You came.’

Jayden nodded with a faint smile. ‘I had a pretty good seat from the back.’

Samuel sat on the edge of the stage as Jayden reached him. ‘How much of that did you see?’

‘Enough. I suppose congratulations are in order, Romeo.’

Samuel grinned and rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. ‘Thanks.’

Jayden sat on the edge of the stage beside him. ‘I feel like I’ve been seeing less of you since the term began.’

Samuel nodded. ‘I know. Pearl wanted us to spend more time together and with sports and school I guess I’ve been kept busy.’

They sat in the silence of the empty theatre, kicking the edge of their feet against the stage.

‘I’m sorry, I haven’t been coming to our spot as often.’

‘It’s alright. It’s much quieter when you’re not around.’

Samuel’s face brightened up. ‘I’m going to make it up to you, I promise.’ He stood up. ‘Starting now.’

Jayden glanced up at him. ‘What do you mean?’

‘You are going to help me practice my lines. That way we can spend time together cause I need to practice them now.’

Jayden took Samuel’s hand and got to his feet. ‘Not your brightest idea but sure, why not.’

‘It would be fun you’ll see.’

Samuel took a step back and read from the script. ‘But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon who is already sick and pale with grief.’

He paused and frowned. ‘Wait, this is not going to work.’

‘What are you talking about? That was quite good. Keep going.’

Samuel shook his head. ‘No, that was not what I meant. I mean this is not going to work without a Juliet. Can you play, Juliet?’

Jayden didn’t hesitate. ‘No.’

Samuel sighed. ‘It’s probably for the best, it was too complicated for you anyway.’

‘I know what you’re doing and it won’t work.’

‘Don’t feel bad. It takes an unearthly grace and poise to play such a character.’

Jayden raised an eyebrow. He took a deep breath and placed his hands on his chest, a beatific look coming over his face.

‘O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.’

His voice was soft as he recited the entire part from memory and his acting was flawless, leaving Samuel completely entranced. He fluttered his eyelids open and stared at Samuel with a triumphant smirk on his face.

‘How was that?’

Samuel shook himself out of his trance. ‘That was… that was… amazing!’

‘That wasn’t simply amazing that was bloody brilliant! A tour de force!’

Samuel and Jayden turned in surprise as Miss Alberta sailed in through the side. Her eyes were bright with excitement as she stood in front of them and Jayden’s eyes slowly widened in horror at her next words.

‘Congratulations, Jayden.’ She clapped her hands together enthusiastically. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, we have found our Juliet!’

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Oop…
Jayden playing Juliet? Now that’s bound to be interesting ;).

What will happen next? Do you think he’ll do it? Is he the right person for the role?
Lemme know in the comments and don’t forget to vote if you enjoyed the chapter.

See you in the next chapter,
😉.

[text_hash] => a98eebd9
)