Hushed

Chapter 13: Romeo and Juliet

    Romeo and Juliet, a play written by William Shakespeare in the 15’s. I’ve heard of the story multiple times when I was young and that’s where I thought that it’s overrated but of course Ms. Moreland had to choose this play.

    People consider it more as romance than tragedy but it’s actually stupidity for five days that caused two people’s death and two family’s reconciliation. Although in all the negative things from the story, there are still positive things from it, like the moral lesson.

    The moral lesson of the story is don’t be stupid and don’t elope with a guy you just met, in short, have common sense and logic.

    “Where’s my costume?” I heard Harvey shout from the room. It’s half an hour before show time and none of the actors are ready, even us stagehands aren’t ready. I’m standing just outside the door to avoid the chaos but I know I shouldn’t since I’m the lead.

    “Everyone, be ready in 10,” I announced and walked away. I need to check the props still. In the story, Romeo poisons himself so we used grape juice as a substitute. We don’t want anyone dying on that stage.

    Our lead actress is Alina, her mother makes the costumes of the plays and in exchange she wants her daughter to be the lead. I don’t protest, the clothes look very nice and Alina acts very well.

    How did Harvey get into the play and how did he get the male lead? That’s a question I’ve been asking a lot to myself. I gave an opportunity for the other stagehands to pick the actors and I promised that I won’t change who they choose which is something that I regret.

    During rehearsals, Harvey made so much mistake to the point where we ended up going home at midnight which is very bad since I need to do homework and I won’t be able to do it because I have to procrastinate before doing so.

    “Where’s my poison?” I asked when I didn’t see it anywhere. I’m trying my hardest to not shout people are already arriving. They actually seem more ready than we are.

    My parents and Ryan are coming to watch, they said that they won’t come home until they see the play which is weird since I’m not even in it.

    “Here it is,” Cain said, giving it to me. Cain only joined the club for extra credit but he’s really helpful. He’s a stagehand too which is good since he really isn’t noticeable and he’s a very shy person.

    “Mikaela, where are the thespians?” I asked when I saw her pass by. It’s been a week, maybe two since I choked her and she’s still the same, it’s like she has no grudge, I surely do. She told Max that she took my beeper while I was asleep which is impossible since my things aren’t a mess when I left the room and my beeper was hidden very well.

    “They’re still changing,” she answered.

    “Can someone check on them? Tell them that I don’t care about how they look, just their acting. And if Romeo and Juliet won’t come here right now, I’d be the one killing them,” I said. I really like threatening to kill people, it makes them scared and they follow me every time, I only do it to my classmates.

    “Yes ma’am,” Max said and ran to the dressing room.

    “Eyes look your last. Arms, take your last embrace. And, lips, O you the doors of breathe; seal with a righteous kiss a dateless bargain to engrossing death,” Harvey said and kisses Alina and takes the poison.

    We’re nearing the end of the play and surprisingly, it went very well. Alina did amazing and Harvey made very little mistakes.

    I took my phone from my pocket when I felt it vibrate. ‘Why didn’t you check the poison? I thought you don’t want anyone dead on the stage.’ This was the message sent to me.

    I looked up and saw that Harvey was about to drink the “fake poison.”