Hellcat

Chapter 15

((A/N: The songs in the chapter are all originals by me and the whole idea of the play is a purely original theme so please do not attempt to steal or copy my idea. Thank you.))

Wilder Sanchez

I don't get a singing, dancing or acting role. I am made the prop production manager. So basically, I work for Josh and Ms Sutherland. I'm grateful I don't have an on-stage role that requires rehearsal and dress-up and all that nonsense. But I still get to go to Spain with the crew of performers because I'm the prop production manager. The other non-performing students to come with is the costume production manager a guy called Lei Chen whom I apparently share AP art and American literature with. But Chen was not offended when I told him I didn't know who he was even though he knew who I was. Apparently, I'm not as unpopular and invisible as I pride myself in being. The third person is a girl called Weatherly. She was the lucky person to be chosen as the stagehand to come with us to Spain. I'm pretty sure she only got chosen because Josh has a crush on her. Because less than ten seconds after the role list was posted on the notice board in the back of the auditorium, he went over to her and started flirting with her. 

It's the second week of rehearsal and everything is underway. I'm currently in the art room with the other prop designers working on the set for the play. We have to finish the stage and props soon because it will take at least three weeks for everything to be delivered in Spain. Originally, the theatre offered to design a set for us. But our overzealous art teacher Mr Hall saw this as the perfect opportunity for us to put all our lessons and training to use. 

The first week was spent comparing blueprints of the Teatro Arriago in Spain to the drawings we had made and finalising the design. It's only this week that we begun the real work. 

And while we have been working on props and stage designs, the actors too have been busy with their rehearsals. Because I never had a reason to care about the people in school with me, I don't recognise most of the singers, actors and dancers. But I know Abe got the part of one of Jaya's love interests. The hunter who she ended up with at the end.

He complained to us at the table that he didn't want such a major role. I don't get why he wouldn't want it, most guys would love to be in such a position. Especially since there's a scene where he gets to kiss Christine Mitchell.

I may not know much about our school popularity hierarchy but I know the basics. Like the fact that Christine Mitchell is the most popular girl in our school- honour student and football cheerleader. I think her dad is also the mayor of Newark so her family is crazy rich. 

But I have come to understand that guys like Abe aren't interested in superficial things like popularity or wealth so, despite all the good things he has heard about Christine, I can understand why he does not like her. 

"This is hopeless, " Chen sighs, throwing his hands on his lap in irritation. 

"Giving up already, Mr Chen?" I ask with a smirk. 

"I know when to admit defeat, " he says, handing me ten bucks. "Now can you help me do mine?"

When Chen invited me to join the home economics students who were sewing the uttariya for Jaya/Christine. Ms Sutherland had reached out to all her fashion sources and managed to get most of the Indian clothes the characters would need. But the one thing she couldn't get was a uttariya in iris purple and she insisted the play would be incomplete without it. So the home science class was tasked with making it. 

Chen and I were only supposed to come in and check on them to see if they were done but then we saw the needles and I dared him to try and slip the thread through the eye of the tiniest needle. It was easy for me because Nanny Jay taught me how to hand knit. But Chen kept pricking himself with the needle and has only just admitted defeat. 

"Sure, " I shrug, closing one eye, I focus the other on the eye of the needle and begin snaking the thread to the hole. It slips in and I loop it through midway and knot the end before handing it back to Chen.

"Wanna bet I can make a seam faster than you?"

"No way, " he says instantly shaking his head. "I'm not making the mistake of betting with you again. Now come on, I'm sure the others are wondering where the hell we have been."

"Okay, fine, " I sigh, disappointed that I have lost the perfect opportunity to rake in an extra free ten bucks.

We head out of the home economics department together and walk back to the art lab. When we get in, to our surprise, there's no one there.

"Where have you guys been?" a tall girl with a pixie cut asks. She seems to know who we are but I have no idea who she is. Maybe I have seen her around the hallways of our school before but I really don't remember. 

"What's going on?" Chen asks, sensing my obvious confusion. "Where's everyone?"

"Ms Sutherland announced that everyone should come over to the theatre to watch them rehearse. The first full take of the play."

"Oh, thanks, Kelly."

Kelly. 

That's the name of the tall girl. 

She nods at him and walks away.

"I guess we're going to watch a play, " Chen says.

We arrive at the theatre the same time Josh's disembodied voice makes the announcements over the intercom. 

"Act I Scene 1, take 2."

The curtains pull over to the opposite sides of the stage until they reveal a girl in the middle of the stage. It's Christine Mitchell. Except now she's Jaya.

Jaya is sitting on a four-legged wooden stool and appears to be cooking. 

"Linda! Linda!" A female voice off the stage hollers. A few minutes later, Jaya's mother saunters unto the stage and glares at her 'daughter'. "Have you not heard that I am calling you?"

"I don't know who Linda is. I have told you my name is Jaya, " She retorts hastily. 

Her mother rolls her eyes. "Oh don't give me that crap again, Linda. Just because you were raised among these people does not mean you are one of them, okay? And what's the use of having a local name if you don't even look like them? People will know that you are not one of them."

"But I am. I eat the same food as they do. Wear the same clothes. Speak the same language. What makes you think I am different from them?" she insists. "And anyway, why were you calling me?" 

"It is hopeless to try and sway you to my side." Her mom rolls her eyes again. "Fabian came to the church today. He said he wants to come over to our house for dinner to discuss something important."

"And how does that concern me?" Jaya asks, stirring whatever is in the invisible pan she's cooking in. 

"He said it was about you, " her mother sounds excited. "Fabian is such a handsome young man."

"Mom!" She groans. 

"What? I'm just saying. You know Fabian will soon be chief and if we have him on our side, it will be easier to convince the natives to consider Christianity. Please dress nicely for him. And be on your best behaviour tonight."

"Yes, mom, " Jaya mumbles with an eye-roll. "You are always so concerned about the leaders of the people when you ignore the locals themselves. You have seen for yourself that it is not the word of the chief that is going to make the natives suddenly lose interest in Hinduism. If you want to win the people over, you have to go to them. And meet them halfway."

"Here you go again with all that nonsense. It is that foolish boy Arnav who has been filling your head with all this rubbish. I have told you to stop seeing him."

"Arnav is not a fool, " Jaya defends, cheeks blooming slightly. "He is smart and religious. And dad likes him."

"Your father likes everyone, " Jaya's mom says drily. "And I'm going to leave you to finish the food. I have to go to the market to buy some mango for the halwa."

"Okay, mom."

Shortly after Jaya's nameless mother leaves the stage, the main character finishes up the food she is preparing and leaves the 'kitchen', disappearing behind the curtain. 

"And scene, " disembodied Josh says, announcing that the first scene is over. "We'll take five then continue with the next scene."

Chen who has been silent this whole time at my side now turns to me excitedly. "That is an interesting start."

"Yeah, " I agree. "The actors are really good."

"I especially like how ingeniously they mentioned both Fabian and Arnav although the latter won't show up till at least the third scene of this act."

"Cool, " I say. It will be a while before Abe comes on stage. I decide to spend the relapse playing bubble shooter on my phone. I'm so focused on my game, the five minutes feel like five seconds and it is not long before the second scene starts. 

"Welcome to our humble abode Prince Fabian, " Jaya's mom greets kindly, bowing slightly to the young man. 

"Do not punish your old bones to show reverence to me, " Fabian says with an airy laugh. "And it is an honour to be invited to your home."

"Are you not going to greet our guest?" Jaya's mom asks, turning her attention to Jaya who did not even bother to stand upon the arrival of the prince. 

Jaya places a bookmark in the book she was reading and places it on the table with a loud thump. Slowly, lazily, she raises her head to meet the eyes of the prince. "Sup, " she says simply. 

"Linda!" Her mom scolds. 

"It is fine Mrs Willis. I believe your daughter should be allowed to greet me in whatever way she wants. After all, I am no better than her."

"You got that right, " Jaya snorts. "And the name is Jaya."

"I am well aware of your name change, L- er Jaya. That was my grandmother's name. But she's dead now."

"I didn't know that, " Jaya looks embarrassed. "And I'm sorry about your grandmother."

"It's fine, " the prince chuckles dismissively. He goes over to sit next to Jaya at the table. Reaching for her hand, he gently squeezes hers. "Thank you for your concern, " he says softly. 

Jaya freezes up, pulling her hand away. "You're welcome."

Her father, seeming to sense her discomfort cuts in politely. "Let's share the grace." 

"Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen."

They then proceed to 'eat' the 'meal' laid out before them on the very much real dinner table. 

Nobody talks during the 'meal' and when Jaya's dad says the grace after the meal, Fabian clears his throat to get their attention. 

"Thank you for the lovely meal, Mrs Willis. Your cooking skills never cease to impress me."

Jaya looks like she's about to retire but it cut off by her mother. "Thank you, Fabian."

"As much as I love getting a free meal from an amazing chef, that is not the only reason I came here this evening. I wanted to talk to you today because I have some important news to talk about. First, I want to tell you how much I’ve relished getting to know you and Mrs Willis, and how much I cherish being received into the family. You are marvellous parents, and I know that Jaya is such a good-natured and compassionate person today because of that. Your daughter means the world to me, and I hope to spend the rest of my life proving that to her. I’m here today because I would like to ask your daughter to marry me, and I would be honoured to have your permission."

Jaya looks stunned. Appalled even. 

Her mother is the exact opposite grinding from ear to ear and clapping. "Oh, I always knew this day would come my dear Fabian. Of course, you have our blessing."

Her husband nods in agreement. 

"You can't be serious, " Jaya cries out at last. "I can't get married at twenty-one."

"Some girls get married as early as seventeen. You have been single long enough, " Mrs Willis says. 

"No, "Jaya cries. " I am sorry Fabian but I will not marry you. I don't even love you."

"What are you talking about, my love?" Fabian asks, genuine concern on his face. 

"I'm not ready, " she says, pushing her plate away from her body and standing up, she runs away. 

The stagehands move quickly to clear the things from the stage and a few minutes later, Jaya is seen sitting on a giant rock in what appears to be a forest. Her head is in her hands and she is crying. 

She lifts her head up to stare at us. "They don't want to leave me alone, " her voice is shaky as she sings out the first line. "Trying to force me to be someone I'm not."

She jumps to her feet. "But my life is my own

And I'm not going to pledge my troth."

"Not to a pauper, not to the son of a chief. Not to a sheriff nor to a thief. No! A ring is a cage, and I want to be free. Get ready to disengage because this is me!"

"I will never marry. I won't be any man's bride. I plan to stay single. For the rest of my life, " she belts out the lyrics loudly, powerfully with an accompaniment of fluid dance moves around the forest floor. 

"They don't want to leave me alone. Trying to force me to be someone I'm not. But my life is my own

And I'm not going to pledge my troth."

She croons softly, "I will never marry. I won't be any man's bride. I plan to stay single. For the rest of my life."

The song ends with Jaya returning to the rock where she was sitting and collapsing into it with a despairing sigh. "Who am I kidding? My wedding is not my bidding."

The curtains come over the stage. Everyone is clapping and hollering and screaming and I'm part of them because even if I don't like Christine (which I don't yet have a reason to) that was a most beautiful performance.

"Excellent work everyone. Unfortunately, that is all the time we have got. We will continue tomorrow but for now, I suggest you head to the cafeteria for lunch." Disembodied voice orders. 

We were so distracted by the musical, we did not even realise the bell for lunch period had already gone off. 

When I look to my left, Chen is gone. I look around and find him chatting with pixie cut girl from earlier this morning. He looks busy so I I don't bother to interrupt him and instead head to the cafeteria alone. 

When I get to what has become my regular table only Abe is there.

"Hey," I greet, sidling into the seat across from him.

He looks up at me with a tight smile. He looks distressed. "Hi."

"Are you okay?" I ask. I'm not particularly concerned for him I am just trying to be polite. 

"I'm fine."

"Okay," I say and turn my attention to my chicken and waffle sliders because it is not in my nature to pry. 

Abe sits still, staring at his tray as if the green beans might have the answer to all his problems. 

Is it wrong that I think a worried Abe is kind of cute?

He is chewing on his bottom lip, brows furrowed in thought. Then, suddenly, he looks up from the food to stare at me. I am taken aback by the intensity of his gaze. 

"You were at the rehearsal today. So you saw how amazing they were."

"Yeah," I say uneasily not sure where he is heading with this. 

"Well, my character's first appearance is the third scene and I want to make a good impression. I'm not cut out for acting but everyone just assumes acting should be easy since I appear to be good at everything else. I'm afraid I'm going to either mix up my lines or freeze up on stage."

"You can't paint," I say.

Abe tilts his head to the side in bewilderment. His eyes scream what has that got to do with any of this?

"You can't draw. You can't sculpt. You can't craft. You can't dance-"

"I actually can," he cuts in meekly.

"That's not the point!" I snap. I sigh and take in a breath. "The point is that you can't do anything. It's okay to ask for help. Hell, it's okay to need help." 

Abe smiles at me. "Will you help me, Eli?"

"Me?" I point at my chest in surprise. That is not the plot twist I saw coming. "What can I do to help you?"

"You can help me practice my lines. It'll mean a lot to me. Especially since you're no expert and won't judge me when I flop. So, will you?"

"I don't know," I answer unsurely. Do I want to get myself any more involved with Abe Bennett than I already am?

Let's consider the variables, Leli suggests.

What variables?

For instance, his physique. You can't deny that Abe Bennett has a great body, and a pretty face to stare at even if we get bored. And besides that, he's a polite and pleasant guy. He won't criticize or insult or judge you. And he's smart so you can let him do your homework or at the very worst, help with it. 

You make a very good argument. 

"Yes," I grin slightly. "I will help you."

"Help him with what?" Josh asks, sliding next to me and grabbing the apple from my tray. I did not even plan on waiting that anyway so I don't mind. 

"The garden!" Abe blurts out before I can explain it to Josh. "Eli has offered to help me make flyers to invite people to the opening of the new community garden."

"Isn't that in like, six months or something?" Keith asks, sitting next to Abe. 

I look at Abe suspiciously. Why is he lying to his brother and friends? 

Don't judge him. You're lying to all of these guys too. 

Fair enough. 

"Yeah," I agree. Abe gulps, hanging his head in shame as he looks away. Like a lamb to the slaughterhouse. "We just thought it would be a good idea to get it done early and forget about it."

Keith nods but Josh looks suspiciously. Thankfully, he doesn't prod. "That's good."

Abe looks at me and mouths a 'thank you' when no one is looking. I just give him a thumbs up. 

I change the topic. "So Josh, what's the deal with you and that Weatherly girl?"

"You already got a new conquest?" Keith asks in surprise. "I thought you were still working that new girl, China."

"Been there done that," Josh says breezily. "And Weatherly isn't a conquest. She's a bet."

"Besides a broken heart and ruined reputation, what did you put on the line?" Abe asks, intrigued. 

Josh looks uneasy all of a sudden. "Your car."

"My what?!"

Josh does jazz hands, with a weak smile. "Surprise!" He screams but it sounds more like a question. 

Abe shakes his head disappointedly. "For once, I wish a girl isn't smart enough not to fall for you."