Chapter 1: First Class

"Damn it! Great day to get lost eh, Deano?" I said to myself jogging down the hall; after having trouble navigating my new surroundings for the next four years. Just great. I kept thinking to myself; I had finally been told, where I needed to go and I felt a little embarrassed and a little dumb. I sighed to myself, before finally reaching the theatre; as I was already late by like five minutes. I adjusted my strap over my shoulder carrying a book in my hand and quickly pulled open the door and slid into the room slightly panting a little bit. All my new class-mates and teacher looked up over at me. "I am so sorry sir and everyone! I got lost! Heh.." I said scratching the back of my head feeling stupid; now my class-mates probably think I'm a totally freak now. "I didn't miss anything did I, sir?" I said slowly walking down the isle to join my other class-mates.

I gulped deeply to myself; he wasn't serious was he? Shit he was! I kept thinking to myself, as he wiggled his finger at me and patted the place right next to him on the stage in front of everyone! Could this morning get any worse right now? I sighed taking my 'punishment' like a man and joined my new teacher on the stage sitting next to him. I gulped again a little quiet now with my class-mates whispering to each other and smiling a little; all looking at me. He looked at me telling me to introduce myself in the friendliest way possible; since I had already made my presence known? Yeah that was dumb! I exhaled deeply, before introducing myself: "Well, Err--first my apologies again; everyone." I smile shyly, "And Erm--my name is: Dean. Dean Armstrong." I said a little nervous now. "It's nice to meet you all and congratulations for getting places here. I'm looking forward to working with you all." I said with a bashful smile, and briefly looked down at the floor for a second then back up at everyone. Yeah that wasn't embarrassing at all; now was it? Oh man, just kill me now! I thought to myself with a soft; untraceable sigh..

Great my new teacher already doesn't think too highly of me now; it's not like I was late on purpose. I sighed, before I found myself being approached by one of my female class-mates. She smiled at me and told, she thought I was funny and I was like thanks; I think. She asked me, if I wanted to partner with her and I was a little hesitant, but when I looked around everyone was taken; so not much of a choice. I agreed with a smile, and we sat down somewhere and had a discussion; we settled on performing a small part of the legendary balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet. I grin to myself knowing; every girl wants to that scene with any good-looking bloke and since, I just unfortunately happened to be one of them, I couldn't say no. She was like; super excited saying she loved this play and found Juliet so interesting. I agreed, I said it's a classic love story and that I did like Romeo's confidence a lot. We started to rehearse quietly to ourselves a couple of rows up from everyone else; whilst Casey walked around the stalls listening to his new class discuss and do a little rehearsing before going on that stage. I was a little nervous, but at least now I had to redeem myself a little in Casey's eyes by showing him; how good my acting ability was and show him that just because I was a little late; despite respectable reasons that I am serious about this and will succeed in it too.

I can't say, I was surprised by Casey's move. But alas, I was a professional, so I did as I was asked and met this guy named Chad; who asked if it'll be cool if he could team with me? I said sure, I said goodbye to Melody knowing; I'll see her again at some point. Chad and I discussed, and we chose our roles. The newly introduced Chad and I made our way onto the stage to perform our scene to Casey and our class; we were both feeling a little nervous right now. Chad & I took a deep breath, before informing their class and teacher; what scene they were performing and what play it was from. We smiled at each other finding this a little funny, before take they took up their positions creating a small distance between the two of them for effect. Chad stood next to a two-step tread. I started to walk into the scene; as Romeo like I was looking for something or someone in this place. Chad walks up to the tread and sighs to himself acting as if she was looking out over his railing as Juliet. Dean turns his attention hearing the sigh and looks up at Chad with a look of excitement and warmth on his face like it just lit up; as Romeo after seeing his true love once again tonight:

"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
That thou her maid art far more fair than she.
Be not her maid, since she is envious;
Her vestal livery is but sick and green,
And none but fools do wear it. Cast it off.
It is my lady, O, it is my love!"

I took a moment to catch my breath looking up at Chad from a safe distance; admiring Juliet's natural beauty and poise. Chad pretended to briefly stroke a strand of his long hair, before I continued with Romeo's oversized monologue with a smooth toning to my voice. The guy did love the sound of his own voice; that's for sure..

"O that she knew she were!
She speaks, yet she says nothing; what of that?
Her eye discourses, I will answer it.
I am too bold: 'tis not to me she speaks.
Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,
Having some business, do entreat her eyes
To twinkle in their spheres till they return.
What if her eyes were there, they in her head?
The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars,
As daylight doth a lamp. Her eyes in heaven
Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night.
See how she leans her cheek upon her hand
O that I were a glove upon that hand,
That I might touch that cheek!"

I finished speaking lightly raising my hand up towards her like I would catch a raindrop for her. I didn't hear laughter at all, I think some people were impressed that Chad and I were taking on such a brave scene for an epic love story being two men and all..

"Ay me!"

I heard Chad say; as Juliet as he gazed up at the 'stars' in the night sky making out Juliet was reminiscing about meeting her true love; earlier this evening. I stepped forward almost moving under the balcony slightly acting; as if Romeo was in a little surprise hearing her voice again, and continued to perform my lines with a hint of longing in my voice..

"She speaks.
O, speak again, bright angel, for thou art
As glorious to this night, being o'er my head,
As is a winged messenger of heaven
Unto the white-upturned wondering eyes
Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him
When he bestrides the lazy-puffing clouds
And sails upon the bosom of the air."

Chad sighed with gentle exasperation looking down at the 'garden' below her in her court, whilst I quickly slid to the side of the tread as if I was hiding from Juliet, but gently peering around at Chad from time to time..

"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."

Chad finished acting and reading with a very believable tone of voice and strong stage presence; I was impressed. He was a great actor and playing a female role too. Chad and I went on to to finish up the scene to a nice round of cheer; which was comforting. Chad & I hugged one another gently, after he joined me at the foot of the treads; before we walked into the centre of the stage together to hear Casey's opinion. I took a deep breath and looked at him hoping; it was okay for him..

I couldn't believe; what I had just heard out of Casey's mouth, Chad looked over at me confused and everyone else too. We excited the stage and let everyone else do their scenes. I was now in a bit of mood, I didn't agree with him at all. He dismissed our class; as Chad and Melody walked up to me with Chad tapping me on my back telling me, he'd wait for me outside with Melody saying the same. I nodded, as I finished packing up my things whilst they went off to wait for me leaving me alone with what looks to be the teacher from hell right now. "Casey, sir. Can I just say, I don't agree with what you said about my performance." I said to him walking up to Casey. He looked at me, "First of all sir, I did not take the easy way out! Chad and I discussed, and he didn't want to play Romeo. He chose Juliet. So you can't blame me there sir. And flat? Really? Look sir, I respect your opinion and that; but I don't think it was flat. I done, what I could with limited time. And like, I said I wasn't late on purpose either! I said, I got lost. How is that a crime?" I paused, "I really like that scene too. It's not safe. If two actors like something; shouldn't they do it?" I sigh, as Casey just listened to me.

Was he serious right now? I just glared at him, "So, what I show late for my FIRST EVER class and now you punish me? Now you hold a grudge? That's not cool, sir. I have plenty of balls, just because I don't want to show them off right away; doesn't mean I can't do it. And you want to force that on me? When I'm clearly not comfortable enough yet? By expecting me to play Juliet? Just to keep you happy?! What about me sir, what about my feelings, huh? Ever think about that?" I stared at him. "Look I appreciate your criticism sir, but I wouldn't want to be late for another class now would I? See you, sir." I shook my head, before walking away from him heading for the exit. An arse-hole was the only think; Dean was thinking he was right now.