Raf facepalmed, poorly disguising his disappointment. Meanwhile Ms. Evergreen just looked at me as if she was expecting something else.
"–Ah." She coughed, "That can be arranged."
With me starting the momentum other hands shot up—most loudly: "I nominate Lucian as our hero!"
The rest of the class nodded in assent. Meanwhile prince charming himself was silenced by the mob. He shook his head and looked as if saying "Welp, I guess I have no choice."
I stole a quick glance at Lara, searching for a reaction— disappointment? surprise? relief? —but her porcelain mask. She smiled at everyone warmly, her gestures imperceptible, ever the polished heroine.
Everything proceeded smoothly— everyone more or less knowing what roles they wanted. The only one who refused to participate was Cindy, who was sat off to the side, fiddling with her phone and clearly uninterested.
Soon everyone was assigned roles, Raf preferring behind the scenes work as a set designer and music staff.
With a decisive clap, Ms. Evergreen calmed the uproar now buzzing, everyone brimming with their ideas of how the play ought to be. "Well then," she said, "for the rest of our class time, gather around your own committees and start planning."
Not a lot of people were interested in the writing committee, perhaps because they weren't quite familiar with Greek Classics or maybe they just preferred to be with their friends in the more active roles.
Seated in a little circle at the corner of the room, there were four of us screenwriters, the other three being from Rosewood—obviously women. Guess poetry and classical aren't the guys' thing or perhaps they were just shy to reveal that it was.
"Let's begin with what myth our story will be based on then." Immediately a girl took the lead. She was tall and had a regal aura to her, wearing purple foxy glasses. Her refined features accented by pearl studs.
One girl immediately put her hand up. "Why not The Odyssey?"
While I liked the story, I didn't like the idea of Lara as Penelope not having a scene until the end.
"How about Jason and Medea?" I suggested.
The girls didn't seem to like it but only the one in glasses spoke out. "That's not really a romantic story."
I sensed trouble: too many chefs in the kitchen. Each having their own ideas of what the story ought to be. I suppose I ought to be sneakier about this.
"Exactly," said the girl who'd originally proposed The Odyssey. "It's not like Odysseus who spent twenty long years in yearning for his wife."
Yes, but that's twenty years too late for Lara's screentime. I have decided to set the stage for her and I'm not going to let anyone stop me.
"What about Hades and Persephone?"
"Come on—are you even trying?" the girl in glasses snapped. strands of her perfectly combed hair unravelling.
"Of course—unlike Odysseus who had affairs with Circi and Calypso."
"I see your point, but we need a play that will get our audience rooting for the male lead." She leaned forward, exerting her regal pressure.
"Odysseus isn't even a singer." I met her gaze trying not to show how uncomfortable she was making me. "It would be a waste of Lucian's talent in singing." I wasn't quite sure if he really could but what matters is he looks like he can sing.
"Yes, but he's known to be an excellent storyteller." She said cooly. "Meanwhile, Hades is neither singer nor orator."
"But then he fought against death itself." I still persisted. "Can you actually tell me that you have a character who has all of this whose love surpasses even death?"
She fell silent.
"Someone with the fine looks of a god that Lucian can portray?" I prodded.
I could tell that the nobs were turning in her head as her brow furrowed. "As a matter of fact, I can give you a hero who fits all of your conditions." She crossed her arms smugly. "A singer and orator, with godly looks, and a love stronger than death. Orpheus."
"But—." I tried to impose.
"Wow, that's perfect!" one of the girls chimed in.
"Great idea, Genevieve!" another agreed.
With the idea flying so well with everyone, I relented. Plans were then made: the setting, the liberties we were allowed to take with the story, the roles we were going to write.
When everything was over, I craned my neck to stretch. I felt tired and groggy—strangely craving for another hotcake.
"Hey." the tall Rosewood student approached me. "Orpheus and Eurydice was your plan from the very beginning wasn't it."
I gave her a sideways glance. "How do you figure that?"
"I was wondering why you gave it up so easily when you were so stubborn to get your way earlier." She had a look, a mix between annoyance and admiration. "Then I realized—that was exactly what you were drawing me towards, with all your wild conditions."
"Whatever could you be talking about?" I met her steely glare. "I just want this play to go well." For Lara that is.
She tsked. "I am no fan of playing games. Next time you have an idea just speak it out loud instead of being so roundabout about it." Then a little softer she said. "It annoys me how easily you manipulated me like that."
I am one stranger, in a school less prestigious than the other members, in a group dominated by your school. If I wasn't roundabout about it, I wouldn't have my way. The only way I could is by making everything appear like it's youridea. –Is what I wanted to say but instead I just nodded and walked towards Raf. Genevieve followed me with her eyes but didn't say anything further.
"Hey—you guys done too?" I asked Raf.
He gave me an exasperated look, as if he's been wanting to talk to me since earlier. "Yeah, and now that I have you." He wacked me in the head. "What was the big idea just giving away the role to be Lara's lead. I thought you liked her?"
I rubbed my forehead where he wacked me. "I never said I liked her."
He gave me a knowing look. "So, you're fine with Lara doing romantic scenes—with Lucian of all people?"
I imagined it and tried to hide my displeasure.
"What are you doing to yourself, Claus?" He stared at me straight. "We've been friends since we were five. I know you—and there is no girl you like as much as that one over there." He pointed at Lara who was happily chatting away with the other actors. I tried to deny the pang watching her and Lucian laugh together
"We're just friends." I said.
He sighed. "I know you hate change, but the world keeps moving forward, my friend. If you cling to status quo, you'll end up being left behind."
I didn't want to agree with Raf, I tried to convince myself that he was just being narrowminded and he could not see the neutral end I longed for. But then again, I stared at Lara, looking perfectly adjusted in her own world. Able to let others in and enter others' too. She expanded her horizons continually, always moving forward. Wasn't I being too selfish by trying to make her stay as we were when everything else continued to progress?