The Play

Students came running the exit doors as soon as they heard the bell rang; signaling that their last class has finally ended. All too excited to have the best vacation of their lives. Yet, Sonya’s class still stuck in the theater room practicing for their full-length play. 

Their sweat dripping from all over their body as if they're melting with this hot weather. They even opened the enormous windows in the room hoping to get some fresh air but it did nothing in fact, the room got hotter. They ended up closing the windows. Most of them are getting grumpy too, not in the mood to practice anymore because of the extreme heat they are feeling. They just had their lunch, yet Sonya felt hungry from all the practice they did since morning. 

Sonya sat, waiting for her turn on the blue mono block placed near the large stage they are currently using to practice their piece. It feels like you’re at a real theater place; the stage’s made up of concrete, then there’s the blinding lights, huge built sound system, and of course you can’t forget the famous red chiffon curtains! It indeed feels like you’re performing infamous theater places whenever you set foot on that stage. It would give you jitters if you’re not used to it. Luckily, most of the class’s forte was performing live, but because of the tropical heat, it’s hindering them to perform well, causing them to delay their practice. 

Sonya, a long brown-haired, showstopper young lady, who’s labeled to be the most wanted person in her class; even the entire batch likes her. Probably because of her adorable smile, but that famous smile is long gone now as she frustratingly wipes the sweats on her forehead while she fanned herself using her hand. She even fixed her long-sleeve uniform hoping it could somehow relieve the extreme heat she’s feeling.

Sonya’s silently cursing the school for having such a uniform. They stopped practicing for a while because they asked the security to open the air-condition at the theater. Unfortunately, they didn’t allow it so some boys tried to look for some electric fan to relieve the heat. Others bought refreshers to quench their thirst. 

“Here.” Sonya heard from her side. She flinches a bit too when she felt a cold thing touched her face. It was Jameson. Jameson Pierce, her long-time crush, the kindest varsity player she has ever met, and her partner for this full-length play.

Now, standing beside her happily reaching the cola, as his dimples showing. Her face quickly turned red when she realized she’s staring at this fine-looking young man’s deep-set blue eyes. 

Sonya cleared her throat as she slowly got the can of cola from Jameson. “Thank you.” She looked down as she silently said it. Jameson let out a giggle, then ruffled Sonya’s hair. The lass gasped, surprised at the young man’s action. Well, Jameson’s like this to her ever since, yet until now she’ll get butterflies on her stomach whenever they’ll have interaction. 

“You’re sweating like hell. Wait here, I’ll borrow a fan from our classmate—And here’s my handkerchief. I’ll get my extra shirt as well. Use that all right?”  

Sonya just nodded, still in disbelief at what’s happening. She finally let go of her breath when Jameson got farther from her. ‘Oh, my gosh! Calm down!’ She whispered to herself as she pats her heart. 

Moments later, the boys along with the electric fans they borrowed finally arrived, so they resumed practice. Which made Sonya relieved because all eyes were on Jameson and her, and it made her extremely uncomfortable. Well, Jameson insisted to use the wooden fan he borrowed from his friend to fan both of them. Plus, she’s wearing Jameson’s blue varsity shirt. Jameson’s surname was written at back. Sonya knew that this will cause issues but she couldn’t care less anymore because the extreme heat she’s feeling earlier lessen all thanks to Jameson’s shirt. 

As soon as she steps foot on the stage, she seemed like a different person. Ready to portray her role, which was indeed impressive. They are doing a Cinderella Role Play. To cliche, right? The entire group thought so too so they agreed to do some fun plot twists to make it more engaging, plus they go all out with the props and costume too. 

They started practicing the first dance of Cinderella and Jameson. “Music, ready? And... action!” The class director shouted. 

Sonya curtsied first while holding at her skirt, followed by Jameson who respectfully bows down. Sonya took a step forward, but Jameson didn’t move at all, resulting in Sonya stepping on Jameson’s foot. 

“Oh, my gosh! I’m sorry!” Sonya gasped as she got down to massage the lad’s foot. Jameson quickly asked Sonya to stand up, but the director went near them and jogged Sonya away from Jameson, making the lass lose her balance. Luckily, Jameson moved swiftly and caught Sonya. 

“You okay, James?” Lily, the director, softly asked. 

“You good?” Jameson asked, while his arms snake through Sonya’s hips. Sonya’s face turned completely red once again. She stood up straight and moved a step backward from Jameson. She’s completely embarrassed she just wants this day to be over with already! 

When Jameson made sure that Sonya’s all right he turned his attention at Lilly, who’s innocently looking at the lad as if she did nothing wrong, “You don’t have to push Sonya away, Lily.” He lectured making Sonya’s face redder. 

“It’s fine, Jameson. She’s just concern about you.” Sonya defended. Lily just rolled her eyes and went back to her seat. “Let’s start from the top! Ready? Action!” 

They started was once again, this time Jameson finally moved, and they danced swiftly until the music ends. While they’re dancing Jameson spoke, “I’m sorry about earlier I just got mesmerized by your beauty...” He stated shyly. 

Sonya even saw how the lad’s cheeks turned red making her smile knowing that he’s sincere about that but she panicked and said, “S-Shut up.” Her stutter made Jameson laugh. 

That laugh seemed to piss off the blond director, so they quickly got stopped and made to repeat the scene over again, making the class get frustrated because their practice’s getting longer and longer. 

They’ll be performing this play tomorrow, which makes this their general last practice so they don’t have a say if the director wanted to extend their practice but most of the class felt the tension between the three but they couldn’t care less anymore. They just want to go home and rest on their comfortable bed with their cold air-condition on. 

Both sighed and just continued what Lily instructed them to do, but Lily appears to be testing Sonya’s temper. Lily would make Sonya start over her lines even if she nailed each scene. 

She’s currently doing the confrontation scene with her stepsisters and stepmother and in that scene, the stepmother would slap Cinderella and Lily wanted Debby, the stepmother, to actually slap Sonya. Of course, being a sweetheart as she is, Sonya agreed. 

“You sure about this?” Debby hesitated. 

Sonya smiled at her and said, “It’s alright. Let’s just give her what she wants to get this over with.” 

The cold-hearted director, look as though not contented with the takes they did. According to her, “It does not look realistic.” They’ve been practicing this scene countless times already, Sonya’s face getting all numb and she’s trying her best not to have an outburst because she knows all too well that’s what Lily wants her to do. She won’t give her that satisfaction. 

Debby kept apologizing to her and even arguing with Lily, but being hard-headed as she is; she kept persisting. Sonya gave Debby a sweet smile. “It’s not your fault. It’s alright. Just give me the hardest you could give that’s what she wants.” 

The class paid their attention to the two performers, feeling all the tension. Jameson, ready to jump Lily’s throat but the lass doesn’t seem to care about him right now. All she cares about is to see Sonya get hurt. 

“Lily! F*cking stop this craziness!” His friend’s stopping him to punch the lass. Believe me, he’s so close to punching that girl out of frustration. The nice Jameson is no longer present, especially seeing Sonya’s state. 

“Ready? Action!” Lily shouted once again. Her evil smirk plastered all over her face as fixed her cat eyeglasses, making Jameson all fired up. 

“H-How could you defy me?! You little pest!” The stepmother screamed, then a loud slap resonated the entire theater. The entire class went all silent after hearing that getting concerned about Sonya. 

But Sonya professionally delivered her lines perfectly. When they finished the scene, they received a standing ovation from the crowd. “Shut up!” Lily snapped as she stomped her feet, with her veins popping out of frustration. 

“Again!” 

“What? NO! That’s already perfect! If you don’t want that then go practice on your own!” 

Debby debated, as well as the whole class, shouting at Lily. Some are even preparing to leave ready to boycott Lily’s excessive directing. 

In the end, the class won over Lily. She got no choice but to proceed with the next scene. Luckily, it was the supporting cast's scene giving Sonya a chance to take a break. Jameson grabbed her hand and sat her to the blue monoblock and faced the electric fan to her. The lass didn’t argue anymore, she’s too tired to do that anyway. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, enjoying the cool air coming from the fan. But a sudden touch on her face made her open her eyes. Jameson bending his legs to be on her level while caressing her red, slightly wounded right cheek. 

“I’m sorry you have to put through Lily’s crap.” 

Sonya’s heart melted when she saw those soft, set blue eyes. “It’s alright. It’s not your fault.” She said and gave him a sweet smile to assure him she’s all right. The next movement Jameson did make Sonya held her breath. 

The lad slowly closing the gap between them. The next thing Sonya knew, Jameson’s lips landed on her swollen right cheek. Sonya’s cheeks are now even in redness. She’s not expecting him to do that, but it felt so good for her. 

When Jameson let go of the kiss and looked at her, they just gave each other a small smile before Jameson put a cold handkerchief on Sonya’s cheek to relieve the pain. Jameson left her side when it was his turn to practice. Her friends quickly approached her asking what just happened between them but the lass kept mum and just held onto the handkerchief on her cheek. 

She could still feel those soft, luscious lips of Jameson touching her cheek. That made her feel hot, making her sweat badly. She tried to keep her mind away from that moment and just focused on her lines for the next and final scene. As soon as she remembered the scene, her cheeks turned red once again. It was a wedding scene which means there will be a kissing scene. 

She hurriedly stood up from her seat and told her friends that she’ll go to the restroom to wash up. The girls were too busy to gossip about what they saw earlier and how insecure Lily was for their friend. 

She walked away from the room and head straight to the restroom to wash her face. She slowly washed her face with her hands because her right cheek stings from all the slaps she received. If Lily thinks Sonya would let this go, well, she thought wrong. When Sonya strikes at her, she won’t even see what hit her. 

That’s what’s running through her mind as she looks at herself in the mirror. She’s nice but don’t you ever test her patience because you’ll regret it. She let out a small smile before heading back to the theater room. 

Few more takes, it’s finally her time again. She gave Lily a sweet smile before proceeding to her marked spot. 

“I don’t think it’s necessary for us to practice this scene. Let’s wrap this practice. Thank you for coming!” Lily announced. 

Lily thought that saying that to the class, she’ll hear a rejoice from her classmates but all she could hear right now is complain telling that they stayed this long and yet they won’t finish the play. Once again, she lost. She whined at the side and annoyingly said, “Whatever! Action!” 

“I’m truly lucky to have met you, Cinderella. I love you with all my heart…” The Prince Charming said his vows. 

They said their I do’s, and it’s finally time for them to kiss. But before kissing Jameson paused, Sonya looked worried. So she pressed his hands as she slowly caressed them with her thumbs. 

“S-Sonya…” The lad started. Sonya’s eyes widen, shocked that Jameson broke character. She looked in Lily’s direction, but their classmates prevented her from stopping the two. One person even covered Lily’s mouth just to stop the lass from ruining the moment. 

“The moment I laid my eyes on you, I know… I know that you’re the one for me and I don’t want to miss this chance to tell you how much I love you. A-And I would like to ask—I-I mean if you would allow me to court y-you? Ms. Sonya?” 

Jameson's stuttering made Sonya chuckle. She could feel how nervous the lad was. As soon as she realized what Jameson said, her mouth hangs open, completely speechless because of Jameson’s sudden confession; tears forming in her eyes, probably tears of joy, tears of excitement? I mean how often does your crush confess their feelings to you right? 

She’s in cloud nine, hands shaking as she slowly lets go of his hands that made Jameson’s heart sank thinking she does not feel the same way as he does. But his heart pounded heart when Sonya caressed his cheeks as sobbed. 

“Y-You don’t know how happy I am right now. Yes! Yes, you can court me!” 

Both tears on their faces as they hugged each other. Contented to be in each other's arms. They both couldn’t ask for more. Today seemed to be the longest time of the day, and he wished to spend his time like this every day with the love of his life. 

The whole class was cheering for them; clapping and chanting their names. All happy to end the note like this. After they congratulated the two, they all fixed their things and ready to go home after this long tiring day of practice. 

But the day seemed to get more interested when Lily approached Sonya as if she’s ready to pick a fight. The class left what they are doing to stop Lily, but it’s too late they are already face to face. 

Sonya stopped Jameson from going near them. He clenched his fist frustrated he can’t do anything but follow Sonya. He took a deep sigh of defeat and just watched them from afar. Although he wants to be there with Sonya, he knows this is not his battle, so he lets her be. If anything happens, he knows that he’ll do everything in his power just to protect Sonya, but for now he needs to respect Sonya’s decision. 

The lass raised her brows as if asking Lily what she wants. 

“You snake! How dare you take Jameson away from me!” Lily screamed, veins popping from her neck. Sonya let out a chuckle, thinking how funny what Lily said. But that did not amuse Lily at all. Lily raised her hand, ready to slap Sonya but Sonya’s way quicker than her. Sonya caught her arms and aggressively threw them down. Lily got completely puzzled by what just happened. 

The next thing that happened surprised her more. She just got herself slapped by Queen Sonya. Queen because she owned this. Lily felt her soul leave her body with that slap. The audience got too fascinated with what they’re seeing. 

“That’s for talking crap.” 

“And this…” She slapped her once more on her left cheek this time. 

“For all those tiring and painful takes.” 

She didn’t wait for her response anymore and Sonya immediately walked towards Jameson; the lad welcomed her in his arm as he kisses her on the forehead. “I didn’t know you have that in you. My baby’s a badass.” Jameson excitedly claimed. Sonya just laughed at her and playfully punched him in his arms. They continued walking out of the theater as the class followed. Lily got left there weeping on the floor as she caresses both of her cheeks. 

Tomorrow’s going to be a long tiring day again, but not as intense as this one! It’s like the series of events are unending. How’s that for the longest day in a summer season?