Monday morning rolled around all too soon. And before Sophia knew it the school day was over and the auditions were to begin. The one good thing about today, however, had been the almost near silence from Harry. It was almost eerie like how un-obnoxious he had been, as though he was saving all of his energy to annoy Sophia later. He’ll more than likely ruin me during my audition, she thought; which really wouldn’t surprise her, to be honest.

As Sophia got closer to the auditorium, she could feel the butterflies start to form in her stomach. She had never been very good at public speaking. In fact, it was her biggest fear and how she knew there was no way she would get the role of Juliet. Who would give someone who was a known nervous vomiter the starring role? Hopefully not Mr. Doris.

When she got inside the auditorium, she saw all the students sitting against the wall reading over their monologues. She noticed a sign in sheet next to the entrance where the actual stage was and proceeded to sign herself in.Sophia saw that Harry’s name was already on the list, and his name had been crossed off indicating that his audition was already over. Good, at least he won’t be here to distract me.

She took a seat on the floor next to a large window and began to read over her monologue again:

Shall I speak ill of him that is my husband?
Ah, poor my lord, what tongue shall smooth thy name,
When I, thy three-hours wife, have mangled it?
But, wherefore, villain, didst thou kill my cousin?
That villain cousin would have kill'd my husband:
Back, foolish tears, back to your native spring;
Your tributary drops belong to woe,
Which you, mistaking, offer up to joy.

Sophia looked up and sighed. This was going to be hard. Especially since she couldn’t get Harry out of her mind as Romeo. How was she suppose to go onto that stage and pretend to cry over him? It will be nearly impossible.

As she continued to read over the monologue again and again, time began to move quicker. And the other student’s names were called, as one by one they auditioned then left. One thing that Sophia noticed was she did not see Cora, nor had she read her name on the list. Fantastic, she won’t show up so I’ll automatically get the part. Thanks Cora!

“Sophia Allaway.” She heard her name called by Mr. Doris.
“Yes.”

“Time for your audition.”

Sophia gathered her things off of the floor and headed for the stage. When she approached the door, she froze. Out walked the blonde curly hair of the one and only Penelope George.

“Break a leg, American. Or should I say have fun playing the Nurse to my Juliet.” Penelope rudely said, walking past Sophia.

“What are you doing here? Isn’t this Cora’s extra circular?”

“Not anymore. We switched. Because if anyone is kissing Harry Styles. it. will. be. me.”

“Whatever.” Was the only response Sophia could come up with as she walked through the door. If there was anything that described Sophia the most, it was that she was competitive. And having little miss princess threaten her, suddenly made all the butterflies disappear and the adrenaline kick in. She may not have wanted to be Juliet this morning, but like hell Penelope was getting the role.

---

Later that evening, Sophia and her roommates all headed out to the dining hall to get some dinner.After the first week it seemed that everyone on campus started to form a routine, and the dining hall was no exception. The girls normally ate all at the same time and they always sat at the same table against the right wall, every day.

The normal conversation flowed and Sophia for the first time that day finally relaxed. She may not have known these girls long, but the bond they had created over the last week made them some of the closest friends she had ever had. They brought a sense of comfort with them that eased her mind and helped her to forget about the audition.

“How’d it go today?” One of the girls finally asked her.

“The audition? Fine. I think. I don’t know I’m not good with being in front of a crowd, and I don’t really remember the audition that much.”

“Because of how nervous you were?” Asked Emma.

“That and Penelope is now in Drama. Apparently her and Cora switched, so when I saw her before my audition I just seemed to put my competitive nature in over drive. You know it kind of gave me a black out affect. So I’m not really sure how it went.”

“Speak of the devil.” Said Charlotte.

At that moment Penelope and her little gang all came into the dining hall. Almost like a scene from Mean Girls. And naturally they all sat as close to Harry’s normal table, as they could. Because it was against school policy to sit in their laps, or else they would probably sit there.

Glancing at the boys table for a moment, Sophia took the opportunity to stare ever so briefly at Eli. Sweet Eli. He was so kind to her and always spoke to Sophia every day in Chemistry class. It was her favorite thing about her school day. And sometimes if she planned it just right, he’d walk her back to the house. But if she didn’t Harry would, which would then make that the worse part of her day.

“That’s funny. No Harry.” Stated Sophia.

“Looking for Harry are we?” Asked Charlotte with an elbow nudge.

“No. More than likely she was looking for Eli.” Teased Juliet.

“Okay you caught me. But how can you not stare at him.” Said Sophia.

Suddenly Sophia heard the chair next to her slide out. Thinking it was probably her baby brother sitting next to her, she ignored it.

“Did you read the cast list Mr. Doris posted?” Came a British raspy voice and not that of her American brother.

“No.” She said coldly while continuing to eat her food.

“Good then I can be the first to congratulate you!”

Oh no!, She thought, congratulate meant something bad. Something real bad.

“Looks like that kiss you promised earlier will be happening.” He practically sang the last part.

“Oh God!” Sophia face planted her head in her hand.”Please say you’re lying, Harry. That this is some kind of joke.”
“Joke? No! You and I are taking the stage, baby!” Harry said dramatically.

“Don’t call me baby.” Stated Sophia firmly.

“But darling we need to get into character. You know become method actors, so we really get these parts down.”

“Don’t call me darling either! And I will not pretend to be your Juliet all day long!”

“Well whether you like it or not, I’m your Romeo and we will be on stage together as lovers. So you can either play along with it now or deal with it later. But no matter what that kiss still happens.” He smirked, crossing his arms in front of him and then leaned back into the chair.

He looked so smug like that and all Sophia could think was how funny it would be to push him out of his chair.

“Since you have nothing to add to that I will proceed to my table.” Harry stood up and turned back around to face them. Grabbed Sophia’s hand and with a very loud and theatrical voice he said, “Good night, my love. I shall count the hours till we meet again.” And then, as Harry naturally does, he caused Sophia even more embarrassment and kissed her hand.

“Whatever you do don’t turn around. Penelope is practically staring daggers into the back of your head.” Warned Audrey.

“Oh is that what that is?” Sophia joked, rubbing the back of her head and silently cursing Harry for causing everyone in the room to stare at her.

“I’m going to the restroom.” She stated quickly and left.

Sophia walked into the restroom and breathed deeply. She didn’t know what was worse: that she’d be on stage that Harry would be her “lover”, or that Penelope hated her even more.She looked up into the mirror and looked at her reflection. Her face was red with embarrassment from Harry’s performance in the dining hall and she could see sweat forming on her forehead.

She reached for her compact in her bag to refresh her makeup, when she felt her phone vibrate:

How’s it going, kiddo?-Dad

I got the lead in that play.-Sophie
That’s great. Sorry we’ll probably miss it thought :( -Dad

Sophia hadn’t thought about that. She may not like performing in front of others, but she did like her family’s support. Something she had been missing a lot lately since going here. Sure Maddox was here but she still needed her mom and dad, too.

It’s okay. I’ll tell you all about it. I love you.-Sophie

Love you too, kiddo.-Dad

She heard the door to the restroom be pushed open and turned around.

“So you think you can just come in here and be queen bee.” Said a very pissed off Penelope.

Sophia looked around the bathroom. “I didn’t realize you coveted being important in here.” Was her snarky response.

“Oh, shut it. And listen here. Harry Styles is mine. And I will do whatever I have to, to make that happen. Which means no bratty American is stopping me. So don’t think for one second that just because you and him are starring together means anything. He will be with me. Got it?”

“Sure but I don’t want Styles. So go find some else to bully, Your Royal Fakeness.” Sophia said boldly.

Someone else entered in causing the tension between them to move to the door.

“Sophia, we’re waiting. Come on.” Said Emma.

Sophia grabbed her purse off the counter and walked pass Penelope, glad that Emma had rescued her from the Queen of Mean.

Notes

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