Both Alike In Dignity (RIFF) 2021 West Side Story

Riff!

Lucia pov

Silence. Everyone was nervous. ''I love you Lucia.'' Riff says squeezing my hand. We have one minute to midnight so we're waiting.

''yo tambien te amo riff.''

(TRANSLATION: I love you too, Riff)

''Midnight.'' Mouthpiece confirms. The entrance opens and the Sharks walk in too until Riff let's go of my hand and stands in front of me until I stand next to him. He turns to me to whisper in my ear.

''What are you doing? I wanna protect you.''

''I don't need protection. I can protect myself.'' I whisper, not moving back like he wants whisper Ice turns on the lights.

''Welcome to the north pole.'' Ice says, walking back to the gang. ''It's salt. For when the streets ice up.''

''La puerta.'' Bernardo says and one of the Sharks go to shut the door.

''Kill the lights.'' Riff says and Ice does so.

''Promised your buddy was gonna be here.'' Bernardo says. ''If you don't keep your word, jefe, how am I going to believe you'll keep out of our territory after-'' Then Bernardo sees someone. I turn around to see Chino walking through the Jets to the Sharks. ''¿Que haces aquí?'' Bernardo asks grabbing Chinos arm. ''Te dije que quedares fuera de esto.''

''Lo sé, pero quiero ayudar. Me quedo.'' Chino says walking into the crowd of Sharks. As the conversation went on, I didn't even notice Riff going behind the group of Jets.

''And just when all hope is lost...'' Riff says. I can hear the smile in his voice. He says walking closer to Tony as Tony walks closer to Riff. I get closer to Riff but keep my distance. ''So is this the shot heard 'round the world, or just you know, more of your bullshit?''

''Don't ask me about shooting, pal. You're the one with the gun.''

''That's right, and who are you? Friend or foe?''

''You're out of control.'' Tony says trying to get passed him.

''Hey.'' Riff stops him and takes the gun out of his pocket to hamd to Tony.

''I don't need it if you stand with us. Here, take it.'' Riff says handing the gun to Tony. ''Go on, it'll be safe with you.'' Riff says, putting it in Tony's coat inside pocket and pats it. ''And you pitch in.''

''I wanna talk to-'' Tony ignores what Riff just said.

''I'm doing the talking now.'' Riff says walking away from Tony and grabs my hand and rubs my knuckle with his thumb reassuringly while they all cheer. Once Riff and I get to the front, Tony pushes past us to see Bernardo.

''Can I talk to you?'' Tony asks Bernardo.

''Anything you need to say, you can say it through me.'' Riff says. I pull Riff back.

''Don't get too excited.'' I whisper in his ear. ''Okay?'' He nods and takes a deep breath.

''We talked enough.'' Bernardo says. ''Let s try something else.''

''You and me, we just got off on the wrong foot is all.'' Tony says still trying to reason with Bernardo.

''I always know which foot I'm on.'' Bernardo says as he fakes a punch to Tony's head.

''We all know can fight, Bernardo.'' Tony says trying to get through to him. ''So, can you just quit dancing for a second-''

''Yeah, can you quit whispering in his ear?'' Riff says letting go of my hand.

''And listen to what I came here to tell you?'' Tony persists. ''I got nothing against you. And- And if I, somehow or another, if I offended you, I apologize.'' Then one one of the Sharks came up to Bernardo.