Dear Diary

Chapter 50

Words fail to describe the immense relief I felt when I realised that I would not be playing Juliet. I play grade eight piano and playing in front of a crowd is bad enough when you have pages and a massive instrument to hide behind and not directly face the audience. So, I was ecstatic that I didn't have to perform a play in front of the entire grade.

But Mrs Eley's words made me wonder something. She said that Amy suited the role of Juliet, but Amy was even more introverted than me ... Yet, at the same time, she did hold more confidence than me around guys, although she'll need a microphone because of her soft voice.

"Okay, I'm going to give you all the rest of the lesson to sort out practises with whomever you need and begin learning lines. Romeo, Paris and Juliet, I need you to begin practising immediately after school. The rest of you ... do something productive. Exams are upon us!" Mrs Eley ended with gusto.

I frowned in thought. Immediately after school? What about my tutoring sessions with Cole? Even though I would be glad to get a day off (because my lower abdomen is relentless) I need those lessons. In a month I will be writing my two mid-year maths exams and we all know how bad I am at that.

"Lizzy."

A shake on my shoulder literally shook me out of my thoughts. 

"What?" I asked as I turned around to see all three gazes on me. 

Richard sent me a worried look. "We were just asking you if it's okay to practise at your house after school," Richard repeated.

"Why? Don't you guys have houses?" I blurted out a little sarcastically, but realised instantly how cheeky it sounded. 

I looked down at my lap and scowled. Stupid hormones.

Richard took a moment to get over my comment. "No, it's just that we won't have a moment's peace with my three siblings at my house."

"Well, what about yours?" I asked Amy. 

She didn't respond, but gave me a look that said she'll explain later. I didn't even bother asking Cole. I know him the most out of the three of us and I still know nothing about his private life, so he certainly won't let strangers go to his house ... Does he even have a house?

I sighed feeling my headache return from all the thoughts. "How often will this be happening?" I asked as I rubbed my temple.

"Every day for the next two weeks. We're going to practice in the hall the last week," Amy replied in her soft voice.

"But if you're going to be practising every day then what about my maths lessons with Cole?" I asked and chanced a glance at the silent boy who never seemed to stop watching me.

"I'll give you lessons if you need," Richard quickly answered and I gave Cole a look, seeking his permission. 

I saw something flash through his eyes for a split-second before giving a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders.

"We can go through a few problems when I'm not running lines as well if you want." 

Those was the first words he had spoken the entire time, but his eyes gave away nothing. I sighed and looked away from both Richard and Amy's pleading gazes.

Two weeks. Obviously I can't tell my mom about Cole coming to the house. She'll throw a fit if she does ... Okay, maybe I'm over-exaggerating, but you get the idea.

I looked back at the three of them. "Okay, but you guys have to be gone by three-thirty. My mom will be home then." 

My eyes flickered to Cole's for a moment. I saw his eyes reflect comprehension. He nodded once, taking the hint. This was when I didn't mind that Cole could almost read my thoughts. It saved me from saying something embarrassing.

"Thanks, Lizzy!" Richard smiled at me. "I can drive you home if you like?" 

I smiled in thanks.

"Would you mind if I tag along?" Amy asked as she played with her fingers - a nervous antic of hers.

"Sure ." Richard then looked at Cole. "I suppose you don't know where Lizzy lives."

Cole looked like he was about to respond, but I quickly interjected, "It's 17 Moon Crescent – Rose Hill."

Cole watched me for a moment before nodding his head. "I know the area," he lied smoothly.

Richard stared at us with a suspicious frown. "Okay, then ... I guess I'll see you guys after school."

-

The car ride to my house was quiet. Richard drove while I called shotgun and Amy sat in the back. To be honest, I didn't feel like talking. I was still battling the pain, headache and cold, and  my brain was working overtime.  However, my train of thought wasn't exactly positive and it was mainly about Cole and Amy.

I've read many romance books of where the bad-boy and good girl get paired together for a romance play and, due to all the time they spend together, they end up falling in love with each other. 

We've all read them and, to be honest, a small part of me had thought about me being Juliet might make something happen. Obviously this is real life though. In real life you never get paired with your crush, for ANYTHING.

So, my brain started to take on this little scenario with my crush and my cousin. What happens if they start to like each other? Well, I guess worst case scenario is they fall in love, get married (with me probably being a bridesmaid because I'm Amy's BCF) and then watching the two of them raise their children and watch them be all lovey-dovey at every family function for the rest of my life ... Yup, that would suck big time.

"Lizzy!"

I jolted out of my thoughts at Richard calling me and I quickly turned to him only to see him staring at me concerned. "We're here." 

I looked out the window and, sure enough, we arrived at my house. I quickly clambered out the seat, taking a moment to hiss in pain, before making my way to the front door with Amy and Richard following behind me.

When I unlocked the door, I was immediately greeted by the sight of Dobey. 

"I just need to call my mom quickly," I told them and walked off to the house phone, Dobey eyeing the guests for a moment before trotting after me.

"Do you mind if I call mine too when you're done?" Amy asked and I nodded as I began dialling.

Soon she picked up and I explained that Richard and Amy were working on a play at my house so she won't have to pick me up from school. I was very proud of the fact that I managed to elude the topic of Cole considerably well, saying that he needed to practise for the play as well, but with a different lot of people. I said this a little quieter to her though so Richard and Amy didn't hear.

While Amy called her mom, I quickly rushed up to my room and changed out of my uniform into a pair of comfy, but not hideous, pants and a hoodie. I finished my outfit with a pair of fluffy socks and made my way back to the kitchen.

Amy and Richard began setting up the living-room to start practising and I used that as my moment to slip to the medicine cabinet and pulled out a few painkillers before popping them in my mouth and swallowing them with water.

I looked around the kitchen for a moment, satisfied that it was cleaned last night before making my way to the living-room and collapsing on one of the couches. This day has just been too long, and it'll be a good thirty minutes before the painkillers kick in properly. I just want to curl up and sleep the afternoon away because I was so over the day already.

I let out a funny type of grunt when Dobey jumped up onto the couch and accidentally landed on my stomach. 

"Dobey," I groaned and shoved him off of me. "Overgrown pup," I muttered irritably.

"So ..." Amy started and Richard and I both looked at her. "Any idea on when Cole's getting here?" she asked nervously.

Richard was about to respond when the low rumble of a motorbike's engine was heard coming down the street and halting outside my house. I subconsciously bit the inside of my cheek. 

"I guess that's him now," I gave a hesitant smile and tried to hide the way my heart picked up speed as nervousness filled my body. 

I had a feeling this was going to be ... interesting.