It was audition day, and the two vital roles were up first, Madame Vestia and two other members observed every student who was trying for the main character.

Some were nervous, and others felt confident. Gage was one of those who were on edge as he stood at the back of the stage watching the Juliet auditioners one by one. He could feel his heart beating fast and his palms were all sweaty that not only was he going to show his performance but the fact that he had to do it in front of so many people regardless he would do it well or not.

Eventually, it was Courtney's turn to try out and prove that she could play Juliet. "Tis but thy name that is my enemy, thou art thyself, though not a Montague. What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor face, nor any other part belonging to a man. O, be some other name! What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet," she performed. "So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called, retain that dear perfection which he owes without that title. Romeo, doff thy name, and for that name which is no part of thee take all myself. And Scene."

"Perfect. Thank you, Courtney Jude," Madame Vestia said. "Next up, Annabel Ramos."

The cocky theatre actress felt like she did a remarkable job, then went to the back to see Gage, "I think they don't have to look no more because I nailed that," she claimed.

"Yeah, you definitely aced it," Gage said to her.

"Yeah, I did, so you better ace it too."

That did not help Gage's anxiety since it made him even more jittery than before. All the girls trying out for Juliet were over, so it was time for the Romeos. That was when Oddey quietly came in, and he saw her sitting somewhere in the middle under the dim parts of the auditorium seats to watch the other people auditioning.

"Thank you, Amos Reid. Next up, Gage Munro," the professor called out. With all the courage he could muster, the architect major walked to the center of the stage. "Anytime. you're ready."

The boy took a deep breath to release tension, then looked over to Oddey, who was giving him two thumbs up to be supportive with her gentle smile and friendly eyes.

"But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, who is already sick and pale with grief, that thou her maid art far more fair than she: Be not her maid, since she is envious." Gage began saying his line then looked towards the girl with porcelain skin, plump red lips, and ravenous black hair.

He noticed how she leaned on her side, her head resting on her hand, and that one light in the auditorium made her eyes twinkle like the stars in the night sky as she watched him. Gage was mesmerized and just stared at her while he continued reciting.

"Her eyes in heaven would through the airy region stream so bright that birds would sing and think it were not night. See how she leans her cheek upon her hand! O, that I was a glove upon that hand, that I might touch that cheek," he recited while admiring Oddey. He got back to reality once he finished and turned back to the panels.

Madame Vestia just nodded, "Okay, thank you, Gage Munro," she told him. "Next, Alec Brown."

Gage returned backstage, and Courtney ran to him, "Wow, that was something else," she squealed.

"Really? I don't remember what happened," Gage said, looking all puzzled.

"Well, you just rocked your audition."

"You think so?"

"Trust me, I know so."

"Well, I'm not expecting anything."

"Come on, Gage," Courtney whined. "We worked hard for this. It'd be a shame that you and I don't get it."

"Sure, whatever," Gage exasperated after that. His phone vibrated and saw that he had a text from Oddey:

'No matter what happens, I think you did amazing.'

Gage smiled. He felt at ease when he read it.

After about an hour of decision-making on who would get what role, then eventually, minds were already made up, and it was unanimous. First, it was the Juliets, five girls including Courtney were lined up horizontally on the stage, "for the role of Juliet, DRUM ROLL," Madame Vestia announced, all of the girls were tensed just waiting to be called for the part. "Goes to Courtney Jude."

No doubt about it, Courtney was over the moon that for the first time ever, she got a leading role in a college play, everyone applauded even Gage because he was happy that his best friend gave her all with what she got.

"Thank you, ladies, you can leave the stage now," directed one of the members of the club. "O, Romeo, Romeo, come out here."

Gage was regretting to be there thinking what was the reason for being there, just standing on that stage in front of these people, specifically hundreds of people would have their eyes on him. Plus, seeing the guys that wanted to be Romeo. He would rather give that to them, so what was the point of having to go through this? for Courtney? for their friendship?

Yes, for Courtney. And Yes, for their friendship. The reluctant aspiring architect student reminded himself that he was doing all this for her, to prove that he supported her by being in the play.

Gage subtly gazed at Courtney and noticed that she crossed her fingers, praying to the heavens that the part was given to him. Afterward, his eyes went to Oddey because she, too, hoped for the same thing for him without adding pressure.

Though those thoughts lingered in his mind, he just kept quiet and paid attention instead before getting lost again in his thoughts. "For the role of Romeo," Madame Vestia disclosed, then there was a pause for suspense. "Congratulations, Gage Munro, you got the part."

Gage was floored, and so were the two girls. They were in utter disbelief that he got the male lead for a first-timer. People clapped their hands, and the other guys congratulated him, then got off the stage to continue to know who got the other characters in the play.

Oddey stood up and was about to go up to Gage to congratulate him, but his best friend got to him first by hugging him tightly, and he reciprocated it. From that, she could feel her heartbreak in little pieces even though in her mind, she knew that they were nothing more than just great friends. So, instead, she turned around and walked out the door, knowing those two were playing the star-crossed lovers, so that meant they were going to work closely with each other.

The two pulled away from one another, "You did it!" Courtney exclaimed in excitement. "I gotta say, you were great and all, but I did not expect that you'd get it the first time."

"Yeah, so do I," Gage choked since it was great that he got the part, but it was a big part.

"Ah! This is so cool, me playing Juliet and you playing Romeo, we should celebrate. What about pizza in Dominos?"

Gage just smiled and nodded, "Sure," he answered. "Pizza sounds great. Let's invite Felix along."

Courtney just kept quiet to hide her disappointment, "Yeah, okay," she hesitantly agreed.

Romeo shifted to the seats to see Oddey invite her to celebrate with his friends but realized that she had left the auditorium already.

----

Gage and his friends were in Dominos celebrating for getting the part they were auditioning for the main role of the play. "Wow, you two will be playing Romeo and Juliet," Felix said while munching on a pizza.

"Yeah, I know," Gage scoffed. "I couldn't believe it either."

"I, for one, am thrilled," Courtney expressed her pride that she got to be Juliet in a college play. "Finally, this is my moment to shine."

"Well, I'm happy for you guys," Felix responded. Gage just plastered a grin on his face in response.

"Thanks. I'll just go to the bathroom." The girl stood and headed to the restroom, leaving the two guys alone.

Felix made sure that Courtney was not within earshot, then turned to Gage, "You are going above and beyond for her," he chuckled. "I don't know how you do it."

"You have no idea," Gage sighed and also looked back at the time of the audition. "I don't even remember what happened. I mean, yeah... I aimed to get the part. So anyway, I was on stage, said my lines, and then I saw Oddey sitting somewhere watching me at the back, and my mouth just kept moving. The next thing I knew, I was done."

His best friend just sat there with his brow lifted. "Oookay, I guess it could happen to just about anyone."

"Maybe. She helped me practice anyway."

Felix didn't seem too happy to hear that, "she did?" he quipped, and his voice got high, so he pretended to clear his throat and drank some water.

"Yeah, it's so easy to practice my lines with her," Gage added.

"I didn't know you two are... kinda tight."

"Well, I realize that you're right, she is nice and we both have some things in common too. Do you know that she likes Ghibli movies, too?"

Felix had a gut feeling about how Gage saw Oddey and held the hard plastic glass with a tight grip that he wanted to break it, "yeah, I knew that," he responded.

"Hey." Courtney startled them as she got back from the restroom and sat down with them. "What are you guys talking about?"

"Not much, just about the audition," Gage fibbed then gestured to Felix.

"Yup." Felix played along with the lie.

"Oh, okay." Courtney just shrugged it off.

"By the way, my movie is almost over. Do you guys want to watch it once I finish?"

"We saw behind-the-scenes. Why would we want to watch the whole thing all over?" the girl declined in a mocking tone.

"Yeah, but maybe some other time," Gage answered, which pissed his friend even more.

"Sure." Felix felt dejected all over again.

"Gage and I will be busy anyway with the play," Courtney claimed in a snobbish tone. "You understand."

"No problem."

"Come on. Let's just eat." Gage took another slice of pizza and ate it.

----

"Gage is playing Romeo?" Rita gasped, Oddey was in her dorm room with her best friend.

"Yup," Oddey confirmed dryly.

"And his best friend is playing Juliet?"

"Yup."

"Them? in a Romeo and Juliet play?" Rita blinked her eyes, trying to process that her bestie's crush and his best friend, who was a girl, were going to play the lead in one of the most romantic plays ever.

"Yes," the depressed lovestruck girl whined. "They are going to play two star-crossed lovers."

"Seriously?"

"Yup."

"I... I can't believe this."

"I know, right?" Oddey moaned while Rita sat beside her and hugged her. "I'm okay, it's... it's not like he likes me."

"Bestie, no, don't say that. You're being melodramatic right now. It's just a play."

"Damn you, Shakespeare!" The poor art major grunted.