ZURI

"I never thought I would be walking into the gates of Hell," I ponder as I face the auditorium's doors. Mrs. Williams requested during my last period on a Remind group chat entitled "Black Stagehands/Assistants," to arrive at the auditions thirty minutes early.

Cue the eye roll....

Now, I'm contemplating on whether or not I want to face the Devil herself. Any audition for Mrs. William's production typically takes three hours. Do I really want to suffer through tonight? Too engrossed in my thoughts, I felt someone accidentally bump into me.

Turning around, I noticed two techies attempting to carry a table. An apologetic smile was sent to both of them.

"Well if it isn't my favorite brown-skinned sista!" Greeted one of the techies. His olive skin brought an exciting light to this hellhole. His almond eyes danced with joy causing my lips to stretch into a grin. His curls brushed his shoulders while it's volume complemented his sculpted face. His plump rosy lips plastered a sloppy grin, exposing his dimples and embracing his defined cheekbones.

"Well if it isn't my favorite light-skinned brotha!" I greeted back. "Hey pretty boy!" Monty was one of the prettiest techies I've ever encountered at this school. I used to have a massive crush on him all through freshman and sophomore year. His looks would always send me into a trance at rehearsals. Well...actually every girl was hypnotized by his beauty in rehearsals. Typically, you're supposed to hate tech rehearsal, but I loved every second of it. Having those hazel eyes even look your way, was a blessing from God to me at the time.

That was before I noticed how tight his jeans hugged his skinny legs. They were so tight, that sometimes I would notice his boxers bunged up at the top of his pants. I know they were begging for air. Then the first time I encountered a conversation with him, I was thrown all the way off. Let's just say his voice did not match up to the expectations I had in my head. Instead of a sexy deep tone, I got a soft and soothing tone that was three octaves higher.

Then to top it off, I started to pay more attention to his body language and demeanor. They were just....very flamboyant. Don't get me wrong....there's nothing wrong with that. I convinced myself for years that maybe he just didn't have a male influence in his life. Although, too many things were just starting to add up, leading me to question his sexuality. I was too much of a chicken to ask him about it though. It just seemed rude. To this day I don't know Monty's sexuality and my crush for him had slowly started to diminish. Now, I see him as more of a friend anyway. He's one of the people who has kept me sane during Ms. Williams' chaotic rehearsals.

"You stayin' for auditions tonight?" Monty asks.

"Yeah, what are you doing for your audition?"

"Oh, Mrs. Williams has me doin' the soundboard. You know, for the music and stuff." He groans while rolling his eyes.

"Hey Zuri. It's nice to see you too. It's not like I'm hurt that you didn't acknowledge my presence yet or whatever." Interrupts a voice. I turned to see hurt sky blue eyes staring at me. His messy brunette hair looked like it's been raked through a few times. His thin crimson lips formed a frown. Although he lacked muscle, I was surprised to see him lifting the other end of the table."I'm sorry Luke! Hey." I greeted with an apologetic smile.

"No no. Don't try to be nice to me now -"

"I honestly didn't mean to -"

"No. I see how it is." He paused while his lip started to quiver. Luke focused his gaze on the table he was lifting. "I just don't matter to you anymore. That's fine." Luke's voice cracked at the end.

"B-but. But Luke -"

All of a sudden, Luke meets my regretful gaze with a smirk. Ohh. He was joking. Again.

"You are too funny to fool." He chuckles

"How do you always get me? This happens every time."

"You should honestly consider being an actor. What are you doing as a tech?" Monty questions.

"Oh no. I wouldn't last a day dealing with Mrs. WIlliam's blocking. She doesn't even give stage directions, she just yells at people. This is not the army, it's a school rehearsal. And you guys know I don't do well in front of large crowds. Don't you remember my audition freshman year?" Luke splutters.

Oh, I remember it too well. Luke was petrified when he walked on stage for our musical audition. We were doing Seussical at the time. There were a lot of people in the audience for auditions. He didn't even get his name out before Ms. Williams called out, 'Next!' and recommended him for stage crew.

"Where is my audition table?!" Barked a well known screeching voice from the auditorium. "This is unacceptable! It should not take twenty whole minutes to carry a table! You kids are so lazy!" She continued to yell. That devil.....

"Huh well here's a thought: Maybe if you weren't so picky about tables this wouldn't be a problem. You have a perfect wooden table in perfect condition backstage. But nooo, you want to be picky and want a white table. So you send your students to the storage room, which is on the other side of the campus, knowing that it takes twenty minutes to get to and from the storage room. It's also gonna take a little longer because two scrawny students are carrying a table."

"Hey!" Luke interjects.

"Sorry. Anyways, so yeah...it makes perfect sense to be mad at the student's Ms. Williams. Perfect sense! I swear, she just makes my ass itch. Wit' her saggy titties!" Monty proclaims causing me to choke on my spit. Luke chuckles as well. I swear, he is always saying some off the wall stuff. "It makes no sense how you can still have small titties and they still saggin'! Like...?" Monty continues.

"As much as I'm loving this conversation, y'all better get y'all butts in there and give that woman her table." I laugh. Monty continues to ramble as they carry the table into the auditorium. Sighing, I drag my resisting feet and enter into the Devil's layer.

Soon the auditorium started to fill so I made my way to my assigned seat. Monty rested behind the soundboard while drumming his fingers on the table. He looked bored out of his mind as he laid his head on his other hand. The table he carried in earlier settled next to him, with two chairs pushed under it. I chose to sit in the empty seat closest to him.

Gazing around the auditorium (which was more like a stadium), my eyes roamed the posters plastered on the auditorium's walls. It was a better excuse than to look at the herd of auditioners filling empty seats. Unconsciously rubbing my jeans, I take a deep breath attempting to calm my nerves. Why was I so nervous? I wasn't even auditioning!

Analyzing one of the posters I notice a picture of a stunning girl. Her hazelnut skin glowed with such beauty. Her plump lips stretched into a smile, and her chocolate eyes danced with joy. The poster displayed the beauty holding her leg in the air, while her cheerful attention was elsewhere. The black leotard she wore hugged her body in all the right places. It almost looked like second skin. The beauty's dreads were tied into a lower ponytail in the back. Although her roots were her natural dark hair color, her dreads displayed a dyed brown. Who is this beauty you may be wondering? Well since you asked...It's me!

All the posters displayed along the walls are from past performances. The poster of me is from our dance recital last year. Guess who took the picture? Maya! I know! Surprisingly, that girl has a thing for capturing the perfect shot. Everyone thinks it was Antonio who took the picture, since he typically takes all the pictures that are displayed on the posters. Although, only five people know who truly took that picture and that's me, Ashanti, Antonio, Mason, and Maya herself.

"Psst. Zuri." Monty whispered, breaking me from my thoughts. Removing my gaze on the poster my eyes focus on him. He beckoned with his hand to scoot closer to the soundboard and I followed his request.

"Yeah."

Leaning his head near me he whispers, "This is The Black History Auditions correct?"

"Yeah."

"Then please educate me. Why do I see about fifteen black kids, " Using his finger he motioned to the group of black kids that were sitting in the back seats of the auditorium. "And about forty white kids." He gestures to the rest of our audience. "It's just not addin' up to me. This is a 'Black' History Program. These kids clearly didn't get the memo. Shit, all I know is that all they asses better be auditioning for crew." Monty grumbles making me giggle.

He wasn't wrong though now that I'm really assessing this audience. Majority of the auditioners are white students. Remembering the audition flyers I recited, "On the flyer Ms. William put, 'You don't have to be black to be in the Black History Program."

Monty eyebrows raised with astonishment. The side of his upper lip raised in disgust. "Shut the fuck up! You are lyin' sis!" He accuses. Raising my hands in protest I deny, "I promise to God she did."

A gasp escapes Monty's lips. "You used the Lord's name in vain?" He shrieks.

"Shut up Monty! Oh, now you wanna act spiritual. You were just cussing. Stop acting like you holy."

"I've influenced you too much. You're sinning because of me." He fretted with a worried look. To add effect he clutched his invisible pearls.

"Shut up." I laugh while hitting his shoulder. We both continued to laugh until Monty's attention was drawn to the back of the auditorium. "Would you look at that," Monty mutters.

"What?" I question and start to examine my hanging poster again.

"Antonio." My neck whipped in his direction so fast a headache started forming.

"Woah there tiger," Monty smirks. Near the back corner of the auditorium, Antonio stood there in all his glory. He was setting up his filming equipment and looked good while doing it. Every time he bent down to grab a cord and unwrap it, his chocolate muscles would flex. Has he been working out? His arms look bigger -

"You might want to stop drooling," Monty suggested. Tearing my gaze away from the chocolate angel I glared at Monty.

"I wasn't drooling."

"Whatever you say Denial," Monty smirks while I send him an eye roll.

"You're just a hater because he's dark-skinned. Sorry Monty, but I only go for the chocolates." I jest.

"Well that's your loss. Everyone loves the light skins baby. Aww, look even your man agrees." Monty snickers while nodding in Antonio's direction. Sure enough, his arms were wrapped around a girl who was light-skinned. Her loose fawn curls were dyed blond on the ends and hung past her shoulders. She had the type of hair the black community typically defined as "good hair." I'm pretty sure that girl was no other than Jazelle (A.K.A. Monty's on-again-off-again girlfriend).

"Damn, I can see why he won't leave her. She light-skinned, fine, and she gotta ass." He complimented while his eyes discreetly examined her black leggings. Jealousy was prominent in the air, but I tried so hard to not inhale it. Monty must have noticed how envious I was of Jazelle because he added, "But, I mean he can still do better. I mean sure, she's got a fat ass but that's all she has compared to you. Zuri you got the curves. You slim thick. You got the titties you know."

"Ok you can stop talking -"

"And you got a fat ass too. I mean it's not as fat as Jaselle's but it's still fat. Think of it like this, you pretty in the face, slim in the waist, and got ass for days. Compared to Jazelle, who's just pretty in the face and gotta fat -"

"Ok Monty just stop talking. No one's jealous and I don't want to hear you body shaming -"

"I wasn't body shaming. I was giving my opinion on both of your -"

"Ok well whatever you were doing just stop. You sound stupid." I bicker annoyed. It fell quiet for a moment. The only thing being heard was the chatting of the auditioners. "Do you want to get him back?" He questions out of the blue.

"Huh?"

"Make him jealous."

"Why would I make him jealous when it's clear he doesn't even have feelings for me."

"I may say stupid things at times, but I'm not stupid when it comes to y'all. I'm very observant and I've been seein' y'all together sometimes. You think you slick. I be seein' you trying to get a taste of the fine chocolate. Shoot I would too -" He stopped himself from continuing by clearing his throat. Odd. "Anyways do you want to make him jealous?"

"And how would I make him jealous?"

"Watch and learn." He smirks. Monty scanned the auditorium and spotted Luke about to walk backstage. "Luke!" He yells while waving his hand to get his attention. Luckily the auditorium was loud enough to cause any attention to us. Luke spotted us and jogged his way over to our tables.

"Yeah." He greets out of breath.

"How would you like to be part of a major top-secret mission?" Monty offers.

"Oh, Lord." I mutter. "This is his idea, not mine." Luke sent me a small amused smile.

"What type of mission are we talking about?" He asked intrigued.

"The mission that makes Mr. Hershey over there jealous." He proposes while nodding his head toward Antonio. Luke glanced at Antonio once before rubbing his hands together mischievously. An evil grin stretched across his face. "So we're going to stir up some drama eh?" He questions. "I live for drama. I'm in. What do you want me to do?"

"Kiss Zuri."

"What?!" I interjected at the same time Luke stated, "Intriguing."

I am not about to give my first kiss to Luke!

"What's the problem Zuri?" Monty questions.

"The problem? The problem! The problem is that your plan is completely insane! I'm not kissing Luke." I argue.

Monty's eyebrows drew together in frustration. "Why not?" He whines.

"Is it because I'm white?" Luke asks, causing me to snap my head in his direction.

"What? No!"

"I'm just messing with you." Luke smirks while I roll my eyes.

"It's just acting. It's not like you like each other." Monty added attempting to convince me. Glancing into Luke's sky blue eyes I pleaded for help. He gave me a reassuring smile.

"There's no need for kissing. We can just look like we're flirting." He proposes.

Monty rolls his eyes and complains, "You guys are no fun."

'Thank you,' I mouthed to Luke when Monty wasn't looking. He sent me a wink.

"Alright alright. Now, Zuri go back to your table and Luke you follow her. Just pretend to flirt while I work my magic."

"What are you gonna do?" I Inquire.

"No time for questions. Now go. Shoo shoo." He said while shooing us away with his hands. Following directions, Luke and I made our way to my table and started flirting. Luke's acting was really good. He raked his hand through his messy brunette hair a few times to add effect. He even bit his crimson lip a few times while his eyes roamed down my body. At this point, I was convinced that he actually liked me. All of a sudden, Monty shouts, "Hey Antonio! Can you come here for a sec?"

Panicking, my eyes stare at Luke's with horror. "What is he doing?" I whisper harshly.

"I don't know but just keep acting." Luke states. A moment later, I could feel the presence of someone behind me. I had my back to Monty, but I knew Antonio was there. Just to be a little extra, I started twirling the end of my dread around my finger while batting my eyelashes. Luke started to laugh at the act. "Too much?"

"Just a little." Luke said in between laughs causing me to laugh too. "Well, I have to go." Luke announces.

"Ok." I pout, sticking my lower lip out. Luke's sky blue eyes linger on my lips causing my heart to race. His head drew closer to mine while my breathing increased. Our faces were inches apart and my whole body froze.

"What are you doing?" I question with a nervous chuckle.

"Just trust me," He coaxed while staring into my eyes. His hand tucked a loose dread behind my ear. The act reminded me of the same thing Antonio did to me earlier. His thin lips stretched into a smile. "See you later," he pauses and brings his lips to my cheek. Too shocked to stop him I just sat there frozen. His lips felt soft as he pressured them against my cheek. "Bellissima," He adds while pulling away and stands.

"W-w-what does that mean?" I stammer while trying to think straight. Walking away backwards he replies, "It's Italian for something." He smiles at me one last time before his skinny figure disappears backstage. I didn't realize my mouth was wide open, until Monty reaches his hand over to lift my chin.

"You don't want any flies getting in there." He snickers while I blush. Although, it's not like he could tell because of my complexion. Why am I blushing? Get a grip Zuri! Turning to face Monty I notice a tall figure standing beside him. Antonio is still here. Crap. My whole body freezes as we stare at each other. I tried to say something but nothing would come out. Monty clears his throat breaking our staring contest. I drop my gaze to the floor in embarrassment.

"Well I'ma head back. I don't want Mrs. Williams going all Hulk on me for not doing my job." He jokes while slowly walking back to his spot near the back. I give him a slow nod before fixing my gaze to the stage. My eyes catch Luke emerging from backstage with a cordless microphone. Walking down the aisle he meets my gaze. I send him a small smile and he does the same followed by a wink. Before I can react Ms.Williams' voice booms, "Alright my niggas, let's get these auditions started!"

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Monty jump from his seat. "I'ma bout' to beat this bitch ass!"