Ch. 40
The Curtain Between Them
The faint thud of basketballs echoed from the open gym nearby. But that wasn't what caught Raze's attention.
It was Selene.
From where he sat half-hidden under the shade of a booth he could see Selene walking beside that guy, the student council president, Adrian Vale.
He scoffed quietly, twirling his drumstick between his fingers.
Of course, he thought.
The perfect girl walking next to the perfect boy. They make a perfect couple.
Her white dress fluttered slightly in the breeze, sunlight catching the tiny pearl pins in her hair. She looked out of place too elegant for the chaos of booths and noisy students. And yet, she blended in just enough to make everyone stop and stare when she passed.
Raze's lips curved into a faint grin.
He wasn't the type to care who talked to who, but seeing her there calm, untouchable, eyes sharp as always somehow irritated him.
Damn, why am I like this after meeting Selene, he thought, his knuckles brushing against the bruise on his lip.
After her short "tour" with Adrian, Selene stayed near the Theatre Club area.The club members were still rehearsing, and something about watching them was oddly entertaining.
I could never pull off something like that, she thought.
Watching a senior recite lines with exaggerated passion.
If I acted that dramatic, I'd probably die from second-hand embarrassment.
But before she could leave, chaos erupted.
"Wait— someone call the nurse!"
"Her ankle's swelling!"
Selene turned just in time to see one of the main actresses sitting on the floor, wincing in pain. The director, a second-year student was pacing back and forth, clutching his script like it was his lifeline.
"Oh no, what do we do?! The performance is tomorrow!"
The director froze mid-panic. But his eyes landed on her the poised girl in white who was just observing from the side. His jaw dropped slightly.
What's he looking at, Selene thought, narrowing her eyes.
I know that look. That's the 'I just found my miracle solution' face. And I don't like it.
The boy straightened his posture, visibly gulping.
"Uh— um... Miss Valen, right?"
Selene raised a brow. "Yes?"
He hesitated, shifting from one foot to another.
"You... wouldn't happen to... uh... act?"
"Act?" She tilted her head, tone flat.
"In theatre? No."
The boy's face fell.
"O-oh. Right. Of course not. I mean, you're too... elegant for uh— anyway—"
He looked like he was about to walk away, then suddenly spun back, gripping his script tightly. His voice cracked.
"Actually, wait! You could act!"
Selene blinked twice. "...I beg your pardon?"
The director nearly tripped on his own feet as he approached, his desperation palpable.
"You saw the rehearsals earlier, right? Please! Our villainess actress just twisted her ankle! You have the look! The presence! The—" he gestured wildly
"the aura of someone who could destroy kingdoms with a smile!"
Selene stared at him, unamused.
"Destroy kingdoms, huh?"
He nodded furiously, eyes wide and pleading.
"Y-Yes! You don't even have to memorize much! Just a few lines! I promise I'll help you rehearse! Please, Miss Valen~ if you don't help us, the play will fall apart!"
What the!?, she thought, watching his trembling hands and watery eyes.
He's going to cry! Why do I feel like the villain here already?
"Stop," she said flatly, raising a hand.
"H-huh?"
"I said stop. Don't cry," Selene sighed, pressing a palm to her temple.
"You're making it look like I'm bullying you in public."
The poor boy blinked in confusion.
"N-no! I— I'm just really desperate!"
"Clearly," she muttered. "Fine, fine, just stop making that face."
She glanced at the injured actress still sniffling on the bench, then back at the teary-eyed director who looked seconds away from collapsing.
"Alright," she exhaled finally, glaring halfheartedly.
"I'll do it. Just this once."
The boy's expression instantly lit up like fireworks.
"R-really?! Thank you, my queen— I mean! Thank you, Miss Selene! You're a lifesaver! A goddess! A blessing—"
"Stop," Selene interrupted. "You're overreacting."
He shut up immediately, nodding like a soldier.
"Y-yes, ma'am!"
As he ran off to inform the others, Selene crossed her arms and sighed deeply.
I swear, I just wanted to watch a play, not star in one. Why do I keep getting dragged into things I never signed up for?
She flipped open the script that the student director gave her, scanning the first few lines.
"I'll crush your world and burn your heart in return..." she read, face deadpan.
"Wow. What kind of script is this? Such drama."
Liana suddenly appeared behind her, clapping her hands excitedly.
"My friend, Selene!"
"Liana?"
"Why are you here Selene?"
"I'm practicing..."
"What!? For what?"
"There." Selene said while pointing at the students in the stage still helping the actress who tripped.
"She's injured and they ask me if I can replace her."
"And you said yes?"
Selene just nodded.
"You're seriously doing it?! You'll totally nail it, Selene!"
"I'm not sure whether to thank you for saying that," Selene muttered.