"What's past is prologue"~ The Tempest

"Is everything okay back at home?"

I rose my sluggish head from my desk and rubbed my eyes before looking at Matt. Last night, after our small fight, me and John didn't talk to each other. I got out from the car and head to the apartment, leaving him with the bags. He brought all our bags later on. I went straight inside my room and all I could hear was the bang on his door when he shut himself inside his room. I went to look for him later that night, but I heard him talking to Leo over phone, so I stopped myself from entering inside his room and throwing another fit.

Next morning, I woke up, though it's hard to say I that I actually woke up since I had barely slept through the night. To avoid a conversation, I came to class early. There was still enough time left for the class to begin, enough for a nap. I was still sleeping when Matt came over my desk and tapped my shoulder to wake me up. If it was some other time and anyone dared to disturb my sleep, I would have started a war, but it's immoral to sleep in a class, although I lack morality since birth.

"Yeah, everything is good except for the fact I am grounded. No partying outside for 1 month." I sneered.

"They grounded you for partying outside, but they didn't say anything for partying inside your house." He said wiggling his eyebrows.

"Ha! I am trying to be a good girl, Mr. Matt Cowell."

"You were always one, Miss Emmy Kilian."

"Buttering up won't help, Mr. Matt. For getting me drunk like that you deserve some punishment." I stated.

He looked confused for a moment and then drooped like a shameplant as if I touched the sensitive core. He took my words seriously. Actually it wasn't his fault to bring me to drink. It was mine overconfidence to think I could handle 10 tequila shots in one go.

"Hey, I am kidding."

"No, it's fine. I should have stopped you from drinking, at least you could have returned back home if you were a bit sober. Alright, state the punishment, and I will oblige."

"Relax, I was just making fun of you. And trust me, nobody can stop me if I am willing to drink. If you really want to help me then tell me how to gain the merits that I lost in Mr. Cliff's classes."

"I will help you. All you have to do is joining the after-class activities such as swimming club, cooking club, drama club, dance club, music club, etc. Joining them as an active member helps in gaining extra merits."

"Is there any less strenuous activities such as sleeping club or eating club?"

"No pain, no gain."

"Do you have to take these seriously? It's okay I can repeat another year. I am not in a hurry to leave the college."

"No way, I promised to help you gain your merits, so now no backing off."

"C'mon, look at me. The best role for me in any club is to clap and cheer from the audience row."

"Joining in the upcoming play hosted by the drama club is mandatory for your batch."

I remember now. Mr. Cliff had once told us that we would be participating in a drama hosted by drama club.

*bell rings*

Mr. Cliff entered the classroom scanning all his pupils, and stared at me for a long time. He must be shocked to see me earlier than him. After the roll call, the class resumed.

"Emmy." whispered Jessica, who was sitting right behind me.

"Hey, Jess."

"Are you going to participate in the drama?"

"I guess I have to.... And you?"

"They say it's compulsory."

"Ssssh!" Ray motioned his finger to shut us both. He is the senior who is assigned with Jessica. They get along very alone.

An hour later class ended. Before Mr. Cliff left, some students entered our class in a group. They are all from the drama club.

"Everyone, We are from the Drama Club." A senior spoke.

"As notified before, our club will be conducting a play, and we will be picking a few students for the characters in the drama. Of course, you all can participate in the drama. Some will be selected for the on stage performance and some for the back stage. In this way, you will all be involved in this year's college cultural fest." Another senior continued.

"What's the name of the play?" One of our classmate asked.

"We will be showing Shakespearean Play- The Tempest."

"We will be meeting you tomorrow, in our club room. Those who want to audition for Miranda, Ariel, Ferdinand, Prospero and other characters, meet us tomorrow." They left after saying this.

A commotion started after they left. Some students were excited to act in the play and some were equally nervous. I belong to the third group, where the students are forced to do something and they show the least interest they could.

"Are you guys participating with us?" Jessica asked Matt and Ray.

"Maybe... if you ask me to join, I will certainly do." Ray playfully nudged Jessica. She blushed in response.

I guess, I am missing out on something. When did Jessica and Ray become so close?

"What about you?" Jessica asked Matt, trying to hide her smile.

"Me?" Matt looked at me and then continued, "if certain someone decides to audition for Miranda, I may audition for Ferdinand."

"Woooh! Seems like you already met your Miranda, Matt." Jessica replied.

"Why am I not aware of this, Mattie? I thought we are best buddies." pouted, Ray.

"Guys, I will meet you in the canteen. I need to make a trip to the drama club. Got a few questions to ask." I got up from my seat and walked outside the classroom.

"We will save you a seat, Emmy." screamed Jessica.

I waved at her without looking back. I don't know why but Matt's response felt a bit directed towards me. I don't want to overthink something and yes, Matt has proved himself to be a good senior despite having a cold personality in the beginning. Maybe I was reading too much between those lines.

As I was walking through the corridors, I saw John walking in my opposite direction with his classmates. He was talking with them about something but stopped once his eyes fell over mine. He then looked away and walked past me. If it's a cold war then so be it, but I won't be backing down. I held my head high and promised myself no more tears. When I reached the auditorium, I peeped inside to look for the seniors who visited our classroom minutes before.

"Are you looking for someone?" a familiar voice whispered near my ears.

I jumped at the words as they startled me. I was going to fall on my head as I slipped a step, but Matt held held my hands and pulled me towards him. I don't know how my hand went over his chest, but I could feel his tight muscles through his shirt. Must be working out a lot lately. Not a right time to be swooning over a man's chest though.

"You okay?"

"Yep, I'm fine."

He gently released me from his arms. I tidied up myself. Before I could ask why he was here a senior popped out from the corner.

"Well, well look who is here!" A brunette woman, holding papers that looked like scripts, spoke. She looked at Matt first and then at me wriggling her eyebrows. She smiled sheepishly at both of us.

"What's wrong, Claire." Matt responded.

"It's a not usual for you to drop by our club. The last time you came in the auditorium was to give a speech on founder's day."

Both of them seemed close. They both look pretty together. I never saw Matt feel so much ease with girls. Every time he had this stoic face plastered, as if nothing can go through it. Here he seems a bit free of his usual self.

"Are you his girlfriend?" Claire directed her attention towards me.

"No, we are just study partners." I explained hastily.

"Absolutely, we are just committed to studying and never touch alcohol." Matt said in a low tone so that it's audible only to me.

"Huh? Did you say something Matt?" Claire looked confused.

"Nothing. You must be hearing things due to senility."

"Do you want some beating?" Claire raised her fists in the air pretending to drive force to beat Matt.

Matt giggled like a child. I find him oddly normal. He is no longer the guy whom I knew for offensive remarks and cold personality. Beneath that arrogant face lies a kid who just opens up in front of known people.

"Stop! Stop! My junior needs to talk with you, help her first." and he pushed me in front of her as a peace offering.

"Oh, yes. I forgot to ask why were you guys here?"

"I just tagged along." Matt shrugged.

"Why didn't I notice that?" I questioned him.

"Solve you queries first. It's getting late. You won't have the whole day for lunch." He dodged.

Though it was confusing how things went suddenly after I stepped inside the auditorium, I need to clear out my doubts.

"Senior Claire, I wanted to ask about the drama event for the sophomores."

"Ah! I see. You are a participant?"

"It's mandatory I guess."

"Hm, that's what I heard from the others. Mr. Cliff strictly suggested this event for better grasping of literature. He wants his students, to have better depth in the world of literature."

"He thinks too much for us." I gave a dry laugh.

"So what do you want to ask? There is no backdoor selection in the play though. I won't be helping in that."

"No, I don't need your help in that. I was asking if auditioning rewards to merits or not?"

"As far as the rules suggest, 2 marks for auditioning each roles and 3 marks if selected. 10 marks for performing on stage, as leads. It was formed in that manner because the teachers wanted students to actively participate in the drama and invest their time on it and not to solely depend on the merits."

"Oh. That means there is no escape."

"True!" She nodded in agreement. I was done with my questions and the only thing that I needed to solve was to get the lead role. Then I could secure total 15 merits. The other 5 marks were for assisting the drama crew.

"Why don't you play the role of Ferdinand, cousin?" Claire looked at Matt with puppy eyes.

"Wait- Cousin?" I interrupted.

"Yes, we are cousins." Matt explained.

"Did you think of me as his lover?" Claire asked.

"No, I just thought you guys were friends or something." I replied.

"But I am shipping you two." She pouted.

"No! We aren't like that. Your cousin and I are just are just good friends, that's all."

"Well that's a progress. Isn't it Matt?" She poked him with her finger.

"If you are done, we are leaving." Matt pulled my backpack to make me follow him.

"Wait! You didn't answer my question, Matt!" Claire screamed from the auditorium.

"I will text you, later." Matt hurried me back to the corridor.

He released my backpack after we had reached a safe distance from the auditorium. We walked alongside each other. It was nice to meet his cousin who was polar opposite to his nature. She looked more outgoing and fun. I wanted to ask him why he followed me to the auditorium, but I didn't want to go ahead of myself thinking he just followed me. Maybe he had some business nearby or he just wanted to meet his cousin. He wasn't actually following me.

As if he could hear my thoughts, Matt answered my doubts, without hesitation.

"I was following you..." His sudden confession startled me but not too long as he continued, " to meet my cousin."

We reached the canteen and there I could see our friends keeping us a seat. Matt helped me in bringing the plates as I brought our drinks. I stopped in my tracks when I saw John and his friends sitting on the other side of our table. Matt who was behind me, bumped into me but managed to save the plates from falling. John looked at me and then continued to eat with his friends.

Since high school, I and John used to sit together during lunch. When we arrived in college, our different majors made it difficult to continue this habit. But still we managed to sit sometimes and even if we couldn't he would come next to my table and talk for some time. But now, after our fight, we got estranged from each other. Life is not all about roses though, thorns need to be embraced too.