(William’s Perspective)

Sitting at my desk, I looked up at the clock. It was 7:43 a.m. Class started at 8:30, but I had to be early today. No way to avoid what was coming, but what time was it? I pulled out my phone. 7:45 a.m. Yeah, this isn’t helping. Standing up for a walk, sitting down because I don’t need to walk. But I do. Getting up again, I walk to the stage. Climb the steps - back down - back up. 7:46… Not helping.

I took a deep breath and went back to my chair. I pulled the script out and read the scene again. Today was the day. Verity had to kiss me. I know we’re friends, and we’re trying to become actors, but can she fake that?

I realized I was saying that aloud as a fellow student entered the room. No more burning off energy - it’s going to be a long day.

(Helen’s Perspective)

I walked through the doors knowing what today brought. I thought about being “sick,” but sometimes a person just has to do what they have to do. I let out a sigh and walked into the classroom.

I looked over, and William was already here. I bit my lip…it’s not that I can’t kiss him. I’m an actress - it’s not an issue. But he is older…by almost 20 years. And worse than that, I like him. We’ve really become good friends, and I don’t want to lose that with him. I began to think that maybe I should have chosen a different partner, but that thought was fleeting. He’d been a good - no, superb - partner. He’s always been there for me when I stumble, and I’ve been able to do the same for him.

A little shiver woke Helen from her thoughts, and she headed toward her seat.

“Alright, class, let’s get started. I’m going to give you an hour to rehearse your lines, and then we’re going to hit the stage and check out your chemistry. Let’s see what you’ve got!” Raoul called out.

(William’s Perspective)

“Oh, man - here she comes. OK. A breath - better. Another breath…okay. I’m ready…”

“Hey, William,” she interrupted my thoughts. It wasn’t her normal upbeat tone - understandable.

“Hey.” I responded, diverting my eyes as she took her chair. “So guess we’ve got an hour.”

“Yeah. OK. So here’s the thing, Will - we’re going to just have to go for it. It’s who we are. It’s why we’re here.”

I looked across at Verity and watched in horror as she burst out into laughter…so…much..laughter. She put her head in her arms on the top of her desk, but the shudder of her back gave away that she hadn’t finished. She looked up at me again with tears in her eyes - head back down, laughter anew.

(Helen’s Perspective)

I said hello to William as I sat down. I took a breath and tried to break the tension. “Look, William, we’re just going to have to dig down deep and do this. It’s not real. We’re actors, right?”

I looked over at him to confirm that we were on the same page. I was floored. What?? I couldn’t stop laughing. He’s such a moron!

When I finally recovered— nearly wasting a quarter of our hour prep time— I was able to speak.

I wiped away the tears and asked, “I’m sorry. Are you diseased? What happened to your lips?”

“Diseased?!” Replied William. “No - nonono! These are fake. They’re wax. You’ve never seen wax lips before?”

I burst out in laughter and tears again. I struggled to speak, “No, no..nope, never, but I can tell you they won’t help us today…Here, maybe this instead.

(William’s Perspective)

When she finally recovered, she spoke. “Do you have a virus? What are those??”

“Wax lips! You eat them.” I said, biting off the edge. “Mmmm!” It was laughter all over again.

“Those…(laugh stifle)…won’t…(snicker)…help. Here - try this instead.” She said as she pushed a mint across the table.

Ouch! Pride crushed.

(Helen’s Perspective)

I appreciated William’s efforts. The laughing did help, but it didn’t stop this moment, I thought as I looked at his face. We were up first - felt like a spectacle. I scanned the tension in the room. It was ripe.

I looked over at William again. Shy, beet red - a flashback to Day 1 when we met. It was endearing. Remembering that day - it seemed so long ago - but Will had really been there for me then, and every day after that. He deserved better than my hesitation. He deserved a partner that helped him shine. This was it!

(William’s Perspective)

I remember being in my seat, but somehow I was now on stage. Teleportation seemed unlikely - it must have been a blackout. Whatever it was, Verity and I were here - the whole class was watching. I took a quick peek. Suspense hung in the air. Could we nail it, or is this a flop? My eyes stopped on Harold. I don’t think you can literally see jealousy, but if you could - it was there.

I shuffled my foot a little, uncertain how to approach this without moving back to Helen’s status. I shuffled the other foot. A quick glance at Verity.

The first sensation was her hand running through my hair, pulling me toward her. Her lips on mine - passionate - calming - electric? A little longer than expected…?

(Helen’s Perspective)

It was a strange kiss. I grabbed him, kissed him, and then it was over - but it wasn’t… I meant it to be, but my lips lingered longer than I expected - was this too…easy?

I let go of his head and stepped back. His face. It was normal? He was still red, still embarrassed, maybe - but a little confident as well? Not the result I had expected, but nice! We did it.

Breathing easy now. Done. Time to give others the chance to shine - and glad to be off the stage!

(William’s Perspective)

Verity and I walked back to the audience to watch others as they took their turns. I suggested that we rate their stage presence during their attempts, but she wasn’t paying much attention. She seemed to be lost in thought for most of the event.

“Harold - Alison!” Your turn.” Called Raoul, rousing Verity from her thoughts. This she wanted to see - and I was in the same boat.

They approached each other quickly. Alison attempted to give Harold a quick peck, but he grabbed her and kissed her hard. She halfheartedly pushed away at him, but let him have his kiss his way. Verity turned her head away along with another third of the class. No applause for this performance, but a lot of sympathy for Alison.

(Helen’s Perspective)

I tried to watch as Harold and Alison took their turn, but Harold was Harold and a person can only watch so much. I had to turn away. Suddenly, there was a loud “Enough! I quit!”

Alison walked off the stage and told Raoul that she was done and stormed out of the building. Still on stage Harold quipped, “Couldn’t handle a kiss from a real man, I guess,” with a smiling sneer as he turned and looked directly at me.

(William’s Perspective)

“Hey, you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Verity responded. “Thanks. It was a good day, but glad it’s over! You?”

“Yeah. A bit of a roller coaster. I guess Harold stole the show.”

“Oh…uh, yeah. That was big,” she responded as though expecting something else.

“I mean we did it! Right? Barring Harold’s blow-up, we were definitely the highlight of the day,” I said reassuringly - but too late.

“Yeah. Well, I’ve gotta go. See you in class tomorrow?”

“Yup. Wouldn’t miss it. Want me to pick you up a pair of lips while I’m out? I need to replace the ones I ate earlier.”

A half-grin flashed across her face as the thought fluttered through her mind, “No thanks. I’m fine.”

“Hey, you know, I saw the way that Harold looked at you after Alison left. Do you need anything?”

“Nope, I’m good,” she said, putting on a brave front. “Anyway, I have to go meet my dad. See you tomorrow.” And she got into her car.

(Helen’s Perspective)

I told William goodbye and left him standing in the parking lot. Today was a lot to take in, and I needed to talk to my dad. I headed to the coffee shop.

“Hey, honey!” His usual greeting as I walked in. I gave him a quick hug and sat down.

“How was your day?” He queried.

“It was bizarre, to be honest. Today was kissing day to see how well we could act with our partners.”

“Didn’t go well? I know you and William are good friends, but sometimes it’s difficult to put aside personal feelings in situations like this. Especially when an awkward result could put your friendship on the line.”

“That’s what I thought too, but that’s why it was bizarre. We were both nervous, but I decided to go for it. He’s been a good friend to me, and I want us both to be successful in this business. There isn’t any reason we couldn’t both be adults about it and roll with it.” Helen replied.

“Absolutely. You’ve got the talent to fake it,” her dad said.

“Well, that’s the weird thing, Dad. I’m not sure I did fake it.”

“Oh… That’s new. Why do you say that?”

“Well, we kissed. I kissed him, I mean. He probably never would have kissed me. But, Dad - he’s a good kisser! And I think he might know that I didn’t hate it.”

“Why is that? Did you tell him?”

“No, but I think we were both surprised by how long the kiss lasted.”

“Well, first off, in terms of the kiss being good…he’s probably kissed girls before. And in terms of lasting too long, who measures kiss length? I’m sure he isn’t thinking anything of it.”

“But what if he does? What if he is? What if this ruins our friendship? What if he wants to switch partners after this?”

“Honey, don’t worry about it. If any of that happens, you’ll do what you always do - you’ll take in stride, and things will work out marvelously for you. You’re just that kind of person.”

“Thanks, Dad! I love you. I’m always glad to know that you’re here for me! Love you!”

“Love you too. Have a good night, sweetie.”

With that, I left the shop and headed home.