SALT POV

I'm so happy knowing that Allison finally accepted the lead role and I'm really curious as to what caused her change of mind. Luna almost steal my first kiss, good thing that Allison's interruption was on fleek.

The senior students in the auditorium started to leave except Missy, Rosa and Allison. I think they are talking about the changes that will happen in the play and I bet Allison is making it hard for them because Rosa and Missy are frowning.

I picked my bag from the floor and headed outside. I decided to sit on the bench where Allison will surely pass by later. She really made me so happy and no one can make me sad or angry today.

I patiently waited for about fifteen minutes till she finally came out. I immediately stood up and smiled at her when she noticed my presence, but to my dismay, she ignored me and didn't even bother to smile back.

Typical Allison.

"Hey Al!" I called after her. She ignored me again so I ran fast towards her to catch up.

"Oops sorry" I said before making a distance between us when she glared at me.

"Uh... Thank you because you changed your mind and accepted the role" I said opening a topic but she ignored me again.

"The lines of Arthur are very long. I'm really surprised when you said that you can memorize all of it in just a week" I added.

I frowned when she smirked. I'm sensing that something bad is going on her mind.

"Indeed it is, so if I were you, don't sleep because you have to memorize them all" I froze upon hearing what she said.

"What?!" I blurted out in confusion but she just smirked again and just kept on walking.

The heck!  I ran again to catch up with her.

"Allison what do you mean?"

"You're gonna play Arthur and I'm Annabelle" she replied flatly.

"But I already memorized Annabelle's lines! How the hell can I memorize all of Arthur's in just a week? I'm not you, I can't memorize all of it in just a week" I argued.

She stopped walking then faced me afterwards.

"I can't  play as a boy because it doesn't suit me. You're lucky enough to be paired with me, so if you can't memorize all of that in just one week, then I guess we'll have you replaced by someone that can" she said coldly before walking away.

She made my day, but she ruined it in an instant.

"You're such a B--" I didn't continue because I can't say it to her. I kicked the empty bottle that I saw on the ground instead before making my way back at the dorm.

It's already midnight now. There are ten pages of the script that I need to memorize but I'm still on page one.

"This is so freaking hard to memorize" Keena commented while browsing the scripts.

I'm resting my head on her desk because I'm sleepy already.

"I know right" I said before releasing a soft yawn.

"Oh, it has a kissing scene. Lucky you" she teased while poking my nose.

"Miserable is the right word" I corrected her, which made her laugh. She's cute when smiling, no wonder Luna likes her.

Her dimples are showing and my hand automatically poked her dimple and played with it for a couple of seconds. My eyes are betraying me already as it slowly closing.

She leaned closer to me until our face are just inches apart. She averted her eyes on my lips afterwards, I know what she's going to do but I'm too tired to react. I finally closed my eyes and smiled when her lips landed on my forehead, next on my nose and finally on my cheeks.

"Sleep tight" she said while tapping my head.

♥♥♥

"Why don't you just accept my love Annabelle?"

*pause*

"I'm a better lover than your fiancée"

*pause*

"Then don't ..... Then... The... Urggghhh!" I groaned in frustration because I keep on forgetting the next line.

It's very hard to memorize and practice my lines without a partner. Keena can't help me because she have lots of projects to prioritize, and Allison is out of the question. She will just tell me to give up and quit for sure.

I'm already cramming because I only have two days left before the actual practice and I only memorized half of it.

"I guess Allison is not meant to be my partner" I said sadly before throwing the papers beside me.

I leaned my back on the bench afterwards to take a rest. It's already evening and I need to get back to the dorm before the inspection.

"Why don't you just accept my love? Annabelle?" I mumbled with my eyes closed.

Why don't you just accept my love Allison?

"Because your love won't give the things that I desire" I opened my eyes immediately when I heard Missy.

She's smiling cutely at me with her pajama on.

"I'm a better lover than your fiancée" I replied as I stood up to face her.

"But he's a better provider"

"Don't compare his money to my love because it's different" I smiled when I completed the line without stuttering.

I hugged and kissed her cheeks in rejoice.

"Why do you know Annabelle's lines?" I asked curiously.

"It's one of Ali's books and it's my favorite" she replied while still hugging me.

Oh I forgot Allison is a bookworm.

I shook my head because Missy didn't enter my mind when I'm looking for someone to help me.

"Cool, uh do you memorize all of her lines?" I asked hoping.

"Yep" she replied cockily.

"Uh... Could you ----"

"Sure" she said interrupting me.

Thank God for giving me Missy. I prayed mentally.

        We finished our practice at one in the morning, I only have two more pages left to memorize and that's a big milestone for me.

"Thanks for helping me tonight Missy. If it's not too much for you, can you help me with the last two pages?" I asked when we reached the front of elite's dormitory.

I accompanied her because her place is quite far from mine.

"Sure, I'd be more than willing to help you" she said sweetly. I smiled with her kindness.

One of these days, I will surely return all the favors that she's giving me.

"I need to go, Ali's still awake and I'm sure that she's waiting for me to get back" she said while pointing to the window where the light is on.

So that's her room, the penthouse.

"Uh... Okay I'll see you tomorrow" I leaned closer to kiss her cheek good night.

I really feel blessed having her as my friend.

"Kay" she said smiling before entering the dorm.

I took a final glance on Allison's window and saw her silhouette.

"Did she saw me?" I mumbled as I head back to my dorm.

I'm so sleepy and tired, but it's okay because I know that it will be worth it once I kiss Allison.

♥♥♥

Thanks to Missy that I already finished memorizing all of my script yesterday. Allison on the other hand, goes home as soon as our teacher dismisses our class. She's also avoiding eating with us during lunch break and using the excuse that she needs to practice her lines alone.

I don't buy it because I know that she's just loitering on the rooftop while staring into space. I'm not stupid to not notice that she's sad and just pretending to be tough whenever I'm around. I want to know her more but she's always keeping her guard up.

Luna was right when she told me that I still don't know the real Allison.

Missy and I agreed to meet in the auditorium to practice with action. I'm so excited because I already memorized all of the script and I don't have to be shy because it's only the two of us.

"Hey Missy, are you sure that it's alright to practice here?" I asked for the nth time.

As per the school regulations, the auditorium is off limits after classes without special permission from the student council.

"This whole school is mine remember? you don't have to worry because everyone is already asleep" She assured me but I still don't feel at ease.

"Come on, let's start practicing! I'm already excited with the kiss!" I frowned upon hearing what she said.

Kiss? I tapped my forehead when I got what she meant.

I forgot that the play has a kissing scene. It's just practice so we don't have to do it, but I don't want to tell her that because she will be upset.

Missy getting my first kiss is so much fine compared to Luna.

"Yeah" was all I said.

If she wants my kiss then I will give that to her, that's the least I can do for her in return for the favor that she's giving me.

"Let's start" she cued.

"Please, prove to me that you love me" she acts very well.

"What proof do you want my dear Annabelle" I replied with a baritone voice.

"Just a taste of your sweet lips will be enough" she said pleaded.

"A kiss indeed"

I leaned closer and cupped her face, I'm taller than her so I lifted her chin up. She closed her eyes when my finger caressed her lips.

It's very soft, I wonder if Allison's lips are the same.

It's so inviting, I closed my eyes too and about to kiss her when we heard a clap. We both flinched and immediately moved a bit away from each other. My eyes widen in shock when I saw Allison, sitting on the couch cozily with her arms crossed.

"So, this is what you do when everyone's asleep, flirting with my sister" she said sternly.

I immediately shook my head in objection.

"No! it's not what you think, we're just practicing for the play, she's helping me because I can't memorize it without a partner" I argued.

Her death glare made me nervous, I don't want her to misunderstand me and Missy.

"Seriously? that's what you call help? You're about to kiss her, you're gonna kiss my sister then kiss me on the actual play. So it's like I kissed my sister isn't it?" I open my mouth to argue but nothing came out.

I can feel my sweat streaming down my temple, she's interrogating me in front of her sister and it's embarrassing. I can't argue because what she's saying is true, the kiss between me and Missy will surely happen if she didn't interrupt.

"Ali, I'm just helping her for real. She needs help you know that, you suddenly changed your mind and accepted the role of Anabelle instead of Arthur" Missy explained politely.

"You know this story, Arthur's script is very long and very hard to memorize" She added.

"So now it's my fault? She can give the Arthur's role to others if she can't do it" she argued while pointing at me.

"Ali don't be too hard with Salt" Missy said patiently.

"I'm not" she argued.

"Then why are you being like that? You're just making things complicated!" Missy said without hiding the irateness on her voice.

My jaw immediately dropped in disbelief because it's the first time I saw Missy get angry.

"Me? making things complicated? What about you? aren't you making things also complicated by flirting with that stupid person in the middle of the night!" she replied with the same tone that Missy used.

Ouch that hurts.

"Hey stop it" I tried to interrupt but they ignored me.

"Allison McKinley shut it!" Missy shouted.

Whoa she's quite scary. She's like a twin sister of Allison when pissed off.

"Don't Allison me, Missy McKinley! You're still young and you're supposed to act accordingly on your age!" She yelled while pointing at her.

Now I'm 100% sure that they're fighting, and it's all because of me.

"Hey don't fight here" I said but they ignored me again.

Allison is being unreasonable and it's very vexing, both of them is starting to get on my nerves.

"I said shut up both of you!!" I shouted, my face is so red because of so much anger.

If her ego can't accept that her sister is helping me then I will stop it. I don't want the two of them fighting just because of this nonsense thing. It's so obvious that she doesn't want me to be her partner.

"Salty I'm sorry" Missy said apologetically.

I shook my head to assure her that it's fine.

"No, Missy it's not your fault" I said before turning my attention to Allison.

"Fine, you win Allison. I won't play as Arthur anymore, go and find someone else that's suitable for your taste" I said flatly before immediately walking out of the auditorium.

I feel so sad but somehow relieved, the whole one week for me is so stressing.

"But at least I don't need to worry anymore" I muttered before releasing a heavy sigh.

♥♥♥

The actual practice of the play with Allison finally came and everyone is so excited to take a glimpse of it because their beloved SC president is playing the lead.

I wonder who's the lucky one that she chose to replace me?

As usual I'm not listening to our teacher. The McKinley sisters acted like they didn't had a fight last night, I even saw Missy hugging her when I entered the class this morning. Well, knowing Missy, I'm sure she's the first one to initiate the reconciliation.

I yawned before resting my face on the desk, I couldn't sleep last night because of what happened.

Rosa poked my shoulder gently just when I'm about to drift to sleep.

"Hey, did you already memorize all of Arthur's line?" she whispered at me.

"Yep, but I'm not the Arthur anymore. I changed my mind, I don't wanna play the role" I replied between yawning.

"Fudge!" I exclaimed in surprise when she suddenly slapped my shoulder.

"Are you out of your mind?! There's only two weeks left before the school festival! Don't you tell me that you changed your mind because I'm gonna kill you" she threatened.

I wanna laugh by her reaction but I remembered that we're still in the class.

"But I already told Allison and Missy that I won't do it, I thought you already know"

"They may be the owner of this school, but I'm the director of this play. If I say you're Arthur then you're Arthur, period" she said cockily.

I didn't expect that response from her, I expected her to obedient. I guess all the elites have their inner dominant attitude in them.

"Did you had a fight with Allison?" she asked suspiciously.

I straightened my sit and leaned closer to her right ear.

"What are you saying?"

"Remember when Missy asked if Allison don't want you to be her partner?" I faked a laugh to pretend that I don't know what she's talking about.

I'm angry with Allison but I still don't want her ugly attitude to be exposed.

"Yeah, but I remember she told us that she have to take the entrance exam for Harvard right? She's not the reason why I suddenly changed my mind, in fact we practiced together last night" I lied.

"Really? Good, then I'll just pretend that I didn't hear what you said a while ago" I'm about to argue but she spoke again.

"If you're telling me the truth then come to the auditorium after class and play as Arthur" it took me a moment to answer because I'm still weighing things.

She will think that I'm lying about me and Allison having a fight if I don't agree. She cornered me and I don't have a choice but to say yes.

"Fine" I said in surrender before resting my head again on my desk.

Good luck with me later

        I'm awakened by the sound of my phone's alarm. I immediately turned it off and started stretching my arms that are experiencing pins and needles.

"Oh, crap" I stood up immediately and fixed my hair when I realized that I'm the only one in the room.

How long did I sleep?

I glanced at my watch to check the time, it's our P.E subject now and I'm sure that everyone is already at the courtyard.

I'm about to head out when I saw a figure from my peripheral vision, I turned around immediately and saw Allison leaning on the side of the table. As usual, she's gazing outside of the window.

Did she wait for me to wake up?

"That's impossible" I mumbled to myself.

I pretended that I didn't notice her and continued walking out of the classroom. I gazed up to her direction as soon as I came out of the building, I can see her clearly because our classroom is only on the fourth floor.

Go back there my mind suggested.

"No!" I argued.

After five minutes.

"Hey, aren't you going to attend the P.E class?" I asked while leaning on the door frame.

I ended up going back to our classroom, I'm still angry but I feel guilty leaving her alone. She didn't respond and didn't even bother glancing at me.

"You really love gazing into space, I do that sometimes" I said before sitting back on my chair. I rested my face on my right palm while gazing at her.

She's really hard to figure out.

"Al let's go, the teacher will get angry if she noticed that we're still here"

"I'm not Al, go ahead and do your thing. I didn't tell you to fetch me here, I'm not a child" she replied flatly.

But you always act like one. My mind replied.

"But I can't just leave you here. Trust me, I really want to ignore you but I can't no matter what I do, no matter what you do" again she ignored me.

"Hey, say something" I nagged.

I smiled when she finally looked my way.

"Should I feel delighted by what you just said? Please, just get lost" she said sarcastically.

"No, I'm staying here until you change your mind and attend our P.E class" I said stubbornly, hoping that somehow she will do what I want.

"Do what you want. After all, teacher's can't be angry with me, but you? I'm picturing it already" I frowned at her.

"Yeah right, I forgot you're the owner. How unfair, as long as you have money, you can have and do what you want" I said upset.

"Of course, money makes the world go round" she said flatly before turning her attention back to the window.

"That's not true" I argued.

"And what stupidity are you gonna say again Hastings?" she asked with her arms crossed. She really don't like it whenever I oppose what she's saying.

"Because my world revolves around you" I said while looking at her intently. She gazed at me for a moment before standing up, she then walked closer to me and poked my forehead afterwards.

"That's your last, that's so corny" she said before heading out of the classroom.

"Hey where are you going?" I called after her.

"P.E" was all she said.

I immediately stood up to follow her. I didn't dare speak during our walk to keep her from changing her mind.

All of our classmate is completely in awe when they saw Allison with me. Can't blame them because it's the first time that she'll be participating.

My wide smile is not leaving me because during the whole class I'm so proud of myself, it's another milestone for me.

♥♥♥

All of the participants in the play is already there when I arrived, tonight is our final rehearsal for tomorrows festival.

"What took you so long?" Missy asked anxiously.

"I helped Keena with her project and I lost track of time" I replied before immediately heading to the dressing room. We will rehearse with our costumes on so I'm really nervous.

"Here's your costume" she handed me the pair of tuxedo and helped me wear it. She then fixed my hair bun style before finally putting on my wig.

"Wow! I didn't expect that you'll look handsome with the costume on" Rosa blurted in surprise. Her compliment made me blush because everyone's attention immediately turned to mine.

"Thank you, but where's