A Tantalizing Kiss

The bell rang, dismissing us from our last period of the day.

Much to my dislike, I barely talked with Rose at all through-out the day after the morning.
It seemed fate was against us at the moment. Stein was a bigger bitch than normal, having
us work with those that we least wanted to. It seemed like she was angry specifically with
me and Rose, which didn’t make any sense. She actually liked Rose.

Coach wasn’t there in study hall, which meant we had to sit in our assigned seats.
While he didn’t care where we sat now, if a sub was there, we needed to sit in the seats
given to us in the beginning of the year.

I was nowhere close to Rose, to say the least.

Rodger ditched today, so I was stuck with Leah and the beau for the most part. It wasn’t
as much fun.

As I walked to my locker, I thought about how glad I was that Rodger wasn’t here today. I
was close with my team, but Rodger was the one who knew me best. He would be the one
who would be suspicious of my absence.

I needed to think of an excuse that would get me out of soccer three times a week.

I grabbed my bag, walking the opposite way of which I normally would to the auditorium
for rehearsal.

The noise died down the closer I got.

I walked into the auditorium, not the last one for once. A few early kids sat on the stage,
chatting with each other. I noticed how they avoided my eye as I walked in, a few purposely
directing themselves away from me.

I frowned. Maybe I was just being paranoid.

I dropped my bag into one of the empty chairs in the second row, walking over to the
cluster of kids on the stage.

Time to make new friends.

I noticed there was a girl sitting off to the side, just listening to the group talking. She
seemed a little bored. I ran a hand through my hair, walking to her instead.

“Hey” I smiled, “Where is everyone?”

The pretty brunette shrugged, looking at me with confusion, “Hell if I know. Who are you,
if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Mason Johnson.” I held my hand out. She slipped her small hand into mine, shaking
weakly with a hint of a smile.

“Macy Jameson.”

I smirked, “Cute.”

She giggled. “Aren’t you on our school’s soccer team?”

I puffed out my chest, flexing my muscles jokingly, “Yeah… I might be the center forward
on the team…”

She bit her lip, “I don’t know a whole lot about soccer…”

I chuckled, “That’s alright. That’s the most important spot though, so don’t forget it.”

“So you’re the best of the best?” she raised an eyebrow. I nodded, a smug smile across
my lips. “What’s a player like you doing in the drama club then?”

“I failed Drama class, and I need the extra credit.” I mumbled, “But it’s not so bad from
the few times I’ve been here.”

She laughed, “Just wait until we get a deadline for the performance. You’re going to
regret joining.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“Oh, but I am.”

I rolled my eyes, “Then what makes you stay in it?”

She grinned proudly, “I’m the best of the best actresses in this school. I need to keep
myself in the drama world if I want to get a profession as a Broadway actress.”

“What part are you?”

“Madame Giry, and you?”

I bit my lip, looking away, “I’m the understudy for Phantom…”

She smirked, “Not bad for a beginner. We don’t usually have understudies, but for some
reason a whole bunch of people joined so we have enough for the majors.”

“Way to hurt my ego more.”

“No, Phantom’s an important part!” She tried to soften the blow, “I’m sure you’ll do
wonderful when we need you!”

“When?”

She rolled her eyes, “‘if’ sounds a little mean, don’t you think?”

“I do. Do you know who’s playing Phantom?”

“Pierce Rivers.” Her eyes traveled my body “You’ve got some competition. He might not
play any sports, but the kid probably gets just as many girls as you do.”

“Are you assuming I’m a player?” I pretended to be offended.

“I might just be.”

“I know I might look irresistible, and trust me, I am, but I know how to treat a girl right.” I
assured.

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah,”

“Maybe you’ll have to show me some time.” She giggled, flipping her hair over her
shoulders. Macy jumped off the edge of the stage, walking away. I turned my head to watch
her, noticing that the others were leaving as well. Glancing around, I noticed how the three
teachers had finally showed up. I followed the crowd back to the first couple rows in the
audience.

“Hey, Mr. Wilson.” I waved as I passed him.

He nodded a hello back. “Don’t forget what we went over this morning. I want you ready
for the next time we meet.”

While Rose had gone to Stein for acting help, I had gone to Wilson so singing. He had
given me a list of warm-ups that I needed to learn how to say forwards and backwards
before next rehearsal. It seemed rather strange, but Wilson wasn’t the most average of
people.

“I will, I will.” I assured him, searching the mass of people for my favorite little blonde.
Failing to find her, I took a seat where my backpack had previously been.

Stein walked to the front, leaving her partners to sit on the side. Her eyes surveyed the
room, as she spoke, “Welcome to the first official rehearsal for Phantom of the Opera. For
those of you who are new—” Her eyes fell on me briefly “—we begin rehearsal with a warm-
up. Usually it’s part of the choreography for a song we’re not very familiar with, but since
we’re starting from scratch, we can make something up.”

I glanced around, my eyes still searching for Rose.

“Everyone up on stage. Find a partner that you can work well with. Macy, would you and
Pierce like to lead us in the warm-up again?” Stein asked kindly.

“Of course,” Macy’s voice rang out from the opposite side. I glanced over, seeing her
figure in the chair at the opposite end of my row.

“Alright, everyone up.”

I stood up, rather confused.

The bodies were moving towards the stairs that led up onto the stage, a few daring ones just jumping up. People were paring up quickly. I glanced around, trying to catch an eye
before I looked like the only loser without a partner.

A tap on my shoulder saved me from that horrid predicament.

I turned around, my eyes falling on the blonde I had been searching for.

“You’re working with me.”

I grinned, “Thank you. I thought I wouldn’t have anyone to work with. Nearly scared the
shit out of me.”

She rolled her eyes, already heading to the stage. I followed quickly as we walked up,
one of the last few on there.

People were scatted about, everyone facing Macy who stood in the front with a body next
to her. Rose and I stood near the center.
“Why were you talking to Macy?” Rose asked, trying to keep her voice calm. It wasn’t
hard to pick up the malevolence.

“Couldn’t find you and I needed someone to talk to.” I shrugged, “Why? Jealous?”

“She’s a whore.” Rose hissed.

“Doll, you’ve only been her for a little. You can’t know if she’s a whore in that short of
time.” I laughed.

“Try having her in three of your classes plus this. You’ll quickly learn how desperate she
is.”

I rolled my eyes, figuring it best not to mention that Macy and I had been flirting earlier
before Rose showed up.

Macy began the warm up with mouth exercises and Pierce finished with loosening up the body. I found that I was slightly offended with how easy they had it compared to my soccer team. No one was out of breath, no one was sweating.

And my team was huffing and puffing right outside without me.

~*~

Practice ended quicker than I had wanted.

I was surprised to see that despite Stein constantly yelling at us to improve, I was
enjoying myself. I was with Rose for most of the practice, which perked up my mood
drastically. Macy had caught my eye a few times, but she remained with the Pierce guy for
the most part.

Eventually, Stein stood in the front, wrapping up the practice. I glanced at the clock,
realizing that I had an entire half hour before Joey was expecting me back from school. She
was still unaware that I was ditching soccer for drama club, and I hoped to keep it that way.

“Alright guys, remember the routine we worked on for the opening song, and I’ll see you
all next practice.” Stein concluded.

I’ll admit I hardly ever paid attention to anything she said.

I grabbed my bag, walking over to find Rose. A hand pressed against my chest,
stopping me from walking over to here. I glanced down at the hand, smirking.

“Miss me much?” I teased.

Macy laughed, “I’ll admit to that.”

“What’s up, Macy?” I asked, moving our bodies out of the way of the crowd of students
trying to leave.

“I just thought I’d let you know that when Stein makes comments, but specifically looks
at someone, she’s talking to you.” She smiled innocently.

I groaned, knowing what she was referring to. “Look, I’m new to this whole thing and
some of those warm-up things are a bit weird, no offense.”

Macy laughed, “It’s understandable, but if you want to be on her good side, I suggest you
get over the embarrassment.”

“I don’t know how you do it.” I admitted “And still manage to look cute.”

“It’s a gift.”

I smirked, “I’ll say.”

Macy giggled, adjusting her bag on her shoulder. Her eyes flickered to the clock behind
my head before back to my eyes, “Well it was nice talking with you, Mason, but I really need
to go.”

“So soon?”

“It’s nearly five-thirty”

“You’re point?” I grinned.

She laughed, “I’ll catch you later, Mason. Maybe next time you’ll do the warm-up?”

“I don’t know if you’ll talk to me after that embarrassment of an act.”

“I’m sure you’re not that bad.” She said,

“I dunno…” I scratched the back of my head nervously.

“I’ll be your partner if you promise to try next time.” She compromised. “How’s that for
you, Mason?”

“We’ll see.” I chuckled. I wanted to work with her, but not make a fool out of myself. At the
same time, I would rather have worked with Rose than Macy.

She rolled her eyes, a smile on her lips. “Catch you later, Mase.”

“You too, Mace.”

She giggled, walking away. I watched her figure as it disappeared out the doors. I turned
back once she was gone, looking around.

I found Rose talking with a short redhead.

I walked over to her, a grin still on my lips. “Hey, Doll.”

Rose’s eyes flickered to me before back to the redhead without any acknowledgement. I
frowned, standing next to her. The redhead glanced at me, but didn’t say anything.

“But yeah, I agree, the homework amount is getting a little ridiculous.” Rose said,
nodding with the girl.

“I swear, Rose, he’s out to get us!” She groaned.

Rose laughed tightly.

I wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her against me, “I’m sorry, but I need to
kidnap Rose now.”

The redhead giggled, “It’s alright. I’ll see you later, Rose.”

Rose shot her a pleading look, “Mason’s just being an idiot. I don’t really have to go,
Mary, seriously.”

The redhead, Mary, looked at me. “I need to go anyways, Rose. Have fun with your boy
toy. See you tomorrow!”

She walked away, giggling.

“He’s not--!” Rose shouted out after her, pulling out of my grip. She shot me a dirty look,
straightening her shirt.

“So I’m your ‘boy toy’ now?” I smirked, air quoting the last two words.

Rose groaned, “I’m going to kill Mary tomorrow. That was not cool.”

I chuckled, “I like your friend already.”

Rose rolled her eyes. She picked her bag up from the floor, slinging it over her shoulder,
talking a few steps away.

I grabbed the back of her shirt, pulling her back, “Where are you going? I came over here
to talk to you.”

“I’m going home.”

“You got a ride back?”

“As a matter of fact, I do.” She said. She hesitated before adding, “But thanks for the
offer, anyways.”

I shrugged, “No skin off my bones.”

Rose starting walking to the exit. I walked with her, falling into step by her side. The
auditorium hadn’t cleared out entirely, a few people lingering to chat.

“I’m surprised.” She commented.

“Why?”

“You’ve gone the whole practice without asking me to go on a date with you.” She
laughed once, “It feels weird.”

I smirked, “Are you trying to imply that you want me to ask again?”

“No!”

“I mean, these rejections are starting to get to me, Doll, but if you really want me too…”

“No, Mason.” She rolled her eyes.

I opened the door, motioning her through. She curtsied mockingly, unable to hold back
her giggles.

I snuck a peak at her ass as she walked by.

Rose turned around before I got a chance to look away. Her eyes narrowed at me as I
grinned innocently.

“Pig.” She snapped.

“There’s something white on your ass.” I lied, fumbling for an excuse as to why I was

looking there.

Her hand automatically reached around her backside, as if searching, “No there’s not.”

“I’m serious, there is.” I held back the laughter.

She twisted her torso around, trying to spot it from her poor view, “Where?”

“Come here.” I bit my lip to hide my grin. Rose took a hesitant step towards me. I set my
hands on her hips, turning her body so that her ass faced me. I left my hands on her hips as
my eyes slowly traveled lower on her backside.

“You better not try something funny.” She hissed, crossing her arms.

I couldn’t resist.

I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her body against mine.

“What are you doing?” She asked hesitantly.

“Nothing funny.” I mumbled, “I promise.”

“Mason…”

I rested my chin against her shoulder, leaning my head ever so slightly against hers.
Rose had gone silent, her hands gently resting overtop my arms. I moved one away from her
waist to brush her hair over the other shoulder and out of my face.

I moved my lips next to her ear, keeping my voice deep, husky, “Rose?”

“Y…Yeah?” She breathed.

“Will you go on a date with me this weekend?”

She pulled away sharply, turning around and giving me a look. “What happened to
‘nothing funny’?”

I held my hands up innocently, “I didn’t think it was funny. I was being entirely serious
when I asked. Just like every time before.”

“Maybe if you didn’t flirt with everything that had tits, I’d say yes for once.” She mumbled
under her breath.

“I don’t flirt that much.” I said defensively. “If this is about me talking with Macy…”

“It’s got nothing to do with Macy!”

“Then why are you getting so pissy today?” I snapped, “You were perfectly fine this
morning, but now you’ve been more bi-polar than the fucking spring weather!”

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, “I’m not ‘bi-polar’. You just keep doing
stupid stuff that annoys me.”

I groaned. “You are so damn complicated.”

Rose rolled her eyes, turning slightly away, “I’m leaving. I’ll see you in school tomorrow
Mason. Bye.”

She took off in the opposite direction.

I cussed under my breath, pissed.

She was so confusing.

She was so infuriating.

She was so different.

She was so complicated.

“Women…” I mumbled, shaking my head.

“Amen.” A deep voice called.

I glanced up, noticing Mr. Wilson walking out of the auditorium. He gave a small nod
before walking out the door.

So that makes two of us.