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The last few weeks of running lines with her have been the most time I’ve gotten with her, and I’ll hate it if someone else is cast as Romeo. That being said, I know I’m not the most experienced actor, and my odds of landing the lead aren’t very good.
Bianka’s eyes meet mine, her brows raised in nervous anticipation as she shares my anxiety for a moment. And then, we turn our attention to the announcement as Professor Burgmann names each cast member, starting with the more minor roles, like the apothecary, Sampson, and Gregory, and moving up the list as the suspense builds.
“For Juliet’s nurse, I have selected Ellie Langley,” the professor says as he nears the top of the list.
An excited squeal erupts from Ellie and Bianka at the same time as they bounce with elation. It’s a good role, from what Bianka told me–one where the actress gets to employ a good amount of comic relief.
“Thomas Paine will be Mercutio. Peter Evans, you will be Friar Lawrence,” Professor Burgmann continues without missing a beat, nodding to each student as he names them. “Our Juliet will be Miss Bianka Popov–”
The girls release another excited squeal but quickly fall silent for the final person to be cast.
“And as for Romeo, this was a tough call. I must admit my decision was largely influenced by not just this actor’s individual talent but his ability to demonstrate a natural chemistry that is absolutely key for this role. So, without further adieu, this semester’s Romeo Montague will be Cassio Marchetti.”
Just about every chin in the room hits the floor at my accomplishment. In truth, while I’d hoped for the opportunity, I hadn’t allowed myself to believe it would actually come to fruition. And now, as several girls surround me, tittering about what a good Romeo I will make, I feel numb with shock.
My eyes meet Bianka’s, seeking reassurance, and she gives me a subtle nod, her lips curling into a grin.I did it.I’ll be Bianka’s Romeo for this entire semester, spending time with her because now I actuallyhaveto. Neither of our families can argue with that. Relief floods me as I feel the noose loosening ever so slightly.
“Settle down, class. Settle down,” Professor Burgmann calls over the excited chatter that follows everyone receiving their role. “I have one more announcement to make that I suspect you all are going to enjoy very much.”
It takes several minutes for the noise to die down completely this time, and our professor waits until everyone is silent before speaking again.
“The Arts Department has decided to host a fun new event for the Rosehill fine arts majors this year, one I’m quite excited about, if I do say so myself–a masquerade dance that will take place at the start of your week of Thanksgiving break.”
Professor Burgmann beams at the buzz of excitement his announcement makes.
“I will be posting further details on the bulletin board within the next few weeks!” he calls over the exuberant chatter. “So stay tuned!”
I can’t help myself as I wade through the crowd over to Bianka, who almost seems to vibrate with excitement.
“Congratulations on earning the role of Juliet,” I say with a broad grin.
“Congratulations to you too.” She maintains the several feet of distance between us, though I want nothing more than to pull her into my arms. “That masquerade sounds like it will be a ball. Too bad I don’t have anyone to go with,” she adds cheekily.
“Pitty,” I agree. “I, on the other hand, prefer to go stag. You know, dance with whoever I want, whenever I want.” I follow my taunt with a subtle wink to show just who I want to dance with.
I will need to find a way around our secret relationship that evening. After all, running lines with my cast member is one thing. Asking her to a dance says something else entirely. At the masquerade, we’ll be surrounded by people with ties to my father. But from the excitement in Bianka’s eyes, I wouldn’t miss dancing with her for the world.
13
BIANKA
Earning the roles of Romeo and Juliet does wonders for the amount of time I get to spend with Cassio over the next month. It’s the perfect excuse for meeting outside of class for several hours multiple times a week, seeing as we have a considerable amount of lines to memorize in a few short months. And while I’m exceedingly familiar with the classic play, Cassio is less so.
“Ugh, I can’t believe I have to give upanotherSaturday to run lines with you. If you’d just get it through your thick skull already, I could do something fun with my time. I don’t get why Professor Burgmann is so gung-ho about your acting skills anyway,” I gripe in class just loud enough for our fellow actors to hear.
“Hey, you might know how to memorize lines and translate all this Old English mumbo jumbo, but let’s be honest, I’m the one who brings thechemistry,” he teases, rolling his hips provocatively.
I roll my eyes and cross my arms, displaying my irritation over the arrangement for Hannah Fiore and her gaggle of drooling groupies to see. Pursing my lips for good measure, I manage to keep the mirth from my face. Why Cassio has to be so good at making me laugh, I don’t know, but he’s making my pretensereallyhard to maintain.
“Whatever,” I snap. “You better not completely embarrass me on opening night by failing to remember your lines after the amount of work I’m having to put in.”
In class, Cassio and I make a point of keeping our interactions somewhere between civil and just slightly less than hostile to avoid raising suspicion about our time together. But sometimes, like now, I find it nearly impossible to keep a straight face.
Our act creates the perfect tension between us in the public eye, where I scold him regularly to demonstrate my impatience with him. Meanwhile, Cassio plays the blasé comedian, a persona I am more and more coming to realize he’s used and perfected for years to undermine his family's expectations.
In truth, while Cassio has a phenomenal sense of humor, there’s so much more to him than the world gets to see. I feel privileged to have insight into just how compassionate and thoughtful he actually is. And I wonder–aside from Lucca and now me–whether anyone else knows the real Cassio.
Finally, Saturday rolls around, and I’m so excited for today. “I just can’t believe I have the entire afternoon and evening to spend with him,” I gush to Ellie over speakerphone as I get ready. “It feels like it’s been ages since we’ve just gotten to spend some time alone without having to convince the world that we’re practically enemies.”
