3...

2...

1...

The bell rings, and both practically run to the auditorium. Jules gets stuck behind some very slow walkers, so Marcus has enough time to catch up. Both of them end up at the cast list at the same time, their eyes scanning the document.

Neither finish looking at the document. Both pairs of eyes just light up, and without communicating once, they grab each other into a big hug. It only lasts a couple of seconds before they pull away from each other. Although, there's a part in both of them that wishes to keep the embrace going.

They walk into the large, open auditorium to where Mrs. Will is standing with a box of scripts. She hands them both one and tells them to sit in one of the chairs currently in a circle on the stage. They flip through the script a little as everyone else files onto the stage. Once everyone is seated, Mrs. Will starts rehearsal.

"Okay everybody, we'll start off our rehearsals by just doing a read through of the full script," she announces to everyone.

With it being the school version, everyone knew certain things would be changed. As they go along however, Marcus starts noticing some of these changes are completely arbitrary. The tipping point comes with one specific change, which they don't read, instead doing the original text.

"Marcus, the text says 'honey, it's beginning to snow," Mrs. Will says exasperated.

"I know, I just find it ridiculous something as innocent as the original line still gets changed just because it's queer characters-" Marcus points to Ruby and Craig "-if it was their characters, they could kiss whenever they so choose."

"Just say you want to kiss Jules!" an ensemble member shouts at Marcus.

Marcus's eyes grow wide before they stammer out, "no, no, no, we just... I don't... I'm sorry." Marcus buries their head in their hands.

"Talk to each other, and if you're both comfortable with it, I'll think about changing it back," Mrs. Will offers before going back to the read through.

Marcus looks over at the clearly nervous Jules. He's rubbing his hands against his jeans, and his thoughts are clearly racing at a mile a minute. 

"I'm sorry," Marcus whispers, "I should've checked with you first. We don't have to do i-"

"I want to do it!" Jules blurts out causing most of the rest of the cast to stare at him. He gives a nervous apology smile, which cues them all to go back to what they were doing.

"Are you sure?"

Jules nods, and they focus back onto the read through until reaching the end of act one. Once it reaches what would be intermission, Mrs. Will allows everyone a couple minutes to drink some water or go to the bathroom. She turns to the two teens sitting next to each other.

"So, I heard you reached a decision." She pauses to study the pair's faces. "You can change it to the original line, but no more changes outside of what I say."

Both nod, and Marcus adds, "thank you." 

Mrs. Will turns away from them and goes back to her seat.

Marcus looks over at Jules and this time doesn't whisper, "are you sure you're okay with this? I understand if you're not, and I promise I won't get offended if you say so."

"I said I want to do it, and I meant it." Jules takes Marcus's hand and gives it a squeeze, which Marcus reciprocates.

Soon, the break is over, and the cast goes back to the read through.