JULIET'S ROLE

EVA's POV

I felt so terrible after what I had done. I was filled with self-loathing. The moment I saw the light in his eyes die and his face turn expressionless I felt my heart shatter to thousands of bits. I was tempted to take back my words and explain everything to him right away but I controlled myself and sprinted into the forest.

After turning a few rocks to sand and ruining a section of the forest I calmed down enough to return home. Alex was gone by that time. The sweet tempting smell of human blood and the alluring sound of heartbeats made me stop dead in my tracks. Before I could become crazed I stopped breathing. What was a human being doing in our house?

I saw a short man with a round face and spectacles sitting on the couch. Sensing my presence Emily said, “ Come here Eva, This is Mr. Lawrence. The new principal of your college.”

I went and sat down on the couch next to Emily. Mr. Lawrence extended his hand which I conveniently ignored. His face flushed but he didn’t say a word.

“ Eva, Did you join the Drama Club?”

“ I told them that I would play the role of Juliet but the president of the drama club didn’t agree.”

“ Mr. Lawrence.?” Emily said expectantly.

“ Don’t worry madam. I will ensure that Eva gets Juliet’s role in the drama. I will talk to the president tomorrow itself.”

“ That is great, Mr. Lawrence.’

After a bit more chit-chat Mr. Lawrence left.

The next day I wore a long flowing gown. After all, I was going to play the role of Juliet. A little bit of dolling up would add to the effect.

The boys in the college dropped everything and stood still, oogling me as I walked towards the auditorium. The girls turned green with envy at this sight but I wasn’t interested. Why would I feel exhilarated on being admired by food? If only they knew what I was! They would have run away with their tails between their legs.

When I reached the auditorium Alice was engaged in an animated discussion.

“ We will not tolerate Eva’s arrogance! She might have gotten admission into this college based on her power but this is our Drama Club and I am the president.”

“ You are right Alice. We must boycott the play if we are forced to let Eva play the role of Juliet. She can never replace Elsa” Alex said. For some reason, his words stung but isn’t that what I had wanted.

I was contemplating the best way to confront Alice when Mr. Lawrence walked in.

“ Miss Alice. I believe that you are the president of The Drama Club. Let me introduce you to Eva Dixon. She has taken admission recently and wishes to audition for the role of Juliet in the play.”

“ But sir the roles have already been assigned.”

“ No buts Alice. Let her at least give the auditions. It would be unfair to not even give her an opportunity to show her talent. Then you can decide by voting. I won’t interfere.”

“ Okay Sir,” Alice replied through gritted teeth. She had no option but to conduct the auditions. Mr. Lawrence then went away.

“ People can buy a place in the college but talent is not something that can be bought.” Aaron spat out. I didn’t feel the urge to correct him. I felt no anger only pity for him.

“ Elsa and Eva will enact a scene from the play and whoever performs better will get the role,” Alice announced, displeasure evident on her face.

“ You seem displeased president. You don’t want to see me in the play?” I asked in an even tone.

“ Do I have a choice?”

“ Yes, You Do. After my performance if you say that I don’t deserve to play this role I will back out. I won’t take into account other members’ votes.” I said earnestly.

“ Elsa will surely fare better. She has been training for the last two years. There is no match at all” Aaron gloated. Of course, there was no match. I had 500 years of experience and Elsa had only two. Moreover, Elsa performed in plays. For me, my life itself was a play. If there was one art I had perfected. It was acting.

The stage was set. Elsa performed first. Her performance was really impressive. If only she wasn’t competing against a vampire. She would have surely won but she had lucked out.

I went to the stage without even reading the dialogues. I knew them by heart. One of the advantages of being a vampire is that you can recall everything you hear with perfect clarity Not only words but also the expressions and the environment, just like replaying a video.

I swiftly climbed onto the makeshift balcony and took my position. Alex stiffened. He was wringing his hands, clearly nervous to act in front of me. I let out a sigh and started.

“ Oh! Romeo, the sound of your name is a symphony to my ears. I can chant it the whole day and still not tire but I daren’t utter your name in front of others for your name is the name of an enemy.” I raised my hands to my cheeks and gazed at the moon with star-filled eyes.

“ Wherefore art thou, Romeo?” I said with a deep sigh.

“ The moment I laid my eyes on you my heart knew that it had found its home. Why does destiny play such cruel games, Romeo? If only you were not a Montague and I were not a Capulet. Then our love story would be so simple and easy.” I waited for Alex to tell his dialogue but he stood there with a blank expression. So, I continued with my next dialogue.

“ Love doesn’t understand the barriers of name and race. I would give up my name and wipe out my existence and if you agree to do the same we can brave all the odds and be together.”

“ I love you so much Romeo, like the fish loves the water, like the bird loves the sky. I can walk through the fire for you.”

I waited for Alex to say the next dialogue but he stood there gazing at me, hypnotized. I looked around to find that everyone was doing the same. I didn’t have to put in any effort at all. The human beings were naturally drawn towards me.

“ Alex!!! You forgot your dialogue. Alice, I guess you must think about replacing him too. I don’t think I can act with a person who can’t even remember dialogues.” I said sharply.

This brought everyone out of their trance.

“ It’s okay Alex. This audition was for the role of Juliet and Eva has already finished saying all the dialogues.” Alice defended.

Alice kept a box on the table and announced, “ Each one of you will write the name of the person you wish to see as Juliet and put it in the box.”

After the votes were counted Alice went to the stage and said in a defeated voice, “ Eva wins the poll with 75% votes. She gets the role of Juliet.”

“ I am still waiting for your response Director. I already told that I won’t consider any other votes. I will leave right away if you feel that I don’t deserve this role.” I said in a calm tone.

“ You don’t need my approval, Eva. You won with a clear majority.” Alice said in a disgruntled voice.

“ Tell me who performed better. For whom do you vote?” I insisted.

“ You performed better.” She whispered. I wasn’t going to let her go that easily.

I raised my eyebrows and said,“ I didn’t hear you, Alice.”

“ I vote for Eva. She performed better,” Alice said disgruntled.

The moment she said this Aron stormed out of the auditorium and Alice ran behind him shouting, “ Please wait Aaron. Give me a chance to explain.”

All the others filed out slowly leaving behind Alex and me.

Alex walked towards me hatred dripping from his face, “ You did that on purpose, didn’t you? You knew that forcing Alice to give her opinion in front of everyone would lead to problems between Aaron and her since Elsa is his childhood friend. Yet you deliberately caused problems.”

“ Why should I care about them?” I replied tossing my head.

“ What do you think of yourself? I have never seen a more arrogant girl than you.” He barked with frustration.

“ I will take that as a compliment,” I said in a saccharine voice and smiled.

“ There is no use talking to you.”  He roared and stormed out.

“ Yes Alex, hate me and stay away from me. Then you will stay safe.” I whispered and left for my home