“What if I said I’m sorry?”

“Then say it?”

“Cut!” Their director, Kristian, dropped the megaphone on the floor and placed his face on his palms. “Listen, man, I am TIRED. Can you PLEASE just say your line so we can go home?”

Harrison rolled his eyes, ignoring the rest of the Film Club members whispering to each other in annoyance. It had been past three in the afternoon, and they hadn’t been able to practice their play perfectly even once. Only a few teachers stayed back in the school to monitor them and even they were losing their patience.

Tugging his tie loose, Harrison looked aimlessly in the empty audience seats. What was he even doing here? The only reason they dragged him over was because of his ‘good’ looks; they believed he had the perfect impression of the male lead, even if he had no talent of acting. Memorizing his lines was a hassle and depriving him of his afternoon naps were even a bigger hassle. The only reason he stayed was because Kristian was his friend.

The Film Club, due to its poor performance, would most likely crumble if they hadn’t at least produced a short play or film. Since cameras or phones were not allowed, they decided to do a parody play on this famous play which Harrison had never heard of. It was a love story, but the female lead had shown more appreciation towards the horse than the male lead who has no interest in talking. Kristian found it hilarious.

“You have… like 4 lines,” Kristian said, exasperated. “Kirin’s going to do most of the talking anyway and once you’re done, Andy’s gonna take over.”

“With the horse costume with two tails!” Andy chipped in, who was at the top fixing the red curtains.

Not having enough energy to question that statement, Harrison took his school bag from the floor and left without replying to the club members wishing him goodbyes. The faster he got out of there, the better it was. He didn’t know how the play was going to turn out, or when it was going to be finalized or who the rest of the other cast members were, and he couldn’t care less. All he wanted was to go back home and catch up with his afternoon naps.

By the time he reached halfway through his usual route to his house, he realized that his housekeys and locker keys were still in his desk back in school. It’s okay. He’ll just text the security guard like they were old mates, slip in, get the keys and walk back again. All for afternoon naps.

It’s a good thing Mom moved into a house a few minutes away from school, he thought to himself as he made his way through the empty school building and back to his class. His mind worked on autopilot, kept the keys in his bag safely, locked the classroom doors, handed it to some staff member whose name he forgot and exited the main corridor.

Suddenly, he heard a loud metallic clang echoing from the nearest room, making him almost jump out of his skin. Several thuds followed the noise before it stopped, causing him to calm down and peek through the closed doors.

He had forgotten that it was the auditorium; however, the Film Club members weren’t present, except for one girl. She was kneeling on the floor, picking up the props and metal swords, all while sniffing excessively. Harrison couldn’t make out whether she was crying or not, as her curtain bangs covered her face.

She must’ve had some keen senses because she immediately whipped her head around to stare at Harrison, who didn’t have enough time to leave without her noticing.  She wiped her nose on her sleeve and waved at him with the other hand, a small smile on her face. Two strawberry-printed bandages were plastered on her temples.

Her small smile seemed to be more pitiful than the situation the entire Film Club was in, because now out of nowhere, Harrison seemed to care. He walked over and silently helped put the props back in the box they fell from. He stole a glance at the girl’s face; she hadn’t been crying. She just had a lot of snot dripping from her nose.

“Thank you…”  she murmured. “I thought you’d gone home, Harrison.”

His head snapped up, glaring at her as if she’d committed a crime.

“What?”

“I never told you my name.”

She blinked, trying to understand his words. “The entire… club knows your name? You are the male lead?”

“Then how come I don’t know anyone else’s name?”

“’Cause you don’t care? I don’t know- it always felt like that to me.”

True. He paused his train of panicked thoughts to understand this awkward conversation. Carrying the huge box of props, he stood up to carry it over her head and onto the stage next to them. He pushed it further in, so it didn’t topple over. Why would anyone keep it at the edge anyway?

By then the girl had stood up as well, again swiping her nose on her sleep, which made Harrison grimace a little. He took out a big, crumbled packet of tissues and offered it to her.

“Do you carry that everywhere you go?”

“You never know when you might need a lot of tissues all at once.”

“That’s dumb.”

“Your jacket sleeve is permanently stained with snot. I don’t need you of all people to be telling me that.”

She still accepted the packet of tissues.

Moments later, as he stuffed the packet back in his bag, she asked him, “Do you really not know my name?”

Harrison thought about it. He had heard about her from Kristian. “Keyring.”

“Kirin.” Her lips were pushed to a thin line, as if she didn’t know whether to smile or to frown. “I play the role of Alianora.”

“Who?”

“The female lead”

“Oh……”

“And the male lead is Shane. And you’re playing him.”