#alexheed

Lover Boys

closeup of faces

Computer: enter a password

Samheed: types in Alex

Computer: password is too short

Generally, roles were easily assigned in Artimés theater. Mr Appleblossom knew his students well, he knew their talents, their weaknesses, any and everything to do with their stage presence, and since theater was a mandatory class he was even able to fit in newer students quite easily. Still, he held auditions.

Of course, Alex, Lani, and Meghan had all shown up to watch and to support Samheed, who was auditioning for the lead role. Throughout the first few auditions, Alex found himself a bit restless. Those auditioning were fine, and he made a point to clap after every finishing line, but they weren't who he was here to see. It was only when Samheed walked on stage that he leaned forward, one leg crossed over the other and head propped up on one hand.

Briefly, Sam's eyes flickered over to the three of them, earning a trio of reassuring smiles. He gave a small smile back before letting his expression fall back into neutrality, clearing his throat.

"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?"

The words came out clear and confident. Once, Samheed (and even Alex) had been convinced that his place was in the Quillitary, preparing for fake enemies and wars that would never come; seeing him now, though... the way his presence took up not just the stage, but the entire room, the way he held and commanded the crowd's attention so easily, so flawlessly? Well, anyone could've seen he was born to act.

"Thou art more lovely and more temperate."

He began to walk as he recited, his graceful movements matching the confidence of his words. Alex felt a bit of pride deep in his belly, it wasn't him performing, but seeing his friend so deeply in his element always made that feeling swell.

"Rough winds do shake the falling buds of May. And summer's lease hath all too short a date."

Alex leaned forward so far he nearly fell out of his seat, only stopped by Lani's arm shooting out to hold him in place, her brief look of disapproval making him smile sheepishly.

"Sometimes too hot the eye of heaven shines, and often his gold complexion dimmed."

It was a brief moment, right as the exchange between Alex and Lani had ended, right when Alex let his expression settle back to normal and turned his head back toward the stage, but he couls have sworn Samheed was looking at him. Staring, even. If it was anyone else he would have been sure, but because it was Samheed, he second guessed himself, figured maybe he'd just caught his eye as he'd been pacing back and forth on the stage.

"And every fair from fair sometimes declines. By chance, or nature's changing course, untrimmed."

Samheed finished the poem there, for there were many students in Artimé and many more auditions to get through. Immediately, Mr Appleblossom stood and applauded, several others following suit. Sam put in no small amount of effort to keep his eyes forward, not daring to check to see if Alex was clapping, or the expression that might be on his face, the same one he always got when Samheed acted, the one that...

"Excellent! I do believe you've set the precedent." Mr Appleblossom's words pulled him from his thoughts and caused a proud smile to form on his face. "Such wonderful art, it had to have been right from the heart."

Right from the heart. Well, he wasn't wrong. Samheed took a bow, finally daring to turn his gaze to Alex, giving a smile that was just for him.

Alex grinned back, holding his hand up in a thumbs up.