Trust In Love

Groans echoed throughout the room. n.o.body was fond of projects—especially when the semester was almost over. It didn"t help that teachers liked to hand them out at the same time frame. They demanded a lot of free time from the students.

"Oh, shush!" Ms. Smith stomped down any protests and wrote on the board, "I do know a thing or two about teenage cla.s.sic favorites. So far, the most popular would have to be Romeo and Juliet"

At that, sounds of squeals could be heard in between the previous groans. It wasn"t enough. Ms. Smith was having none of it.

"Don"t give me those, boys. Don"t act like you haven"t used this cla.s.sic in any way to pick up girls"

Alex snickered from the back. Their teacher did have a point.

"It"s not like that, Ms. Smith. Who needs Romeo when I"m around?" Max, a basketball jock, announced to the room. A few girls laughed and some boys threw paper b.a.l.l.s at him. The guy deserved some credit for that confidence but he deserved a knock in the brain more like any other playboy.

"Ah, Max, maybe you could use that to good use in this a.s.signment"

"Oh, yeah? Am I gonna get an A?"

"Sure, if you can pull off playing Juliet"

"What?"

Ms. Smith ignored him and addressed the whole cla.s.s, "Now, here"s the project. All of you will be divided into two pairs, one boy and one girl. Each pair would choose a part to role play. Each scene must consist of one female character and one that is male. It doesn"t necessarily have to be Romeo and Juliet unless you have the guts because the catch? The catch is cross-dressing. That"s right. The female would be the male character and the male will be the female one. You have a week to prepare. Props are allowed but make-up and costume is a must. Don"t be cowards, gentleman, this play was created during a time when only men performed in the theater. If you"re a real man, you"d be able to pull this off."

For the first time since the semester started, the cla.s.s was absolutely silent. Cross-dressing, huh? Alex thought then, a picture of Max dressed in a gown with a lipstick and a wig came to view. Alex almost snorted at the imagination.

"Any questions?" the teacher provoked. Ms. Smith"s smile was friendly but no one spoke up. She had a way with people that made it almost impossible to reject her.

"Sorry for being late, Ms. Smith. Am I in trouble?"

All eyes turned towards the door. Standing with his hair disheveled and a backpack on one shoulder was Logan Parker. Ms. Smith stared at him with calculating eyes. Logan tried to smile but it was only half-achieved.

"Well, well, Logan. I do not tolerate tardiness but there will be no detention for you"

"Whoo, thank you, Ms. Smith" Logan"s sighed in relief. For a second, Alex felt bad for the guy. There was no mistaking the glint in Ms. Smith"s eyes. Alex could see it all the way from the back.

"But"

"But?" the word came out with a hint of fear. Logan could hardly look into his teacher"s eyes. He must have noticed that Ms. Smith had a hidden agenda.

"But you can"t go unpunished. Instead, I"m taking your lateness as your consent to volunteer"

"Volunteer?"

"We have an a.s.signment and it calls for a pair composed of one boy and one girl. Unfortunately, our cla.s.s" female and male students aren"t equal. Two boys would have to be one pair."

The cla.s.s erupted in laughter including Alex. It was comical considering the egos men—even blossoming young adults—had. If Logan was lucky enough, he"d pair up with a friend and it would be easier for him.

"Ah, gee, Ms. Smith. Do I have to?" Logan scratched the back of his head. His words were only half-serious. n.o.body had the willpower to argue with Ms. Smith. She was well-respected.

"Yes, Logan, but don"t worry. I"ll pick out the best partner for you so don"t be too upset"

"Ooo—pick me, Ms. Smith. Logan and I could do some loving" Max naturally offered. He turned in his seat to fake make out with himself which the back of the cla.s.s, including Alex, could see. Logan was horrified even if he could only see Max" back.

"Ew, that"s disgusting, Max" Lauren, the girl sitting directly behind him, said. She was in the wild zone. Max"s kissy face was only inches away from her.

He dropped it immediately and smirked, "So you try to say, baby, but I know you want some"

Lauren gripped the pen in her pocket and aimed it at him, "Want me to skin you alive, pervert?"

"I like to see you try, snook.u.ms"

Before anything else could happen, Ms. Smith ceased the fire, "Alright, that"s enough and, no, Max. I already had someone in my mind for Logan"s partner"

Max, bless his drama queen att.i.tude, clutched his wounded heart and asked, "Who?"

Ms. Smith"s eyes scanned the room. Dread filled Alex"s mind. There was no way..., Alex began to think. When Ms. Smith"s eyes landed on the back row, Alex"s veins turned into ice, "Alex, you"ll be Logan"s partner"

The teacher and the student stared at each other. They didn"t say anything but they both knew the truth. In actuality, there was an equal number of male and female students in the cla.s.s. One of the male students just happened to be a cross-dresser...

... and that was Alex.