Forbidden Passion Unfolds Tonight was the night—the first showing of Romeo and Juliet. For the first time in my life, I had been cast in a play. Not only had I been cast, I had been given the lead. I was playing Juliet, my most favorite of all the female leads in Shakespeare’s plays. I spent countless hours rehearsing, memorizing lines, blocking scenes, stealing kisses between classes with my co-star, Collin, and soaking up the limelight. Tonight was going to be perfect. Most likely. I paced the hallway outside the green room, wringing my hands nervously. There were so many people in the audience tonight. The entire auditorium had sold out. What if I messed up a line? What if I tripped and fell on my face? I clutched my full skirts in my fists, trying to keep from full-out panicking. “Hey.” I turned around and saw Collin striding toward me confidently, his nobleman’s cap swinging from his fingers. I cleared my throat. “Hey, Collin.” I tried to sound nonchalant, but my voice came out as a shallow squeak. Collin’s brow furrowed. “What’s wrong?” I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak again. Collin dropped his hat on the ground and took my hands in his. “You’re going to be great, you know.” I couldn’t look him in the eyes. Instead, I stared mutely at the floor, agonizing over how opening night would go. Collin released one of my hands and reached out. His hand softly grasped my chin and pulled upwards, forcing me to look at him. His golden brown eyes were steady. “You. Are. Amazing,” he said, carefully enunciating each word. “I have watched you learn this part until it’s the only thing you ever think about. There is no way you will screw this up, because it’s a part of you. You can do this.” I nodded my head a little, to show I understood what he was trying to say. “Thanks,” I whispered. A comfortable silence wrapped around Collin and I. I continued to look in his eyes, completely mesmerized. …but everything was about to change
