Falling Fast Read Online Free PDF

started speaking. Oh my God. I’d forgotten what a brilliant actor he was. He was in a totally different league from the others. He finished his speech, his voice low and
trembling.
    ‘ Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight;
    For I never saw true beauty till this night. ’
    He walked back to where he’d been standing before, against the desk. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him. But he didn’t look at me again.
    The next part of the scene involved the boys playing Lord Capulet and Tybalt. I was oblivious to what they were doing. I was oblivious to everything except Flynn. And then I remembered Emmi. Had
she noticed? I whipped round, expecting to see her watching me with raised eyebrows. Phew. She was poring over her script, frowning.
    Sensing my gaze, she glanced up and grinned, beckoning me towards her.
    ‘See any cute boys yet?’ she whispered.
    I grinned back and shook my head. What had just happened with Flynn was private. Personal. I didn’t want to be teased about it – even by my best friend.
    ‘Me neither. Though he’s all right, if I had to.’ She jerked her head towards the blond boy playing Tybalt. ‘His name’s Alex.’
    I stared at him. Alex/Tybalt was thickset, with bland, regular features and a strong chin. Nice-looking, but nothing special.
    Nothing special. Like me.
    I suddenly remembered how ugly and dumpy I’d looked in the mirror this morning. I glanced at Flynn. He was frowning over his script. Like Emmi had been.
    My heart sank. I had no hope. Who was I kidding?
    ‘Right, everyone. Now before we begin the section of the scene where the Verona Two actually meet,’ Mr Nichols boomed, ‘who can tell me what the scene is really about?’
    Deathly silence.
    ‘What I mean is, who can tell me what actually happens in this scene.’
    More silence. Then Alex tentatively raised his arm.
    ‘Yes?’
    ‘Er . . . Romeo kisses Juliet,’ he said.
    ‘Ye-es,’ Mr Nichols said slowly. He wound the end of his scarf round his hand. ‘But what happens before that?’
    The silence filled the room.
    Mr Nichols coughed. ‘Okay, let’s make it real, here. What has to happen before you kiss someone?’
    Someone sniggered. No one attempted to answer.
    ‘Come on .’ Mr Nichols sounded irritated. ‘Don’t tell me you’ve never tried to kiss anyone before.’
    More sniggering. My gaze flickered round the room. Everyone, including Emmi, looked totally embarrassed. Except for Flynn. Even in my one-second reconnoitre I could tell that he was more bored
than embarrassed.
    ‘Right.’ Mr Nichols rolled his eyes and pointed at Alex. ‘You. What has to happen before you kiss a girl?’
    Alex looked appalled as he realised there was no way to escape answering the question. Long pause. ‘Dunno, sir,’ he finally stammered. ‘Er . . . it just happens.’
    ‘It “just happens”,’ Mr Nichols said sarcastically. ‘I see, so you see a girl walking along the street and you go up to her and it “just happens” . .
.’
    A titter of nervous laughter drifted round the room. I think I may have joined in with it. Flynn didn’t.
    ‘Come on. What happens first? Matlock?’
    Mr Nichols turned to Servant 1.
    He shrugged. ‘Dunno, sir. Touching?’
    Mr Nichols sighed deeply. ‘Dear God,’ he said. ‘Right. So you see a girl in the street. You go up to her. Grab her. And then you kiss her.’ He shook his head.
‘Tell me, Matlock, how’s that approach working for you?’
    A richer rumble of laughter echoed round the room.
    ‘Come on, everyone,’ Mr Nichols said brightly. ‘It’s not rocket science. What has to happen before you kiss someone?’
    ‘You talk, sir.’ It was Flynn. His voice steady, his eyes down.
    ‘Yes.’ Mr Nichols clapped his hands together. ‘Yes, Flynn. You talk . That’s what Romeo is doing here. He’s chatting Juliet up. Now, how does he do
it?’
    ‘He tries to make her laugh, sir,’ Flynn said, still with his head bowed.
    ‘Exactly. Right, now let’s