Chapter 3: The Wrong Lead
1117 Words
I barely made it through the rest of the orientation without bolting out of my chair.
The moment Summer had smirked and mentioned the kissing scene, my brain had gone into full panic mode. I couldn’t concentrate on anything else. The thought of standing on stage—in front of an audience—kissing someone? My stomach churned just thinking about it.
I had only auditioned because I’d been tricked into it. A girl named Candice was chosen, but she said I would be a better lead. I auditioned, and somehow got it. Now, I was stuck in the lead role of a play I hadn’t even wanted with a scene that made me want to disappear into thin air.
The introductions wrapped up, and students began filtering toward the buffet table, chatting easily like they’d all known each other for years. I, on the other hand, gripped the edge of my chair, my fingers digging into the wood.
"Well, that was fun," Maddox said lazily, leaning back and stretching his arms behind his head. "You look like you’re about to pass out, Jules."
I snapped out of my daze and shot him a look. "Stop calling me that."
He smirked. "What? Jules? It suits you."
I hated that it actually sounded… nice. Like I belonged in some kind of circle where girls like me got cool nicknames from guys like him.
Summer laughed under her breath. "Please, Maddox. She’s probably too busy freaking out about that kissing scene to care what you call her."
I stiffened, heat creeping up my neck.
Maddox raised an eyebrow at me, clearly amused. "You really didn’t know about the kiss?"
I crossed my arms and avoided his gaze. "No. No one told me."
Summer let out a fake-sympathetic sigh. "Aw, well, I guess you’ll find out soon enough. The first read-through is tomorrow, right?" She turned to one of the football players sitting next to her. "I wonder who her co-star is gonna be. It’s probably one of those theater guys. You know how dramatic they are."
Then, suddenly Summer’s smirk widened, I knew I wasn’t going to like what she said next.
"Oh, that's right, NOW I remember!" Her voice practically dripping with amusement. "Your co-star? It’s Cole Kingston."
My stomach dropped.
Cole Kingston—the golden boy, the star quarterback, and the guy every girl on campus seemed to worship. He had perfectly styled blond hair, a cocky smile, and an ego big enough to fill the whole stadium.
And now, he was my co-star?
"I—" I tried to form words, but nothing came out.
Maddox let out a low whistle from across the table, clearly entertained. "Oof. Good luck with that, Jules."
I ignored him, still trying to process. Cole Kingston was in the play? How had I missed that?
I turned to Summer, dreading the answer to my next question. "Is there really a… a kissing scene?"
Her grin stretched wider. "Oh, honey. A huge one. Like, center-stage, full-on, make-the-audience-swoon type of kiss. Candice found him cheating on her after casting, so, she dropped out, and, well, now it's all on you!" Summer offered a sarcastic smile.
I felt lightheaded.
Cole Kingston—the same Cole Kingston who had never spoken to anyone but a cheerleader before in his life—was going to have to kiss me?
This was bad.
Really, really bad.
Before I could react, someone scoffed behind me.
"You’ve got to be f*****g kidding me."
I turned, my heart sinking further when I locked eyes with Cole himself.
He stood behind me, arms crossed over his South Ridge Football hoodie, his perfectly tanned jaw clenched. And the way he was looking at me?
Like I was the worst possible outcome to whatever problem he’d just encountered.
"You’re the lead now?!" His voice dripped with disbelief.
My throat went dry. "Uh… yeah."
Cole ran a hand through his perfect hair, looking around like he needed someone—anyone—to tell him this was all a mistake.
"Unbelievable... f*****g Candice set me up..." he muttered.
A few of his teammates at the table exchanged amused glances, clearly picking up on his reaction.
"Problem, Kingston?" Maddox asked lazily, watching the scene unfold like it was the most entertaining thing in the world.
Cole snorted. "Yeah, I’d say so." His gaze flicked back to me, unimpressed. "I agreed to this play under the impression that the female lead was going to be…"
He didn’t finish the sentence.
He didn’t have to.
I already knew what he meant.
Hot. Attractive. The kind of girl Cole Kingston thought was worthy of standing next to him.
And I wasn’t it.
The heat in my chest spread quickly, humiliation crawling up my spine like fire.
I heard a few quiet snickers from the table, Summer’s barely-contained mocking smirk in my peripheral vision.
I felt like I’d just been slapped in front of everyone.
Cole scoffed again and shook his head. "I can’t believe this."
I clenched my jaw, trying to shove down the immediate wave of hurt. You’re not in high school anymore, Julie. You’re not the girl who lets people talk about her like she’s nothing.
So, I forced myself to stare him down, even as my hands trembled beneath the table.
"You can quit," I said, my voice steadier than I expected.
Cole raised an eyebrow. "What?"
I shrugged, my fingers tightening around my tote bag. "If you’re that disgusted by having to work with me, no one’s forcing you to stay in the play. I’m sure they can find someone else."
I hadn’t meant to say it.
Hadn’t meant to sound strong when, really, I felt like I wanted to disappear.
But something flickered in Cole’s expression—surprise, maybe? Just for a second before he scoffed again.
Maddox chuckled. "Damn. She’s got a point, Kingston. You gonna back out like a coward, or suck it up?"
Cole shot him a glare. "Shut up, Hayes."
Maddox only grinned.
Cole exhaled sharply and turned back to me, his jaw still tense.
"Fine," he said. "I’m not quitting. But don’t expect me to enjoy this."
He walked away before I could respond, leaving me sitting there, stunned and humiliated.
Maddox leaned in, clearly entertained. "Well, that went well."
I clenched my fists. "Shut up, Maddox."
But he just smirked.
"You know," he said, his voice slow and deliberate, "if you wanna be really prepared for that big scene, you might need a little... practice.*"
I gaped at him. "What—"
He winked. "Think about it, Jules."
And then he was gone, too.
Leaving me alone, mortified, and dreading every second of what was coming next.
- Writer
