Unwritten Lines

Lia The hallway smells like a perfume aisle with no ventilation. After Chemistry, I head down the hall toward the locker room, and I’m dreading it. "Attention, students: The sign-up sheet for the annual winter play is posted outside the secretary’s office. Today is the last day to sign up." Principal Warren’s voice crackles overhead. My stomach churns as I walk in, already knowing what’s coming. Misty doesn’t even wait. “Well, well, well… if it isn’t Porky,” Misty snickers, loud enough to make sure the whole room hears her. I keep my head down, pretending I didn’t hear. She’s not worth it… none of them are. I grab my gym clothes and change quickly, keeping my back to her. Ignore her. Just get through this. Misty’s voice lowers as she leans closer. “You sweating already, or is that just your body trying to carry all that weight?” Breathe. Just breathe. You’re used to this and can handle it. I shove my clothes into the locker and close it quietly, my hands still trembling. In the gym, basketballs bounce off the walls and sneakers squeak on the floor. Of course Caden’s not running laps. He’s by the bleachers, spinning a basketball like the rules don’t apply to him. They don’t. At least not for guys like Caden Zarrow. As I walk by, he doesn’t miss his chance. “Try not to trip over your own thighs, Preston.” His words cut deep and everyone laughs, but Misty's is the loudest. It’s fine. Let them laugh. Just finish the mile and get out. I keep a slow pace, my lungs burning with each passing second. By the last one, I’m barely holding it together. Sweat rolls down my cheeks, and I wipe my forehead with the back of my hand, wishing I could disappear. “You always hold the class up,” Caden says, lips twisting into a smirk. “Maybe if you didn’t treat the cafeteria like a buffet, you wouldn’t always be the last one,” Misty snaps, brushing past me with a fake smile. I don’t have a chance to react before Mrs. Greene’s voice cuts through the noise. “Caden! Misty! My office. Now.” Misty scoffs but obeys. Caden follows with a lazy shrug, throwing me a look that lingers a second too long. Why does he always look like he knows something I don’t? She glances at me, her voice quieter now. “Lia, are you okay?” I nod, but my throat is tight. A tear betrays me, streaking down my cheek. “Go ahead and shower,” she says gently. I walk back to the locker room, eyes stinging, and their laughter is still echoing behind me. I strip and step into the shower, the warm water blurring my vision until I’m not sure if I’m crying or just drowning. Why do I let them get to me? Why do I let him get to me? My body's never been perfect. I found out I had a thyroid issue during freshman year. I put on a lot of weight, and I’ve struggled to lose it ever since. Misty never cared about the reason. She saw a weakness and ran with it. I finish showering and dress in silence, avoiding the mirror completely. I head to the library for free period, hoping for some peace and quiet. Sutton finds me at the usual table, eyes wide with excitement. “Lia! The sign-up sheet’s up for the spring play!” “I heard.” I force a small smile. “You’re signing up, right?” “Yeah… I guess.” It’s a lie, and the truth is I haven’t even thought about signing up. I love acting because it’s the only time I don’t have to be myself. The thought of trying out, especially if Misty’s going for a lead, makes my stomach knot. Mrs. Low’s been pressing me about signing up. She believes in me more than I believe in myself. She loves reminding me that I’ve got a whole wall of Best Supporting trophies. She’s not wrong. I know I’m good, even if Misty makes it miserable. I’ve been in school plays since fourth grade. I’ve always thought I might have a future in acting. My mom believes it too, maybe even more than I do. I just don’t know if I can deal with Misty. Maybe I’ll just help backstage this year. At least that keeps me out of her way. I don’t know. I’ll decide by the end of the day. I don’t tell Sutton that. She’s too excited. She and Jenna are both trying for roles, and they want me in it, too. The final bell rings, and I walk to the office. Sure enough, Misty and her posse are circled around the sign-up sheet, laughing like they just pulled the best prank of the year. Walk away. Just walk away. As always, curiosity wins. I wait until they leave and step up to the sheet. My stomach sinks. Lia Preston—Lead Role. What the hell? I didn’t write that. I haven’t even signed up yet. A chill runs down my spine as Misty turns to look over her shoulder, a fake smile lining her lips. They actually put my name down for the lead role. This has to be a sick joke. I back away from the board as if it might burn me. I catch Caden standing nearby, arms crossed, eyes flicking toward the list. His smirk slips for half a second before it’s back again. What was that look? I could either cross it out or tell Mrs. Low the truth. A knot forms in my throat. Sutton’s going to think I signed up for the lead on purpose. Mrs. Low will expect me to audition for it, and Misty? She’s going to make this hell. I leave the school without saying goodbye to anyone. Mom picks me up a few minutes later, coffee in the console and a soft smile on her face. “How was school?” I shrug. “Same old.” She hesitates. “Mrs. Greene called about what happened in P.E…” “I’m fine,” I lie. She doesn’t push, just drives. The silence between us is warm, but it doesn’t help. When we get home, I go straight to my room, collapse onto my bed, and try to disappear into the music. I can’t stop thinking about the sign-up sheet, my name is still there under the lead role. To them, it’s hilarious. To me, it’s cruel. I barely notice when Jenna and Sutton start a group call. “LIA!” Jenna shouts. “You did it!” Sutton adds. “Did what?” I ask, confused. “You signed up for the lead!” they squeal together. I sit up fast. “No, I didn’t.” The silence that follows is suffocating. “… Lia,” Sutton says carefully, “your name was already there when I went to sign up. Under the lead.” I freeze, blood rushing in my ears. Misty’s the one who did it. Not me. I don’t tell them, though. Instead, I sit there in total silence. “Lia,” Jenna says, confusion lacing every word. “It was a mistake,” I blurt out, faster than I mean to. “I must’ve signed the wrong line. I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you both at school tomorrow.” I smash the end button with force, throwing my phone onto my bed. The ceiling stares back blankly, as if it’s laughing at me too. What’s going to happen tomorrow when Mrs. Low announces the list? What if she actually wants me to keep it? What if she thinks I deserve it? I don’t. I never did. Maybe I’ll talk to her in the morning? Explain that it was Misty and her friends. If she doesn’t let me remove myself from this… Misty and Caden are going to make my life a living hell. How much worse can this actually get?