Unwritten Lines

Chapter 4: Lia - It's just a nightmare

Lia

The hallway feels suffocating the second I step in. Everyone’s staring, and I try not to flinch. I’ve never liked being the center of attention, and now all eyes are on me. My heart races, skipping every other beat. I hate that they did this to me. I’m stuck. All I can hear is the laughter from yesterday echoing in my head, like a taunt.

I keep my head down as I pass the lockers, my feet moving quickly. I should’ve stayed home and let everything blow over, but that wasn’t an option. Skipping means missing drama club, and I can’t risk that. As much as I don’t want this and no matter how much I’m dreading it, I have to accept it.

Sutton and Jenna find me at my locker, their smiles fading the closer they get.

“Did you see the list?” Jenna asks, a slight tremble in her voice. She’s worried about me. I can feel it.

“Yeah,” I say, trying to sound nonchalant. “I saw it.”

Sutton gives me a soft look. “Did you sign up for the lead role?” she asks, resting a hand on my shoulder.

“I didn’t,” I admit. “Misty and her friends did… she’s setting me up. I can feel it.”

Jenna blinks. “Wait, what?”

“I’m not joking,” I say. “It’s a joke to them. I don’t think I can do this.”

Sutton and Jenna exchange a look, clearly confused.

“Who cares... you’re really good,” Sutton says, a little too loud.

“Not the point,” I mutter, the words slipping out before I can stop them. “Misty’s going to make sure I screw this up. I can’t even breathe without her coming for me.”

The conversation gets cut off when the bell rings, and I shove my things back into my locker before slinging my bag over my shoulder. The last thing I need right now is to have people staring at me.

I force myself through the crowd, and that’s when I see him, Caden. He’s leaning against the lockers, talking to his friends, but when he sees me, his eyes lock on mine. His stare is intense.

Why is he looking at me like that?

"You actually showed up, huh?” he calls out in that mocking voice, a smirk playing on his lips.

I freeze for a second, my entire body tensing as his friends snicker behind him. Sigh. It's already starting. I don't respond, because that would just make things worse. I keep walking, my head down, and I feel his eyes follow me all the way to class.

~ * ~ * ~ After School ~ * ~ * ~

The final bell rings and I walk to my locker, dragging my feet. I pull my bag out and toss it over my shoulder. I keep hoping I’ll come up with an excuse not to go, but I don’t have one. I don’t want to do this, but skipping won’t change anything. If I don’t show up, she wins.

The auditorium door creaks as I step inside. Dust and old wood hit me in the face, almost making me sneeze. The stage is empty, lights are dim, but I hear voices off to the side. Jenna and Sutton are already here, waiting. I only take a few steps before a familiar voice catches me off guard.

“Well, well, well. Look who showed up.” His voice is smug, smooth, full of himself. “Ready to mess this up?”

I stop and turn, my breath catching. “What do you want, Caden?”

He steps closer, that smirk still on his face. “Just curious how you’re gonna handle this. Misty’s gunning for you, and everyone’s waiting for you to fail.”

I try to keep my voice steady. “I don’t need your input.”

He shrugs. “Fine. Just don’t act surprised when it all falls apart.”

I open my mouth to say something, but I don’t get a chance. He grabs my wrist and yanks me into the nearest janitor’s closet. The door shuts behind us with a loud thud. My eyes blink as I try to adjust to the darkness. My back hits the wall behind me, not hard, but enough to make me gasp.

“What the hell are you…”

His mouth crashes into mine. It’s hot, breathless, and desperate.

I freeze for a full second, my brain short-circuiting as I try to process what’s happening. His lips are soft, but insistent and angry. It feels like he’s trying to punish himself or maybe even me with the kiss. One hand braces against the wall beside my head. The other grips my waist, as if he doesn’t know whether to pull me closer or push me away.

I kiss him back.

Not because I should, but because I want to.

My head is spinning. One second he’s tripping me in front of everyone, and now he’s kissing me. He looks at me like I’ve broken something inside him. I don’t understand any of it. His eyes stay locked on mine, and for a moment neither of us moves. I don’t know if he meant for this to happen or not. He lets go and steps back, still staring like he regrets all of it, or maybe none of it.

I don’t know. I’m so confused.

“Don’t tell anyone,” he says, his lips brushing my cheek. “I mean it.”

He steps back, turning toward that door, and just like that, he's gone. I'm standing here, my heart racing, lips tingling, and my thoughts are still racing.

What the hell just happened?

~ * ~ * ~ Later that Evening ~ * ~ * ~

I can barely keep my eyes open as I slump in the back of the classroom, watching rehearsal begin. My hands are shaking so badly I have to grip the script just to keep it steady. The lights come up, and the cast steps into place. Mrs. Low claps her hands, her voice cutting through the silence.

“Alright, let’s begin. Everyone in your place!”

My heart races as I step forward and take my position. This is it. The moment everything begins. I already feel like I’m failing. As the scene continues, my nerves unravel even more. My lines come out wrong, my timing is off, and every mistake feels painfully amplified.

What if I can’t do this?

Everyone’s watching me. Not just Mrs. Low, but the entire room. Jenna and Sutton’s eyes are full of encouragement, but I still feel like I’m one wrong breath away from falling apart. The weight of it all is almost too much. Somehow, I make it through. The scene ends, and I’m still standing.

Mrs. Low claps, her smile wide. “Great job, everyone! Let’s take a quick break.”

As the cast disperses, I feel a slight sense of relief.

I didn’t completely screw it up.

I head out of the auditorium, my mind racing with everything that just happened. Maybe this won’t be so bad, and maybe I can actually do it. As I walk down the hall, laughter from earlier creeps in behind me. Misty, with her demeaning and cruel laugh.

She’s not done with me.