The Bad Boy's Juliet

If someone had told Maya Brooks that her Tuesday morning would end with a spotlight, a script titled Juliet, and the entire auditorium laughing at her, she would've stayed in bed. Maybe feigned the flu. Or a coma. Anything would've been better than this. She blinked against the harsh stage lights, heart thudding against her ribs as the drama teacher, Mr. Ellis, beamed at her from center stage. "Congratulations, Maya!" he boomed, voice too cheerful. "You’ve been chosen—by anonymous vote, mind you—to play Juliet in our upcoming school production." Laughter rippled through the student crowd. Someone wolf-whistled. Another called out, “She’s already got the curves for the balcony scene!” Maya’s ears burned. Her fingers clenched around the script Mr. Ellis had handed her as if it might ground her—or let her disappear entirely. Sienna, perched in the front row like a smug cat, offered a slow clap. Behind her, Josh grinned like he’d won a bet. This had to be a mistake. Or a joke. Probably both. --- Earlier That Morning. The school day had started like any other—with Maya dreading it. Her alarm buzzed relentlessly until she slapped it off. Outside her window, the sky looked as tired as she felt, thick with grey clouds and the promise of rain. "Maya!" her mom called from the hallway. "You're going to be late again! And make sure you eat breakfast before you go!" She groaned and rolled out of bed, shuffling toward her bathoom to brush her teeth and take a quick bath. She washed her with her favourite shampoo which smelt like coco butter, then lathered her body with a coconut scented body wash, both made sure she always smelt good, she was always grateful for her best friend's roccomendation. She comes out of the shower humming a song Up by Forrest Frank, she tried to cheer herself up before getting dressed and heading out to school. Hoodie. Jeans. Sneakers. Reliable armor. She tugged the hoodie over her head and glanced briefly at her mirror. It showed the same thing every morning: a girl with full cheeks, round eyes, and a body people constantly commented on—never kindly, she didn't put on any makeup today , she tried not to rely on it not that it mattered anyways. Her phone buzzed. A message from Faith lit the screen: Survive till lunch. I’ve got gossip. She smiled faintly. Faith Joseph was her anchor—tall, bold, beautiful, and impossible to ignore. Where Maya hid, Faith confronted. Where Maya deflected, Faith destroyed. She grabbed her bag and walked downstairs for breakfast. Bread, eggs and Saussages decorated the table along with a Jug of orange juice, Maya had tried to go on a diet once, even tried intermittent fasting nearly starving herself in the process which ultimately led her to fainting on a hot Wednesday afternoon, since then she never skipped meals not that any one would let her. She quickly devoured the bread and saussage she wasn't feeling eggs today but she'd never skip bread she simply loved it, after she hugged her parents goodbye and kissed her baby brother, then headed out the door. --- They met at the corner like always. Maya practically tackled Faith in a bear hug. After an entire break in Nigeria, Faith was finally back—and Maya had missed her more than she’d admit. “Nice hoodie,” Faith said, grinning. “Comfort color or battle armor?” “Both,” Maya muttered. “So? What’s the gossip?” “Wow. Not even a hello first?” Faith rolled her eyes. “Shut up.” Maya nudged her as they started walking. The school wasn’t far. “Drama kids are up to something,” Faith said. “Heard Mr. Ellis is announcing a new play. Sienna’s practically levitating, glowing even.” “Sienna’s always glowing. Like radioactive waste.” Faith snorted. As they reached the school gates, Josh brushed past them, flanked by his usual crew. He slowed just enough to glance at Maya, his eyes dragging over her like a judgment. “Hope your costume fits, Brooks,” he muttered with a smirk, then laughed when one of his friends elbowed him. Faith stiffened beside her. “Say that again and I’ll staple your lips shut.” Josh raised both hands like he was innocent. “Just saying, Romeo needs a Juliet. Guess we all get a show.” Maya’s stomach dropped. There was something off in the way he said it. Like he knew something she didn’t. She frowned, but Josh had already disappeared into the crowd. --- As they walked past the lockers, Maya caught a whisper from behind. “Did you hear?” someone said. “Brooks is gonna be Juliet.” “No way,” another voice replied, stifling a laugh. “Are they serious?” Maya paused, but Faith hooked her arm and pulled her along. “Ignore them,” she said tightly. “They’ll get tired of running their mouths eventually.” Maya forced a smile. “Yeah. Eventually.” Classes passed in a blur of whispers. People looked at Maya more than usual, and not in a good way, they never did but today was just different. Her stomach churned as if it knew something she didn’t. At lunch, while they ate pasta and caught up on missed drama, Mr. Ellis’s voice came over the intercom: “All students, please report to the auditorium for a very special casting reveal.” Maya frowned. Faith rolled her eyes. “Let me guess. Sienna’s Juliet, and we’re all supposed to clap like her ego isn’t already bursting.” "Let's just go" Maya said while packing her stuff. On their way to the auditorium she noticed more stares, some looked at her with pity, some with mockery like they knew something she didn't. She tried to shake it off, ignore them like she always tried to but something felt off. They finally got to the auditorium and found seats, it was packed like a show was about to take place. Maya got more stares and people kept whispering while stealing glances at her, she felt like running away. Mr. Ellis clapped his hands for silence, a little too enthusiastic for an announcement that hadn’t even started yet. “Thank you all for coming. As you know, this year we’re doing something fun with the fall production. I let you vote for who you wanted to see as Juliet and Romeo.” That was new. Faith shot Maya a curious glance. “Did you even know there was a vote?” Maya shook her head, heart starting to pound. Mr. Ellis continued, “It was anonymous, of course. And we wanted to pick someone unexpected. Someone the school believed deserved a spotlight.” Maya’s gut twisted. “And the winner is... Maya Brooks!” It hit like a slap. The auditorium exploded—not in cheers, but laughter. Mocking. Shocked gasps. Snorts. One person outright wheezed. Faith stood up, her jaw tight. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Mr. Ellis either didn’t notice or pretended not to. “Maya, come on up! You’ll be Juliet! What a surprise!” Sienna slow-clapped in the front row, lips curled in a smug smile. Josh leaned back in his seat, arms crossed like he was watching a game he’d already won. Maya’s feet moved on their own. Her fingers trembled as Mr. Ellis handed her the script. Her eyes didn’t even register the title—Romeo and Juliet—because all she could hear was the laughter. The whispers. “She won a prank contest, not a role,” someone hissed behind cupped hands. --- Back to the auditorium. Back to the stage. Back to Maya, standing like a deer in headlights as Mr. Ellis praised her “unexpected spirit” and “authentic charm.” She barely heard the name of her Romeo. Not until whispers spread like wildfire. “Wait—is that Jace West?” That was the final blow. Her gaze snapped to the back of the room. There he was, leaning against the wall, hoodie half-zipped, arms crossed, expression unreadable. He didn’t move. Didn’t smile. Didn’t deny it. And just like that, everything she’d buried from the summer—the late-night conversations, the stolen kiss, the way he looked at her like she mattered—rose up and punched her in the chest. She couldn’t breathe. She dropped the script and ran. --- The last thing she heard before the door slammed behind her was someone whispering: “Guess the bad boy’s got a type.”