The Game We Play

The mirror revealed a girl whose mother had pushed her into an environment unsuitable for her. Sophia plucked at the hem of her sweater, ignoring the way her mother's piercing eyes swept over her body, separating each inch as if she were an unfinished project rather than a daughter. "You should dress to enhance your body, Sophia." Her mother's speech was light and casual, but the undertone was piercing. You'll be on stage, after all. Nobody enjoys seeing a lead actress who is unfit for the role." Sophia's chest tightened with the words. Knowing full well that saying it aloud would not change the reality of her situation, she whispered, "I'm not even the lead." She had not even auditioned, so it was not a lie. I didn't even want to participate in the upcoming Romeo and Juliet performance at school. Nonetheless, her name was prominently displayed on the cast list—or, more likely, due to her mother's interference—in a terrible turn of events. Juliet takes the lead role. Liam Carter plays the opposite role. Sophia nearly choked the first time she saw it. Carter and Liam. Even the mention of his name made her spine tingle with anxiety. He was exactly what she lacked. Popular. Confident. Painstakingly attractive. Worse, he probably despised this as much as she did. Someone like him would never willingly play Romeo next to her. Her mother sighed and moved forward, her mirror reflection visible next to Sophia's. "Sophia, this family is represented here. You are going to prove me correct; I convinced the director that you were the best candidate for this position." Then there it was. The unstated danger. Her fingernails dug into her hands. Her preferences have no impact on anything. It never happened. "Fine," she replied, her voice empty. "I'll get right on it." Her mother's lips curled into a contented smile, as if she had just emerged from a battle Sophia had no idea she was fighting. Sophia felt the weight of a hundred eyes on her the moment she walked into the school auditorium. Although the stage lights were turned off, the scrutiny blinded me. Whispers, barely contained, spread like wildfire among the assembled children. “Is she acting as Juliet? Are they sincere?" There's no way Liam is acting with her. She is going to ruin the entire production. Sophia maintained a straight posture with an impassive expression and her hands closed into fists at her sides. Lift high. Keep them out of your breaking scene. Liam Carter sat in the center of the auditorium, slanted against the stage's edge as if he'd done so his entire life. Despite the low lighting, he appeared to belong. It is quite tall. sports-oriented Golden-brown hair brushed easily, and icy blue eyes pierced and evaluated as they flew at her. His collar was slightly unbuttoned, giving him an easy, carefree appeal that made women fight for his attention. Sophia started biting her jaw. Most likely, he thought this was a joke. His lips formed a nasty sneer. Liam drew back, pushing off the stage and crossing his arms. "Well, well." "Princess, did not expect to see you here." Her stomach tightened under the moniker. Princes. The word dripped with sarcasm, as he did with every girl he thought was stupid. She responded, not expecting to be here either. "Trust me; others are suffering as well." Liam laughed slowly and richly, as if one great game determined everything. "Relax." You'll make an excellent Juliet, I'm sure” but his voice has an unreadable quality—mockery? Please take pity. Pleasure? The theater director clapped before she could respond. "Okay, let's go. Liam and Sophia are on stage. Let us see how much chemistry you two have. Good God. Sophia barely had time to respond as Liam walked onto the stage with the ease that only someone like him could have. As if he were supposed to belong. He didn't look like he was going to be embarrassed. Not so unlike her. The filmmaker turned in his script. "Okay, we'll start Act 1, Scene 5 here. This is the first conference. You will play Romeo, Liam. You, Sophia, are Juliet. Liam exhaled slowly, as if he were mentally preparing. Then he moved in the space of a second. The lazy, arrogant stance was no longer present. Romeo took its place. As he turned toward her, his face softened and laughter broke out behind his eyes. His lips curved, and his voice was lower, smoother, and tinged with something she couldn't quite identify as he spoke. “If I profane with my most unworthy hand This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, are ready to To soften that rough touch with a gentle kiss." The words caused a shudder down her back. Not because of what he said, but because he appeared to be sincere for a brief moment. Liam smiled slowly and knowingly, as if he could see the trepidation in her eyes. Her pulse paused. Oh, darn it. He yearned for it. She forced herself to focus, squared her shoulders, and inhaled sharply. Okay. If he can do his part, she can as well. Rising her chin, she delivered her line in a calm, measured tone that refused to let him win. "Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much, Which mannerly devotion shows in this; For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch, And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss." The observing students exchanged whispers. Even though she couldn't take her gaze away from Liam, she could sense his surprise. The belief that she would stutter, stop, and fail. She didn't, however. Liam's eyes flickered with something unintelligible. Is amusement the same as appreciation? An annoyance? Whatever it was, her stomach flipped over. He whispered, "Not bad," to her. Her fingers twitched, and she could hardly resist the urge to punch him. The director clapped his fists and said, "Okay, let us pause right now. Sophia, Liam, you did an excellent job. We'll polish it more the next time.” Sophia let out a breath that she had not realized she was taking. It came to a stop. For the moment. She turned to step off the platform, eager to be free of the weight of a hundred eyes staring at her—at them. But Liam's voice cut through the air before she could walk. "She performed rather well, I suppose." The audience laughed at the students. Sophia became frozen. Liam gave a sly smile for someone who doesn't belong here. Her fingernails dug into her hands. For someone who is not suited for this world. The words landed like a slap. She returned her attention to him, pretending to smile. “Sure? Well, you're not terrible either—for someone whose entire personality revolves around popularity." A low "Oof" echoed throughout the audience. "Damn," someone whispered. Liam's face twitched for the first time. As if she had caught him off guard. nice. Sophia stepped off the platform and lifted her chin. She was not supposed to be here. Good. She would prove them all to be false.