Kiss Me On Cue

The Prank

Sophie had never liked Mondays. But today felt worse than usual, like the universe had decided to pile on every possible humiliation. She hovered near the lockers, clutching her script with trembling fingers.

It had been only two days since Mr. Daniels announced the cast list, but it felt like a lifetime. She’d been cast as Juliet—Juliet. Sophie Thompson, the girl people called the “whale,” the butt of every joke. The idea made her stomach churn.

“Hey, Juliet!”

Alyssa’s voice sliced through the hallway like a blade. Sophie stiffened. Alyssa, dressed in a short skirt and a perfect smirk, leaned against her locker, flanked by her loyal shadows: Amber and Lexi.

Sophie’s chest tightened. She forced herself to turn around. “What do you want, Alyssa?”

Alyssa’s smile widened. “Oh, nothing. Just checking on our leading lady.” She gave a slow clap, mocking. “Bravo, Sophie. You were—like—so inspiring at auditions.”

Amber snickered. “Yeah, especially the part where your voice cracked. Like a dying chipmunk.”

Lexi giggled. “Or when you practically tripped over your own feet.”

Heat burned Sophie’s cheeks. She clutched the script tighter, wishing she could shrink into the pages.

Alyssa’s eyes sparkled with malice. “So… how’s rehearsal going? Or are you too busy stuffing your face to fit into your costume?”

Sophie felt the air rush out of her lungs. The world blurred for a moment. “Shut up, Alyssa,” she managed, though her voice trembled.

Alyssa’s grin only grew. “Aw, don’t be shy. We’re all rooting for you, Juliet. Break a leg. Or two.” She turned on her heel and sauntered off, her entourage cackling like hyenas.

Sophie watched them go, her chest aching. Every time she thought she could handle the insults, they found new ways to gut her.

A voice spoke beside her. “Don’t listen to them.”

She jumped. Liam Carter leaned against the locker next to hers, arms crossed. His eyes glinted, a mixture of anger and concern.

She hadn’t even seen him approach. “Liam,” she said, voice small. “I—”

He shook his head. “They’re pathetic.”

Sophie let out a bitter laugh. “Easy for you to say. No one messes with you.”

Liam’s expression hardened. “You think that? People talk about me all the time. I just don’t let them get to me.”

Sophie pressed her lips together. “Well, I can’t just turn it off.”

Liam shifted closer, his voice low. “Then maybe you need someone to show you how.”

Their eyes met, and something in his gaze made her chest tighten. Before she could reply, he pushed off the locker and disappeared down the hall.

She stood there, staring after him, her heart a confused mess.

Drama practice was supposed to start at 3:30, but by 3:10 the auditorium was already buzzing with students—some there to watch, others pretending to “help.” Sophie hovered backstage, script clutched like a lifeline, trying to keep her breathing steady.

Mr. Daniels stood at center stage, clipboard in hand. “Alright, people! Let’s get into character. Sophie, you’re up first. Let’s run the balcony scene.”

Sophie’s stomach flipped. She stepped forward, her legs like jelly.

She heard giggles behind her—Alyssa and her crew, of course, perched in the front row with smug expressions.

“Go on, Juliet,” Alyssa called. “Wow us.”

Sophie’s face burned. She turned to Mr. Daniels, who gave her an encouraging nod. “Start when you’re ready.”

She took a deep breath and began. “O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?”

Her voice trembled at first, but she focused on the words, the rhythm. She imagined she was alone in her room, no one watching. Slowly, her confidence built.

“Deny thy father and refuse thy name,” she continued, her voice steadying. “Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and I’ll no longer be a Capulet.”

A hush fell over the auditorium. Even Alyssa’s grin faded. For a moment, Sophie felt powerful—like maybe she belonged here after all.

Then, a shriek of laughter split the air.

“Look at her face!” Amber screeched. “She’s so red, she looks like a tomato!”

More laughter. Sophie’s confidence crumbled. She faltered, the words dying in her throat.

Mr. Daniels spun around. “Enough!” he barked. “This is a rehearsal, not a circus.”

Alyssa’s eyes widened, feigning innocence. “We’re just supporting our star, Mr. Daniels.”

He glared. “Support from the hallway. Now.”

Alyssa scoffed but grabbed her bag and stalked out, her minions trailing.

Sophie’s hands trembled. “I—I can’t do this,” she whispered.

Mr. Daniels softened. “Sophie, you were brilliant before they interrupted. Let’s pick up from the top.”

But Sophie shook her head, tears welling. “No. I can’t. I’m sorry.” She fled the stage, script clutched like a shield, tears blurring her vision.

In the darkened backstage hallway, Sophie pressed her back to the wall and let the tears come. She hated that they were winning.

“Hey.”

Liam’s voice. Again. She wiped her eyes hastily, but he’d already seen.

“Don’t,” she said, voice rough. “Don’t pretend you care.”

He leaned against the opposite wall, arms crossed. “I’m not pretending.”

She glared at him, anger flaring. “Then why are you even here?”

He shrugged. “Because I hate seeing people like them win. And because…” He paused, eyes flickering. “Because you’re actually good. Better than you think.”

She scoffed. “Yeah, right.”

He pushed off the wall and crossed to her, close enough that she could smell his cologne—something earthy and warm. “Sophie, they’re scared of you.”

She laughed, bitter. “Scared of me? I’m the easiest target in school.”

He shook his head, his eyes fierce. “No. You’re the one they can’t control. You got the lead because you earned it. Alyssa couldn’t handle that, so she made it a joke. But you know what? Every time you show up, every time you step on that stage, you prove them wrong.”

Sophie’s breath caught. She wanted to believe him—God, she wanted to. But the years of whispers and insults pressed heavy on her chest.

“You don’t know what it’s like,” she whispered. “To wake up every day and hate what you see in the mirror. To feel like no one will ever see past… this.” She gestured at her body, her voice breaking.

Liam’s expression softened. He reached out, hesitant, and cupped her cheek. “I see you,” he said. “And I like what I see.”

Her heart flipped. She stared at him, blinking back tears. “Don’t say that if you don’t mean it,” she whispered.

He leaned closer, his voice low and serious. “I wouldn’t waste my time if I didn’t.”

She stared at him, breathless, and for a moment, the world felt quiet.

Then Mr. Daniels’s voice cut through the silence. “Sophie? Liam? We need you back on stage.”

Liam pulled back, his hand lingering on her cheek for just a second longer. “Come on, Juliet,” he said, a teasing smile playing at his lips. “Let’s go show them what you’ve got.”

Sophie’s chest swelled with something she hadn’t felt in a long time—hope. Maybe, just maybe, she could do this.

She took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and followed Liam back onto the stage.

From the shadows of the wings, Alyssa watched them, her eyes narrowed, her smile sharp. She’d started this prank to humiliate Sophie, but things were taking a turn she hadn’t expected.

And Alyssa didn’t like losing.