Shock and Horror
1532 Words
The next morning, the hallway seemed even longer, the lockers taller and more menacing. Sophie felt like a lone swimmer in shark-infested waters. Every step echoed in her chest.
The prank that had started as a cruel joke had somehow become her life. She was Juliet. She was the girl everyone was staring at.
She clutched her script so hard her knuckles turned white. Maybe if she held it tight enough, it would become a shield.
She reached her locker and spun the dial with trembling fingers. The smell of stale perfume and cheap hairspray hit her a second before Alyssa’s voice did.
“Well, well, well—if it isn’t our leading lady,” Alyssa purred. Her smile was all teeth. Lexi and Amber flanked her like obedient lapdogs.
Sophie swallowed hard and focused on the lock. She tried to ignore them, but her hands fumbled the combination.
Alyssa’s manicured nails clicked against the locker next to Sophie’s. “Heard you were crying in rehearsal yesterday,” she said, voice dripping with faux concern. “Must be so hard—carrying all that weight and trying to act.”
Lexi snorted. “Like the stage can even hold her.”
Sophie’s throat tightened. She refused to give them the satisfaction of tears.
“Leave me alone, Alyssa,” she muttered, but her voice came out thin.
Alyssa leaned in, her perfume cloying and sweet. “Oh honey, we’re just trying to help. We wouldn’t want you to embarrass yourself at the show. Or the rest of us.”
Sophie’s vision blurred, but she blinked hard, refusing to let the tears fall.
Amber piped up. “Or Liam. Imagine how hard it must be for him to pretend to like you.”
That stung more than Sophie wanted to admit. She hadn’t told anyone—had barely let herself think—that Liam’s kindness felt different. Real.
Alyssa’s smile sharpened. “Just a heads-up, Sophie,” she said, her voice low and venomous. “You’re going to wish you’d never set foot on that stage.”
Sophie’s chest squeezed tight. She felt like she couldn’t breathe.
“Leave me alone,” she repeated, voice breaking. She yanked open her locker and shoved her backpack inside, ignoring the laughter that followed her.
The day passed in a blur of whispered insults and mocking stares. Even Katie avoided her eyes in math class, pretending to be fascinated by her calculator.
At lunch, Sophie sat at the far end of the cafeteria, picking at a salad she didn’t want. She forced herself to chew, even though her stomach churned with nerves.
Liam slid into the seat across from her without warning, dropping his tray with a loud clatter.
“Jesus, you look like you’ve seen a ghost,” he said.
Sophie jumped, startled. “Liam—”
He leaned back, studying her with those sharp green eyes. “Let me guess. Alyssa.”
Sophie lowered her gaze. “She’s relentless. And it’s not just her. It’s everyone. I can’t even walk down the hall without someone staring.”
He shrugged, shoving a fry into his mouth. “Let them stare.”
She looked up at him, incredulous. “It’s not that easy. You don’t understand.”
His eyes darkened. “Don’t I?” he said, voice low.
She faltered. “What do you mean?”
He glanced around the cafeteria. The noise was a dull roar of chatter and clinking trays, but somehow, in that moment, it felt like they were in their own world.
“I’ve been dealing with crap since middle school,” he said. “My dad walked out, my mom works double shifts just to keep the lights on, and every time I tried to fit in, someone reminded me I wasn’t good enough. So yeah, I get it.”
Sophie’s heart twisted. She’d never heard Liam talk like that before.
“But you act like it doesn’t bother you,” she whispered.
He snorted. “Because I learned the hard way: if they see it bothers you, they win.”
She stared at her tray, tears threatening. “I wish I could be like that.”
He leaned forward, his voice soft but fierce. “You can. You’ve got more guts than anyone in this place. You got up there and did something none of them would have the balls to do.”
Sophie blinked hard. “Only because they tricked me.”
“Doesn’t matter why,” he said. “You’re still doing it. That’s what matters.”
She looked up at him, and for a moment, the cafeteria faded.
“Thanks,” she whispered.
He gave her a half-smile, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. “Anytime, Juliet.”
After lunch, Sophie trudged to the auditorium for rehearsal. Mr. Daniels stood by the piano, shuffling through sheet music. He looked up and smiled.
“Sophie! There you are,” he said. “We’re running Act 2 today. Liam’s already here. Let’s get started.”
Sophie felt a flutter in her chest. Liam was already here. He was actually taking this seriously.
She walked onstage, her palms damp. Liam stood at center stage, script in hand, looking every bit the reluctant Romeo. He flashed her a grin when she approached.
“You ready for this?” he asked.
Sophie nodded, though her throat felt tight.
Mr. Daniels clapped his hands. “Alright, let’s take it from Juliet’s entrance.”
Sophie took a deep breath and stepped forward. She recited her lines, her voice a little shaky but stronger than before.
Liam delivered his lines with an ease that made Sophie’s heart skip. He was good—really good. His eyes locked on hers, and for a moment, she forgot the world outside the stage.
“You’re too charming,” she whispered, breaking character.
He raised an eyebrow. “Gotta sell the romance.”
Sophie laughed, the sound surprising even herself.
Mr. Daniels clapped. “That’s the spirit! Let’s run the kiss.”
Sophie’s laughter died in her throat. “The kiss?”
Mr. Daniels waved a hand. “Just the staging. We don’t need an actual kiss yet.”
Yet. The word buzzed in Sophie’s ears.
Liam leaned in, his expression unreadable. “We can just block it,” he said. “No pressure.”
Sophie nodded numbly, her heart hammering.
They moved through the scene, Liam’s hand on her cheek, his thumb brushing her jaw. Sophie’s skin tingled, every nerve on fire.
“Good,” Mr. Daniels said. “Hold it there—perfect. Let’s move on.”
Sophie exhaled shakily, her legs trembling. Liam’s hand lingered a second longer than necessary before he pulled away.
“See?” he teased. “Not so bad.”
Sophie tried to smile, but her mind was spinning.
After rehearsal, Sophie packed her things in silence. Liam hovered nearby, like he wanted to say something.
“Hey,” he said finally. “You okay?”
She forced a smile. “Yeah. Just… processing.”
He nodded, his eyes serious. “Don’t let them get in your head.”
Before she could respond, a voice rang out behind them.
“Processing what? That you’re gonna make a total fool of yourself?”
Alyssa stood in the doorway, arms crossed, eyes glinting.
Sophie’s stomach dropped. “What do you want, Alyssa?”
Alyssa smirked. “Oh, nothing. Just came to give you a heads-up.” She held up her phone, the screen facing Sophie. A video played—grainy but clear enough: Sophie on stage, her voice cracking, tears in her eyes, as Amber’s laughter rang in the background.
Sophie’s heart plummeted. “Where did you—”
Alyssa’s grin widened. “Let’s just say everyone’s gonna love seeing this. I sent it to the entire school.”
Sophie’s hands shook. “Why would you—”
“Because it’s hilarious,” Alyssa sneered. “And because you don’t belong here.”
Liam stepped forward, his jaw tight. “Delete it. Now.”
Alyssa laughed. “Or what? You gonna hit me?”
He glared at her, fury simmering just beneath the surface. “No. But you better hope she doesn’t.”
Alyssa’s smile faltered, but only for a second. “Whatever. See you around, Romeo.” She sauntered off, her laughter echoing.
Sophie’s legs gave out. She sank onto the stage steps, tears spilling freely. “I can’t do this,” she choked. “Everyone’s gonna see it. Everyone’s gonna laugh at me.”
Liam knelt in front of her, his eyes fierce. “Screw them,” he said. “You’re not quitting. You hear me?”
She shook her head, sobbing. “I can’t. I just—”
He cupped her face, forcing her to meet his gaze. “You’re stronger than this. You’re stronger than her. And I’m gonna help you prove it.”
She stared at him, her heart pounding. “Why?”
His thumb brushed a tear from her cheek. “Because you’re worth it,” he said softly.
Sophie’s breath caught. Maybe, just maybe, he was right.
And for the first time, she let herself hope.
- Writer
