The Joke

Brielle's Pov

I wasn't supposed to be here.

I wasn't supposed to be here— in the spotlight, under scrutiny, exposed. And yet, somehow, I was.

Bathed in the blinding stage lights, I finally understood how massive it truly was. From below, it looked ordinary— curtains, wooden floor, nothing more. But standing here, center stage, it felt endless.

The heat of the stage lights burned against my skin, sweat trickling down my spine. From here, the audience was a dark sea of faces and whispers, watching, waiting, condemning, judging— hungry.

My palms were clammy as the script trembled in my hands, threatening to fall. Fear and trepidation wrapping around like some sackcloth— my chest constricted as the pressure in it tightened— my breath shallow.

This wasn't my world. I didn't belong here but somehow I had been dragged into it before I had a choice.

“She's the lead?”

“This has to be a joke….”

“Why would someone like her be the lead?”

Shame clung to me like a second skin as those utterances were made.

“Ladies and gentlemen, our star lead Aria Hartwell is here.” June, the popular girl, the queen bee of the school announced cheerfully.

Everyone was at her beck and call and did whatever she wanted and got whatever she wanted, no one dared to refuse her……for now. She's tall, slender with long blonde wavy hair that she always bundled up in high ponytail, high cheekbones, fake eyelashes she constantly batted to get what she wanted. Lips that were always curved into a menacing smirk or smile that never reached her pupils.

I swallowed, returning my eyes on the flimsy script trembling between my fingers. My throat burned from unspoken words. I blinked against the brightness of the stage, self conscious of my overweight body and the oversized sweatshirt I was putting on, the hood swallowing my face and the medicated glasses shielding my teary eyes. Coupled with the baggy pants hanging on my waist and the scruffy sneakers to fit the ensemble.

“Come on, Brielle, we are waiting. Show what you got,” June smiled from the side of the stage, encouraging— batting her fake lashes at me.

My job was backstage, taking care of the props and sets, making sure everything needed for the school fall play was ready. I knew the backstage world well, the familiar hum of lightning boards, the quiet orders passed through crackling headsets, the smell of fresh paint on hurriedly built sets.

That was where I belonged— I felt safe there— invisible.

Until I wasn't.

“Brielle Everly,” June smiled. “You are on…..You'd be playing Aria Hartwell in Scene one—- the confession scene.”

I blinked. Confused. “What?” My voice came out more faint. I was puzzled. “But…..I— I— I'm supposed to work backstage. My job is backstage.”

My protests…. Or more like my reasoning fell on deaf ears because June handed me the script and pushed out on the stage. The lights blitzed through my eyes and I was momentarily blinded by them. A cold sweat slid down my back.

I started saying my lines — awkwardly— voice faltering. Low snickers erupted from the audience but I dared not to look at them.

“She looks like she'd break the stage.”

“I wonder why June made her the lead despite the way she looks.”

“Let's watch as the drama unfolds.”

Though I couldn't hear the stuff they were saying, they were undoubtedly talking and mocking me. Always referencing my body, and that was the main reason I wanted to remain invisible, in the shadows where no one would notice me.

And to crown up the ordeal I was facing. The male lead….. was the one guy I never believed I'd be standing with. I'd be acting alongside him. Jake Lewandowski, the school golden boy. The heartthrob of every girl on campus. Insanely handsome and freaking hot, tall and always had a smirk masking his lips.

I never thought I'd fall for someone like him, but I did. I know he was out of my league but stupid me, the delusional part of me hoped that he'd notice me, that I could be his girl. I had a massive crush on him from my freshman year but decided to confess my feelings to him in our finals, because after school I might never see him again.

“You should tell him how you feel,” June had encouraged me. I didn't know how she found out that I liked Jake. “You've harbored these feelings for too long, don't you think it's time you let it out?”

I shook my head. Uncomfortable. Self conscious of my body. “Jake wouldn't date someone like me. I'm way too out of his league.”

“You are not!” June snapped, as if reading my thoughts. “Now quit body shaming yourself and go tell him how you feel…..Who knows, fate might work in your favor.”

She picked the packet of cookies I had baked at home to give Jake because it was his birthday on my desk, but I shied away the moment I saw girls trooping on him in the hallway.

“You made this for him, right?”

I nodded sheepishly.

“Then go deliver it to him.” She smiled, the smile that always made me feel some certain type of way, some way I couldn't quite pinpoint. “You don't want to spend the rest of your life— regretting. You don't know what'd work and what wouldn't until you try.”

Taking her advice was my biggest mistake because I was ridiculed in the way I had never been ridiculed.

“You think cookies and a little crush would get my attention?” Jake scoffed, lips curling. Giving me a distasteful look as he lowered his eyes on the packet of cookies. “Seriously, what makes you think a guy like me would go for a girl like you? —- “Elephant.”

He grabbed the packet of cookies from me and trashed it on a nearby dustbin before strolling past me.

Tears stung my eyes, threatening to fall. Shame clung to me like a second skin, and I desperately wanted the ground to open and swallow me because I couldn't bear it.

I could see the glances from other students, most of snickering. Mocking me. The next 2 weeks, I was made fun of. There were memes circulating the internet about my confession to him . Students' tongues wagged wherever I passed.

And standing on this stage with him brought back the shame and pain I felt that day. I wanted to bolt out from the stage and lurk in the shadows but June's eyes pinned me on the stage.

“Go on, read your lines.”

I returned my focus on my script, bracing myself for the worse. Pulling my mind from Jake's smug smirk but I could feel his intense eyes on me, almost stripping me naked on the stage.

“After your confession, comes the kiss.” June announced, startling me.

Kiss? My heart thundered tremendously against my ribs. She had never mentioned it beforehand and it wasn't on the script. The thought of Jake kissing me even if it was for the school play terrified me.

I have never been kissed by a guy even though I craved one. What if I end up doing something silly? What if he doesn't like the way I kiss?

Dozens of questions stormed my mind which also terrified me.

“Relax, it's just a school play,” Jake's voice pulled me out of my turmoil. “Don't dwell on it too much.” He was right— it was just a school play and the kiss was just an act— not real.

I said my line…..My confession, and it was time for the kiss. Jake moved close, leaning closer to me. His breath fanned the bridge of my nose. My body melted at how close he was to me, his cologne permeated my senses that for a minute, I forgot we were acting. His index finger brushed my chin, tilting my face up to look at him. He leaned more closer, his lips an inch away from mine.

My inside screamed, technically— gleefully. Jake Lewandowski was about to kiss me. I didn't mind him rejecting me but if I could taste his lips like I had always fantasized, it'd be enough for me.

I shut my eyes, waiting for the moment to happen. But nothing was happening. I opened my eyes, only to be puzzled when I saw him wearing a smug smile across his face.

“You thought I was going to kiss you,” he laughed, mockingly. Nah, I don't kiss girls like you, not even for school plays. Girls your size don't deserve to be graced by my lips—- I don't kiss elephants—- I kiss pretty girls.”

Laughter erupted from the crowd, including June. Although she didn't laugh, but I saw the amusement in her eyes and how her lips were curved in a smirk when my eyes landed on her and her two minions.

I should have known. What was I thinking— that he'd kiss me? I should've known better than anyone. The guy who rejected you in front of everyone was bound to repeat it. I stood still, being taunted by their laughs and vain words.

“She looks like she'd eat him.” A voice rang from the background, followed by laughter and jeers.

“I'd do it,” a voice interrupted. “I'd kiss her.”

Laughter cut short like a needle across a vinyl. Heads turned. Eyes widened. There he was— leaning against the auditorium doorway, dressed in all leather black, clutching a helmet, exuding that dangerous calm was—

Killian Lancaster—

The school bad boy— The school rebel. The dream boy of every female. Boys wanted to be like him, girls wanted him as a boyfriend, teachers saw him as a nuisance who's hardly in school or attended classes but somehow aced all his classes. He's freaking hot with his tall lean intimidating height, coupled with his pretty face and his long jet black hair hanging on his shoulders to round off the ensemble. His water glass eyes that melted both boys and girls fixated on me.

I froze when he said that. He was joking—-Except he wasn't.

His boots clicked on the floor as he walked through the aisle. His presence commanded attention even though he didn't ask for it. He stepped on the stage, his eyes on me. Everyone's attention was now on us but all I could see in that moment was him.

“You don't mind, do you?” His voice was low and calm, having a mysterious edge laced to it.

Before I could respond. Without warning— He leaned in, his lips brushed mine— soft, unexpected, warm. My breath caught, heart stammering in disbelief— and eyes wide open in shock. I didn't move. I couldn't.

Killian Lancaster was kissing me.