The Lies Behind The Mask

Chapter 2

The days dragged by, having to sit by --surprise surprise-- Actor Boy in Every. Single. Class. 

School had become a living hell and a Production all in one. 

It wasn't a bad idea for a screenplay.

I just would not have any plans to star in it.

Actor Boy also, refused, simply refused to ignore me. No matter how many times I didn't answer his questions, repeat what the teacher said for him, or tell him the homework; he wouldn't --or couldn't-- get my message.  

I wanted to be left alone.

I also had yet to find a reason to learn his name. He did not seem as interesting as everyone was making him out to be. All I could really think about when I heard him was:

This guy is a hidden romantic.

I might have to share the spotlight with him.

If I have to kiss him, he's dead.

*************

Two weeks after first meeting the theatre group for this year, I received a message from Ms. Devine, claiming all senior actors needed to meet her in the theatre room at three-fifteen today. Of course, this group of seniors also included Actor Boy because yet again he kept a stream of steady questions about the meeting.

"How long will it last, do you think?" He asked first hour. I ignored him but secretly thought, Hopefully not long. I don't want to be stuck in the same room as you for more than I have to. And you shouldn't want to be kept from your romance movies. 

"What play do you want to do this year?" He whispered to me in English. Something that allows the female lead to kill the male, I thought bitterly. 

Before he could ask me another question in the second to last hour of the day, I turned on him and spat "Don't bother asking me another question, I am not going to answer. So shut up and pay attention to the teacher."

Actor Boy didn't say anything to me for the next two hours, thankfully. I was finally at peace and was able to calmly write more on my screenplay that I was getting sick of the more I worked on it. How do writers stick to one plot? I am getting so bored with this story.

Just as the last bell rang I crumpled up the piece of paper I had started writing the script, which had then turned into doodling. As I walked out of class I threw it away, and Actor Boy fell into step with me, much to my distaste and many girls envy.

Before I could tell him to get away, he spoke "Don't tell me to leave you alone, because it won't be happening. We're going to the same place, so I am going to accompany you, in silence or with talking." At this moment, I was pretty sure he was trying to spite me.

While turning a corner to go down a deserted hallway, I stopped and turned on him. "Don't you realize that I don't like you? I don't like people in general. Why do keep trying to get in my life when I want to get away from this place?"

"You know, just because you're the 'best actress in your class' like Ms. Devine raves," Actor Boy said, taking a step closer. "It doesn't mean that you can always hide your emotions as well as you think you can." With that, he took a brave step forward. 

From that moment, I finally decided to learn Actor Boy's name.

******************

Ryley-- his name was going to take getting used to-- and I walked into theatre room, the last of the seniors. Everyone watched him and I walk in together, making me a little self concious. "So care to tell me why everyone is staring at us?" he whispered in my ear, making me jump a little.