Can You Keep A Secret?

6. Bianca

Ever since I was little, I was captivated by the idea of acting. I could still remember the hours spent in front of the mirror, fully immersed in my own imaginary world, embodying characters from movies and books. It was a thrill to escape from reality and slip into a different persona, even if just for a moment. But as I grew older, my love for acting took on a deeper meaning.

With my headphones on, I lose myself in the music and the script before me. I am preparing to play a role unlike any I have ever taken on before - a troubled addict living in poverty- a far cry from my own life.
It's not often that I got to step into the shoes of someone so different from myself. But when the opportunity presented itself, I was still able to slip in the mask of my characters.

Acting was all about letting go of your own identity and taking the role of your own character. You had to think, behave, talk like them. You had to be who you chose to play.

Just as I am lost in the moment, my phone vibrates, disrupting the music. I glance to find several messages from my group, The Elites. I unlock the screen, opening the chat to find a flurry of messages and images. My fingers hover over Sylvie's profile, reminding myself how it all started.

The tall, majestic trees enveloped me in their protective embrace, shielding me from the scorching rays of the sun. When I strolled through the school corridors, I had made the spontaneous decision to skip third period and escape to the tranquil garden, hidden away from prying eyes. The soothing music flowing through my earpieces provided relief from the overwhelming heat and stress that had consumed me.

Brooksville High boasted a secret haven that no one seemed to notice, or perhaps they simply chose to ignore it and move on. The hidden garden was expansive, with trees lining its perimeter. Unlike the grand entrance of the school that caught everyone's attention, this place had no elaborate fountains, manicured gardens, or ornate statues. It was a simple spot where one could lay down, close their eyes, and free their mind.

"So I see I'm not the only one who knows about this private garden," a voice startled me out of my peaceful reverie. I noticed a girl shielding herself with a book- or rather, the notes I had been studying for my acting class. "Who are you?" I asked, the suspicion showing from my voice. I wasn't exactly happy with the fact that my place had been discovered and invaded by a stranger.

"Oh, that's not important," she shrug effortlessly as she plopped down next to me on the grass. "Well, I would like to know who I'm sharing my spot with," I retorted, eyeing her carefully. With her blue hair, auburn eyes, silver bracelet, and designer jacket, she was undoubtedly an Elite. "Let's keep it a mystery for now,” she suggested. I don't say anything back.
“It's more fun this way. Who knows, we might bump into each other in school and reveal our identities," she finishes, taking out one of my earpieces and placing it in her own ear, only to find no music playing. "You're strange," she remarked, placing the earpiece back in my ear.

"And why is that?" I inquired, genuinely curious. Being strange was something I had come to accept, something only my father had ever noticed but told me to embrace and use to my advantage. "You have earpieces in your ears, yet you're not listening to music," she pointed out, turning to face me. I noticed the brown freckles that adorned her cheeks and nose, making her even more beautiful and intriguing.

"I don't want to be disturbed, so I usually keep them plugged in. But I guess my strategy failed this time," I shrugged, feeling a little exposed. "You know, I've seen you around school. I know you come here when you want to be alone. It's not nice to skip class," she scolded, a smile tugging at her lips.

"Look who's talking. You should be in class right now," I muttered, feeling a sense of camaraderie with this stranger who was just a few inches away from me. She then burst into laughter, as if I had said the funniest thing ever.