What's up my dear readers! Sorry I've been writing less and less stories. I ran out of ideas of stories to male. I even try to hear music to get an inspiration but still I didn't get any idea. So I'll probably going to write stories less frequent. I might not even write any stories for months
Anyway here's another story I make! ＼(^o^)／
Elliot had a reputation for being lazy. Not the kind of lazy where one didn't do their work or failed to turn in assignments—no, Elliot was consistently average in his academics, neither excelling nor failing. He simply existed in the background of their high school, a ghost in the hallways. His classmates might remember his shaggy hair, the way his uniform was always a little disheveled, or his flat, monotonous tone of voice. They might also recall how his gaze often seemed to drift into the distance as if contemplating the most mundane things. In essence, Elliot was forgettable.
Except for one small detail: Elliot had a crush. This was a secret not because he actively hid it, but because his indifferent demeanor made it impossible for anyone to imagine he cared enough to have a crush. The object of his affection was Lily, a quiet girl with a love for books. She was not part of the popular crowd, nor was she an outcast. Much like Elliot, she occupied a comfortable spot in the middle of the social spectrum.
James, Elliot's best friend, was the only person who might have suspected anything. James was laid-back, often seen with a lopsided grin and a carefree attitude. He was Elliot's complete opposite in energy but shared his preference for avoiding the limelight. They often spent their free time together, playing video games or talking about anything and everything.
Jessica, on the other hand, was the queen bee of the school. With her striking looks and confident attitude, Jessica was the quintessential popular girl. The entire school seemed to revolve around her, and she knew it. Despite her arrogance, she had a surprising depth that she rarely showed to anyone.
One day something happened. Elliot joined the school play but Elliot never planned to join the school play. In fact, he hadn't planned to do much of anything extracurricular that year. But when the English teacher, Mrs. Hale, cornered him in the hallway, he found himself roped into auditioning. "It'll be a good experience," she said, with a tone that brooked no argument.
To his surprise, Elliot landed the lead role of the male protagonist, a character named Alex, a brooding young man struggling with his place in the world. It was a classic high school drama filled with angst, misunderstandings, and, of course, romance. The female lead, unsurprisingly, went to Jessica.
Elliot was disappointed that it wasn't Lily who got the part of the female protagonist. But Lily wasn't even in the play; she was content to remain an observer, occasionally helping with props and set design.
James and Jessica had a history. Though they never admitted it openly, they had a flirtatious camaraderie that hinted at deeper feelings. Jessica liked James' nonchalant attitude and his ability to make her laugh, while James was drawn to Jessica's charisma and confidence. However, both were too proud to make the first move.
The first rehearsal was a disaster. Jessica arrived late, tossing her bag onto a chair with a dramatic sigh. Elliot was already there, slouched in his seat, flipping through the script without much interest. The rest of the cast exchanged glances, wondering how these two would ever make it work.
Jessica took her place beside Elliot, flashing him a dazzling smile that seemed more a performance than a genuine gesture. "So, you're the guy I'll be pretending to fall in love with," she said with a playful lilt.
Elliot shrugged, "I guess so."
They started reading their lines, but it was clear that there was no chemistry. Jessica's performance was lively and expressive, while Elliot's was as flat as ever. Mrs. Hale, ever the optimist, clapped her hands and declared that they just needed time to find their groove.
