Invisible Monsters

Chapter 13: Lights, Camera, No!

 High school is supposed to be the years that you discover who you are and how to be who you. Unfortunately, that means school has to help kids "discover their creative side". And that means school plays. The play this year is Romeo and Juliet. Like that hasn't been done before. But wait, it is different! It's a modern retelling of the story! That means it's going to be more original and better, right? The answer is of course, no, but that won't stop them from making it. Okay, maybe I'm being a bit mean, but do the posters have to be everywhere in the school? Everyone keeps talking about it too. I guess everyone is just excited because it's something different from the daily routine. Also, on a side note, Zach hasn't been walking home with us lately which is kinda weird. I want to ask him about it, but every time I get up the nerve, the nerve runs away like the little coward she is. I'm making way bigger of a deal than it is. These were the thoughts that were going through my head as I was walking down the hall at the end of the school day. Then I saw it. The creepiest looking deer I've ever seen. At least that's the closest animal I could compare it to. It was standing on two legs with an unguligrade stance. The feet were hooves. It's body was covered in dark brown fur and it had arms. It had the head of a deer, but it was more like a skeleton head of a deer. Antlers rose out of it's head. It was transparent so, I knew that it was a monster. But this was the first truly monster looking monster I had seen. It seemed to be looking for something or someone. I stood, unsure of what to do. It started down the hall, opposite of the direction I was walking. I let out a sigh and followed it. No point on standing around wondering what's going on when I can find out for myself. I'm getting used to this now. Is that a good thing or bad thing? The "deer" kept walking and I soon realized where it was going, to my horror. It was heading to the theater where the school plays are held. It walked straight through the double doors and I followed reluctantly. I opened the double doors and took in my surroundings. It's not that big of a theater, but it's a decent size. I lost sight of the monster, so I started to walk down the row of seats. That's when I hear a voice from the stage.
"But I love, her and I... No, No that's all wrong!"
I look up to the stage and see a guy standing there holding what I assume script. He has long blond hair that he's pulled back into a braid and blue eyes. He's pacing back and forth. He runs a hand through his hair in frustration and a few strands of hair get lose from his braid. He suddenly stops, and looks at me in amazement. All of a sudden I'm aware of the fact that I've just been standing here like a creep watching him. I jump a little and force a smile on my face.
"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt anything." I grip the straps of my backpack and feel my face heat up.
The boy gives me a reassuring smile from the stage.
"It's alright. I was just rehearsing my lines... Badly." He chuckles a little at his own comment.
He stops for a second and steps to the edge of the stage and squats down. He looks directly at me and I start to feel uncomfortable. I fidget a little and then finally break eye contact when I can't take it anymore.
"W-what?" I stutter as I feel my face heat up even more.
Man, this guy is weird.
"I know you. You're Samantha Williams, right?" He pointed at me for a second and smiled.
"Y-yeah."
How does he know who I am?! That's just creepy!
"You're the girl that stole Zach from Jane." The blond boy stood up.
My jaw dropped. Is that what Jane has been telling everyone?! Me? Steal Zach? Yeah, right. Why would I want him? Wait, that's mean isn't it? I mean I like him, but... I can feel my face turn completely red from embarrassment. I realize I've been quiet for too long, but I don't know what to say. The guy laughs.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. You probably already deal with nasty looks from people. It's probably the last thing you want to talk about."
I look up at him. I wish we were on level ground right now. I feel like he's a judge ready to pass sentence.
"I didn't... I mean... Zach and I are just... Friends" I manage to stumble through a sentence... Sort of.
The blond laughs again.
"Good to know."
Does he believe me? I can't tell from that answer. He holds out his hand to me.
"I'm Lincoln, but I prefer people to call me by my middle name, Bennett. I got tired of people making President jokes." He chuckles again.
I walk up and grab his hand thinking he wants to shake hands, which I find strangely formal, but instead he begins to pull me onto the stage. I panic and step up as he pulls me onto the stage without thinking.
"There, now we can talk eye to eye."
"Y-yeah." I stammer.
I look down and see he's still holding my hand and I quickly pull it away. My hand feels kinda sweaty now.
"You know, some people hate you and others admire you."
"Admire?" I ask out of shock.
"Yeah, they say you're the girl that crossed Jane's path and lived. And you act like nothing happened. You're completely unfazed."
Is that really what people think? I mean, I guess I have been just ignoring it, but I wouldn't say I'm unfazed.
"I actually didn't even know you existed until Jane started talking about you. I was kind of surprised. I thought I knew everyone here by now."
"I, uh, tend to blend in." I scratch the back of my neck.
The way he talks actually reminds me of someone. I can't quite put my finger on it.
"So what brings you to the stage anyway?" Bennett drags me back to reality.
Quick, think of an excuse! Any excuse!
"Sam?" Just then I hear Zach's voice.
I look past Bennett and see Zach giving me a surprised look. That's also when I get an idea.
"Zach, there you are. I was wondering where you were." I walk over to him.
He gives me a confused look. I look up at him and hope that he just plays along. That annoying smile of his creeps up on his face and he pats my shoulder.
"Yeah, sorry I didn't let you know before, but I've been helping out with the play."
"Oh, so you were looking for Zach? " Bennett raises an eyebrow at me.
"Uh, yeah. We sometimes walk home together and he hadn't shown up in a while. I mean, both of us walk home with some other friend of mine." I quickly put in the last part when I realize that, that's something couples do.
"Right. Zach, you never told me you had such an interesting friend." Bennett says.
Odd way to describe me, but okay.
"Yeah, well she was scared of a certain someone getting the wrong idea." Zach tells him.
It's not a complete lie.
"And she found out anyway." Bennett comments.
"Yeah." I reply.
" Well, if it matters at all, I think it's about time Jane gets told she can't have something she wants. " Bennett says.
Wow. I'm learning more and more that I'm not the only one that hates her guts.
"I don't want to start any trouble or anything." I clarify.
"No one ever does. How did you and Zach become friends anyway? You two are not exactly in the same social group." Bennett asked.
Why so many questions? Now I'm going to have to come up with another lie.
"Well, we were always in the same class, but I guess we didn't really start talking, till Sam's friend dragged her to a party I went to."
How did Zach come up with one that so quickly?!
"Cool. You know Zach, has been a lot of help with everything here." Bennett smiles.
"Oh well, that's good to hear. Normally he's getting into trouble more than anything." I respond and send a glance at Zach.
"Come on Sam, stop being so mean." Zach jokes back and locks eyes with me.
He's here because of that "deer" isn't he? Is it after Bennett?
"Actually, we could use some more help. There's just one more person we need in the play." Bennett begins.
I quickly throw up my hand to stop him.
"Sorry, but no."
"I wasn't even finished."
"I already know what you were going to say and I've never been on stage before."
I know who Bennett reminds me of now. Zach. They're from the same high school social standing. I can tell by the smile. He's one of the popular boys.
"Oh come on Sam, it's not that big of a role. You only have a few scenes and we actually share a couple so you won't be alone." Zach begs me.
I send a glare at him. No! I'm not doing it Zach! I'm not making a foul of myself on a stage in front of the entire school. He kept giving me the same begging eyes. I made the mistake of looking into those blue eyes of his. I guess I should help out, if only to get rid of that monster. I turn my gaze from his and let out a sigh.
"Okay, fine." I push up my glasses in irritation.
"Thanks a lot! " Bennett grabs both my hands in his and beams at me.
Looking at his smile is like staring directly into the sun.
"I'll go let Mrs. Macfee know we found someone to play the part! " He ran off back stage after letting go of me.
I let out another sigh and look over at Zach.
"What? I could really use some help dealing with a monster that's been following him. I mean, this monster is scary." Zach defends himself.
"Yeah, I saw it." I respond.
"So that's why you're here."
" Why else would I be? "
Zach just shrugs.
"Well, you owe me one for this. I've never acted before so I'm just going to embarrass myself out there."
"Hey, I've only ever been in a play once before in middle school. I was the prince in Sleeping Beauty."
Why does that not surprise me?