The Lies Behind The Mask

Chapter 1

I met him all because he was another actor.  

He was obviously another senior, one of their best actors. Which simply meant one thing. 

He was most likely going to be the other lead in our spring play.

Which meant I would have to deal with him the most. Great.

I am, and always have been, a one woman show, at least most the time. It wasn't that I hadn't dated and dealt with guys before, I just had ended up getting dissed or broken by them, so I had given up.  

It was the best choice I had ever made.

When I came into Theatre class Monday afternoon, to see all the girls on one side whispering animatedly amongst themselves; whereas the boys were on the other, nervously shuffling their feet and not saying much, I couldn't believe it. I exhaled quickly and strode into the middle without a second glance at either side and sat in my usual place at the middle of the stage.

I knew everyone was staring at me-- the girls because I hadn't joined their small huddle, the boys because I was probably the only one that wasn't going to act any different with them around. I simply pulled out the couple sheets of paper that I started scrawling ideas for a screenplay on to study and make changes on.

I scribbled down a few more lines for the main character, who was cutting through a piece of rope with nail clippers as the door opened up and two voices filled the empty air. One I could tell quickly was out theatre teacher, Ms. Devine. The other was one of the new guys, when I looked up my supicisions were confirmed as I saw a boy with soft chocolate colored hair and what seemed to be green eyes-- so vibrant that I could tell from a distance.

Turning back to my screen play, I bit my lip, wondering how to continue after the rope was broken-- will she find a stash of rope or some other material to help her scale down the building, or will she find a gun and head straight to where she can hear her captors planning?

Before I could decide I hear Ms. Devine call out "Harper! You're here! Good good, I was just telling Ryley here--" she gestured to the boy on her right, who gave a half wave "about you and your many preformances! I have a feeling you two will be the leads in the play this year!" she finished with a wink. I forced a small smile but I rolled my eyes at the same time, tugging the sleeves of my sweater just a bit farther down.

Stuffing the papers back into my bag, I stood up to greet Ms. Devine and the Actor Boy. I had already forgotten his name, but I did not care enough to ask it again. I forced a smile, this one a little larger for the two of them as they came up the stairs and the two groups of actors slowly moved to group around and on the stage.

Actor Boy stopped right in front of me, giving me a half smile, enough to show straight white teeth hidden behind full lips. I tried not to stare too long, knowing I would end up having to look at him more than I wanted to. Instead I turned to Ms. Devine who was obviously trying to gauge our reactions to each other, silly her, I thought, we're both actors.

Her mouth started to move, and I decided it should be time to listen in rather than thinking about ideas for my plot. "--And Ryley here, Harp, is a senior as well. I think that this year's play will probably be the best with the extra actors and being able to have a female and male lead." I nodded along with Ryley, not saying anything.

I did not want to have a male and female lead. I wanted the spotlight, it was my senior year, and I wanted to leave with an amazing production- starring me.

Thinking to myself, God I sound conceited. Another small voice sniped in my head, You have a right. This is your senior year and these guys are screwing it up. Where's an escape when you need one? My left arm felt vulnerable at that moment, and I tugged down my sweater sleeves, faking a shiver at the same time.