Stage Fright

Chapter 23 ~ Talking It Out

Josh

Everything was an absolute mess. I couldn't believe it had gone so wrong for Heather, even more I couldn't believe how quickly the rumours had spread that we were messing around behind Zeke's back.

Heather was really a sweet person and these rumours were painting her as something she wasn't. I'd heard the snickers all week, had random guys I barely knew slapping me on the back for a job well done. It made me so sick, the only remotely cheating-like thing she'd done was kiss me that one time. But that was more for the play than anything else.

I hated seeing her so upset all of the time, she barely lifted her eyes at Monday's rehearsal and she wasn't at school on Tuesday. She told her friends she was sick, she told me she needed a day at home, everyone else thought she was ashamed of her quote-on-quote 'slutty behaviour' and was running away.

This whole situation was truly fucked up and I couldn't imagine how upset she was. I wasn't sure if the answer was to drown her in attention or let her be. Today was Wednesday, we were in homeroom and for the fifth day in a row Heather is dressed in completely long sleeves. She looks miserable, like she could cry at any minute. I just want to give her a hug.

"Heather Sanders?" The teacher says, desk phone pressed to her ear and the whole class quiets down. "The principal would like to see you." She says and Heather sighs, pushing back from the desk and absentmindedly pulling her sleeves down again. Quiet chatter and teasing breaks out around the classroom and she keeps her head down.

What could that be about? Surely Heather couldn't be in trouble for this, they couldn't blame her for what Zeke had done. 

I worried about her all day, from the beginning until musical rehearsal. She'd been keeping her distance from me, I didn't want her so far away from me. Nothing had to change because of those terrible lies.

When I walk into the auditorium I immediately start to scan the room. I pick out her blonde hair instantly and I start my walk over to her.

"Heather." I say quietly and she looks up from the floor.

"Hi." She mumbles back and I sigh.

"Can I talk to you?" I ask and she nods, looking around the room. She follows me to the drama room and I let the door swing shut, sitting in a quiet room alone with her for the first time in days.

"What's up?" She asks and I sigh.

"You haven't said anything to me since I left your house on Sunday." I tell her and she nods.

"Maybe it's for the best." She whispers and I shake my head.

"No, Heather." I insist and she sighs. "Come on, don't walk away." I beg and she shakes her head. "Why have you been avoiding me?"

"Because I dragged you into this mess!" She cries. "Because the more time I spend with you, the more people think everything is true." She whispers, wiping the tears away from under her eyes. "It's not so bad for you, I see all of the people who give you high-fives. I just get slut-shammed."

"I'm sorry." I tell her. "If I could have things the other way around, I would and the only reason I haven't told anyone the truth is because I promised you I wouldn't." I tell her, feeling my throat start to tighten. I couldn't watch her cry over me, I couldn't take it.

"It's not even your fault." She says crossing her arms. "I just don't know what to do, everything is so god damn overwhelming right now. I can't turn to anyone, I feel alone at school. I left at lunch today to cry in my car......" She fades off quietly and I shake my head feeling tears spilling over my cheeks. "Why are you crying?" She asks, her own tears picking up and I press my lips together.