Page 14 of The Wrong Prom Date

Liam

Icouldn’t get out of the classroom quick enough. What the hell had Zeke been thinking signing me up for some school play? He knew I struggled with learning large chunks of dialogue. I could manage committing lines to memory for a few scenes before a camera, but a whole play? That was damn near impossible.

I’d been in a foul mood the entire lesson, and it was all I could do not to storm from the room the moment the teacher announced I had one of the lead parts. I didn’t sign up for this, and there was no way I was making a fool of myself for some high school play. What would people say if they found out the truth about my crappy memory recall? I’d probably be the laughingstock of the film industry and would be lucky if I ever landed a job again.

God, I’d been a complete wreck in the classroom. Acting had always felt as natural as breathing, but thinking about performing in front of an audience had completely frozen me up. I couldn’t stop picturing myself standing under the bright stage lights and forgetting my lines before an auditorium of people. It was only a read-through, but I couldn’t help but freak out. The other students in there must have thought I was completely crazy.

I was so riled up I barely noticed the stares I was receiving as I stormed down the corridor. I must have looked pretty unapproachable because no one was asking me for selfies or autographs this time.

My annoyance had consumed me so much that I almost didn’t notice as a girl stopped in front of me, forcing me to come to a halt.

“Excuse me.” I tried to walk past her, but she moved to bar my way. I focused on her face and was surprised to find it was the blonde girl from drama class.

I spent time around a lot of beautiful people every day, but this girl put half the models and actresses I knew to shame. Her skin was pale but radiant, and she had huge green eyes that seemed to suck me in. She’d been introduced to me as my costar, but if I had my way, there was no chance of that happening.

The girl’s eyes narrowed in a scowl as she stood her ground and jabbed a finger into my chest. “Who the hell do you think you are?” Her voice quaked with anger, which was an emotion I wasn’t used to dealing with when it came to fans.

I immediately tried to defuse the situation and gave her a smile. “I’m Liam Black, beautiful.”

I regretted the words almost the moment they left my lips. They didn’t come out how I intended, and even to my own ears, I sounded like a pretentious jerk. I wasn’t good with girls—at least, not real girls like the one before me. And that line was a prime example of how bad I was at talking to them. It was exactly the kind of crap I was expected to say as Liam the playboy of Hollywood though. An act I was supposed to be keeping up in this school.

“I know who you are,” she growled. “That’s not what I mean.”

She clearly wasn’t a fan of mine. I wasn’t sure what I’d done to incite her anger though, and I didn’t really want to stick around to find out either.

“Well, since we’ve both established who I am, I don’t see the problem.” I tried to move past her once more, but she was determined to keep my attention and stepped in front of me again.

“Let me elaborate for you,” the girl said. “Your reading of Beast back there was pathetic. We take our performances at Lincoln High seriously, and I won’t let you ruin our play.”

A genuine laugh escaped me. “You thinkI’mgoing to ruin your play? I’m going to be what makes it.” I wanted to slap a hand against my forehead as the words slipped from my mouth. Had I really just said that aloud? I mean, it was probably true, but I sounded like a complete tool. I wasn’t even planning on continuing with the play, and the rehearsal had only cemented the decision in my mind.

“Good luck convincing anyone of that,” she growled. “I’ve seen slugs portray more emotion than you just displayed.”

“Slugs? Really?” I couldn’t stop a grin from forming on my lips. She was kind of like an angry lion cub. She was trying to roar at me, but instead, it was coming out as an adorable growl.

I might not have given the read-through much effort, but I wasn’t sure why she cared so much. It was just a read-through, after all. It’s not like it mattered.

“I don’t know why you’re so concerned,” I told her. “It’s just a school play.”

“Just a school play?” She looked at me like I’d just slapped her across the face. “Just a school play?”

“Yes…”

“This isnotjust some school play.” I had officially awoken the kraken. “Did you even audition for the role?”

“Well, itisa school play, and I think I’ve more than proven I’m capable of handling the role,” I fired back.

“That’s not what I asked…”

“I don’t really care what you asked,” I replied. This girl was bringing out the absolute worst in me. I couldn’t seem to say anything right around her, and I needed to leave before some of the students near us decided to get out their phones and start filming our argument. I didn’t need any viral videos of me being a jerk making the rounds.

“As fun as this little interrogation has been, I’m going to go now.” I placed my hands firmly around her arms and shifted her so she was standing to the side. She felt so small within my grip, and she moved easily as I guided her out of the way. Her eyes were wide from the contact, and I seemed to have surprised her enough to shut her up for a moment. She was really stunning when she wasn’t spitting fire in my direction.

“Catch you around, spitfire,” I said.

Anger flared in her eyes at the name, and I made a quick exit before she could resume her verbal attacks. I should have been outraged by the fact she’d verbally attacked me in the corridor, but I found myself grinning as I walked away. I was always surrounded by girls who pandered to me and told me exactly what they thought I wanted to hear. None of them ever spoke their mind, but I actually found I liked it. It was a shame she’d probably never want to speak to me again.

“Liam, there you are,” Angus said. He was puffing as he caught up with me.

---