Page 60 of Bullied By The Bad Boy

“Can I start from the top?” I ask Ms. Jota.

Back to her position behind her desk, she nods. “Carry on.”

But I don’t.

The doors swing open. Olivia steps in with her girls, and everyone’s head turns to the door in unison. It’s the Olivia’s effect. She is that pretty. I roll my eyes as she sashays to Ms. Jota’s table. What does she want? Ms. Jota must share my irritation. Her eyes narrow, and she tilts her head.

“Yes, Miss…?”

“Olivia Beckham,” the witch adds. I zone out once she launches into an unwanted speech about her accomplishments. No one wants to hear it. Ben throws me an annoyed look. I return it with a scowl, and he averts his gaze. Just because Olivia is his girlfriend doesn’t mean the rest of us have to worship her. “I want the role of Juliet.” My world stops. I hear my heart shatter into a million pieces. She can’t want it. It’s mine. I am Juliet. “I have been practicing. Ben lent me his script.”

Ben, the asshole. Ben, the girl beater. And now, Ben, the dream stealer. Why would he do that?

I don’t look away when our eyes meet for the nth time. He shrugs as if to say he can’t resist her. I let out a heavy sigh. It’s so hard to be sane when I have annoying people like him around me.

The hall is silent as we await Ms. Jota’s response. Tension tightens my body. I hide my hands behind me and try to breathe. There are other roles I can play. Juliet doesn’t have to be the star of the night. I can take the part of a side character and kill it. Maybe act as the nurse or Lady Capulet.

But I want to be Juliet. I want to kiss Romeo.

Ms. Jota flattens her hands on her table, her face an epitome of tranquillity as she replies, “The role is taken, but you can apply for another.” Olivia’s shocked gasp resounds in the hall, but she’s not nearly as shocked as I am. A smile springs to my lips. Pride puffs my chest. I stand taller like I am about to give a presidential speech about great women like Ms. Jota. “Tessa, go on.”

Sure thing. I flash Olivia a brief smile. I can’t wait to kiss her beloved boyfriend. Wait, is that good? Whatever! She stole my kiss first. Ben would have kissed me if he knew the truth about his cake.

“You don’t understand. You are making a big mistake.” Olivia’s voice stops me from beginning my performance. I place a hand on my waist. She flips her hair over a shoulder. Pretty but dumb. We should get in a ring, me and her. “I was the lead actress last year and the year before that.”

Who cares? A new era is here. I am the queen now.

“Besides, Ben and I have great chemistry. That’s important for any role.” I fake gag. Just wait. I’ll show her chemistry with a little bit of biology, calculus, and even literature. “Why don’t you let Romeo decide who he wants to be his Juliet? The main leads must have chemistry, but—” She throws me a sinister look that burns holes into my body. On instinct, I wrap my arms around my belly. “I can’t say it’s the case with Ben and Mother Theresa. Ben and I have great chemistry.”

“Tessa.”

“What?” Olivia spits back at Ms. Jota.

Ms. Jota nods toward me. Heat crawls up my neck, and I stare at my feet. “Tessa. Her name is Tessa. And who says Ben is playing the role of Romeo?” Is he not? I’m not kissing Noah. Olivia can have him and his lips. “If you will be rude to any of my students, you shouldn’t be here.”

Can this woman get any more awesome? Next time I see a shooting star, she will get a wish.

“I will decide who plays Juliet, and I already made my choice,” she adds. This woman is the best of the best. It’s official. She’s my favorite teacher. Ms. Jota rises, and Olivia takes a step back. Not so much of a queen anymore, huh? I steal another look at her boyfriend. “Auditions started weeks ago, and you think you can walk in here to tell me how to do my job? I won’t tolerate that, Miss Beckham.”

Ms. Jota turns to the rest of us, and her angry voice bounces off the walls. “If any of you have a problem acting with the selected cast that gave their time, showed their skills, dedication, and commitment right from the beginning, you can take your leave alongside Miss Beckham. Go on!”

Another gasp travels through the air. Olivia’s minions turn to each other. I love Ms. Jota. The group of five walks out with their heads bowed in shame. I should have recorded this. My smile fades as Ben’s head snaps up. I might have imagined it, but a ghost of a smile flits to his lips.

Weird. Giving it a serious thought, he doesn’t appear bothered, maybe thankful to see her leave.

“Everyone, change of plans,” Ms. Jota says with a clap. “Tessa will start the next scene.” My head bobs in agreement. Her wish is my command. “Noah, get to the stage. You play Romeo.”

Okay, maybe not every wish. Noah delays standing. He moves like a sloth, and Ms. Jota snaps. “Noah, hurry up or get out of my hall.” He quickens his step, surprising us with a sudden change of route toward the door. Giggles rock my body. Today is full of good surprises. Unfazed by his stunt, Ms. Jota points to the blue-eyed human. “Benjamin? Yes, you. You are Benjamin, right?”

This might be my first and last class with Ms. Jota, but she’s incredible. She knows and calls everyone by their names. Mr. Sam also does that. Ben nods, and a corner of his mouth quirks.

“Just Ben. I’m Ben.”

“Okay, Just Ben. Get on stage.” Ben blushes. What? She slaps a hand against her hip. “Chop, chop. These scripts won’t act themselves. We don’t have all day. Tessa, get ready to step in.”

Ben joins me on stage, and I take two steps away from him. “Closer, Tessa. You need to be close to him. Proximity is important because it’s a love story.” Ben smirks. I gulp and obey. “Good.”

We get into character. Ben starts reciting his lines first, and his expertise throws me into another dimension. He walks the walk, looks the look, talks the talk, and I almost start to believe each word he says though they are directed to my character, not me. His fingers brush my shoulder, and a jolt of electricity zaps my spine. I jump out of reach. If this is chemistry, we have lots of it.

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