Chapter 5 Actress

The entire school was in an uproar. It felt as if every corner, hallway, and classroom was buzzing with excited whispers. 

Sophia, the campus's most admired beauty, had always been someone people wanted to know everything about—what she was wearing, who she was with, what she was thinking. 

But today, the usual curiosity had turned into outright obsession. What had happened this morning wasn't just any ordinary gossip; it was a bombshell, and it shattered the pristine image of Sophia that everyone held in their minds.

"Did you hear what happened?" one student eagerly whispered as a group gathered outside the cafeteria.

"Sophia got kissed!" another girl blurted out, her voice filled with excitement. "Not just a peck—like, a full-on, hard, long, wet kiss!"

"No way! About time Mark stepped up," someone else chimed in. "I was starting to wonder if he was, you know, into guys or something."

"Wait, hold on," a student interrupted, her eyes wide with disbelief. "It wasn't Mark."

"What?" A collective gasp followed the revelation, and the entire group leaned in closer, their curiosity piqued.

"It wasn't Mark at all," the student continued. "It was some freshman. No one even knows his name!"

The shockwave from that statement sent the group into a frenzy. "Are you serious?" one girl asked, almost in disbelief. "Sophia, with a freshman? That's impossible. She's way out of their league."

"I saw it with my own eyes," the student insisted. "He just walked up to her like he owned the place and kissed her—right in front of everyone at the entrance."

"That's insane!" another exclaimed, her voice rising. "How could she let that happen? I mean, doesn't she still have a boyfriend? Poor Mark!"

"Or maybe they broke up?" someone speculated, already spinning new theories. "I mean, why else would she let another guy kiss her like that?"

By now, the rumors had grown legs, running faster than anyone could keep track of. 

Some said Sophia had been secretly seeing this mysterious freshman for weeks, while others claimed she and Mark had been on the rocks for a while. 

Everyone had a version of the story, but no one knew the full truth. Still, that didn't stop anyone from talking.

Classrooms filled with murmurs as students tried to piece together what had happened. "Can you believe it? She kissed him back," one student whispered to his friend, leaning over their desk. "She didn't push him away or anything!"

"Maybe she was in shock," the friend replied. "Or maybe… she actually likes him?"

"Who is this guy, anyway?" another student asked as they sat down for lunch. "I mean, how did he manage to pull something like that? He must have some serious guts to kiss the most popular girl on campus out in the open like that."

"I heard he's a freshman," someone replied. "No one knows much about him. He's new—like, really new."

"Well, he's not going to be a nobody for long," another student laughed. "After that stunt, he's going to be the most talked-about guy on campus. Everyone's going to want to know who he is."

The conversations spun wildly out of control, students passing along bits and pieces of information they'd overheard or assumed. 

Meanwhile, Sophia's once-flawless reputation was beginning to crack under the weight of all the attention. 

Some students were shocked, others jealous, and a few even admired the mysterious freshman who had the nerve to challenge the status quo.

"You have to admit," one girl said with a smirk, "it's kind of badass. I mean, no one ever thought someone would have the guts to pull a move like that on Sophia."

"Yeah, but at what cost?" her friend replied. "Everyone's going to be watching her now. It's like she can't even walk down the hall without people whispering behind her back. I bet Mark's furious."

And indeed, the question of Mark loomed over everything. Had they broken up? Was Sophia seeing someone new? Was the kiss just a misunderstanding? Or was it a sign of something deeper, something that no one had seen coming? 

The speculation only fueled the rumors, turning a single moment into a campus-wide event.

By lunchtime, the entire school was caught up in the drama. Groups of students gathered in tight circles, huddled together as they dissected every possible scenario, every angle. 

Some even dared to approach Sophia's friends, hoping to get a clue about what was really going on. But no one had answers, and the mystery only deepened.

All eyes were on Sophia now, and there was no escape from the rumors that followed her every step.

"So, Sophia, aren't you going to spill the beans about what's going on between you and Mark? And who's that newbie I heard kissed you today? Ross Oakley, right?" An exceptionally beautiful girl asked, her voice teasing yet filled with genuine curiosity. 

She was stunning in her own right—probably just one bath short of matching Sophia's allure. While Sophia had long, flowing black hair that cascaded over her shoulders, this girl sported luscious blonde locks that framed her face perfectly, turning heads and making her an irresistible sight to all the boys on campus.

"Ahhh… yes, Jasmine. Ross is my new boyfriend," Sophia replied, trying to keep her tone casual, but her heart raced at the mention of her new relationship. 

"And don't ask me how it happened. It just did. I can hardly believe it myself, even now." The words felt strange coming out of her mouth, as if she were telling a story that wasn't truly hers.

Jasmine leaned in closer, her bright blue eyes sparkling with excitement. "A whirlwind romance, huh? Tsk, tsk. Nothing ever lasts forever," she said, shaking her head playfully. "I was convinced you and Mark would tie the knot after college. You were the perfect pair."

Sophia felt a pang of guilt at Jasmine's words. The thought of Mark stung, a reminder of everything she was leaving behind. 

"I don't think the same will happen to you and Dave, Jazmine. I believe you'll stick together no matter what," she encouraged, trying to infuse her voice with warmth. 

But despite her efforts, her smile faltered, and she could only manage a sad grin. It seemed even her acting skills had their limits.

Jasmine noticed the change in Sophia's expression, her playful demeanor momentarily dimming. 

"Hey, don't worry about me. I'm just glad to see you moving on. But I'm curious… how did you even meet Ross? Is he really that charming?" Her voice softened, the concern for her friend evident.

Sophia hesitated, searching for the right words. "We just… clicked, I guess. He's different from Mark—mysterious and bold. It's refreshing, but also… complicated." She could feel the weight of her secret pressing down on her, the tension in her chest tightening. Jasmine's gaze was intense, as if she could see right through her façade.

"A complicated romance already? You've only just started!" Jasmine laughed lightly, but the laughter held a hint of anxiety. "Just be careful, okay? You know how guys can be." She leaned back, crossing her arms, a serious look settling on her face.

"I know, I know," Sophia said, raising her hands in mock surrender. "But it feels different this time. With Ross, it's like I'm… I don't know, alive again? Like I can breathe."

Jasmine watched her friend intently, weighing her words. "Just make sure you don't lose yourself in this whirlwind. You've worked hard to build a perfect life until now, and I'd hate to see you get hurt." Her voice was sincere, filled with the kind of friendship that only years of sharing secrets and dreams could cultivate.

"I hope so too," Sophia replied, feeling a flicker of warmth in her chest despite the turmoil brewing inside her. 

"Anyways, you should introduce your new boyfriend to me later, okay?" Jasmine insisted, her eyes lighting up at the prospect of meeting Ross. 

It was a familiar routine for them—Jasmine would always be the first to welcome new people into their circle, her magnetic personality drawing everyone in.

"Of course," Sophia nodded, feeling a strange mix of excitement and dread. "I'll text you when I know when he's free."

As they continued to chat, the conversation shifted to lighter topics—plans for the weekend, upcoming parties, and the latest trends in fashion. 

But even as they laughed and reminisced about old times, Sophia couldn't shake the feeling that everything was shifting beneath her. 

The weight of her secret hung in the air, a silent reminder of the choices she had made and the paths that lay ahead.

As the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, Sophia stood up, glancing back at Jasmine. "Let's meet up later, okay? I need to figure some things out."

"Of course! I'm here for you, no matter what," Jasmine replied, her smile brightening the dimming hallway.

With that, Sophia stepped away, her heart racing. The halls were filled with students, laughter, and chatter, but she felt isolated in her thoughts. 

She took a deep breath, trying to focus. What would she tell Jasmine about Ross? Would she reveal the truth about how complicated their connection was?

As she walked to her next class, she couldn't help but wonder if this new relationship would lead her to happiness or if it would spiral into chaos, leaving her even more lost than before.

***

The day drew to a close, casting a shadow over the campus as twilight threatened to envelop everything in darkness. 

Sophia felt a mix of anticipation and dread as she read a text from Ross.

"Shoo your driver away. I'll take you home myself later," he had written.

"K." she replied lazily, her fingers hovering over the screen. Deep down, she wished she could change her reality, escape the tangled web of emotions and secrets that surrounded her. 

But alas, daydreaming was for fools, and she couldn't afford that luxury right now.

As she walked to the lobby, her heart sank when she spotted Ross waiting for her. He stood surrounded by a group of friends, a collection of geeks who looked up to him like he was some sort of deity. 

Their admiration irritated Sophia more than anything else. If only they knew the truth—that she was being blackmailed, coerced into this relationship—perhaps they would spit at Ross, recognizing him for the maniac he truly was.

"My girlfriend is here, nerds. Ciao!" Ross announced with a swagger that grated on Sophia's nerves. 

His gaze shifted to her, and in that moment, he looked at her as if she were the most delectable dish in the world, the center of his universe.

Yet, as she approached him, the reality of her situation weighed heavily on her. 

Sophia forced a smile, masking the turmoil brewing inside her. She couldn't shake the feeling that tonight would be an unforgettable night, but for all the wrong reasons.