My key 7

Posted by AdminH, ? Views, Released on May 9, 2025

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#Chapter 07 Someone Stranger

“Hey, Cynthia?”

I snap out of my thoughts as I quickly shut my mostly empty locker, surprised to hear

someone call out to me. But I recognize who it is a moment later, turning around to see

Hailey. She looks at me, her worry clear through her glasses lenses.

“I heard vaguely about what happened at the pool. Are you okay?”

I nod in response to my somewhat friend. We met in Drama Club. She’s a performer, but I prefer working in the background, getting everything to work smoothly.

We started talking a bit more after I drew a poster for one of the upcoming performances. She’d complimented it eagerly. Since then, we occasionally chat, though we’re not super

close.

She has an easygoing presence, so I don’t mind speaking with her sometimes.

“Fine…uhm…Alex helped.”

“Yeaaah, I heard about that, too,” she laughs a little, though there is still worry in her tone. “Uhm…I figured, since it seems like you and Alex might end up, eh, kind of knocking into each other, there’s something you should know.”

I freeze up a bit, clutching my books.

“W…What?”

“Sooo…I heard from Alicia that Danielle had her eye on Alex. But for some reason, he never bit. So, she’s settling for Oliver, I guess. Same team, some potential, all of that. Though, he doesn’t have Alex’s jawline, that’s for sure.”

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#Chapter 07 Someone Stranger

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There’s a twinge of irritation that sparks at her comment, but I stamp it down immediately. Oliver’s not mine to defend. We aren’t dating.

In fact, he lied to me. While it may have been my fault that it dragged on for so long, I don’t think I’m obligated to defend him anymore.

“Oh..so…uhm…”

“There’s chatter that you and Alex might be…I dunno, kinda flinging right now?”

Before I can choke on my spit, she continues, shrugging.

“You’re in the position Danielle wanted. And I heard she doesn’t take this sort of stuff

likely. I’m telling you because I think you’re pretty nice. And you really help us out. Uh… just…watch your back, okay?”

“I’m n…not…uh, with him. Like…that.”

She blinks at me, eyes wide.

“So, you’re…dating? For real?”

“AH—n…no. We just—”

But Hailey doesn’t seem to hear me, leaning in with excitement.

“Oh my God, I can’t believe it. He said the ‘D‘ word with you?! Hah, if Danielle hears about this, she’s gonna choke! No wonder she decided to pull that stunt!” She laughs into her hand, snickering. “Once she realizes it, there’s no way she’ll mess with you outright. At least, not like she did yesterday.”

I give up on clarifying for the moment. Instead, my shoulders sag.

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@Chocter 27 Someone Stanger

“L…don’t know…about that.”

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People like Danielle and Jessica were…particular. They don’t like losing things they feel should be theirs. If they don’t feel we’re genuinely dating—and we’re not–then they may attack more fiercely.

Still, it’s at least nice to see that Hailey finds it funny, her smile bright as she giggles.

That brightness is gone during the play.

“At ease, dear child, for I know now that you shouldn’t judge one by the cover-‘

“Booooooring!”

“Hey, do you guys have tomatoes? I want to throw one!”

Hailey winces, but keeps trying to continue her line, her glasses replaced with contacts and her outfit vaguely Victorian. I watch from the back, holding onto the rope for the stage curtains carefully.

We do small shows for practice and larger ones for holidays. The stage lights are on and our most recent show has been going on for the last few minutes. A few people stop by to watch, though we never really get a large audience.

However, today, we have a new group visiting who sit in the front seats.

Danielle and her crew take up the space, jeering throughout the show. They laugh loudly at inappropriate times, watching videos on their phones as though they’re bored. Some also take pictures with their flash on, distracting performers and earnest visitors.

“Are they going to kiss?”

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#Chapter 07 Someone Stranger

“If that guy’s a little boy in this, doesn’t this make this kinda pedo?”

“Ewww, they like kids!”

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The scene doesn’t call for any kissing. In fact, Hailey’s nowhere near doing that. However, they’ll say anything and everything just to be a nuisance.

Annoyed by their jeering, a few of the actual visitors scowl and get up to leave. If this keeps up, Danielle’s group will be the only ones left.

This…can’t go on.

My heart jumps up into my throat, but frustration is also burning under my skin. This club…we’ve worked hard to get this small show together, but they’re just burning it all over petty jealousy. Since this is partially my fault…I have to try something.

My fingers start to feel clammy as I sweat, but I still bend down and secure the rope I’m holding in place. I slink back to the local crew room and pick up a handheld mic. After making sure it connects to the PA board, I head out.

Someone calls out to me anxiously as I walk out onto the stage, the lights feeling like they’ll blind me. Immediately, I feel myself stiffening up, especially when the performers pause, confused by my entrance. When I glance over, Hailey’s brows are scrunched up as she mouths something I can’t decipher at me.

…I’m not a stranger to the stage. I used to participate in school plays before, my mom laughing with me as we’d make my costumes.

But after Dad started drinking, not even the costumes could cheer her up, leaving her crying for days. And he hated it whenever I was noisy, so I decided to take up less space. Eventually, I stopped taking up much space at any point, fading away from the limelight.

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#Chapter 07 Someone Stronge

This isn’t how I wanted to ever come back to it, but I have to…I have to try.

I swallow thickly, instinctively holding the mic away so it wouldn’t pick up my throat. sounds.

“…Uhm….p–please…r–refrain fr–from dist…disturbing the-”

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“I–1-1c–c–can’t h–h–hear y–y–yoooou~!” one of the girls sang in return, others around her laughing.

Danielle gives me a snide look, her arms and legs crossed in superiority.

“I–I mean…it. P–Please don’t disturb the…don’t disturb the p–perf…performers…”

“Learn how to speak first, then maybe we’ll listen!”

“If you’re not good with your mouth, I guess Alex likes what’s between your legs then!”

Mortified, I lose my voice, unable to say anything else.

The show ends moments later, the energy utterly ruined. Danielle and her friends clap and cheer as we leave the stage.

I try to hold back my tears, my lips pursed tightly. I don’t think I deserve to cry, not when Hailey’s sobbing in a chair in the back, angry and upset.

The club president talks to me a few days later.

“Hey, look. I know you’re kinda…going through a thing right now. But it’s really starting to affect the others.”

I don’t say anything, just looking up at him quietly.

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#Chapter 07 Someone Stranger

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I know it’s affecting the others. Even outside of club hours, they’ve started to avoid me. Even Hailey can only muster the energy to wave at me, though the fact she does that much

is outstanding.

Most of the time, the other club members act like I don’t exist now.

He scratches at the back of his head, almost sheepish.

“Listen, uh. Maybe you should take a break, okay? Until things blow over. And, ah, if things turn a certain way, it’s okay if you find something else that interests you, too.”