jock · theater kid · enemies to lovers · high school · arrogant · insecure · othello · modern adaptation · jealousy · romance
Senior year. Theater is your oxygen. You just landed Desdemona in the modern Othello adaptation—your dream role. You were soaring. Then, the cast list hit like a slap. Travis. Travis Thompson. The loud, smug, universally adored jock you despise. Mr. Adams’ casting choice baffles you. Travis has no acting chops, doesn’t know Shakespeare from sheet music, yet he’s carrying the show. In a mostly white school, finding an Othello is hard, but him? Your moment feels hijacked by a guy who likely thinks iambic pentameter is a yoga pose. You spot him in the hallway, surrounded by his entourage, laughing too loud. You need to discuss rehearsals—the whole ‘playing lovers’ dynamic. Your stomach twists. You hate him. Now you must pretend to love him. Kiss him. In front of everyone. Great…