Amy's whispers grew loud, but you stood tall,
In your gaze, I found the courage to break down the wall.
Amy's jealousy grew like a storm cloud, darkening her mood with every passing day as she watched Paxton gravitate toward Joanne. It wasn't just the casual conversations between the two that irked her-it was the way Paxton's face lit up when Joanne spoke, the easy way they laughed together, and the warmth in his eyes whenever he looked at her. Amy could see it all slipping away, the attention she craved from Paxton now focused on someone else.
Amy wasn't the type to lash out directly; that would be too obvious, too beneath her. Instead, she relied on subtlety, weaving her manipulation like a spider spinning its web. She knew just what to say and how to say it, carefully planting doubts and insecurities where they would take root.
It began one afternoon in the auditorium. Joanne was helping the Euphoric Echoes that is the Creativity department, organizing props backstage, her brow furrowed in concentration as she muttered about missing items. The backstage area was dimly lit, with shadows stretching across the floor and the faint smell of sawdust lingering in the air. Paxton, ever helpful, was at her side, bending down to check under a table for a stray prop. Amy approached them, her heels clicking softly against the wooden floor.
"Joanne," Amy said, her voice dripping with faux sweetness, "you're so lucky Paxton's always here to help. I mean, most people wouldn't have the patience for all this, you know?"
Joanne paused, her hands gripping a box of props as she glanced up. Her smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "Oh, it's not that bad," she said lightly, though her voice lacked its usual confidence.
Paxton straightened up, giving Amy a look. "I don't mind helping. It's not a big deal."
"Of course you don't," Amy replied with a sly smile. "You're just that kind of guy. But, Joanne, you've got to admit, you're asking a lot of him. He's already got so much on his plate.
Joanne's cheeks flushed as she stammered, "I-I didn't mean to..."
Paxton's frown deepened. "Amy, that's enough."
Amy raised her hands in mock surrender. "Just saying. It's admirable, really, how much you're willing to take on, Paxton."
Joanne turned away, busying herself with the props, but the hurt in her eyes was unmistakable. Paxton wanted to say something to reassure her, but Amy had already moved on, her attention seemingly elsewhere. He sighed, feeling a flicker of unease he couldn't quite place.
Over the next few days, Amy's comments became a pattern. She never outright insulted Joanne that would be too obvious-but her words always carried an undercurrent of condescension. She would smile brightly, her tone light and friendly, even as she twisted the knife.
"Joanne, you're so lucky to have Paxton watching out for you, Amy said one day as they rehearsed a scene. "Not everyone would be so understanding. Some people might find it... I don't know, frustrating?"
Joanne's grip on her script tightened, her knuckles white. "I don't need anyone to watch out for me," she said quietly.
Amy's smile widened. "Of course not! I just meant that it's nice to have someone so reliable. You know, in case things get overwhelming.
Paxton, standing nearby, caught the exchange and felt a pang of guilt. He wanted to defend Joanne, to tell Amy to stop, but part of him hesitated. What if Amy was right? Was Joanne struggling more than she let on? He hated the thought but couldn't entirely shake it.
Joanne stared at her reflection in the mirror backstage that evening, her thoughts swirling. Was Amy right? Maybe Paxton's kindness was just pity wrapped in politeness. She hated how much her mind clung to Amy's words, as if they were truths she'd been avoiding. She missed the easy camaraderie she'd shared with Paxton, but she couldn't bring herself to reach out. Every time she saw him with Amy, laughing or talking, it felt like another blow. She told herself she was better off alone, that it was easier this way, but the loneliness gnawed at her
One aftemoon, as they rehearsed a particularly challenging scene, Joanne finally snapped. "I don't think I can do this," she said, throwing her script onto a nearby chair. "I'm not cut out for this."
Paxton looked at her in surprise. "What are you talking about? You've been doing great."
"Have I ?" Joanne said bitterly. "Because it feels like everyone's just waiting for me to mess up.
Amy, standing off to the side, smirked but said nothing. Paxton's eyes flicked to her before returning to Joanne. "Jo, no one's thinking that. Least of all me.'
Joanne shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes. "I just... I need a break." She turned and walked out, leaving Paxton staring after her, his heart sinking.
Jennifer noticed the change in Joanne and cornered her after class one day. "Alright, spill," Jennifer said, crossing her arms. "What's going on with you and Paxton?"
Joanne sighed, leaning against a locker. "Nothing. That's the problem."
"Nothing, my ass," Jennifer said. "You two were thick as thieves a week ago. Now you're avoiding each other like the plague. What happened?"
Joanne hesitated, then said, "Amy happened."
Jennifer's eyes narrowed. "What did she do?"
"Nothing outright." Joanne admitted, "It's just... the things she says, the way she looks at me. She's always making these comments that make me feel like I don't belong. And Paxton... I don't know. He's been distant lately. Maybe she's right. Maybe I'm just not good enough.
Jennifer's expression hardened. "Oh, hell no. You are not letting Amy get into your head like that. She's just jealous because she sees what we all see that you're amazing and Paxton actually cares about you."
That evening, Jennifer confronted Paxton. She barged into his room, arms crossed and eyes blazing. "Alright, Paxton, we need to talk."
Paxton looked up from his laptop, startled. "Uh, okay? What's this about?"
"Joanne," Jennifer said bluntly. "What the hell is going on with you two?"
Paxton sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know. She's been pulling away, and I don't know how to fix it."
"Maybe start by standing up to Amy," Jennifer snapped. "She's been sabotaging Joanne left and right, and you're just letting it happen.'
Paxton frowned. "I'm not letting it happen. I just... I don't want to make things worse."
Jennifer threw her hands up. "You don't get it, do you? Amy's already making things worse. You need to stop being Switzerland and actually take a side. Joanne's not going to fight this battle alone, and she shouldn't have to."
Paxton's jaw tightened. "It's not that simple."
"Yes, it is," Jennifer said, her voice softening. "You care about Joanne, right?"
He nodded. "Of course I do."
"Then show it," Jennifer said. "Because right now, she thinks you're siding with Amy, whether you mean to or not."
Paxton sat back, the weight of her words settling over him. He didn't want Joanne to feel that way. He needed to fix this, but first, he had to confront his own doubts and figure out where he truly stood. For Joanne's sake-and his own-he would.