Story Time!

The Writer and the Actress (Part 2)

I wearily stepped onto the stage and found a girl standing there already waiting for me. I tilted my head in question at her lack of a mask. She merely smiled and closed the distance between us.

"I don't need one," she whispered.

"But the audience--"

"Let them see me with you." Her eyes flit across my face. "I'm not afraid."

"Maybe you should be," I replied in my usual emotionless tone.

She smiled and carefully reached for my hand and brought it to rest on her cheek. It was electric feeling her warm skin beneath my hand.

I cautiously moved my hand to lightly trail over her lips and down her exposed neck. "You're so vulnerable."

"And you've been hurt before. I can see it in your eyes. You're afraid."

I turned away from her and walked to the opposite side of the stage. The auditorium was silent and the audience was on the edge of their seats.

"You don't know me," I said, still not facing her.

Her footsteps echoed as she stopped right behind me. "Then help me to understand you better."

I turned around to face her and froze at the emotion plainly written on her face. I schooled my emotions and said in an unexpressive tone, "Don't bother going to that trouble."

I tried to walk past her but she gently grabbed my arm. Her touch was gentle, promising how she could take care of me if I let her.

Her voice was the opposite of mine. It was full of emotion. "I would never hurt you. I won't hide behind a mask or lie to you. I want to get to know you."

I studied her carefully. Tears glistened in her eyes from how much she felt for me. Her eyes begged me to believe her. Her hand was now holding mine.

I stared at her hand in mine. It fit so well with mine. But then again, so did my last partner's.

She realised I was about to push her away and desperately said, "One dance. That's all I ask for. A chance to prove to you how I feel."

I let her take the lead as we went through the steps. Her hand on my waist was gentle enough that I didn't feel trapped but firm enough that I was aware of her intentions. Her lips curved into a smile that made me feel as if I was the only person in the world to her. Her eyes remained focused on mine as we easily fell into a rhythm.

As we neared the end of the dance she slowly pulled me into her arms. Every movement with her felt real and not scripted. But my grip on her was loose as we slowly swayed together, ready to run as soon as the dance was over. She pulled away from me a little and brought my hand to rest over her rapidly beating heart.

"Do you feel that? Do you see how much you affect me?"

I nodded as the music ended for our dance.

"I promise you, this is real. I'm not acting with you."

"I--" My voice broke, revealing the first real glimpse of emotion to her. "I'm scared."

She wrapped her arms around me again."It's okay to be scared. I'll stay right here with you the entire time until and after you're brave again."

When she released me from her embrace I had to resist the urge to fall back into her.

I nervously met her eyes. "I. . . trust you."

She didn't hide the joy on her face or the tears streaming down her face.

I reached up to my mask. "And I want to show you."

When my mask hit the floor, it shattered and faded into nothing. I was thankful the audience was to my back and she was the first one to see me.

Her eyes slowly travelled across my face. "You're beautiful."

Her hands tenderly reached up and wiped my tears away. "Thank you for showing me your real self."

I leaned into her touch. "I want to show them too."

"Are you sure?" she asked. "You don't have to if you aren't ready."

I echoed her words back to her. "Let them see me with you. I'm not afraid."

I gently pulled her to the front of the stage where the audience could see both of us. When I kissed her it was different than any other time.

This was real.

It wasn't just acting.

Let the world see me with you because I'm not afraid.

I know what I want now even if it's still sometimes scary.

And it's you.