Before We Fall

Part 1, Chapter 4

Alivia's POV

I adjusted the strap of my dance bag as I ran down the sidewalk, weaving between other pedestrians on the walkway. Glancing at my watch, I took a deep breath and ran faster. I could not be late for the second day of rehearsal. 

At 9:54 a.m., I swiped my ID card to get into the rehearsal building, trying to catch my breath in the luckily empty elevator. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out to read the text I had gotten. 

Cassie

Good morning! 

Cassandra and I had been best friends since second grade, and she's starting her freshman year of college. We both graduated earlier this year, and I moved to New York to join the touring cast of Newsies on Broadway, while she stayed down in Arizona where we grew up to go to college in-state. 

Good morning. How's class? 

Same old. How's the second
day of rehearsal? 

I'm slightly panicking.

Starts in 5 minutes and I just
stepped into the elevator.

Girl, you've got time. 

Early is on time, on time is
late, and late is unacceptable

You're also in New York. No
one is ever on time.

Shut up. 

The elevator door opened with a ding, and I ran out and down the hallway to the rehearsal room, scribbling Alivia Newman on the sign-in sheet before pulling the door open and crashing into someone. 

"I'm so sorry! I wasn't paying attention." 

"You're okay," he told me, smoothing down his t-shirt. "I don't think we've met yet. I'm Ben Cook, playing Race." He stuck out his hand, and I gently shook it. 

"Alivia Newman, playing Sniper." He gave me a friendly smile and stepped aside, holding the door open so I could walk in. I set my bag close to the wall and sat down to start stretching, most of my castmates doing the same. 

Our director clapped a few times to everyone's attention, causing the redhead boy next to me to jump. His water bottle fell over, spilling all over my dance bag.

"No, no no no!" I exclaimed, yanking my bag towards me and zipping it open, rifling through and hoping I wouldn't confirm my worst fear. My fingers wrapped around satin ribbons and I pulled out my new pointe shoes, water dripping from them. Melissa audibly grimaced behind me as I slowly glared at the redhead, his eyes wide.

"Brand new Bloch pointe shoes are now ruined. Thanks." I told him. The room fell silent as I let the shoes fall on top of my bag.

"I am so sorry," he said. "Is there anything I can do?"

"Oh, I can assure you you've done enough, water-boy." I took the roll of paper towels Meredith handed me. "Although, buying me new pointe shoes wouldn't hurt." I pulled out my script binder, drying off the cover and standing it upright to dry the pages.

"Chill, it was an accident," a boy whose name I think was Josh told me.

"Yeah, I would hope so." I pulled out a few more pairs of different dance shoes, drying them off and laying them flat against the marley floor.

"Okay!" Our director got everyone's attention again, this time without any water damage. I emptied the rest of my dance bag in a pile on the floor, stuffing the side with paper towels and wiping down the marley floor before turning my attention to our director. 

The rest of the morning was spent with what Christopher Galetti, our choreographer, called the "Circus McGurkus" where we all got to show off what tricks we could do. I got the chance to show the rest of the cast a few things I had picked up from when I was in cheer and gymnastics, but almost everybody was better than me.

I guess I'll just have to get used to that.

When we broke for lunch, water-boy stopped me on our way out.

"I really am sorry for what happened earlier," he told me.

"It's whatever." I tried to leave, but he spoke again, prompting me to turn back around.

"No, it's really not. Is there anything I can do?"

"I told you, water-boy, you've done enough."

"The name's Sky Flaherty," he explained.

"Charmed," I replied, venom dripping from my tone. I turned to leave, ignoring him calling for me as I left the room and walked from the building. 

<><><>

That night, back at my apartment, I pulled out my trusted notebook and flipped to a blank page.

Dear Jacob,

Second day of rehearsals was pretty good. Some redhead ruined my pointe shoes, but I guess that's just the way things go sometimes. Look, I'm even starting to sound like you.

Newsies is an amazing show, and I'm sure you would have loved it. You were always one of my biggest supporters, and I wish you could be here to support me now. I've said it before and I'll say it again: words cannot explain how much I miss you.

You feel right by my side and across the country and a walk down the street away all at once.

I miss you and love you more than I could ever put into words.

-Alivia

<><><>

who do you think jacob is? (if you already know pls don't spoil it for anyone)

comments make my day a little better :)

love you all lots!