Denial

Chapter 6: Second Date

"Real rehearsals begin tomorrow," Garmy announced, crumpling the paper in his hand. "Review your script books."

"Goodbye," Misako called in a much more pleasant voice." Have a good night!"

This was followed by a chorus of "byes", "see yous" and "you toos". Vibi joined Eliza by the double doors, no longer angry with her. Instead, she began asking Eliza a plethora of personal questions. 

"That was your second time? Was it better than the first?"

"Are you gonna do it again?"

"What does it feel like?"

"Do you think he likes it as much as you?"

"Are you in love with him?"

"Are you guys official yet?"

"What was the first one like?"

"Is hair soft?"

"Are you the more confident one or is he?"

"Do you want his parents to know?"

"NO!" Eliza turned to her friend, a worried look on her face. "They can't know."

"Why not?" Vibi asked teasingly. "Afraid Garmy and Misako will kick you out?"

"Yes," Eliza admitted. "I can't lose this role. Not over some stupid boy who can't stand upright for more than two seconds. Promise you won't tell."

"Well-"

"PROMISE." Eliza held Vibi's gaze. Her eyes were both threatening and fearful, which made for an interesting expression. It suddenly occurred to Vibi how ridiculous it was to be so scared of love. It wasn't alive. It couldn't murder you in your sleep. It couldn't hurt you. It was merely an idea, something that everyone dreamed of but never truly got. 

"You can't make me," Vibi said at last.

"VI-"

"Eliza?"

Eliza spun around and immediately regretted it. 

Her long dark hair smacked Lloyd in the face, causing him to yelp and stumble backwards. He slapped a hand over his injured cheek and bit his lip to stop himself from making any more panicked sounds. 

At that moment, Lloyd Garmadon was more concerned about looking like a wimp in front of his crush than hitting his head on the cement floor.

Thankfully, Cole caught his friend just before he fell into the gaggle of managers behind him. 

"I'm so sorry," Eliza apologized, reaching out to grab Lloyd's free hand. She pulled him up and Cole chuckled.

"Gee," he whispered teasingly to Lloyd. "Don't fall for her so hard."

Lloyd kicked Cole in the shin and Vibi stifled a giggle.

"Hey, um, Eliza?" Lloyd asked, his fingers (which were becoming sweatier by the second) still intertwined with hers.

"Yeah?"

"I was wondering, if you, um, want to, you know, go, I mean, you don't have to, but I was thinking, you, uh, and, I mean, if you want, um-"

"What he's trying to say is, 'will you go out with me?'" Cole interrupted. 

"Well, um, do you really, I, uh, I'm happy to, you know-"

"What she's trying to say is, 'yes, I'd love to go out with you'," Vibi explained. 

Lloyd and Eliza blushed and looked away. Vibi rolled her eyes and pushed Eliza towards Lloyd, almost frustrated by the fact that they couldn't kiss 24/7.