Please Stand By

Chapter 11

"So... I guess you're gonna be going back home to California during break?" Cain asked as he and Jade sat at the airport, waiting for Cain's plane.
"I'm actually going to be staying with Alana and her family." Jade said as they walked to her dorm.
"Oh! May I ask why?"
"My place in Cali is just... hard to go back to... but it's kinda... personal."
"Ah. I understand. I won't ask."

The two of them said their goodbyes to one another, exchanging a hug before Cain boarded his plane.

                                                                                   ***
The new semester has started, and Jade had begun her career in theater. She had befriended a few of the young adults who had found their lives on the stage or behind the scenes.  Her newest friend, Riley, worked behind stage and wanted to focus on making sure everything is under control for the actors and that they can perform with no problems. Anthony on the other hand, wanted to be in the spotlight. He yearned to be the main character, the person that everyone talked about, the one who got all of the attention. Jade had told both of them that she would do whatever needed to be done in order to help them succeed in their goals.

 Her teacher along with those around her knew that she suffered from anxiety. She did not want it to stop her from doing anything that she is passionate about, but it was a hard wall to pass. They allowed her to stay backstage or hidden in the tech booth, understanding the feelings she may have.

                                                                                       ***

The semester had gone well. Jade had worked behind stage with Riley and learned how to work the lights and different affects that were needed throughout the plays. She had also worked on the set and made props and backgrounds that were needed in order to make the audience see the world that the actors would be bringing to life. She had also been a few minor characters in the background. She did not have any lines yet, but she was becoming more and more comfortable doing a little bit of everything. 

She had also spent time with Cain. They had been on a few more small dates and getting to know each other. One of her favorite moments with him was when Cain had taken Jade out to a small park where she proceeded to climb up a tree and waited for Cain to join her.

"What took you so long?" Jade asked when he joined her.
"This." He stated, leaning over and placing a small flower in her hair.
She smiled and blushed, turning her face. "Th-Thank you..." She mumbled.
"Jade," Cain started. "What does this make us? What are we?"
"Well... What would you like us to be?"
"I don't want you to feel pressured to call yourself my girlfriend... so, I'm asking you."
Jade paused for a moment. "To be determined." She finally said. They nodded in agreement.

Jade had found out that Cain had two older brothers, who are almost identical twins, and a little sister. His family is Christian but accepting of the older twin finding love in the company of other men. Jade had opened up to him that she was adopted because her family was unable to care for her. Her father had been an alcoholic and her mom did not want that life for her. She was protecting her from broken bottles and bruises. 

Cain had come to both of the plays that the theater department had put on and had been invited to the third and final play that would be performed right before Christmas break. The cast would be performing the story and romance of Hades and Persephone. Anthony was cast as Hades. A girl that Jade did not know personally, only as Amy, was cast to play Persephone. 

Finally, the day had come when the play was to be performed. Jade was with Riley and the backstage crew. An hour before the play was to be performed, Anthony came running backstage as Jade was going over the details of what she would need to do during the play.