THE HIT SHOW [ONGOING]

ACT 3, SCENE 2: The Golden War

Snow settled and theatre was back on. 

Willow's hands stuffed in her pockets as she stood by the door of the theatre building. 

"I'm annoyed, I hate this."

Nahil, his arms crossed, was trying to keep the warmth he had acquired in his dorm as he listened to Willow's rambles. 

"What're you going to do," he shrugged.

Willow hated that she missed speaking with Nahil. Class time hadn't allowed them to and now this!

Unknown to her, Nahil was glad. Not that he has something against Willow but someone else. He was glad that he wouldn't be seeing Ivan's smug face. He hated feeling like he was less than, he hated feeling like an outsider yet those like Ivan knew how to act that way. 

Back home, outside his safe community, Nahil was another immigrant, despite being born in his hometown of Merryland, he was treated as though he was an outsider, a criminal. Ivan reminded him of all those that had the same look on their face.

Go home. 

You don't belong here. 

You're my inferior.

As Willow pouted like a child, Nahil came up with an idea.

"We can hang out on the weekend. The three of us and Sylvie." 

And Sylvie. 

Willow couldn't help the smile on her lips. She nodded eagerly, planning the two's wedding already.

Following that conversation, Nahil and Willow entered the theatre. As per usual, the members were seated on the stage as Leon delivered their schedule, followed by a motivational speech. 

As per usual, Ivan had his eyes on Willow, almost searching for her to look back to feel some sort of security. 

Willow thought he looked like a sad puppy dog in the rain. Not the homeless ones in an RSPCA ad, but the ones that were clean and had golden fur yet they seemed to want more.

Once the theatre kids moved off for rehearsals and Nahil was off with his new task, Willow darted for the damned chair that had gotten her in this mess.

~~~

Willow was glad that her knuckles could take a break from scratching the harsh sandpaper. She was finally up to painting the chair in gold.

Unlike sanding, painting seemed to be on her side. It was easy to slap on the colour against the raw wood. It was only the small accents that needed her precaution. 

When rehearsals came to a close, Willow asked Leon to stay back an hour. After last time's incident, he trusted that she would get the job done.

Like last time, she was eager to finish it off. However, unlike last time, she hoped she would be the only one in the theatre.

Behind the artificial gold, she sensed the locks of gold that was ahead of her. She managed to ignore it successfully, hoping he wasn't making his way over to her. 

"No, not tonight. I'm a little tired from hockey. I'll see you next week, alright?"

Willow was smiling. She was glad she wouldn't have to try so hard to ignore him, as he would be gone anyway. She assumed that he may have been speaking with Isla, the girl that had the lead and was to play the princess. She guessed that he wouldn't be dancing with her again and she wouldn't have to listen to that awful waltz again. 

So far, the universe was on Willow's side. 

Her momentary glee was interrupted by footsteps, hitting against the timber floored stage. Her gaze still upon the chair, her eyes widened.