Yellow Lights

Chapter 10 : Of love and friendships

"Everyone! Gather around please!" Miss Jenn called out at the room in drama club

"So, it's just a week before we get to the show and I just wanted to say that I am so happy for you all and whatever the outcome might be, know that I am proud of you. So we'll get to our last week of rehearsals, then the show is about to go on next week! So Carlos, take it away!" She was ecstatic

Everybody gathered at their places and rehearsals went for about 4 gruelling hours. It was intense because this is their first big production of a musical. All of them watched the Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall at Ahslyn's house when they had that party. They were amazed at how big of a spectacle that is. It could even topple North High's production of Beauty and the Beast.
Miss Jenn was looking across the room and her chest was filled with pride and happy as she sees her kids. "There is so much passion in this room I can smell it." She said.

Gina and I have finally talked and we're good friends, but I think I like her more than that. There is something about her that makes me want to make myself better. I guess I gotta navigate through these feelings that I have and figure things out.

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Rehearsals were over and everybody gathered their things and went home, Gina however opted to stay behind to put in some more work. Not for the show, but for herself. She has so much in her head, all these emotions in her chest that she wants to let out and one thing she knows she can do to cope is to dance. She can just let her body go along with the flow of her emotions and be free. She's put in her speaker and her mood playlist and started to dance. She danced like there is no one in the room, letting go of everything that she's feeling, not thinking about anything or anyone but where she is at the moment.

I went back to the room where we were rehearsing 'cause I forgot my jacket, and as I walked towards the door, I heard music, someone was in there. I saw a shadow and went over to check it out then I found her, she was dancing. She looked so beautiful, it was like seeing her for the first time. This was the first time I saw her like this, but, was she crying? The music ended and she broke down on the floor, crying. I felt the urge to come barging in but that wouldn't be right. I slowly walked to the door so I wouldn't startle her, and sat down beside her. She looked up, surprised "What are you doing here, Ej?" looking at me and wiping the tears from her eyes. I held her close, placed her head on my shoulder and embraced her. She embraced me back, and buried her face on my chest, sobbing. It hurts to see her cry like this, but sometimes, I know that words can only do so much and this is not the time for it. I can sit in silence with her, just to be with and for her.
I caressed her back to somewhat calm her and let her know that I'm just here.

She stopped crying and looked up at me, "Thank you" she said. I cupped her face in my hands and wiped her tears, "Are you okay?" I asked, concerned. "I will be." She smiled which somehow brought relief to me.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, "I was about to get my jacket, I thought everybody went home and then I saw you, crying. What were you upset about, if you don't mind me asking? Did something bad happen?" I said to her.

"Not really. I was just missing someone. A friend of mine, his family moved in another country and I just found out that something bad had happened to him. He got into a car accident, and it was really bad. And my mom just got a call from her office that she is needed in Atlanta and we might need to be moving again soon. It's just too much."

Shocked, "Wait, what? But the musical is in about two weeks from now and you've worked so hard for this. When do you think you'll be leaving for Atlanta?" I asked.
"I don't know, she said we'll leave as soon as possible. With her saying that, it's probably this or early next week." Said Gina, tears trickling down again on her cheeks.

"Moving is always hard you know?" She started opening up. "I couldn't get to keep friends because I hate saying goodbye to them. We were moving since I was a kid. I haven't really formed any roots somewhere that is why I try to shut off people away and sound intimidating. Those that I get close to, I try to shut off as well, thinking what if I get too attached and we needed to move again? So I choose not to. I'm not very good at it. I had this friend, Marty, he and I were really close. He was a really good guy, athletic and we usually hang out on track and field getting to race each other and one-upping one another. We started going out and were almost a thing but I ended it even if it hasn't bloomed to anything just yet. We ended up as friends, though I really liked him but that's just it. I didn't push it any further."

"I know that must be hard for you." I sighed while rubbing her arms. "So is that why you were dancing the way you did?" I asked

"Yeah, it feels quiet when I dance. Even if I had music around me, I can just let go and be free and not think of anything else, to quiet down all of the voices in my head. I can be myself and not put up a facade when I'm dancing." She smiled a lonely smile. "I've always put up this wall, but in reality, I'm not who you think I am."

I looked into her eyes and felt her sadness, she has this smile across her face but I know in my heart it was just for show. I can see it in her eyes. She grew silent.

I then sat in silence with her, she laid her head on my shoulder and breathe a deep sigh.

What are you doing to me, Gina? I'm not always like this, but with you it's different. Very different. I thought.

A few minutes passed, and she sat up, sleepy "Can you take me home, please? I'm tired." She said. "Yeah, sure. Come here, I'll get your things and take you home."
I got her up, and both of us walked to the parking lot to where my car was, and after about 30 mins, I pulled up on her front porch. She was sound asleep, I tried to nudge her a few times but she was sleeping like a baby. I just decided to carry her, I rang the doorbell and her mom greeted me, worried

"Hi ma'am, good evening. I'm Ej, I know it's late but I'm here to take Gina home."
"Hi Ej, I'm Patricia. Nice to meet you, where is she by the way, I'm worried sick, she's not answering my calls and texts." She said
"She's in my car, asleep. She was really tired from rehearsals. I'll just carry her to her room if that's alright with you? I don't want to wake her up" I said to her mom. "Yes, it's alright, her room is at the 2nd door upstairs to your left." She said.

I went back to the car, opened it making sure I was careful and carried her to the frontdoor all the way upstairs to her room.
I put her in bed and got a blanket over her, probably stared at her for a good minute, said good night and gave her a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Good night, Gina. I'll see you tomorrow." I softly said to her.
"Thank you, Ej....I...love...hmmm" she mumbled which made my heart leap and made me smile.

Note :

"Cause I knew I was in love with you
When we sat in silence"

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