The Pepper Crew

Chapter 4

I woke up with a headache but managed to roll off the bed. No literally, I like actually rolled onto the floor. Today was rather warm so I dressed lightly. The walk over to the shoppe wasn't exactly enjoyable. Thoughts clung to my head like wet clothes on skin. They were distracting... in distractingly distracting ways.

All I could see was Matt. Just Matt everywhere!

It's all, oh you wanna poor cereal?? Nope you want to stare at Matt. Seriously I'm trying to eat!

Down at the Pepper Place, Matt was preparing for her audition. Crew members were scattered her and there. A dash in the front, a sprinkle across the street. Surprisingly I saw a few people in the front room, including Matt. I went up to her to ask who these people were.

"Well that, is Taxi." She pointed to a man in almost formal clothing with a
b-face. At a second look I noticed his slim figure and long face. With shock written all over my face, I walked uneasily up to him.

Tapping this so-called-Taxi on the shoulder he turned and greeted me warmly. "Hey Char! I know, never thought you would see me out of my neon pink skin shirt." He laughed.

It was the most uncomfortable thing I had experienced in my life.

"What the fff-"

At that precise time a clattering erupted around the corner. People rushed to witness what it was. Uneasy glances were exchanged between Taxi Matt and I. We, in unison, flocked out the door.

Of course, it was Otch who fell in a box of props. Taxi helped an astonished Otch out of his mess only to get an even more confused look back.

"What is going on today?? I'm walking down the street and I see all these people around. Then there's this box I fell in! I thought Taxi was the clumsy one? But now he's all dressed in this "I'm a professional" outfit. I sure hope Frank still looks the same!"

Just as he finished his sentence Frank rounded the corner with popping dark red hair. "Hey guys!" She waved smiling.

"OH MY GOD!!" Otch threw his hands in the air and strutted in through the shop door.

Frank watched him walk inside before turning to me and asking, "What's up with him? I thought Taxi was the clumsy weird one?"

With that, Frank followed Otch inside. The remaining three of us also
re-entered the shoppe. Matt wandered behind the counter to her usual post and began chewing her nails. She flipped through the pages she had.

Taxi was doing the same, and, for once he didn't look ridiculous. He looked like he knew what he was doing with everything. He was insecure but smooth. Usually he would be bouncing off the walls, chest puffed up. Not now.

I approached Matt with a certain air about me. "Hey, don't be nervous. As soon as they see what I saw, you're in." The corners of Matt's lips curled up into a smile.

"Thanks," she murmured.

Matt opened her mouth to speak but closed it again. She cocked her head at me. "Do you... do you remember last night?"

I furrowed my eyebrows. "I remember that courtyard area. It was beautiful. Then I woke up with a headache."

Several expressions flashed across her face. A mix of relief, disappointment, and curiosity.

"What? What happened?" I asked dragging her away from her thoughts.

"Oh - just, nothing. Just wandering is all." She bit her lip with watery eyes and strode over to the bathroom.