Before We Fall

Part 1, Chapter 34

Sky's POV

"Hey, Albert, Elmer, Specs, you heard Jack! Let's get a move on." Ben yelled.

I entered from the opposite of the scaffolding. "I was having the most beautiful dream. My lips is still tinglin'!"

"He playfully bumped my arm. "Oh, a pretty girl?"

The prettiest, I thought, but today was not the day to get fired. "A leg of lamb."

Something was off about Alivia, but every time I asked she brushed me off, assuring me that it wasn't my fault. I was worried about her, but couldn't put my finger on what was wrong. I couldn't shake the feeling that she just didn't quite trust me yet, which I don't know if I could blame her for after everything she's been through. Being in a show like this is taxing on its own, and I just hoped it wouldn't strain her relationships with anyone, somewhat selfishly including me. 

I finished the scene we were in, then the next, and eventually I had some downtime to spend in my dressing room. I took the time to clean up my station, lightly scoffing at the condition of Josh's, which was next to me. All the ensemble guys had to share a larger dressing room due to how many of us there were in the cast, which wasn't so bad most of the time.

There was a knock at the door. Josh, Ben, and I were the only people in here for whatever reason, and Ben got up to answer the door and let in whoever knocked before Josh or I could say anything.

It was Alivia. As soon as she walked in, I moved towards her to see what was wrong.

"I'm fine, Sky," she said.

"I didn't say anything."

"Yeah, but I could tell. I just wanted to see you." She stood on her tiptoes to gently kiss me.

"Get a room, idiots." Josh threw one of his shoes at us. I crouched down to pick up the shoe he had thrown and held it up.

"You're not getting this back," I told him.

"Dude, I kinda need that to do my job."

"That sounds like a personal problem." I turned back to Alivia, my expression softening. "Are you sure you're doing alright? You've seemed off all week." I reached up to brush her hair from her face.

"I told you, I'm fine," she snapped, pushing my hand away. "I'm just tired, is all."

I held my hands up in defense and backed away. "Okay, fine. Sorry for worrying about you."

"Don't put it like that, you know that's not what I meant."

"Do I?" I turned away to finish cleaning my station, despite everything already being in its proper place.

"You should since you act as if you know me so well." She lost her footing for a moment, grabbing the back of a nearby chair for support. I turned to face her. "Don't look at me like that."

"Like what?" I sighed. "Can we not do this right now? Can we talk about this later?" I asked, lowering my voice after seeing how uncomfortable Josh and Ben were, having to listen to us argue.

"When is later?"

"Not in the middle of a show! Technically, you're not supposed to be in here."

She held her hands out, defensively. "Fine, I'll leave. I just wanted to see you, you didn't have to turn it into this big thing."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alivia start to sway and stumble. I turned around as fast as I could, confused. I could see the fear in her eyes through a reflection in the mirror near her before she lost her footing and tumbled to the ground. I dove to catch her, resting her head in my lap as I slowly panicked, along with everyone else in the room.

Josh stood up almost immediately, making a beeline for the door. "I'll get Timothy," he said as he left. Timothy was our stage manager, so it made sense to all of us that he was the person to go to.

Ben stood as well, walking over to where I was pathetically cradling Alivia in my arms. He gently placed a hand on my shoulder, rubbing the back of my neck with his thumb. "Just breathe. She's going to be okay."

I felt my eyes well up as soon as he said it, trying to prevent any tears from running down my face, which I failed at. "I feel like an idiot crying, 'cause this isn't about me." I weakly tried to wipe at my face with the shirt fabric on my shoulder, refusing to let go of Alivia. "I just, I love her. I don't know what I'd do if I lost her." It was the first time I'd ever really admitted it, let alone said it out loud, but it was true.

The door flew open, narrowly missing Ben's arm, and Timothy ran in to assess the situation, sucking in a breath when he saw how pale Alivia was. "Becky called 911, and emergency crews are on their way." Becky was our assistant stage manager. "Can you get her downstairs?" 

I nodded, adjusting my grip on Alivia and slowly standing, before following Timothy outside towards the stage door. Ben was hot on my heels, just in case something else happened. I shifted her weight after a moment, turning her face in towards the crook of my neck. 

As we walked toward the sound of sirens from outside, I could only think one thing. Don't take her from me. Please, don't take her away from me.

<><><>

 y'all don't get nice things 

 love you all lots!