«Cecily Legler Strong!» Kate yelled, entering the dressing room. «What is this thing that you're leaving SNL in May?»
«Good morning to you, too, Kathryn» I smiled, ironically. «And where did you hear that?»
«Heidi told me like five minutes ago. Why do you wanna leave?» she asked, shutting the door behind her.
«I don't wanna leave, but I'm thinking about it. I don't see how this is any of your business anyways, I mean...»
As soon as I said those words, I regretted opening my mouth.
«It's my business because we're friends and I care about you, miss.»
«Aww!» I exclaimed. «I haven't decided yet, so for now could you keep this to yourself? If Heidi hasn't told anyone already. I don't even know who she could have heard that from.»
«I just don't get it, why would you even think of leaving?»
I didn't answer. Not because I didn't want to tell her, but because I didn't know what to say. I just had a gut feeling, like maybe it was time to move on.
«Guys, there's that meeting with Lorne» Kenan said, entering the room and breaking the silence between us.
I got up from my couch, where I was reading a book before being interrupted, then Kate and I followed him in the room where usually we would have table reads.
«We're not done with that, by the way» Kate whispered in my ear, as we were sitting on the plastic chairs.
«Just drop it, it's not even final yet, I'm still thinking about it.»
«What is not final yet?» Aidy asked, taking place next to Kate.
«I am thinking about moving to another apartment, but I haven't made up my mind yet» I lied.
She didn't ask anything, since Lorne came in the room and greeted us, but I knew that Kate would have told her, sooner or later.
The meeting didn't last long, and at eleven thirty we were able to leave the building for lunch break. Normally we would stay in the office and eat something in the writing room, but I really needed some time alone, to think about the big choice I was making.
«Hey, you okay?» Colin asked in the elevator, seeing me particularly quiet.
I wasn't a loud, talkative person like Kate or Aidy, but that day I was completely silent, with my eyes concentrating on the numbers that were constantly changing, indicating the floor we were on.
«I'm fine, thanks. See you later.»
I got out of the elevator and walked to my favorite restaurant.
It was the first week of December, and the weather in New York City was starting to be a little chilly, but I didn't mind the snow and the cold wind, so I just ordered my food and went to my favorite spot in all New York City, in Central Park.
I sat on a bench and started scrolling through my messages, until a particular one caught my attention.
Can we meet? I need to talk to you.
It was all it said, but I knew it couldn't be anything good.
The text came from my ex-boyfriend and ex colleague, Mike O'Brien. Our relationship ended up in good terms, but I didn't get over it quite quickly.
Sure, tell me when.
I took a deep breath in, and a long one out.
Is tomorrow good for you?
Tomorrow is great.
Ok, I'll come by 8H.
I ate my lunch in silence, then I heard my phone buzzing in my coat.
«Kate, how can I help you?»
«What are you now, a secretary? Where are you? I need to talk to you.»
«I'll come up in twenty minutes, no need to come here.»
«There's noise around you... are you at Central Park?»
«Yes, but do not come out here, please. I'll be there soon.»
«Okay, but don't be late. I also have an idea for another sketch.»
I ended the call and went to the first newsstand I could find.
«A copy of the Times, please.»
I slowly walked back to the office reading the headlines on the newspaper, while people strolled around me like a raging river.
«Oh my God, are you Cecily Strong from SNL?» a young girl asked me, taking her phone out.
«Uh, yes, that's me.»
«Could we take a selfie? I love you on that show, when I'm having a bad day I always watch your sketches.»
«Aww, that's really kind of you. Happy to help.»
She took the photo and gave me the biggest smile I had seen in a long time.
«Bye!» she smiled, walking away.
«See ya!»
I resumed walking, this time more energetically, almost skipping, with the newspaper under my armpit.
«Hey there Cec» Melissa greeted me, as I was walking down the hallway.
«Hi.»
«I think Kate wants to talk to you about something.»
«I know, she called me. If you see her, tell her I'll be in my office.»
I opened the door to my office, which I shared with Aidy Bryant, and saw her with Conner O'Malley, her husband.
«Sorry, am I interrupting something?» I asked immediately.
They were both fully clothed, but had serious expressions on their faces.
«No, I was just passing by because she forgot her charger at home. How are you?» he explained, getting up to shake my hand.
«Good, you?»
«Great.»
The silence was louder than a thousand words.
«Seriously, I can just leave for five minutes if you want.»
«Uhm...» Aidy stared at her husband for a few seconds before answering.
«Gotcha» I winked.
I left them inside and started wandering around the set, until I came across Michael Che.
«Kate was just looking for you.»
«I know, I know.»
«There you are!» the blonde girl shouted behind me. «I have been looking for you everywhere. I need to talk to you, seriously.»
She grabbed my wrist and made me follow her to her office, which she shared with Melissa.
«Sit down, because we need to talk, comedian to comedian.»
She took off her hoodie and her shoes, and just laid beside me, spreading her legs, in a position that made her look gayer than normal.
«Why the hell do you want to leave?»
«It seems like the right time, K. I have been here forever, and I feel like maybe it's time to move on. Plus, I don't really feel like I'm doing my best here, and someone more talented should take on.»
«Cecily, my dear, do you realize that what you're saying doesn't really make any sense?»
«It really does to me.»
She got seated and grabbed my hands.
«Cec, sweetheart, you have got to realize that you have worked your butt off for years to be here. You are talented as hell, gorgeous, smart and I know that life doesn't really make sense right now, but I promise you that there's no one here as talented as you.»
I smiled in response.
«Could you stop acting like my grandma? You're creepy.»
«I am a month older than you, shall I remind you, miss.»
«Thanks for this motivational speech, but I have got to go to work. Send me that idea you had, I'll give it a look.»
I went back to my office just in time to see Conner take off, so I sat at my desk and started putting together a few ideas for random sketches.
YOU ARE READING
UNBROKEN || Cecily Strong
Fanfiction«So... how is he?» Owen asked me, when we got a moment alone and away from all the chaos. «He's so sweet. I think I'm falling in love with him, honestly» I answered, smiling, with a cup of tea in my hand. «Good for you! Now, promise me that if I'm...
