Lights, Camera, Action!

Chapter 10

I stared at Noah. He stared back at me.

I wasn't sure what to say exactly, I had never acted before. And I definitely hadn't run lines in front of people.

"Okay guys, we'll start just after Ariel arrives to the surface and sees the prince on page 32. Whenever you're ready."

Thank goodness. If I had to actually play this part, Im glad it was a scene where I couldn't talk. Or sing.

"I'm sorry, have we met?" Noah asked, starting his lines.

I did my best to nod encouragingly.

"I knew it! I've been looking for you! You're the one who saved me, the one whose voice I can't stop thinking about. What's your name?"

I mouthed 'Ariel.'

"What's wrong?" Noah asked. "Can't you speak?"

I looked down sadly and shook my head. This was not good acting. I peeked into the audience just enough to see Ashley sitting next to Carter while our costume designer was writing ideas on her clipboard. Ashley was cutely asking "and what does this do?" while pointing to different parts of his camera. Carter either was very patient or was flirting with her because he was answering all of her questions, glancing up at Noah and I every once in awhile. Which was fine. I didn't want anyone to watch. We were just the understudies.

"Hannah?"

My eyes snapped back to Noah. "Huh?"

"Did you forget? You're supposed to fall into my arms."

"Oh, right." I said. I pretended to get excited about something, then took a look at Ashley and Carter again. They were giggling about something together. I tried to reach my head a little further to look at them when my foot slipped and I toppled over. Noah was prepared, catching me gracefully. I looked up at him in shock. I definitely did not mean to fall over, but it was perfect timing. No one would ever know. Noah held me for a moment, as he was supposed to, and we gazed into each others eyes. I forgot about the small spots of green hidden in the blue sea of-

"Excellent!" Doug interrupted, clapping. Noah pulled me back up and helped steady me.

"Thanks," I said under my breath. I looked back to my coworkers. Everyone's eyes were on us. I looked at Ashley and Carter, whose eyes were glued to Noah and I.

"Now Hannah, I think maybe you could be a little more enthusiastic with your acting. Since you don't have a voice, you really have to sell it with your actions. In fact, everyone pair up. I want you all to stay completely silent and try to have a full conversation with your partner."

I stood awkwardly opposite of Noah while everyone else was pairing up. He smiled at me and waved. I waved back.

He gestured at my shoes, then gave me a thumbs up. I nodded in appreciation and pointed at his shirt, then gave a thumbs up. Past his shoulder, I saw Beth and Olivia excitedly making gestures with their arms. Ivy and Ashley were trying, but they seemed to be on different pages. Carter was filming, as usual, panning around the room.

I heard a snap and my attention was back on Noah, who was trying to get my attention. I nodded for him to continue. He pulled a small planner out of his back pocket and flipped a few pages. He showed his work schedule to me, pointing to next Friday. He pointed to me, then himself, and motioned to be what I think was eating popcorn. He finished it off by drawing a question mark in the air.

Wait, what?

He wants to eat popcorn? Its not even lunchtime. I stared at him blankly, then tilted my head, confused. He thought for a moment, then stood next to me. He pretended to eat popcorn and looked at something in the distance. Then he took his right arm and draped it around my shoulders. He came back around to face me and drew a question mark in the air again.

Oh. OH.

Did he... silently ask me out? I froze, eyes wide.

I felt hands on my shoulders. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw Beth squeezing me and nodding her head excitedly. Behind Noah I could see Olivia and Ivy nodding their heads at me too. To my right, Carter was filming us.

But I didn't know what to say. Or, act out. Instead, I bolted down the stairs, heading to the lobby.

"Hannah!" I heard Olivia call.

I ignored her. I was panicking and did not want anyone else to see this. I was able to stay in control until I made it outside, but then I started gasping for the fresh air.

"Hannah?"

I turned, and Beth and Olivia were waiting in the doorway. I burst into tears.

"I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed. "I'm so sorry."

Beth came over and gave me a tight squeeze. "No, we're sorry. We should not have put you in a spot like that. It was a lot of pressure. We thought for sure you'd say yes."

Honestly, so did I. Noah was a handsome guy, and I did feel like we connected when he caught me in his arms. But the last thing I wanted was to date a coworker. It was the second time I felt that way this week.

"Hannah?"

The three of us turned to the entrance. Noah was there, probably waiting for my answer.

"Noah, now might not be the best time," Olivia said quietly.

"It's okay," I said quickly. "You guys can head back. I'll be right in."

Olivia nodded, and her and Beth stepped inside to give Noah and I some privacy. I looked at my shoes for a moment, trying to figure out what to say.

"Are you okay?" Noah asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, I am. Thanks."

He was silent too, also looking at his shoes. "I didn't mean to pressure you or anything," he said. "I promise. I just thought maybe..."

"No, no," I interrupted. "You did nothing wrong. I'm sorry Noah. It was just so unexpected and-"

"Was it? Unexpected? I kinda thought you might have known I liked you Hannah."

I looked up at him, sniffling. "What?"

"I got an offer for a summer musical position in New York three years ago. I decided to keep working here each summer. Do you know why?"

"Because you like the quiet life of-"

"No, Hannah." Noah said, annoyed. He took a step closer and looked closely at me.

"Carter! Take one of me in front of the theatre!" I heard a shrill voice exclaim.

Noah and I both turned towards the entrance, where Ashley was running out, pulling Carter along by the hand. Both were laughing until they saw us.

"Whoops, didn't mean to interrupt... whatever this is." Ashley said, gesturing towards us. "Run along now, we've got a photoshoot," She said, dismissing Noah and I with her hands.

"Ashley, let's get back inside," Carter said, looking at me. I turned my head to prevent them from seeing the tear that was running down my cheek.

"It's fine," Noah said. "Clearly Hannah doesn't want to have this conversation." I blinked through tears to see Noah walking back inside. He was mad. I could hear it in his voice.

Ashley giggled once he was gone. "You really screwed this up, didn't you?"

Carter tried his best to guide her back inside, but he was too polite. She stood her ground. "Time to go home, Hannah."

For once, I agreed with Ashley.