"Ugh, that douche, that asshole, I can't believe...," Luan grumbled under his breath as he threw on whatever clean clothes he could find on his floor and race towards the coffee shop where he worked.
It was already 8:30 and Luans shift had started at 7. He wondered why they couldn't have found someone to cover his shift when he'd clearly not woken up or wasn't answering his phone but he didn't ask.
He burst through the back door and consequently ran straight into his coworker who was carrying a bucket of dirty mop water, which proceeded to spill all down Luans pants and into his shoes.
"Whoa, Luan I'm so sorry. You just burst in so fast I didn't have time to move the bucket," he defended himself and though Luan wanted to scream at his luck he just sighed, defeated.
"It's fine," Luan said and put on his apron. Without saying another word he went out onto the floor to apologize to his manager and officially start his shift.
—————-
There was very little time between the end of Luans shift and the beginning of play practice but he smelled like dirty mop water and coffee. So needless to say he was going to change.
Luan was late to play practice anyways and lucky for him it was completely silent so every step he took sounded like an explosion, or at least that's how it felt. He felt every eye on him as he made his way to an empty seat but he only looked up once he'd sat down, making direct eye contact with Mr. Wilder.
Mr. Wilder shook his head ever so slightly as if to show his disappointment. Luan couldn't decide if it was an intimidation tactic but he decided that Mr. Wilder was just being a little shit. He also decided to get the theater owners number so he would no longer have to communicate with Mr. Wilder for things related to the play.
The rest of play practice flowed smoothly until everyone was leaving for the day. Luan was mid conversation with a friend when he heard a call from Tommy behind him.
His friend dismissed himself and Luan made his way over to Mr. Wilder.
"Yes, sir," he said without even looking Thoma in the eyes and with clear disdain in his voice.
"Your attitude and your clear lack of time management is something that needs to be addressed." Thoma says and he is startled when Luan laughs.
"Sir, with all due respect, you are not my parent and if you knew what I'd been through only just this morning to make it here you would understand both my attitude and why I was late." Luan explained and Thoma crossed his arms.
"Okay then explain to me what happened," he said and Luan sighs.
"Fine," and Luan proceeded to explain everything that'd happened excluding his own personal vendetta against the present company.
"So what I'm hearing is that rather than confronting me you decided to turn your phone on silent which in turn started this spiral of events you chocked up to bad luck. Take responsibility, you're not a child," Thoma says.
In that moment Luan wanted nothing more than to throw a fit just like a child. But he needed to prove this arrogant man that he was also worthy of respect.
"I'm sorry," he said with a level voice. "It won't happen again."
"What was that?" Mr. Wilder seemed to tease him.
Just as Luan was about to utter a retort, the theatre doors opened and Charlie walked through.
"Hey Tommy, I was just looking for you. What's going on?" Charlie asked and Luan used this opportunity to slip past Charlie out the door.
"What're you doing to Luan?" Charlie asked and Thoma shrugged.
"Trying to fix his attitude. Plus he's fun to mess with," Thoma said with a chuckle but Charlie frowned.
"You have no authority over him other than his performance. Plus you have one of the worst attitudes of anybody I know. Just leave him alone," Charlie advised and though Thoma nodded, he doubted that would be something he'd be able to do.
"I hope he poisons your next cup of coffee," Charlie muttered and Tommy began to mentally plan to frequent a new coffee shop for the time being.
——————
True to his word Luan was not late for play practice ever again but as the weeks progressed, Thoma couldn't help but notice how exhausted he always seemed.
Luan who played the antagonist in the story consequently had most of the lines which kept him extra busy. Despite this Thoma watched as he would go out of his way to keep up morale amongst the cast. He seemed a natural born leader and all the cast seemed to respect him a lot.
As Thoma found his eyes following Luan more with each new practice, he began to be able to read even his minute expressions. Luan couldn't hide how much of a toll everything was taking on him.
Thoma knew it wasn't his place to tell Luan to slow down nor did he figure the kid would listen, so he decided to give all the cast a week break.
The smile of relief on everyone's faces was enough reward for the delay in their rigorous practice schedule.
Everyone cleared out and Charlie sat down next to Thoma.
"I'm surprised you gave them a break. What's with the change of heart?" Charlie asks and Thoma shrugs.
"They're kids. Guess I just wanted to give them a break." Thoma says but his mind drifts to Luans face as he announced their break. He smiles remembering it.
"I almost forgot how big of a softie you actually were." Charlie says with a grin. "Glad to see you feeling better with each practice."
Thoma furrowed his brows. "Was I sick?"
Charlie taps his head, "You had a sickness of the mind. Don't you feel better?"
A smile breaks out on Thoma's face and he nods.
"Yeah, I'm starting to feel a lot better."
YOU ARE READING
Sincerely, Yours
RomanceLuan was doing well in his life. He had a stable job, a good circle of friends, good grades at the college he attended. His goals were bright and simple in front of him, all it was gonna take was time. Thoma had had a rough hand in life. He'd lost...
