New York, New York - Mike Faist

TWENTY-SIX

*mike*

I woke up with Jocelyn not next to me. She must've gone out early or something. I was slowly drifting back off to sleep when somebody pounded on my door. I groaned at my also pounding headache and got out of bed. Trix followed me to the door. I opened it and Ben was there looking furious. I smiled lightly but he pushed past me into the apartment.

"Ben? What's up?"

"And you don't even care! What is wrong with you?"

"What do you mean?" I followed him into the bedroom

He got out a suitcase and started throwing Jocelyns clothes into it.

"Last night! Do you not remember! Do you not remember what you did to Jocelyn?" He yelled at me

"First, stop yelling. Second, what happened last night?" I followed him into the bathroom where he got more of Jocelyn's stuff.

"Jocey came out of the bathroom to not only find you kissing somebody else, but it being her enemy! Why would you do that?"

"I did that?" I asked quietly

"Yes. Now she's heartbroken."

Ben left the apartment without another word. I sat at the kitchen island reflecting on my actions last night. I have no memory of any of that. Why would I do that. I love Jocelyn. I do remember one thing. My ice sank. My ice in my drink sank. The drink I was sipping on before Jocelyn went to the bathroom. Would Mandy do that? Yes. Yes, she would.

I grabbed my keys and ran out of the apartment. I got into Jocelyns car, which I feel really bad about, and raced the way to Mandys place. Once there I pounded on her door. She answered with a smirk and invited me inside. I declined.

"Hey Mikey, come back for more?" Only Jocelyn calls me that

"Don't call me that. Do you realize what you did?"

"What did I do?" She acted innocent

"First, you drugged my drink! Second, you forced me to kiss you! Third, you tore my relationship with the girl I love apart."

"I-I—" She stuttered

"Exactly, and don't think you you'll be in any shows any time soon." I left her standing there and ran back to the car

I went back to my apartment and got my stuff for the show we had a few hours. The show where I had to see Jocelyn. I had to see Jcoelyn! I could explain myself! I caught a cab to the theatre and entered my dressing room. I got dirty looks from almost everybody. I groaned and rushed to Georgia's office.

"Mike?"

"Yeah hi."

"How can I help you?"

"I have something to tell you."

So I told her. I told her everything that I needed to. Then, I told everybody else. They all believed me luckily and agreed it wasn't like me to do that. I rushed to the Pink Ladies dressing room and knocked on the door. Eloise answered and tried to shut the door on me.

"Eloise, wait!"

"What do you want, Mike?" She asked

I hesrd my name being repeated inside by every other girl. Some sounded mad, others confused, and the last sad. I tried to explain but she shut the door.

*jocelyn*

"What did he want?" I asked

"He wanted to explain." Portia scoffed

"That jerk." Dani put on eyeliner

I stayed silent until places were called. We walked to the wings and usually I would talk to Mike for a second, but not anymore. He saw me and began to walk over but I walked away before he could reach me.

.  .  .

I was sat in the dressing room waiting for Ella when I got a call. I left the room and answered my phone.

"Hello?"

"Is this Jocelyn Darling?" An english-accented woman asked me

"Yes."

"Wonderful! Ms. Darling, we would like to offer you the role of Ado Annie in West Ends Oklahoma."

My jaw dropped and a wide smile fell on my face. I'm finally getting offers. I didn't even audition for this show!

"Ms. Darling?" I was snapped back to reality

"Yes. Yes, I'll do it!" I laughed lightly

"Great! We will get a flat ready for you. We will fly you out in two weeks time for rehearsals! We'll see you then!"

She hung up and I walked back in the dressing room. I looked at my girls and they all looked at me.

"Who was that?" Dani asked

"Well, I just got an offer to be Ado Annie in Oklahoma!"

"That's wonderful!" They all pulled me into a hug

"But, it's in London. On the West End."

It went silent but Ella still congratulated me. Ella and I left the theatre together to get to her apartment. We talked about my offer the whole way over. She was still excited for me, of course. I reassured her we would stay in touch and stay best friends no matter what!

.  .  .
The next day

I entered Georgia's office the next day and sat down on one of the chairs.

"What can I do for you, Jocelyn."

"I got an offer to be Ado Annie in Oklahoma. On the West End. I will be leaving this show in two weeks." I got out all in one breath

"That's wonderful! The West End is where I got my start! We sure will miss you!"

I left her office and had to walk by Mike on my back. His dressing room door was open and he rushed up from his chair. I tried to walk faster but he grabbed onto my wrist.

"Let go, Mike."

"No! I need to tell you what happened."

"I know what happened! You kissed Mandy! What more is there to say?"

"A lot more. You don't know the whole story!"

"Mike. I'm leaving for London in two weeks. I wish you the best. Okay?" I walked away from him

.  .  .

It was my last bow at Grease. I took my bow with tears in my eyes and a stage manager handed me flowers and a hug. The curtain came down and the tears were falling down my face. We went through the whole thing when somebody leaves a show. It was teary but happy. Mike looked the most broken of all, surprisingly.

.  .  .

Ella ran to Mikes apartment to return my key and get my luggage. She would be driving me to the airport. She put my stuff in the back and we were on our way. We entered the airport and she gave me one final goodbye. I went through security and finally to my gate. I waited there for about an hour until my group was called to board. My phone buzzed with a text before the plane took off.

Mikey 💗
I love you