Center Stage (Frazel)

16

"Where's Nico?" 

"He's selling merch out in the lobby. Since he was in Newsies, they wanted him to!" 

"Go get him! He's on in five!" 

Hazel looked down and, much to her horror, realized she was wearing Calypso's costume instead of her own. They were halfway through the show! 

"No, no, Frank, you have to go on for Nico!" 

Hazel watched in horror as Frank was pulled from the lighting booth - which, for some reason, had been moved behind the stage - and handed Nico's spandex cat suit, which, for some reason, had been dyed puke green. There was no way he would even try to put that on, Hazel just knew it. 

"Actually, no time to change, get out there!" 

A crew member shoved Frank from the wings onto the stage, where he was met with silence from the audience. No doubt his purple t-shirt and faded blue jeans were a shock in comparison to the actors in cat.... and newsie, for some reason, costumes on stage. 

"Will knows Nico's lines! Will, get out there!" 

Next thing Hazel knew, Will was onstage with Frank, dressed in a suit, complete with bow tie and boutonniere, like he was headed to his wedding as soon as he left the theatre. 

Had Hazel missed her invitation? 

"This is a disaster! We're closing the show!" The director yelled from somewhere Hazel couldn't see. 

Hazel opened her eyes to complete darkness. her neck soaked with sweat. After a few deep breaths and one touch to her face to ensure she wasn't in costume, she ran her hand along the nightstand in search of her phone. What an odd dream. 

The phone screen brightened under her touch, a photo of her, Nico and Calypso and the time 4:42 a.m. nearly blinding her. She quickly turned the brightness down through squinted eyes, hoping she didn't wake Calypso. It was opening night; everyone needed their rest. 

And then it hit her: it was opening night. 

Suddenly too nervous and excited to even dream of going back to sleep, Hazel rolled over and swiped into Instagram. Her feed was mainly photos of the night before - Nico and Will, or their friends gushing over Nico and Will. Connor had changed his profile photo to a selfie in which he was fake-sobbing with a piece of confetti falling into his mouth. In the background, Nico and Will were embracing each other. Hazel stifled her laugh with her pillow. 

Even Frank had shared a photo of the group at dinner to his story. 

Congrats to @nico.di.ang and @sun_will_rise! Engaged! 

Hazel grinned at the story - and then frowned when she saw the posted 4m ago label under Frank's username. Why was he awake? 

Blame it on the opening night excitement, but before she could think it through Hazel had typed and sent a story reply. 

hazel.grace: this is a cute picture, send it to me please! Also, why are you up? 

She stopped suddenly and cringed. 'Why are you up?' Come on, Hazel! 

Frank took it well, though, and immediately replied. 

zhang.frank: Texting it your way now! Call it opening night jitters. Thought I might go for a run.

Her phone buzzed again against her palm as she reposted Frank's story to her own. 

zhang.frank:  Why are you up this early?