Stuck with you (BWWM)

Chapter 14

Yasmin and I walked together, her mischievous smile hinting at a secret she was keeping. I had no idea where we were headed until we arrived at the theatre. My heart sank as I realized where we were-the place that had become a source of both joy and turmoil.

Before I could turn and leave, Yasmin's voice cut through my thoughts. "Wait, Gabi. Just hear me out."

I sighed, reluctantly turning to face her. "Yasmin, I can't handle more drama right now."

She placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "I know it seems tough, but just come inside. Trust me."

As we stepped into the theatre, the familiar surroundings felt both comforting and bittersweet. The memories of late-night rehearsals, laughter, and shared moments flooded my mind.

Yasmin began to speak, her words gentle yet firm. "Gabi, I get it. This musical has been a rollercoaster, and things have been... complicated."

I nodded, my guard still up. "Complicated is an understatement."

She smiled, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "But you know what? This show is nothing without you. And we're all here for more than just the performance-we're here for each other."

I furrowed my brows, a mixture of confusion and curiosity washing over me. "What are you getting at, Yasmin?"

She glanced around the theatre, her gaze lingering on an empty seat. "There's someone here who believes in you, more than you realize. Someone who's been trying to fix his mistakes."

I followed her gaze, my heart skipping a beat as I caught sight of Ben. He was sitting there, looking both nervous and hopeful.

Yasmin continued, her voice softening. "You're not alone in this, Gabi. We're all navigating this chaos together. And... maybe, just maybe, it's worth giving it another shot."

Her words struck a chord within me, and I felt a mixture of emotions swirling within. Maybe it was time to let go of my resentment and fears, to take a step back into the world of music and camaraderie.

I took a deep breath, my voice barely above a whisper. "Okay, Yasmin. I'll come back."

A smile tugged at her lips, and she gave me a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. "You won't regret it, Gabi."

As we walked towards the group, towards the familiar faces and the music that had once brought us together, I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this time around, things could be different.

The final rehearsal was in full swing, and just when we were about to hit a high note, the power abruptly went out, casting the room into darkness. There were groans and murmurs from the cast as we tried to figure out what had happened.

In the dim light, I made my way to the tech room, knowing that I needed to get the power back on if we were going to continue. As I tinkered with the switches and cables, I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to see Ben entering the room, his expression a mix of determination and concern.

"Need some help?" he asked, his voice calm.

I nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed about the situation. "Yeah, I'm not exactly an expert with this stuff."

Together, we worked in the dim light, our hands brushing against each other as we tried to fix the issue. It was strangely quiet, the tension in the air palpable. Eventually, I sighed, feeling the need to break the silence.

"Ben, about the other day... I'm sorry," I admitted, my voice soft.

He looked at me, his gaze steady. "You don't need to apologize. I should've handled things differently too."

I appreciated his understanding, but I wanted to make things right between us. "No, really. Yelling at you like that was uncalled for. I was just frustrated and took it out on you."

He smiled, his eyes warm. "We were both under a lot of pressure. It's okay."

As the conversation shifted, I found myself talking about my altercation with Jade. I explained how it had escalated, how her words had struck a nerve, and how I had acted without thinking. Ben listened, his expression a mix of empathy and concern.

"You shouldn't let her get to you like that," he said, his voice firm. "You're stronger than her words."

I nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude for his support. "I know, but sometimes, it's hard not to react."

He reached out, his fingers gently brushing against my hand. "Gabi, you don't have to face everything on your own. You have friends who care about you."

I met his gaze, my heart racing as the moment hung between us. The dim light seemed to cast a soft glow around him, making his features even more captivating. And then, it happened again-the almost-kiss that had become a recurring theme in our lives.

Our faces were inches apart, the air thick with anticipation. But just as our lips were about to touch, the power suddenly surged back on, flooding the room with light and sound. We pulled away from each other, both startled by the abrupt interruption.

The cast outside cheered as the lights flickered back to life, and I let out a nervous laugh, feeling a mixture of disappointment and relief.

"Well, that was... unexpected," I said, trying to break the tension.

Ben chuckled, his cheeks tinged with a hint of pink. "Yeah, definitely not how I imagined this moment going."

As we exchanged sheepish smiles, I couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of connection with him. Despite the chaos and drama that had plagued us, there was still something between us-something worth exploring.

As we left the tech room together, I couldn't shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, things were finally falling into place.