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After the curtain call, Gracie found herself alone in a hallway while everyone else was busy celebrating or talking to their families about the show. She, however, couldn't find it in her to celebrate.
Throughout her whole friendship with Ricky, Gracie had gotten used to getting her heart broken. Whether it was because he unknowingly friendzoned her, or started to like another girl, Gracie always knew that the heartbreak was coming and she would only let it effect her for a few seconds before going back to feeling like nothing ever happened.
So why did this time feel so different to her?
She knew it was gonna happen at some point, so why is the pain not going away? And why did it hurt more?
Was it because, for a second, she thought Ricky might like her too? Maybe it was the fact they had spent so much time together this year, she thought something might change? Or, prehaps, this was the heartbreak she needed to look at something new?
"You okay?" EJ's voice took her out of her head as he sat next to her on the cold hallway floor.
"Yeah," Gracie gave him a smile that couldn't reach her eyes. "Just thinking."
"I know we aren't exactly friends, but..." EJ looked at the girl as she finally spared him a glance. "I know how you felt about Ricky and I know that hurt you. And I don't know who else knows but you can always talk to me if you need to."
"Thank you," Gracie nodded before closing her eyes and laying her head on his shoulder as the two sat in silence for a few minutes.
It was something she didn't know she needed. Having the silence surround her but also being fully aware that she wasn't alone made her ground herself a little bit.
It was enough to get her to open her eyes again and stare at the water fountain across from her as questions still swarmed her head.
Though they quickly died down as she looked at the floor underneath the fountain, noticing a white envelope staring back at her.
"Oh, my God," Gracie muttered to herself as she quickly stood up, making EJ jump at her sudden movement.
"What? What is it?" EJ asked as she grabbed the envelope and smiled.
"Nothing," She said, turning to run down the hallway. "I gotta go."
She ran as fast as she could to the dressing room which was empty as she buried the card in the flowers, just outside of view if you were standing from afar, but if someone was closer they would find it easily.
Once the card was in place, she changed out of her costume and got rid of her stage makeup before the drama students started to filter into the room.
She turned to the door as Big Red entered the room and looked at Gracie hopefully. She gave him a nod and a thumbs up causing a smile to break out as he took a seat next to her. All they had to do wait for someone to bring up the flowers again.
