Hey Soul Sister! (A Darren Criss Fanfiction)

Showtime!!

Seven months later,
The premiere day is now upon us. All those hours spent perfecting dialogue, songs, and choreography has led up to this day. For me, it mostly meant that I took notes and I was slowly being eaten away by watching Darren from a five foot distance. There were so many nights where I cried myself to sleep, the amount of tears could create an ocean. Now people pray for good reviews and Tony nominations.
I go two hours early to get away from the traffic and to organize the different sets of make-up I'd be using for tonight. I use the back door to back stage. It opens with the key Leah gave me when rehearsal sessions at Gershwin Theatre (where I saw Wicked eleven years ago).
Leah has opened so many doors for me. Under that tranquil motherly figure was a true friend.
After rummaging through my purse to find the key and opening the door, I attempt to discover my cell phone. When that moment happens, I turn on my flashlight app. It is the beacon which leads me through the pitch blackness of back stage. I keep it on until one dressing room with the sign reading the name "Bree Thompson" is found.
Bree is a b-word if I'd ever been around one. She's prissy as well as arrogant, believes she possesses the most talent of any of the other cast members, has an OK singing voice, doesn't have any respect for any of the company members (especially Darren), hates being corrected by Carmichael or anyone, and treats me like complete dirt. As I said, Bree hates being corrected on pieces of script, music, or choreography. She has lashed at Carmichael when any correction was made or anytime Bree was plain pissed off at the world. Carmichael has tried to keep poised and composure, but has kicked her out of rehearsals.
Also she and Darren do not have great chemistry either. It truly reminds me of fire and ice. Darren being the fire and you can guess who the ice queen is.
Back to getting into the dressing room...Despite hating Bree with everything I have ( I truly don't really hate anyone), I attempt to be as kind and polite as possible. Tonight starting by, organizing Bree's ensembles in order of appearance. After that, organizing the make-up as I initially was going to do. Still one hour and thirty minutes before the show is due to begin. Then I hear the sound of a piano and someone trying to sing. I follow it, the sound brings me closer to the stage. At this time, I think it is the closest I'll get to the stage. As the voice becomes louder and I begin to hear tears.
It turns out to be Leah. I rush over to her as quickly as I could manage.
"Leah, are you alright?" I ask with definite concern.
She replies, "Before shows I used to sing my favorite song for luck...I've never been comfortable with saying, " Break a leg!""
I sit next to Leah on the piano bench and ask, "What happened to your voice?"
Leah inhales and exhales deeply, " I told you that I had a terrible case of Laryngitis....Doctors told me they needed to do a simple surgery....They kept reassuring me that my voice wouldn't or shouldn't be altered by much...I go into the procedure with my husband, Jeff, by my side and everything goes black. When I awoke, I could never sing again. No high-pitched times expelled from my vocal chords....The doctors, when I wasn't loopy anymore, explained to me that there was a complication within my surgery...They were deeply sorry... My heart I could just feel was hurting...I remember crying into Jeff's chest...Later, I was told that, I was pregnant with my son, Grayson...I guess to help ease my pain.
You don't know how hard it was to comprehend the fact that I would never be able to lull my precious baby boy to sleep...It still hurts...That's why I've put so much faith into you because you have the chance I never got due to my surgery!"
By now, Leah is sobbing into my chest.
"What's your favorite song, Leah?"
"Quinn, it is " Somewhere Over the Rainbow".."
I counter, "I could sing it."
"Yes, please do, Quinn," Leah sobs.
I get up and cue the piano with my hand. I breathe as Leah plays an intro for eight measures. I then allow the lyrics to expel from my vocal chords. Visions of myself as Dorothy play in my mind as the song continues. When it concludes, Leah gives me a standing ovation of clapping. I gesture for her to come over to me. I hug her.
"Thank you for believing in me," I tell Leah.
"You're talent worth believing in, Quinn."
The sweet embrace is short lived, the ice queen comes and freezes all the happiness from the stage.
"If you love birds don't care about the show then GET OUT!" Bree yells before heading to her dressing room.
Leah and I break away from our hug.
Leah then says, "I have some choice words for her, Quinn...I couldn't be kind to her like you."
"There's no point in reacting because Bree probably won't change anytime soon."
"Quinn, something else I can admire you for," Leah tells me.
I then go over to the dressing room. Sure to knock so I don't get a full whirlwind of ice hurled upon me.
"What?!" Bree moans.
I open the door and say, "I just came in to get you ready, Ms Bree."
"Well take your sweet little time, untalented person!" Bree snaps.
It stung but I keep my composure. She wasn't worth losing my job. If I didn't have such good discipline, I would've strangled her until her neck snapped. I have that vision in my mind to keep me from lashing out as well.
"Sorry, please put on a robe," I say.
Bree groans and rolls her eyes. She gets up and takes off her jacket, shirt, pants, and shoes. Only leaving on her bra and underwear. Then Bree put on a black robe. That's when I begin contouring her cheeks and nose. Then hiding blemishes with concealer. Eye shadow comes next. Later, eye liner, blush, and red lipstick. Bree quickly put on her outfit for the first few scenes.
After all that, she decided to see our audience size. Bree begins hyperventilating. Sweat begins to bead her forehead, breathing hard and short breaths, and collapses. People are rushing to her. Darren carries her to the dressing room. I manage to find a fan in a cabinet, I use it to create cool air for Bree. She begins freaking out about Tonys, reviews, and the packed audience. I give her words of encouragement. I will admit, I enjoy Bree's presence more when she's having an anxiety problem. Then she's on.
"Break a leg!" I whisper loudly.
Before she can snap, the show has already begun.

In the End....
At the show's finale number, the crowd goes to their feet, from what I can see. The cast bows. I would've given anything to be out there with the spotlights blinding me. But no, I am stuck behind the curtains of stage left. I just watch Darren smiling a beam so vast, it fills the entire theatre. Behind me, Edgar (Carmichael's husband) and Carmichael embrace and kiss.
"I smell a Tony nomination, Cary!" Edgar exclaims.
Not that it matters, Carmichael you'd never expect to be gay, while Edgar is flamboyantly gay.
When Britt runs to them, they hand her a bouquet of flowers. Edgar is crying while Carmichael is only saying words of kindness. Then she runs to me. I hug Britt tightly.
So this is what some Broadway premieres, I loved it. Despite the fact that I would rather be out there with Darren and the rest of the company. I give them all high fives as they go by, except Bree who didn't accept it. I decide to stay after the theatre is about to close. To take in this sacred hall's emptiness.