The Undergrowth

Chapter 7: Business Meeting

The rest of the week passes as smoothly as one can hope for in middle school. I haven't seen Liam all week. In fact it's like he's avoiding me. I have lunch with Charlie everyday, who has quickly become a good friend.

I try to ask her about the feud or whatever it is between Liam and Ebon, but she quickly changes the subject every time I bring it up.

On Friday I knew he could no longer avoid me. Rehearsal was scheduled for three o'clock. Just after the final bell.

I gathered my things and made my way down to the auditorium. I knew last period was the class he taught in the auditorium, so I expected to find him there. Instead all I found was empty seats and a stage with the beginnings of a set on it.

I sat in the third row and prop my feet on the seat in front of me and pull out my sketch pad. I flip to a blank page and start drawing. I start with the set and what I imagine it will look like once it is complete.

I had just started drawing my version of Romeo when a petite woman with brown hair and doe eyes hustles in. She stops and stares at me for a few seconds, then tucks her head and scurries backstage.

I am putting my sketchpad away when Liam plops down in the seat beside me.

"Are you going to show me you drawings yet?"

"Not a chance." Especially not since he is the star in many of them. I shove the pad in my bag as several of the kids start to mill in. They take seats on the stage, or in the bleachers below us.

"Mr. Carter," A short girl with long blonde hair calls up to him from the stage. "Devon isn't here."

"He'll be here, Leah. Be patient." He tells her. She huffs and stomps off. "That's Leah. Our Juliet." He says to me.

"Micah, Kyle, and Ben are there." He points to three boys siting on the stage goofing off together. "Mercutio, Benvolio, and Tybalt."

I just nod. I want to ask him why he's been avoiding me. I want him to reach out and touch me. I desperately want to know what would have happened last week in that kitchen if Felicity hadn't interrupted.

"Mr. Carter," The doe eyed woman steps out onto the stage. "We have a problem."

He cuts his eyes to me for a moment before addressing the woman on stage. "And what would that be Ms. Gibson?"

"The seamstress. She quit." Ms. Gibson says. "And most of the cast still needs adjustments to their costumes. What are we going to do? Dress rehearsal starts next week."

"Shit." Liam sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose.

"I can help." I offer. "I know my way around a sewing machine." His head jerks up in my direction.

"Seriously?" he asks. I nod.

He beams and claps his hands together. His whole face lights up and it makes my insides all gooey. Ms. Gibson still stands in the same spot on stage looking between the two of us.

"Ms. Gibson, meet Miss Sims. She's the new assistant director and she would be thrilled to help you."

I'm not so sure thrilled is the right word. I had wanted to see him in action with the kids. But I gather my bag and get to my feet. He stands alongside me and touches my elbow. Who knew the elbow was an erogenous zone.

"Thank you. I'll make it up to you."

"No problem." I whisper. I wonder how he's going to make it up to me? I file through the seats and climb on stage. I follow Ms. Gibson backstage with one more final look at him as he steps on stage and calls the kids to order.