Being a Barrow - A Sequel to Barrow's Boy

Bringing a Knife

I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Life has been hectic. But here it is, a new chapter. By the end of this month, I should have a bit more writing time.

     Theodore had no plans to be the friend who brought his problems with his ex-girlfriend to someone who was still friends with that ex-girlfriend. Even if he knew that Everett would eat up the gossip and drama. But Theodore was doing alright with it all. At least now, in a way, he felt that any anger he had with her was rightfully justified. And, in a way, he could start trying to move on. Sure, he was more confused with what she was thinking than ever. But he knew what he thought. And that was something more than before.

    Either way, Teddy needed to see this new theatre that Lord Ellscliffe had gotten for their show. From the sounds of it, the new space was proving beneficial for everyone, and Teddy was keen on getting a look at how their show had progressed now that they could see how it looked on the stage. 

    What he was not expecting was yelling from another room as he entered the building. With anxiety growing in his chest, Theodore followed the voices. 

    "A note! A fucking note! What kind of person ends a relationship with a fucking note?"

   Theodore slipped into the room, scanning the group. Roland, the one yelling, was standing and looking accusatorily at Victor. The lead actor was sitting on a sofa, a knee pulled to his chest, with Everett next to him, a protective stance having him on the edge of his seat. In the room were also Geoffrey, Clara, and Lydia. Clara sat in a chair with Lydia perched on the arm of it. Geoffrey stood with his brow furrowed, watching the scene before him. 

    "I can't do this! Not with him here!" Roland turned around and looked at Clara. "Get rid of him, or I go."

    "Good, you can go," Everett spat back. "Victor isn't going anywhere-"

    "It's not your decision, Everett," Clara snapped back, gaze sharp. Everett scoffed.

    "Is that so?" He waited for a moment as if to see whether Clara had more to say. When she turned her gaze nervously to Victor, he spoke again. 

     "No! Absolutely not! I wrote my music for Victor to sing. Not some vagabond. If he goes, then I go. You're not getting my music-"

    "What? Everett, that's ridiculous!" Lydia exclaimed.

    "No! What's ridiculous is that you're thinking of recasting because this asshole-" Everett pointed at Roland- "is too much of a little bitch to stand in the same room as Victor for two seconds without throwing a hissy fit!"

     Roland's face was growing exceptionally red, which Theodore found quite amusing to watch, all things considered.

    "He doesn't want to be around someone who cast him off for no reason, Everett," Clara replied. "You can hardly blame him for that."

    Victor finally spoke up. Though his voice was quiet, the others stopped to listen to him.

    "I didn't have no reason."

    "I was good to you, Victor," Roland spat out at him. Theodore took a step forward. "Better than you deserve."

    "I don't agree," Victor replied. "Maybe that's what you think. But I don't agree."

   "Should I just tell them everything?" Roland replied, staring Victor down. Victor tensed and avoided eye contact. "I know too much about you for you to be playing these games with me."

    Victor glanced toward the door, finally being the first to notice Theodore. Roland, dunce as ever, did not look over, continuing to make his accusations.