Borrowed Time Part 2

Chapter 216

Becky did the same tapping movement with her hands that Juliette did when she was anxious, which was something that Juliette hadn't known until this exact moment... She'd never really paid attention to Becky's movements before, but God, did they echo hers.

You're nervous... Why are you nervous?  Everything you do is fucking amazing, you have no reason to worry.

"You look nervous." She said, realizing from the look on Becky's face that that was probably a stupid statement to be making because of course she was nervous, who wouldn't be nervous when the focus of the goddamn rehearsal was on something that was mostly about her, at least this portion of it... Normally she'd be off doing something else, but considering she had an entrance, she'd argued to get to stay in the wings and watch... That was the glory of being best friends with both the director's daughter and the director's daughter's girlfriend.

Sometimes she got away with extra shit.

"I wonder what could've possibly given that away." Becky's tone was sarcastic, but not unearned. Had she been thinking with her brain she could've just thought her inside thoughts instead of saying it out loud. She reached out, placing a comforting hand on Becky's arm, rubbing her thumb up and down the soft skin of her bicep.

"What I meant is is there anything I can do to make it better?" She asked, and Becky sighed, hanging her head as she shook it, letting out a quiet, frustrated groan, which Juliette understood - stage fright, even just a little bit of it, and nerves were fucking annoying. She'd gotten over it quickly this time, but for the first week of rehearsals she had been almost shitting herself at every single turn.

"Uh... Have us go back in time and never audition in the first place?" It was a joke, she knew that, but all Juliette had on her tongue was the urge to apologize - they never would've auditioned if it weren't for her... Well, actually if it weren't for Carly, but she felt bad blaming the bitch who practically needed a booster seat to drive. She had enough problems without her bullying. She let out a forced chuckle and shook her head.

"Unfortunately I'm a few brain cells short of being a time traveler." She said, watching Becky let out an exaggerated sigh as she shook her head, giving Juliette a look of disappointment that was almost completely believable if Juliette hadn't known that they were doing a bit.

See? Natural born actress.

"Damn. What do I keep you around for, huh?" That was a really good question, and to it Juliette really had one answer - there was no reason to keep her around other than her being a pretty face and most of the time a good hang. Otherwise, she was sort of just dead weight to the group, and she knew it.

"Looks and vibes only." She said, and Becky nodded, leaning over to press a kiss to her temple as she stared at the wall, seeming lost in thought... She hadn't noticed that a moment ago, it'd come on so quickly that she wasn't sure how to stop it at this point... The spiral seemed like it was probably inevitable.

"True, true." She let out a deep breath before clearing her throat, looking over at her with a grave sort of expression. Uh oh. Didn't know we were getting some life and death action today, shit. "Do you think I'm actually good enough to be doing this? Or do you think..." She trailed off and Juliette sighed, understanding what was happening now. Clearly Iris had gotten under her skin and had started making her doubt herself which was fucking crazy. Becky had talent, it wasn't her fault that Iris had none.

If she wanted the role that Becky had gotten, she should've worked harder, it was simple as that.

"If this is about what Iris has been saying, I'll remind you that she is a jealous, talentless bastard who hates that people are finally seeing through her faux nice girl act... You are smart, talented, and kind... The choice between the two of you for this role was clear." She said, and Becky grimaced, leaning away from her as she crossed her arms across her chest, looking demure and ashamed in a way that broke her heart.