A New Musical

10

 I wake up to the sound of my alarm going off. I could snooze it like I did the last 3 times, but I know that's probably not the most responsible thing to do. So I turn it off, and finally drag myself out of bed and straight to my hotel bathroom. I turn the water on, and undress so I can go right in. The water on my back helps relieve all stress from the night prior.

What I can't understand is why Mason even felt it was appropriate to come speak to me in the first place. I try to understand everything from all sides, but I don't get how coming to talk to me in the heat of his emotions was the most productive thing. I assume that this was the real reason why he wasn't at rehearsal the other day. He must've gotten so caught up in his feelings, and spent the day moping around. To then finally decide he needed to talk to the problem itself.

I'm not the problem, and this isn't my fault. I didn't ask for the paparazzi to follow us, and to take that stupid picture. I want to blame Mason, but I know it's not his fault either. To be fair though, I should've known what could happen when hanging out with Mason Pierce. People will follow anywhere he goes, and he doesn't get the choice to feel normal. This is why my point stands that he's not like every other man in the world. He's an Oscar winning actor who gets followed around by total strangers, trying to get a picture of him doing everyday things.

I turn the water off, grab my towel, and wrap it around my waist. When I step out of the shower, my phone lights up and as I walk over I see it's a message from Mason. My first instinct is to grab my phone, and respond quickly. But something holds me back. After last night, I don't really owe Mason a quick response. I know it's small, but it's my personal dig to him. This does make me think of the bigger issue though. Am I gonna be able to open this show with him tonight?

I know I should, and it would be wrong of me not too. I think I can get past what happened, but I'm just gonna have to ignore Mason in all the places I can. Except the two hours I have to spend with him on stage. Shit, and there's a press event we have before opening tonight. I totally forgot about that. I take as much time to get dressed as I can, just so I could avoid the message longer. I open my phone to read what Mason had sent about 20 minutes prior.

[Mason Pierce]

Ash, I'm extremely sorry about last night. I was out of place, and should not have put my feelings out on you. I was upset, but that's no excuse. I really hope you can forgive my poor judgment and behavior. It's been eating at me all night. I feel horrible.

I want to believe Mason does feel bad, but there's this part of me that has a hard time forgiving him. That's selfish I know, but he is right. He was out of line, and his judgment was really poor. I end up not responding because I don't think I can give the proper response to him right now. Something he should've thought of doing instead of when he decided to confront his emotions head on.

I leave the hotel and go to find a breakfast place to eat before I have to head to the press event. There, they will do my hair & makeup for me. Along with an outfit that best represents me, but also gives off the vibe of my character. I pick a bagel shop that's only a 5 minute walk from the hotel, which is fine with me due to the beautiful weather today. I choose a blueberry bagel, and an iced sweet tea, then walk to Millennium Park and find a spot under a tree. I didn't realize till I started eating, it's the same spot Mason and I had sat at almost a week ago.

Right now is really the only time that I have to myself today. After this, I'll be pushed on a camera to act like everything is okay. Then pushed onto a stage, to also play pretend. Performing is my passion, I just didn't see any of this drama coming. Really I didn't see opening night playing out this way at all. I really want to be excited for tonight, and part of me still is. I can't believe that I get to perform in my home state, and on a stage that I've dreamt of being on. You can't just not be excited to live out your biggest dream.