A New Musical

22

 The rehearsal room is quick to fill with voices, the energy being nothing but excitement. Most people I recognized from our previous try out, while there were a few new faces. It's safe to assume that some people didn't make the cut for a Broadway transfer, or found a different project to be a part of. Mason hasn't shown up yet, but I spend this time trying to meet/catch up with people. The rehearsal room is bigger than the first one we were in when we first started working on the show. I see some set pieces that are not completed that will be used for rehearsal.

Today we're gonna just be doing a reading, with plans to work on staging for the next few weeks. Meg and Rob told the cast that there's been quite a few changes since closing night, so it won't be exactly like we remember it. "But don't worry, it's still the same relationship that everyone fell in love with. Our goal is to speak to a very wide audience though, we took a lot of audience feedback into consideration. The less we have to change, the more money we save." Meg says.

"And time!" Rob adds, laughing.

We all find our seats, the tables are rectangular but they put them into a big u-shape so we can see one another. As I'm taking my seat, Mason rushes in out of breath.

"I'm so sorry, my car broke down. So I ran 3 blocks to get here."

"Are you okay?" Meg seems very concerned.
"I should be fine." Mason chuckles "Just gotta catch my breath. Nice to see everyone!"

Mason waves at the cast, everyone is clapping for him like the first day of rehearsal. Most remembering him, while the newbies are in starstruck mode since he walked in. Just staring at him, not knowing what to do. He makes his way to me, which I don't know why and I get worried. Until I forget that the only other seat open is next to me, and I am playing his love interest. So I tell myself to get the fuck over myself.

"Hey" He says quietly to me, Meg begins to go over what our schedule will look like for today.

"Hi" I say, but not looking up from my script.

"How are you?" I can tell Mason really wants to find a sense of normal, and is really trying here.

"I'm good, excited to do the reading?" I ask, trying to be friendly.

"Of course, did I miss anything?"

Without missing a beat my sarcasm comes out, "Yeah, me I'm sure." I flip my fake hair. But I'm quick to realize the joke I made, and look at Mason ready to see him upset. Instead he has a smile on his face, letting out a light chuckle. "Good one." He laughs.

I'm relieved he didn't take the joke that deep, because I truly wasn't thinking when I had said it. I think I was trying to make sure that it didn't feel weird between us, that I wasn't thinking about how hurtful or uncomfortable the joke itself may come off. I clearly overthink though, because Mason found it funny. We agreed that after our 3 hour make out session, that it could only be a one time thing. There wasn't much thought on my part, I was just so...desperate? I just didn't realize how much I actually missed Mason and have wanted that from him. It's not just about the physical attraction and doing stuff with him. There's something that's been special about kissing Mason, that I haven't felt with anyone else. I missed that feeling the most, because it's just so special.

Mason and I have occasionally texted, but haven't hung out since the middle of December. This is really the first time we've interacted since then. I still feel that longing as he sits next to me. Throughout the reading, I'm catching little glimpses of Mason's smile, which perusal makes me feel butterflies. The way his muscles naturally flex, when he's turning the page of his script. I sometimes catch Mason looking at me also, but I try to play it off like I was only looking for acting purposes.