Tethered Light

Chapter 15: Curtains Fall

The night of Midnight Streets had finally arrived. At the theater, the crew hurried to make final adjustments, actors murmured lines under their breath, and the scent of fresh paint still lingered in the air.

I arrived two hours early, camera in hand, ready to document everything for my final assignment. The theater felt different tonight, heavier somehow, but I pushed the thought aside as I began setting up my equipment.

I was adjusting the lens when I heard the deliberate thud of footsteps echoing across the stage floor. Madison.

"Well, well," she said, her voice dripping with condescension. "Didn't think you'd show your face tonight."

I didn't look up, focusing on my camera. "I'm here to do my job, Madison."

"Your job?" she scoffed, stepping closer. "Olivia's moved on. You're just clinging to scraps at this point."

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. "If you want Olivia, she's yours. I'm done playing her game." I finally met her gaze, my voice cold. "But if you're happy being her latest mediocre minion, then, by all means, enjoy the spotlight."

Madison's smirk faltered, and her eyes flashed with anger. "You think you're so clever, don't you?"

Before I could react, she lunged forward, grabbing my camera. In one swift motion, she slammed it against the edge of a nearby prop table. The sickening crack of shattering glass and splintering metal echoed through the theater.

I froze, my breath catching in my throat as I stared at the broken pieces of my father's camera scattered across the floor.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Olivia. She was standing near the entrance, her face pale as she took in the scene. Her eyes met mine, and at that moment, I knew she understood the weight of what had just happened.

But I didn't wait for her to come over. I grabbed my bag and walked out of the theater, the shattered pieces of my camera left behind.

***

The journalism building was quiet, the hum of the fluorescent lights the only sound as I rummaged through the equipment locker. I needed another camera to finish the assignment. That was all I could focus on—keep moving, keep working, don't think about the wreckage Madison left behind.

The door creaked open behind me, and I didn't have to turn around to know it was Olivia.

"Heather," she said, her voice softer than I'd ever heard it.

"I'm busy, Olivia," I said, not looking up.

She moved closer, her footsteps hesitant. "I saw what happened. I'm sorry."

I slammed the locker door shut, finally turning to face her. "Sorry? That's all you have to say?" My voice shook with anger. "That camera belonged to my father. It's one of the only things I had left of him."

"I didn't know she'd do that," Olivia said quickly. "I'll make it right, I swear."

"You can't fix this," I snapped. "You can't fix anything, Olivia. All you do is ruin things."

Her face fell, but she didn't back down. "Heather, I love you. I know I've messed up, but I can change. We can fix this together."

I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. "You don't get it, do you? My life was fine before you. Quiet, yes, but stable. And then you came along, and everything fell apart. You brought chaos and darkness, and the worst part is that I let you."

Olivia's eyes filled with tears, but she didn't look away. "I never meant to hurt you."

"But you did," I said, my voice breaking. "And you never even apologized for it. You just keep saying you'll change, but it's always about you. What about me, Olivia? Won't you ever gonna get tired of breaking my heart?"

She stepped closer, desperation in her eyes. "Heather, I mean this. We can fix everything, I want you, I need you."

Before I could respond, Jake appeared in the doorway. His expression was calm but firm. "Olivia, it's time to go."

Olivia hesitated, her eyes flicking between Jake and me. "Heather—"

"Get out," I said, my voice steadier now.

Olivia's shoulders slumped, and for the first time, she looked truly defeated. She turned and walked out, the sound of her footsteps fading down the hall.

Jake approached slowly, his gaze soft. "You okay?"

I nodded, though the weight of the moment still pressed against my chest. "Yeah. I'm okay. Better now, actually."

Jake offered a small, encouraging smile. "You don't have to go back to the theater if you don't want to. I can talk to the professor—"

"No," I said firmly. "I'm going back. I'm finishing this." Not sure if I was only talking about the photography assignment anymore.

He nodded, his respect for my decision clear.

***

When I returned to the theater, the atmosphere had shifted. Olivia was nowhere to be found, and Madison stood at a distance, her eyes following me but saying nothing.

I picked up a replacement camera and went back to work, documenting the final moments before the curtain rose. For the first time in weeks, I felt a sense of clarity, a lightness in my chest.

I was free.