Center Stage

two

•7:36 pm•

I impatiently drummed my fingers against the restaurant table, while Josh didn't seem fazed at all. "Dude, is your friend coming or what? We've been sitting in this Denny's, which I was seriously hoping would be an IHOP, for twenty minutes." I spoke.

Josh sighed and looked directly at me, "How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that? Anyway, they're always late, so you need to get used to it, and two, Rusty's low on gas and this was the only place in a five mile radius that stays open late, alright?"

"Fine." I muttered.

A wide smile spread across his face as he peered at something over my shoulder, "Tarrie!" He began scooting out of the booth. "Over here!"

I turned to see Taryn Parker, the drop-dead gorgeous star of the play, walking towards our table. This had to be a dream. Her straight black hair was pulled into a tight ponytail that swayed elegantly from left to right. She smiled lopsidedly, revealing a perfect set of pearly whites, and a single dimple. "Josh, hey!" she laughed, "So great to see you! I'm glad you guys got to come out tonight."

She and Josh embraced, and I just sat there, in awe of her absolute beauty. Sure, Taryn looked cute on stage, but in person she was just angelic. It probably sounds hella creepy that I was practically in love with a girl I'd never even talked to, but that's essentially what happened and I wouldn't want to tell you anything other than the truth.

She smoothed out her knee-length pink skirt, then slid onto the red seat, Josh following shortly afterwards. Taryn looked up, her soft blue eyes locking with my dull hazel ones, "You must be Matthew, am I right?"

I nodded, "Y-Yeah. You can just call me Matt though. Matthew is super formal and, like, too regal or whatever. So, um, yeah. J-Just call me Matt. If you want to, I mean. You don't have to." I exhaled deeply.

'Way to go, idiot. Now she probably thinks you're an awkward loser.' My thoughts echoed.

She giggled lightly, "Alright, Matt. You can call me Tarrie."

I grinned, then shot Josh a hard glare. He seemed confused, so I pulled my phone from my pocket and quickly texted him from underneath the table.

To: Joshay
why didn't you tell me we were meeting with the star of the play???

I heard his phone vibrate, and he glanced at it. My eyes watched intently as looked up at me trying to hide a smirk. While Tarrie read over the omelet menu, Josh mouthed, 'she's single' before shooting me a quick, encouraging wink.

Little did I know at the time, I was about to commit suicide by true love.