Behind the Curtain

Behind the Curtain Chapter 8

"Hi." was all Casey could mutter. Collin pulled her into a tight hug, which caused her to almost cry. Her head had always fallen perfectly on his chest. "Why didn't you text me?" she asked. "Casey is now the time?" he asked looking around the crowded lobby. "Auditions start in five minutes." he added. "Fine then I'll talk to you after " She said. Despite being completely Heartbroken and confused Casey had a great audition. Afterwards she said goodbye to Jo and Annie and Karen and then took Collin's hand an dragged him backstage into the girls dressing room. The room was empty except for a couch that was always in there, still it was weird to see it without costumes laying everywhere. "Why didn't you text of call?" she asked. "Did you forget? We kissed!" She exclaimed. "No, how could I ever... Listen Casey we can't be together." Collin said. "Yea, I picked up on the hint. I get it, you used me." Casey said furiously. "No Casey... It's not that... I love you. I love you so much... Over this past year you had become a friend to me... And when we kissed... But now... I can't. I'm not right for you!" he said. "I don't care! You were all I wanted!" Casey whimpered, years threatening to run down her face. "Look, I am no good for you... Please... We can be friends." He said. "Don't you get it? I don't care if your no good, because your not." Casey tried to say. "Look Case, you don't know me all that well.... You don't know of my past....I was a horrible person, a horrible friend." he sighed running his fingers through his hair. "Look I don't want to hurt you. So this is farewell. I will see you here, perhaps when we are in another show together. Or maybe at a set build.... But I can not see you otherwise. I am sorry." he kissed her forehead and departed.

Casey fell to the ground crying. Eventually she couldn't cry anymore, she stood up and left the theatre. She drove home an hour late and told her mom she had been at Karen's. Then she went to her room and cried. Weeks went by of crying. Even though she did get the part she had wanted in Hansel and Gretel, every time she went to a rehearsal she thought about Collin.

When May came around she was completely ready for the show. She tried to forget Collin. But opening night, she noticed her phone lighting up backstage before the curtain opened. She ran and checked it. "In audience. Break a leg. I need to speak with you after the show." It was from Collin. Her heart leapt. Maybe he had changed his mind. After the show he congratulated her and then pulled her aside. "Casey, I miss you." he said quietly. "So what?" she asked crossing her arms. "You expect me to hug you, to say I missed you too?" she asked. "Well if your offering..." he joked. She smiled and then felt a sting of anger. She had laughed, she would fall for him again. She couldn't let herself possibly... "Will you give me a second chance?" he asked. "What?" she exclaimed. Had she just heard him right? "A what?" she repeated. "A second chance." Collin said. "Why should I?" Casey said crossly. "Why should you? Because I know you miss me too.... And I've changed. I know I left you in the dark without explanation last time...but I have changed. I promise." he begged. "Maybe." she said. Then she pulled him backstage. "I cried every night. You... You made me cry and you left without a good explanation. You ignored me than showed up at auditions like you knew I was going to be there. Why? Why?" she asked with tears in her eyes. "Because, I was having my owns problems... Please I'll explain if you let me." Collin sighed. "I don't know...I just don't know...Look I have to go." she said. "Wait. I do mean a second chance, but what I really mean is....as friends." he added. Casey nodded, these words cut through her like a knife. She sighed and left him standing backstage.

Collin could have punched a wall. He had been so stupid. He knew how he felt about her, yet he couldn't act upon it. Yes they had kissed, she had probably assumed they would be together. He just wasn't ready then. And he wasn't ready now. How could he get her to understand that? He knew she was upset. He knew he had hurt her, the word Friend hurt her. But he couldn't do anything. He wasn't ready to be with her. And there's nothing he could do to change his own mind.