The Future

Ralph Bryans pt. 1

I took a shaky breath, feeling my stomach clench as the man looked over at me. "Avi...is that man's name Ralph Bryans?"

He looked at the man my eyes were locked on, before saying, "Yeah, actually. He's one of the camera men...why?"

"Oh god," I sobbed, stumbling back.

Jake and Chester caught me, all of my team and Avi moving towards me.

"Mitch, what's wrong?" Avi asked, worry lining his face and voice.

"I, I can't do this," I said, feeling sick to my stomach as I shook my head.

"Mitch, it's alright," Nicole said softly, moving in front of me, consequently blocking my view or Ralph. "It's okay, I promise."

"But, he, he," I stuttered, feeling my hands start to shake. "He can't know, he can't see me."

"He's not going to," she said calmly, keeping her eyes locked on mine. "Okay?"

I nodded, feeling my nerves calm. She slowed her breathing with me, smiling.

"What's going on?" Jenni asked.
"We're not going to talk about it," Nicole said, keeping her hand on my arm. "We're not going to mention him, and we're not going near him."

"Okay," Candice replied, nodding.
"But-" Avi tried to say, Nicole turning towards him instantly.

"No. No, Avi. Don't ask, don't mention, don't think," she said, before looking back at me. "I'm not leaving your side all night, okay?"

"Okay," I whispered, still feeling sick. "Neither am I," Candice said. "Same here," Jake piped up. "And here," Chester stated. "Me too," Jenni told me.

I smiled slightly, feeling tears well in my eyes. "Thank you, really."

"If you really don't want to be seen by him or near him, I'll take care of it," Avi said, straightening.

I smiled, feeling safe slightly with my friends around me. "Thank you all," I said softly.

"Now, I'm gonna go get us all drinks," Jenni stated.

"I'll go make sure he stays away from you," Avi said, both of them moving away while the rest of my team ushered me away from Ralph.

"Thank you for not asking," I said softly.

"I've seen that look before, Mitch," Nicole told me quietly. "On myself."

I took a deep breath and squeezed her hand. "I'm so sorry, Nicole."

"Sorry for what?" Jake asked. "Not now," Nicole replied, as Jenni came over, somehow carrying four drinks.
"Here we go!" she cried.

I took the cup, sipping it as I ran my eyes over the crowd. "This tastes weird," Jake stated.

"Because there's not alcohol in it," Jenni replied.

"What?!" he cried.

I laughed softly, all of us quieting down as Avi stood on the makeshift stage.

"Everyone! Welcome!" he cried, smiling widely. "Welcome to Season One of Supernatural!"

Everyone cheered, raising their glasses.
"Exactly!" Avi yelled. "So, have fun! Get to know everyone! And everything here is non-alcoholic! You're all working tomorrow, so no hangovers!"

Most of the people groaned, Avi moving off the stage as everyone started to mingle again.

"Mitch!"

My team and I turned to see Diane Widas, the new costume director, moving towards us.

"Hi," I said, forcing a smile on my face.

"This must be your team, it's so good to meet you all," she said, smiling widely.
"I hear we'll be working together a lot," Chester commented.

"Oh I hope so," Diane replied, looking at me. "Avi and David have such good things to say about you."

"They're too kind," I told her, feeling happy at her words, but still feeling sick.

"Oh, I don't think so," David said, coming to join our group.

Everyone laughed, talking amongst themselves about the start of the show. I listened to them talk, but couldn't bring myself to join their conversation. My mind was still stuck on the man, the one man across the group that I didn't think I would ever see again.

"Little Red?"

Me, and everyone in the group, looked up to see Scott moving towards me, his face riddled with worry. "Scooter," I muttered.

As he moved to my side, his hand on my arm, and his body close to mine, I felt calmer. Calmer than I had thought I could in a situation like this.

"Mitch, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice deep, quiet, and rough.

"It's nothing," I muttered, looking down at the ground.

"No, no it's not," Scott replied.

I could feel my throat constrict as I looked back up at him, with tears welling in my eyes. "Scott," I whispered, my voice broken.

"Mitch, you don't look good," Nicole said, speaking up, moving towards me. "Why don't we go back to your trailer? Scott and Avi can even join us."

I nodded instantly, knowing that while I would have to tell them, I would be away from Ralph, away from the party.

Nicole stayed by my side as I moved around the crowd, Scott on my other side as Jake and Candice got Avi for me.

It didn't take long to get to my trailer, falling onto my bed. Scott sat right beside me, reaching out to take my hand.

Looking down, I couldn't help but feel like it was good, like I didn't want him to let my hand go.

I flinched as the trailer door opened, Avi stepping inside, and locking the door behind himself. "Your team is waiting outside," he said, sitting on my extra stool, exactly like the one Nicole was sitting on.

"Mitch, what's going on?" Scott asked, looking into my eyes.

"You can just tell?" I whispered, looking into his eyes.

"Of course I can," he replied, squeezing my hand. "And you can tell me anything."

I took a deep breath, looking at our intertwined hands. "Ralph...was my last boyfriend."

"Did something happen?" Avi asked, leaning forward.

I nodded, taking a deep breath. "He... towards the end of the... relationship... things went wrong." I closed my eyes, trying hold back the tears and memories. "God, they went so wrong."

"Mitch," Nicole spoke up, making me look at her. "Did he hit you?"

I bit my lip, closing my eyes again as I nodded. "Yeah. he did."