I woke up, and rubbed my eyes, looking around and realizing where I was. I sniffed, and looked over my shoulder. Nash lay still, back still to me, like last night. Hayes was sitting up, and looked a little tired.
"Hey," he said gently. "Morning."
I nodded tiredly, and wiped my face. My brows furrowed, and I looked up Hayes in confusion.
He looked away guiltily. "I didn't want to wake you up, Reese... But you were kind of crying in your sleep last night."
"I didn't keep you up, did I?"
He gave me a weak smile, and a little nod.
"Oh, Hayes! You should have woken me up! I'm sorry, I just..."
He shook his head. "It's okay, it's okay. But Reese... Why were you crying?"
I instantly felt my stomach drop, my heart stop, and a single tear roll down my face.
Hayes rolled onto his knees. "Oh, no, Reese, I didn't mean to-"
I waved a hand, cutting him off. "No, it's not you, Hayes, I..." I trailed off, and looked at Nash, who hadn't stirred. "I'll bet him slept all night," and I was a little surprised to hear the venom in my voice.
For some reason, Hayes was not. "No, actually. Around the time you woke me up, he did too, he looked at you, and he got up. He only came back an hour ago, and hasn't moved since."
I shook my head, and waved an arm. "You know what? I can't afford to worry about this today. I have auditions, and I can't miss them, I have to go get ready..." I got up, and Hayes scrambled after me.
"Reese, what happened last night?"
I ignored him till we got to the guest room, where I had dumped all my clothing. I found a nice pair of high-waisted, dark denim short shorts, and a shirt that said "Keep Calm and Swim On", which little swimmers and a little crown.
I went into the bathroom to change, and a patient Hayes sat on the bed outside, waiting for me to come out.
I searched my bag, and found my Elf Studio eyeshadow kit. Not today, eyeshadow. I dipped the edge of my brush lightly into a little stream of water, and dipped that into a forest green eyeshadow. I then drew it across my lid, sort of like an eyeliner. I put on some mascara, and looked at myself. "Sandy. Today, you are Sandy."
I walked out of the bathroom, and grabbed my bag. Hayes stood up, protesting my early departure. "Hey! You still have to tell me-"
"He kissed me." I didn't think I could stand looking at Hayes, only because he reminded me so much of his brother. I jogged out, and made my way down the stairs, and passed the livingroom. I couldn't help it. I looked in, if only to see Nash before I left. And I did. Unfortuneatly, he saw me as well. We made eye contact, just for a second. As he opened his mouth, to stay something, I tore my gaze away, and what was meant to be an angry stomp to his front door turned out to be more of a sorrowful slump. Hayes stopped me.
"Reese!"
I didn't turn around. My hand was on the doorhandle, and I kept my eyes down. "Hayes?"
"We were going to drive you to your audition."
"I... Hayes, I think, um... I think I'm going to ask my mom to take me. I have to go to my grandfathers wake this week anyway; we were heading up to stay with them after auditions."
"Can we still come and watch?"
"If you want to."
I tired to turn the handle, but my wrist wouldn't turn. I felt a soft hand on mine, and the door opened. I looked up, and it was Hayes, holding the door open for me. He smiled sadly, and I felt my bottom lip jut out.
"Hey..." he whispered softly. "It's okay. Focus on getting that part, and being the strongest actress and singer ever to rock Grease, okay? You got this."
I hugged him suddenly, and he almost tripped back, but balanced himself and hugged me back. "Thank you," I whispered.
"He let me go, and smiled. "You got this, and I'm going to be standing in the back with a giant bouquet and the rest of the Grier family."
I smiled softly, and squeezed his shoulder. "Thank you."
I walked out the door, and was about to walk down the front steps when I heard a thud and a yell. My immediate concern overwhelmed my self pity, and I raced back to the front door. I threw it open, and saw Hayes and Nash, very close to having it out, right in the livingroom. There was a pillow by the door, which I guessed caused the thud. The boy were screaming at each other, and Hayes was attempting to hold Nash back while they yelled at each other at the top of their lungs. Neither noticed me, and I could see Hayes struggling while Nash tried to pull his fist out of Hayes's.
I dropped my bag, and tried to break them apart from outside of their fight circle. "Hey. Hey! Hayes! Nash! What-"
I stopped mid-sentence. It was no use. I had to be right up in their faces for them to notice me. I wedged myself under Hayes's arm, and forced myself between the two of them. I put one hand on each of their chests, and pushed as hard as I could, my face contorting with the amount of strength I was using.
"Hey! What the hell is going on with you two? I literally just left, and this? What the freaking hell?"
Hayes backed away but Nash tried to surge forward. Bracing myself, I put both hands on his chest, one leg behind myslef, and pushed, quickly pushing him with my shoulder as well. I leaned against him, and pushed. "Jesus, you are strong." I put both legs out in front of myself now, as I was completely against Nash now, pushing with my back.
Eventually, he fell back, and I gasped, out of breath. "What... The... Hell?"
He looked at me, confused and angry. "So you're on his side now?"
"His side... What? What are you talking about, on who's side for what?"
He looked at Hayes, and then back at me, and his rose rose, filling with anger, to the point where he was yelling again. "I saw the two of you! He can't get enough of you, and you! You had Brent, you could have had him, it's not like we didn't see the two of you, bad enough you had him, now you want Hayes too, who next Reese, who's-"
"How dare you!" I spoke quietly, but the venom in my voice was obvious, and it was heard over Nash. "How dare you. Are you accusing- I'm not a slut. Brent and I didn't have a thing, it was because you told him to go to any lengths to make people think I was taken. Now, who's fault would that have been? And no, Hayes and I are not flirting or whatever you thought we were doing, he was supporting me, which is something you aren't! You've been a real ass lately Nash, a real big one! And I've had enough! All you've been doing lately is tearing me down, and then building me back up to tear me down again! And I've had enough! I'm so sick of your attitude, and especially with what you pulled last night, real slick! Do you think it's funny, picking up girls and then tossing them aside until you need a k- I can't even say it, because I can't believe what you did! I never thought you were that kind of person, but I guess you are, and you disgust me! And how dare you yell at me! You have no right to yell at me, or to accuse me of trying to get any guys! You pig!"
I walked away, grabbing my bag, and this time, I stormed out. I ran down the steps, but by the time I got to my house, my anger had vanished. I knocked on my door, and it took all I had to hold back my tears when my mother answered the door.
"Hey, pumpki-"
"It's okay, Mom. You can call me that if you want."
My mom smiled, relived that I hadn't gotten mad at her for trying to pretend we were closer than we were. "What's wrong? I thought you were supposed to stay with the Grier's, weren't they driving you to auditions?"
"I changed my mind."
Immediately, my mom looked worried. "You changed your mind about the auditions?"
"No, no, no Mom, never," I was glad to feel a simple smile gliding across my face. "I changed my mind about my mode of transportations."
My mom's expression clouded over. "Oh. You want to take the bus? Don't you have your pass? I think I have a spare, but-"
"No Mom. I... I want you to take me. And I want you to be there. For my audition, I mean."
My mom's face lit up. "Really? Oh baby, thank you so much, I, I better go get ready, oh, is there anything special I should wear, anything specific?"
"No, what you have on is great, Mom, it looks nice. But... I was wondering if you could help me pick out something? Something classy, but not to up-tight, but not to kiddy-"
"I'd love too!" My mom was practically bursting at the seams. "Come on," she said, grabbing my hand. "Lets go to your room."
We raced up the stairs, and my mom flew to my dresser. "Well, lets see... No, too casual... To dressy... Aha!"
My mom pulled out a baseball tee that was just like my white muscle tank, it said Blog Crush and had the same icons, in the same bold gray. The sleeves were three-fourth sleeves, and it was a olive green color. My mom gave me the once over, and nodded. "You can keep the shorts... Well, actually, no. Here." She whipped out a pair of faded, light-wash hish-rise denim jean shorts. She tossed them on my bed, next to the shirt. She then moved to my top drawer, humming as she looked through my belts. She pulled out a little braided brown leather belt, with a large metal buckle. She turned around while I got dressed, and smiled.
"Gorgeous. Now, I'm thinking you could use one of your beanies, either the Nashty one or the M.E. (Matt Espinosa, for those you you who don't know, it pick and it had a white M.E. on it), or you could use a snapback and clip it on to one of the loops, but then you can't really use the belt."
"I'll stick with the belt and Matt's beanie." I couldn't bear to wear the Nashty one. It hurt just to hear her say that.
"Okay... Oh! A necklace! And I have just the one! Stay here!"
She left, and I heard her shifting things around in her room. She came back, holding a very long chain, with occasional gold cubes on it. She came back, and wound it around my neck. It looped twice, and then she clipped it. One loop was a little shorter than the first, but it looked really good.
"Here, I'll get your make-up too- but only if you want me to, I wouldn't do it if you didn't want me to." My mother bit her lips, and I could tell she was hoping she didn't overstep the line. I smiled, and she clapped her hands.
She grabbed a liquid black eyeliner, a gray and a green eyeshadow, a black mascara, a 3-1 blush, definer, and bronzer, and some body glitter. She put it all on me, and I felt oddly calm and loving as she drew the different brushes and pencils across my skin. She finished, and handed me a light red lipstick. I put it on, and she stepped aside, so I could see myself in the mirror. I gasped, and looked at her. "It's beautiful."
She smiled. "You really like it?"
"I love it!"
She had created a smokey eye with the eyeshadows, putting the grey on the top and the outside, and using the green on the inside, but still managing to maintain a youthful look. She put on a thin line of black eyeliner, and used my water trick, tipping the outside with the green eyeshadow. She used my bronzer, blush, and definer so it made my face glow and look as if I had a slight permanent blush. She had used my mascara and extended my lashes to a length I hadn't deemed possible, and made them look a lot fuller. She had then finished off with the body glitter, decorating my face with glitter just around my cheek bones, my neck, and the parts of my chest that showed above the smooth curve of the baseball tee. The red lipstick made my face pop, and got involved with the colors. She also flat-ironed my hair, making it pin-straight. I pulled Matt's pink beanie on my head, and smiled at the girl in the mirror.
She smiled, and fished through my closet, pulling out a pair of olive green Keds. "I'm kind of theming here. The olive green really brings out your complexion."
I hugged her, careful not to smudge her wonderful make-up job. "Well, I think it's great. Thanks, Mommy."
She smiled, and hugged me back. "Anytime, honey."
She handed me a Blog Crush case for my phone. "It's not a bad idea to advertise yourself."
I laughed, and checked the time. "Well, it's in a half an hour. Shall we go?"
She nodded, and bowed. "After you."
We ran down the the car, the laces on my Keds slapping against the sides of my shoe and my ankles. I hopped in shotgunh, and she put the keys in the ignition. Before she turned on the radio, I stopped her.
"Mom... It was nice, not fighting with you. How come we always do that?"
She sighed. "I don't know honey. I wish we didn't... I think it's just because I'm working so much to get back all the money your dad took when he left us, and we have nothing to bond over..."
"Well now we do. Make-up, clothes... Why did Dad take all our money?"
"I don't know sweetie. But never fall for a boy until you're sure he's the one. People say you can't fall in love when you're young, that you'll never find you're true love before college... But that's bullshit. You could find Mr. Right in 6ht grade and just not notice each other until 12th grade... but just make sure it's the right kind of love. What I had with your father was not love, it was infatuation. I wouldn't give it up for anything, purely because it gave me you, but you know what I'm saying? Don't give a guy anything until you're sure."
I smiled slightly, and nodded. ¨Thanks for the advice.¨
"Anytime, sugar."
"Mom?"
"Yeah-huh?"
"Let's make a promise."
"For what, sweetie?"
"To not fight anytmore. To really try to get along."
She looked at me, tearing up. "Sure, Reese. Lets get along." She smiled, and squeezed my hand. She let go to click on the radio, and she would have put her hand back, but when the song came on, she was waving her hand, and I was dancing in my seat. We both began to sing, the strength in my vocal chords allowing me to overpower her, but not on purpose and I tried not to.
"All I am is a man
I want the world in my hands
I hate the beach
But I stand
In California with my toes in the sand
Use the sleeves of my sweater
Let's have an adventure
Head in the clouds but my gravity's centered
Touch my neck and I'll touch yours
You in those little high-waisted shorts, oh
She knows what I think about
And what I think about
One love, two mouths
One love, one house
No shirt, no blouse
Just us, you find out
Nothing that I wouldn't wanna tell you about, no
'Cause it's too cold
For you here and now
So let me hold
Both your hands in the holes of my sweater
And if I may just take your breath away
I don't mind if there's not much to say
Sometimes the silence guides our minds
So move to a place so far away
The goose bumps start to raise
The minute that my left hand meets your waist
And then I watch your face
Put my finger on your tongue
'Cause you love to taste, yeah
These hearts adore
Everyone the other beats hardest for
Inside this place is warm
Outside it starts to pour
Coming down
One love, two mouths
One love, one house
No shirt, no blouse
Just us, you find out
Nothing that I wouldn't wanna tell you about, no, no, no
'Cause it's too cold
For you here and now
So let me hold
Both your hands in the holes of my sweater
'Cause it's too cold
For you here and now
So let me hold
Both your hands in the holes of my sweater
Whoa, whoa...
Whoa, whoa... whoa
Whoa, whoa...
Whoa, whoa...
Whoa, whoa... whoa
Whoa, whoa...
'Cause it's too cold
For you here and now
So let me hold
Both your hands in the holes of my sweater
It's too cold
For you here and now
Let me hold
Both your hands in the holes of my sweater
It's too cold,
It's too cold
The holes of my sweater..."
The song ended, and my mom slammed the steering wheel, accidentally hitting the horn. "Oh, baby, you are going to rock this audition! Sandy is yours!"
I laughed. "Thanks, Momma."
She pulled up to the theater, and every time I walked through the doors it was like the first time. See, I was in a school play in my freshman year and a director from a theater troupe saw me perform and came ti see me after the show. He said that I showed real promise and he'd love to recruit me. He gave me all the details, and of course, I joined. Unfortunately, I was only 13 at that point and was too young to be in stage. This year, I was turning 15 the day they confirmed parts, so I was eligible to act.
I made my way up the stairs and saw the Grier car in the lot. I shook my head. Don't think about him. I made my way to the auditorium and greeted the person at the sign-in desk. I gave him my school ID and my troupe ID. He waved me in, and, seeing the stage was empty, I jogged on up.
I smiled, and fixed my necklace. I strained to see whoever was sitting in the crowd, and my mom waved happily. Behind her was the entire Grier family. Chad, Hayes, Will, Nila, Elizabeth, Skylynn... And Nash. He looked up guiltily, and I looked pointedly at the judges.
"Hello. My name is Reese Marie Alexander, and I'd like to audition for the part of Sandy."
A firm looking judge nodded, and shuffled her papers. "Impressive resumé, I must say. Quite a few school plays and musicals in quite a few elementary grades, both in and back stage... And I see you've worked back stage for us for a while."
"Yes ma'am."
"Well, let's get to it. Even though you are auditioning for the part of Sandy, we'd like for you to audition using the song "There Are Worse Things I Could Do", as sung by the character Rizzo. If you make it to callbacks, you'll audition with a Sandy song."
I nodded, then motioned to the orchestra in the corner. "Okay. Will they be playing?"
The same judge nodded at the orchestra. "Get ready. Tell them when."
I nodded sheepishly at the group of musicians. "I'm ready."
As th music begun, I felt my fears and worries fade, and a still calm washed over me. The first thing that popped into my head when I began to sing was Nash, and I used him to channel my emotions into the song.
"There are worse things I could do
Than go with a boy or two
Even though the neighborhood
Thinks I'm trashy and no good
I suppose they could be true
But there are worse things I could do
I could flirt with all the guys
Smile at them and bat my eyes
Press against them when we dance
Make them think they stand a chance
Then refuse to see it through
That's a thing I'd never do
I could stay home every night
Wait around for Mr.Right
Take cold showers every day
And throw my life away
On a dream that won't come true
I could hurt someone like me
Out of spite or jealousy
I don't steal and I don't lie
But I can feel and I can cry
A fact I'll bet you never knew
But to cry in front of you
That's the worst thing I could do."
I felt the calm wash away, and looked back at the judges, putting my hands down. I smiled, blushing. I had gotten so into the music that I had forgotten I wasn't in front of my mirror. I had been swaying and stepping and moving my hands with the song. Can you say embarassing? The music faded, and the judge looked up at me as the lights switched back to the original lighting. "Thank you for your time. We'll let you know."
I nodded, still smiling. I tried not to jump off the stage, and, once out of the view of the judges, I ran towards all the people waiting for me. I leapt into my mom's arms.
"Oh baby, that was so good!"
I looked over my mom's shoulder. All the Grier's, excluding Skylynn of course, looked shocked. They all understood my relationship with my mother, but didn't know that we had made a vow to mend it and had luckily not immediately tried to kill each other. Eventually, my mother let go and went to talk to Nila and Elizabeth. Skylynn tugged on my sleeve, and I looked down to find her holding a bouquet bigger than herself.
"Did you win?"
"Did I w-" I stopped, laughing. "What did you guys tell her?"
Hayes answered before anyone else, catching my hint that I didn't really want Nash saying anything. "I told her auditions were like games."
Skylynn tugged on my sleeve again, and I took the flowers from her. "Did you win?"
I ruffled her hair, teasing her, and then curled it around my finger. I then cringed, remembering the last time someone had done that to me. "I don't know yet, sweetie. But I will soon, and then I'll tell you, deal?"
She nodded seriously. "Okay."
I turned to Hayes, and Skylynn ran off to play with Will. "So, what did you think?"
Hayes smiled. "Reese, you were great, of course. I told you that you could do it."
I smiled at my feet. "I sure hope the judges feel the same."
We heard Chad laugh, and looked over as Nila finished whispering something in his ear, smiling at Elizabeth and my mom. Chad clapped. "Everyone get in a car!"
Confused, we all ran down to the lot. As I went to my car with my mom, I felt another tug on my sleeve.
"Reese, I wanna ride with you!"
I bent down, smiling. I opened my mouth to say yes, but in a split second I saw Nash's face and I just couldn't. He looked torn. I could tell what he was thinkning. I wasn't his best friend for nothing. He knew it could never happen; and yet he still felt it. He was upset because he thought Skylynn was ditching him for me. I grimaced, and loooked at Skylynn.
"Sky, baby, you still wear our necklace, right?"
She nodded.
"So you know I love you, right?"
She nodded again. I could tell she was confused.
"Sky, I'm gonna tell you a secret. I want you to ride with me too, but Nash is going to be so sad without you. Can you play superhero for a while and ride with him and make him feel better?"
She smiled. "Okay!" I watched her run back to Nash, and I stood up, my hair blowing in my face, but I let it. He swooped her up, lifting her high off the groud as she squealed. We made eye contact for a second before I got in the car, and closed the door.
As we drove, my mom looked at me. "Baby? Talk to me? I'm picking up vibes here."
I looked at her, and in the moment I broke. I mean, I always had Nila and Elizabeth, but they weren't my mom. No matter how they tried to convince me, I always throught she didn't love me. But she did.
"Is it boys?"
"Mom, I've had troubles with guys before. Well, tw- three."
"Tell me?"
So I did.
I told her about the bullies. I told her about the hate. How Nash was there for all of it, even unfollowing people because of things they'd say to me.
How three months after my 13th birthday, a boy named Andrew who I had liked for a while cornered me. And kissed me. My first kiss, it was magic, I felt like I could fly. How, after two whole months of presents and kisses, he just stopped. Told me it wasn't working. Then, right in front of me, right after he said it, he showed me some picture of him kissing another girl, and the date on it had been the day before. How I broke. My first love had hurt me in ways I didn't think were possible. How, when Nash found out, he had been willing to beat Andrew up. I hadn't let him, but the option hung.
How, one whole year after my first kiss, the next October, I had turned fourteen. I ws still mending, and finally, someone came along to help. Richard. Messy blonde hair, dark brown eyes, and a dazzeling smile. He made me feel like the most special girl in the whole world, and told me that everyday. That January, the spell broke. Rumors spread, and they all traced back to the boy I loved. He found me one day. Called me every name under the sun. Humiliated me. I had rushed to Nash's house, but he was out with some friends. A then 12 turning 13 year old Hayes called Nash. Nash was there is 5 minutes tops, panting. He found me sobbing on his couch, and his friends caught him holding a sobbing me. Nash was only fifteen, and his friends were too, but that didn't stop them from standing up to and confronting Richard the next day at school.
About the kiss. About what Nash said after it. About him and Hayes fighting, and what he said.
By the time I was done, both my mom and I were in tears. We had pulled up to a dank looking building, and my mom held me. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there for this... But Nash was. Baby, I'm sensing a pattern. He's always there."
"I wish Mom. But... I need to move on. I can't just think of him, him, him. I need to get over it."
She sniffed, squeezing my hand, nodding, and giving me a watery smile. "You'll be okay. But this time... Don't let him pick up the pieces."
I nodded, and hugged her quickly before getting out of the car. "Where are we?"
She got out, and Grier's walked toward us. "You don't remember this area?"
I looked around at the buildings, and clasped my hands over my mouth. "Oh my God..."
My mom gave me a small smile. "It was Elizabeth's idea."
I felt Hayes walk up and squeeze my shoulder. I slowly brought my hand down and smiled at him. It was my favorite karoke bar. Unfortunately, because of schoolwork, I hadn't been able to come for a long time, but I had missed it so.
We all walked in, and I laughed, clapping my hands happily. "Oh my God!"
Like I said, until school got hard, I was here a lot, and the people who worked here knew me pretty well. There were banners everywhere saying congrats and good job, and it was packed. As soon as I walked in, the place went up. People were clapping and whooping, and I even saw some people from school.
Chad pushed me up the stage. "I think they're waiting for a song, sweetheart."
I laughed, and walked up next to the owner of the bar, Jimmy. He smiled at me, and gave me a warm hug. Turning to the crowd, he spoke into a karaoke mic. "For those of you who don't know, Ms. Reese here is a very popular singer for us here, and soon she will be leaving us for an off-broadway production of Grease."
I blushed. "Please. I'd never leave. Where else would I practice? And I haven't got in yet, don't worry."
"Well, we all know you will, and callbacks is a week from now and one before you're fifteenth and the acceptions and whatnot, so we won't worry."
I giggled. "Thank you so - thank you all so much for this. It means so much. I don't know how to really thank you."
Jimmy handed me the mic. "How about singing one of Sandy's songs, huh?"
I took it, smiling. Everyone cheered, and I looked for my song in the little computer where you can browze or download songs from your phone.
" Guess mine is not the first heart broken
My eyes are not the first to cry
I'm not the first to know
There's just no getting over you
You know I'm just a fool who's willing
To sit around and wait for you
But, baby, can't you see
There's nothing else for me to do?
I'm hopelessly devoted to you
But now there's nowhere to hide
Since you pushed my love aside
I'm out of my head
Hopelessly devoted to you
Hopelessly devoted to you
Hopelessly devoted to you
My head is saying, "Fool, forget him."
My heart is saying, "Don't let go.
Hold on till the end."
And that's what I intend to do
I'm hopelessly devoted to you
But now there's nowhere to hide
Since you pushed my love aside
I'm out of my head
Hopelessly devoted to you
Hopelessly devoted to you
Hopelessly devoted to you."
The thing I loved about this song was that even though it was a sad love song, it didn't sound sad.
The crowd could have overpowered a storm. The claps and cheers where so loud, I didn't have to worry that anyone would hear me sniff.
I put the mic down, and a bunch of girls ran up to mess around with a song from the 1980's. I went to sit with my mom amd the Grier's, and the bar gave us a meal on the house. We all sat at our own tables; my mom, Elizabeth, Nila, and Chad at one, and Will, Skylynn, Hayes, Nash and I at another. Since, you know, we were best friends, Nash and I sat next to each other. Skylynn sat on Will's lap, and Hayes sat next to them.
Nash leaned into me while Will and Hayes were talking Skylynn about what she wanted to eat and what was on the menu.
"Reese, about last night..."
I shook my head quickly. No. We are not talking about this. "It's like you said last night Nash. We both felt what we did, and now it's over. We're still best friends, and I'm sure as hell going to need my best friends support this week with my grandfather and callbacks, if I made it-"
"Which you totally did." He cut me off, but I looked at him and smiled. There was the Nash that I had been missing these past few days. And he knew it. I could see the guilt in his eyes, how he felt bad that he hadn't been himself these past few days.
"There you are," I said softly.
He smiled back. "I've been a dick, haven't I?"
I giggled, and nudged him "Just a bit. But you are what you eat, right?"
He gasped. "Rude!"
I shrugged. "You walked into that one."
He stuck his tongue out at me. See, this felt right. If I couldn't have him as a boyfriend, at least I could have him as a best friend.
He wrapped an arm around me and gave me a quick, tight hug. Playfully, I whacked him with a menu. "Um, Nash, I can't read the menu if you're restricting blood flow to my arm."
He whipped my back, but laughed and opened up the menu. "Wanna split the plain personal pizza or the Caesar Salad dish?"
I laughed at him, and turned to the waiter. "Stop trying to be nice. We'll split the plain personal pizza, please."
The waiter nodded, and bent down to me. "Wonderful performance, by the way. Hope to work with you on the play. And good luck in school this year - sophomore year is going to be work in addition to the play, but I think you've got what it takes." He smiled and walked away, and I gasped suddenly, grabbing Nash's arm and accidentally kicking Hayes in the leg.
"Ow! What, Reese?"
"Oh, sorry Hayes, I just..."
He rubbed his shin, scowling at me. "What happened?"
Nash looked at me, trying not to laugh. "How hard did you kick him?"
"I dunno! My leg just, and then I just..."
Will shook his head. "Spit it out, Reese. Who did you see?"
"Lucas Sursock." I was still in shock, and it took everything I had to remember to close my mouth.
Nash scoffed. "Lucas who?"
"Lucas Sursock! He's going to be a junior, he goes to school with us. He's on the acting crew but he's insanely talented, and they let him play small role before he reached the age barrier to act. I have dreamed about working with him."
Nash shrugged. "Never noticed him."
I blew air through my teeth. "Pfft, yeah, okay. He's only the most attractive boy at Davidson Day. Even the senior girls want to date him."
Nash shrugged again, and I saw a jealous pout forming. I grinned wickedly. I mean, nobody would pass on this option. Right?
"Why, is Nashty getting jelly? Is he upset because Lucas Sursock is the man of every girls dreams? I mean, look at him, those beautiful, bright green eyes, that messy brown hair, his jawline... Admittedly, he's pretty tall, he's six feet to my five-four, but it's all good. And that voice! Have you heard him sing?"
Nash rolled his eyes. "I dunno. He doesn't look like much."
I looked at Nash, jaw dropping. "Are you kidding? He is insanely beauitful. Honestly, if he gets Danny and I don't get Sandy, I just might die."
He came back, and smiled at us. Me. What? I said us, right? Yeah... "You're food will be here soon. But, in the meantime, I heard you auditioned for Sandy, right?"
Thank God I was so used to my brain being fuzzy from being around Nash when we went swimming. "Yeah. Did you audition for Danny?"
"Eh. I was thinking more towards Kenicke this year. I don't think I can handle Danny this year."
I raised my eyebrows. "Please. Lucas, if you think I can handle Sandy, you can definitely handle Danny."
He chuckled, looking directly at me now. "Call me Luke. And I don't know. I mean, I've sung Danny before, but none of the duets. Or a duet at all. At least one not on a stage."
"I find that hard to believe. You've never done a duet off stage?"
"Nope. You?"
I nodded. "For my YouTube and stuff."
He nodded. "Right, right, of course. I've seen your videos before. With those guys, right, your friends?"
"Yeah."
He smiled, looking at the stage. "Well, you seem like a pro in those videos. Think you could help me?"
I laughed. "I think you'd need to help me! You're so much better."
He shook his head, and took my hand. "I doubt that. Come on. The only time I get to take a break is when I'm singing."
I got up, Nash and Hayes watching me. "That's a lie."
He shugged. "It got you up, didn't it?"
I laughed, and we ran toward the stage, still hand in hand. My petite hand sat in his not-so-petite one, and he slipped the mic into my other hand. He sat me down on a bar chair on stage, and it was only when he went own the catwalk that he let go, holding on for as long as he could, letting our hands slip and drop.
"Ladies and gents? Hi. Some of you might know me, my name is Lucas Sursock and I'm a junior at Davidson Day, I work here partime. I'm also in the same theature troup as Reese."
He knew my name? Oh, sweet baby Jesus, heaven was beautiful.
"See, thing is, I want to sing Danny for Grease, but I've never sand a duet with someone off stage. Reese is gonna help me out with that."
He stepped over to the computer, and put in a song. He didn't tell me what it was, and for a moment, I panicked. I may hang out with Nash most of the time, but I live under a rock. What if I didn't know the song? However, when I heard the music, I knew I'd be okay. I listened to this song practically every day.
"Folks, this song's a bit sad, but I've heard Reese humming it around school, so I figure it's one she likes."
The crowd awe'd that Lucas- Luke, would remember something so small yet so significant. I caught a glimpse of Nash's face, and the look of shock told me that someone who spoke to me, like, twice, noticed something my best friend hadn't.
The song that started playing was actually aired as a duet, Down, by Jason Walker. As the song went, I let Lucas start. (JUST BECAUSE ITS A DUET DOESNT MEAN THEYR ALWAYS SINGING TOGETHER, SO TO SHOW WHOS SINGING IM JUST GOING TO PUT THE FIRST LETTER OF THEIR NAME IN FRONT OF IT AND A 'B' FOR BOTH OF THEM)
[L]: "I don't know where I'm at
I'm standing at the back
And I'm tired of waiting.
Waiting here in line
Hoping that I'll find
What I've been chasing."
I joined in, and the sound of our voices combined made me smile, and I could see it made him smile, too.
[B]: "I shot for the sky
I'm stuck on the ground."
[L]: "So why do I try."
[B]: "I know I'm gonna fall down.
I thought I could fly
So why did I drown?"
[L]: "Never know why."
[B]: "It's coming down, down, down.
Not ready to let go
Cause then I'd never know
What I could be missing
But I'm missing way too much
So when do I give up what I've been wishing for.
I shot for the sky
I'm stuck on the ground."
[L]: "So why do I try."
[B]: "I know I'm gonna fall down.
I thought I could fly
So why did I drown?"
[L]: "Never know why."
[B]: "It's coming down, down, down.
Oh I am going down, down, down."
[L]: "I can't find,"
[B]: "Another way around.
And I don't want to hear the sound."
[L]: "Of losing what I never found.
I shot for the sky."
[B]: "I'm stuck on the ground."
[L]: "So why do I try."
[B]: "I know I'm gonna fall down.
I thought I could fly
So why did I drown?
I'll never know why it's coming down, down, down.
I shot for the sky
I'm stuck on the ground
Why do I try
I know I'm gonna fall down
I thought I could fly
So why did I drown?
It's coming down, down, down."
The music ended, and the spotlights turned off, the bar going back to it's original lighting. Everyone stood up, clapping and screaming. I looked at Luke, who was still by the catwalk. I realized exactly how good of a improv-performer he was; we didn't have a scenery, so he put me in a bar chair by the back of the stage, and his was on the end of the catwalk. We had literally been singing to each other, and it drove people crazy. Myself included. He walked over to me, arms open, and I jumped into them. He laughed into my ear, and spun my around, literally lifting me off the ground. He set me down, and we clamored to complement each other.
I jumped excitedly. "You were so good, Luke, and your improv without scenery, it was amazing-"
"Please, they're cheering for you! You were amazing! The way you toned your voice, and you knew exactly when to sing-"
"Speaking of... Luke, have you really heard me humming that song?"
He pulled me down to sit by the steps that led to the stage, and blushed. "Yeah. I've kind of been shy to talk to you for a while. But I've seen you around, and I'm shocked. I would have thought my friends would have found you by now."
"If they're your height?" He laughed, the blush fading but still obviously there. "But... Are you serious? You've really been shy around me?"
He nodded, smiling softly.
"But Luke... Why? I'm not pretty, or special..."
He turned to me, and held both my shoulders. "Don't you ever say that. And don't let anyone tell you that. You are gorgeous, you're talented, and you're beyond special."
I blushed. "But that doesn't answer why you're shy around me. I'm just a little sophomore. You're a junior, and you know that practically every female in the school wants you..." I leaned in. "Even Ms. Perrycoat." Ms. Perrycoat had been a teacher who left because she got a better offer somewhere else, but we all think she left to become a nun.
He laughed, and looked down. "Reese..."
I looked at him, and he spoke slowly, fumbling his words even though he picked them carefully. "Reese, I was shy around you because I was nervous. I think the first time I really saw you was the first day of school last year. You were in the ninth grade and I was a sophomore. You walked into my homeroom and asked my teacher for help, because your homeroom was in the wing and you couldn't find it. You... You were beautiful. Of course, my friends thought so too, I mean, how could they not? But I know the kind of guys my friends are, and I didn't want to see them hurt you. So, I avoided you, and so did they. But that didn't stop me from being... For lack of better word, protective. Not that you need it. Nash has your back."
At the mention of his name, I looked over at him. He was laughing with Hayes and Will, and playing with Skylyyn. He hadn't touched our pizza. I looked back and Luke, and smiled softlyu. "Well, I haven't let him get physical with it. But, I mean, he must have lied, because Rich..." The pain was still fresh. "Richard gets really careful around me, but I told him not to touch him."
"It wasn't Nash." He sounded guilty. "When I heard the things Richard said about you, I cornered him. I didn't hurt him, I just gave him a fair warning. He stays away from you, right?"
I nodded, and Luke sighed. "Good. I'd corner him all over again if it meant seeing you happy, even if it wasn't because of me-" He stopped aburptly, but it was too late. I knew what he had said, and he knew it.
"What does that mean, Luke?"
He looked strained. I desperately to egg him on, but I felt like if I spoke, he wouldn't say it. I looked down at my feet, but the words he blurted out next had me looking right at him.
"Reese-I-really-like-you."
My eyes widened, and I started at Luke. Okay, okay, freeze the frame. Pause. Luke. Sophomore Lucas Sursock, quarterback of the football team, most popular and by far most attractive boy a Davidson Day, lead in almost every play and musical in the troupe. Like me. Little, plain-jane freshie me. With nothing to offer. Can someone call 9-1-1?
He sighed nervously. "Look, I shouldn't have said anything. I might be turning 17 at the end of this year, but Nahs could beat my ass if he tried-"
"So?"
He looked at me, confused. "Aren't you guys-?"
I shook my head. "No. But, I don't really want to get involved with guys until I'm 15."
He nodded. "I can respect that. When's your birthday?"
"July 28th."
"And you're turning 15.. Look, I know I'm a bit older than you. If that's a problem, I understand."
"Well, you're sixteen now, right? And your birthday isn't until like, June, right?" He nodded.
"Well, it's not a problem with me."
He smiled. "Well, I'm not doing it over the phone. If I don't see you until productions or school starts in September, then just know I am definitely thinking about you."
I blushed, and I turned even redder when he leaned in and kissed my cheek softly. "Hold on to that for me, will you?"
He turned, his brilliant smile even bigger than before, and I wandered back to my table, dazed. When I fell next to Nash, he nudged me, as if he was waking me up in the morning when I was at his place overnight.
"Earth to Reese."
"Wah?"
Nash looked at Will and Hayes. "Do either of you know CPR? I think we might have to bring her back."
I looked at the stage dreamily. "Mmhm, let Luke do it."
The boys looked at me. Skylynn had long wandered off to play the arcade games. The adults were deep in conversation, so they were too busy to notice us. I looked at Lucas from across the room, and he winked playfully at me, smiling.
Hayes laughed, noticing who I was looking at. "Is Reese's Pieces in loooove?"
I blushed. "Bitch I might be."
Will laughed at me. "What even happened? You too disappeared after the song. Was there a forbidden kiss we shouldn't know about but we will because you're going to tell us?"
I giggled. "No. Not exactly. I dunno. But there might be. I don't know, he said that... He said he liked me, so..."
The three boys looked at me incredulously. "Lucas likes you? Since last year apparently. And he hasn't dated since the beginning of his sophomore year, which is when he said he first noticed me. Good sign? I think so."
Hayes started to say something, but Will iunterrupted. "Wait, I'm still stuck on this whole 'did you guys kiss' 'no not exactly I don't know' thing. Care to elaborate?"
I blushed again. "Well, I mean... He kissed me-"
Hayes burst out laughing. "Aha! See? This is perfect. You guys are going to play Danny and Sandy and fall in love and-" He stopped, gasping for air, eyes watering from laughing so hard. "Oh... my... God... this... is... perfect..." he said between shaky gulps of air. "I can see you guys at your wedding already... But you're going to need a pair of heels and a stool!"
I couldn't be mad. I was in too good a mood. And he was taller then me, despite the fact I was older. "You crack yourself up, don't you, Hayes?"
He nodded, wiping away his tears. "Yes, yes I do."
I stuck my tongue out. "Well, if your family grew at a normal human rate, you wouldn't be able to make height jokes."
Hayes squealed. "My family! What about his?"
I looked at Will seriously. "What the hell did you put in his drink?"
Will put his hands up, but he was laughing too. "I don't know, but whatever it was, I think it was contagious."
I whined. "Oh, don't you start too. Nash, make them stop."
He rolled his eyes, and sat back, arms crossed. "Do you really think they will?"
"I... I'll never tell you guys anything ever again!"
Hayes quieted down, but Will just laughed harder. "Hayes, man, come on! It's Reese. Do you really think she'll stop talking to us if we laugh at her? She would have stopped talking to us when she was six."
I stuck my tongue out at them, but ate my pizza thoughtfully. Was I sure that Luke wasn't trying to mess with me? He had spoken to me in private...
When Will realized it was already eight, he told the parents. They all got ready to loeave, but Will volunteered to drive us home. My mom told him to just stop at my house, so I could pick up my bags for the funeral. I had forgotten about that. I knew when I went home, I was going to beat myself up for forgetting something so important, but for now, I didn't want to look too sad.
The adults left, and the bar cleared about. Will asked for the check, and suddenly I noticed someone was missing. "Will, where's Skylynn? And I thought you guys only took one car here?"
"Nila took Skylynn. And nah, I drove here myself, but I don't have the car seat."
I nodded. "Oh. Okay."
Eventually, the check landed on our table. We looked up at the waiter who had brought it, Will said thank you, and the waiter bent down and kissed my cheek.l Again. You might have guessed... That waiter was Luke.
I sighed contentedly. "Oh my God, he's amazing."
Nash rolled his eyes, and I saw the same pout on his face from earlier. "He's okay."
"Pfft. He's the best. I can't wait until I turn 15..."
"Why?"
"Because then I'm allowed to date. Duh."
"Why? You gonna ask him out?"
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. He kind of implied, that, come September, he'd... Well, you know."
We all walked toward the exit of the bar, me in the back and walking quite happily. I squealed when I felt someone pick me up and spin me around, and I saw the boys all turn around. Luke put me down, and spun me around into him.
"I'm coming to your callbacks, okay?"
I blushed. "But I haven't even gotten the letter yet."
He looked down at me softly. "It doesn't matter. You will." I looked down, and he gently tilted my head back, his finger under my chin. "Don't doubt yourself so much, Reese. You've got really potential, and I think if you really bring it at callbacks, Sandy will be yours without a question." He took my phone, and staryed tapping. When he turned it off, his phone rang, and I realized what he had done. He had put his number in my phone and semt himself a text so he'd have my number.
I smiled at him. I saw the boys leaving out of the corner of my eye, and I felt a courage rise up in me I hadn't felt with a guy beofre. "Hey, Luke?"
"Hmm?"
"I really like you, too." I jumped up real quick, and kissed his cheek. Ha! It was the other way around this time. I saw him blush, and I ran to the car. When I got the the car, before I jumped in, I saw Luke. He was still standing there, still. I laughed to myself, and got in the car. Will drove me to my house, and Nash and Hayes ran across the street to their house to get their bags. My mom rubbed my shoulder.
"Your bags are in the car, honey." I nodded, and noted we were using a van.
"Chad lent it to me for the trip since we have the boys."
"Oh. Did you pack my makeup?"
"Sweetie, I packed your pillow, underclothing, favorite pajamas, makeup, black sweater, leggings, black jeans, black shirts for you to pick from, your black flats, your black pumps, and your black short shorts and your gray tank top with your black lace crop top and black flip flops for the ride home. Or you could wear your pumps again."
I nodded, and Nash and Hayes crossed the street with backpacks and a pillow each. I assumed the bags was full of mourning clothes like mine were. The both hugged me, and we all piled into the van. It was a 7-seater, and my mom got into the front seat.
"Baby, do you wanna sit up here with me?"
"Maybe on the ride home."
Nash and Hayes both sat in the single sitters, leaving me to the long seat in the back. I lay down, and fished out some blankets from under the seat. I tossed the boys each a blanket, and grabbed my pillow. I got comfortable, and thought about the past 24 hours. Nash kissing me, Nash and Hayes fighting, Nash accusing me, my audition, getting along with my mom, the party thing at the karaoke bar, Lucas Sursock, and then the whole call-me-Luke-lets-sing-and-lemme-just-kiss-you-on-the-cheek-here-real-quick thing, the encouragement, the getting my number, and then me kissing him, and now going to my granpar- grandmother's house now, in order to be there bright and early. It had been a long day, and I didn't want to fall asleep before we got there. Luckily, the designated driver was thinking the same way.
"Ya'll wanna stop for coffee first? Dunkin Donuts extra-larges on me? It could hurt to stunt your growth, Nash, or your, Hayes." The boys laughed. We passed a Starbucks, and I squealed.
"Starbucks!"
My mom laughed at me. "I'd stop there, but I'll drink their coffee too fast!"
"Yeah, I know. Me too."
We stopped at Dunkin, and the extra large warmed my hands, and my heart. Okay, maybe something else warmed my heart. I had finished my coffee, but with four more hours to go on the drive, I knew I was going to fall asleep. My highs were very short-lived, and I crashed easily. I laid down across the seat, and pulled up my sheet. Hayes twisted his chair to the side, and reclined it so it wouldn't hit me. Nash reclined without twisting, but that's because his chair was by my feet. Just as I was about to fall asleep, I got a text, and after my eyes adjusted to the bright light, I laughed at the text and how they were saved in my phone.
When Luke had taken my phone, he had saved his name and sent himself a text from my phone to his, so he had my number now. I looked at the two messages I had from him. One was extremely short and the other was nicely lengthed.
Luke S Likes Reese: :3
Luke S Likes Reese: Hey Reese :3 I know it's late so I don't expect you to respond. I just wanted to let you know that today was possibly the best day I've had in a long time, thanks to you. Singing with you was amazing, and I can't wait to do it again and hope that when we do, it'll be because we're practicing for Grease. And if we're just singing, I'd like that too. And Jimmy told me about you grandfather. I'm so sorry, and I want to let you know that I will be there tomorrow for the wake, and for you. Reese... I really do like you. I can't wait to see you again. Goodnight, beautiful. Sleep tight.
I smiled, before sending a text back. I had to. Anyone would.
Me: You're amazing Luke. I'm so glad you convinced me to sing with you, although I'm sure to didn't take a lot of convincing. I had a really great time too, and if I don't see you until September, then so be it, and I can't wait until then. Goodnight, and thank you so much, but if you can't make it then I understand. Sleep well xoxo
I clicked my phone shut, and snuggled in tighter to my make-shift bed. Surprisingly, the last thing that drifted through my mind was not Nash. It was someone else.
Maybe I could find someone else. And this time he liked me. And he even respected me enough to be willing to wait.
Maybe Will was right.
Maybe I could love other people.
Maybe one of the people could be Luke.
OOOH TWIST OF EVENTS IN THIS CHAPTER
how many of you saw that coming
ooh
MAKE SURE YOU READ MY AUTHORS NOTE, BECAUSE YOU NEED TO COMMENT SOMETHING AT THE END AND YOUR NAME MIGHT BE IN IT
okay okay so some character changes
I have picked Melissa Benoist to play Reese look her up shes gorg :* she plays marley rose on glee
I have yes introduced Lucas Sursock and he will be played Nolan Gerard Funk look him up because until you do your life is not complete. Like if he was not famous for his acting gymnastic skills and DIVING WHICH RESULTED IN HIS SHOULDERS HALLO he would be famous for his face. No lie. He is the prettiest guy i have ever seen and he actually is 6 feet like crap
LOOK THEM UP ILL KINOW IF YOU DIDNT BECAUSE I WONT UPDATE
I know some of you might be mad because I didn't make Nash do anything but don't worry okay?? He will just not yet. I'm going to be building this up for some chapters and eventually when he breaks it'll be HUGE. I've got plans. And do you guys wanna see Nash POV?? That'll help with the whole why-isn't-Nash-saying-anything thing
okay can we try at least 50 votes for the next chapter? and at least 15 comments saying the phrase im going to put at the bottom of this authors note
guys you should really read the authors note bc i really should have as many comments as reads when I ask you to comment something specific. It offends me.
special s/o to @Candiiee , and @anonymous1432 for being possibly some of the best internet wattpad friends ive ever met
to @Trilogies for her lovely comment on my ask.fm
to @avvvvvvva for being so outgoing and straightforward(; keeping you in mind girlie
and to anyone who has read my bio
And of course, how could I forget @jazzyjaws ??? I think you should all thank her because my fear of her possibly hounding me at school (although im sure she still will) is the reason that I updated.
I love you all and please look them up
xoxoxoxo
if you read all that, comment "Could be Luke" and yeah jazzy you have to comment that too.
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Wrong Key | A Nash Grier Fan Fiction
FanfictionI grew up with the now-famous Nash Grier. We've been best friends for as long as I can remember. I was never to close to my mom, as we had a lot of issues that I can't quite remember and my dad left us, so Nash and his family kind of raised me, and...
