On The Sidelines

Chapter 2

Edited

I shot up instinctively but immediately regretted it. Groaning, I rubbed my head. My eyes were screwed shut from the throbbing pain in the back of my skull. 

"Damn. That hurt," I muttered. I opened my eyes to see a hand held out in front of me. I shook my head, not about to swallow my pride for a random stranger. I hoisted myself up and dusted my jeans off.

"I am so sorry! I didn't mean to bump into you! Are you alright?" an anxious voice asked. I scrutinized the person in front of me. She was rather young and very petite, kind of like a timid kitten. She had bright lavender eyes and long dark hair which hung near her shoulders in ringlets. Her tanned skin gave some sort of glow about her. I smiled and nodded. 

"I'm fine, but what about you? I'm sure I hit you just as hard, if not harder," I chuckled. She dismissed my worries with the wave of a hand.

"No, not at all! I didn't get hurt. But you did hit the ground hard. Here, let me drive you home! It'll be my apology to you?" she inquired. Her innocence amazed me. Was she willing to drive a complete and utter stranger home? I didn't know she was even old enough to drive!

"I'm sorry, I can't accept. My friend will be here soon. Not to mention, we only just met. But," I said, holding my phone out to her, "we can exchange numbers! Then we can talk about that drive." I winked. Her face lit up so much I thought she'd float away. She nodded, handing me her phone. When we finished exchanging numbers, she looked up at me with those dazzling eyes and said, "I'll text you later!" We waved our goodbyes and parted ways, leaving me feeling like I'm waltzing on clouds made of cotton candy.

The lobby of the auditorium was clearing out, so I now had a better chance of finding my chauffeur. Well, for lack of a better term, my brother. After searching for his car for five minutes, I figured he was running late. Again. Why am I not surprised? I wandered around for a bit, looking at the various dust covered paintings they had hung on the walls. I checked the time again. Fifteen minutes had gone by. I can't say that it hadn't crossed my mind to call Brit for a ride, but she was probably already home, and I didn't want to disturb her. As I sat down on the steps outside, I decided to call my brother.

*Dial Tone*

*Click*

"Sis? Why are you calling this late?"

"Wow. Don't be excited to hear my blessed voice, Kip."

I heard a muffled groan and some shuffling emitting from the receiver.

"Cut the bull crap. Answer my question."

"Oh, no reason. It's not like you forgot to pick me up or anything."

"Oh shit! Your show was today?! I'll be there in ten!"

*Click*

I sighed and dropped my head into my hands. I heard someone sit down next to me, but I didn't move to see who it was.

"Bad breakup?" the guy asked. I recognized that voice. It was the guy that gave everyone in the cast nicknames, Uncle C. He officially dubbed me Key at one of our tech rehearsals. I shook my head.

"Rejected?" he prompted again. I sighed. This conversation was getting really trite if you can even call it one. More like a monologue at this point.

"Key, you gotta give me something to work with here," he prodded. 

"Uncle C, can I rant for a minute?" I asked him.

"Sure, hun. Go right ahead. I have all night." I went on and on about how I always got cast in the ensemble, etc.

"Well, that's all very well and good, Key. But I think I'll let you ponder on those thoughts for a while. It looks like someone is here for you," he said motioning to a car pulling up. It was my brother's. I smiled and stood up. We made our way over to the car together, but before I got in, I gave Uncle C a hug.

"I'll see ya tomorrow, Uncle C."

"See you then."

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Word count: 714