overture | newsies imagines

ben fankhauser [request] || happy kissing day

I pressed the buzzer on the stage door and, after stating my name, was let into the theater. Juggling the tray of drinks in my right hand and the bag strewn over my shoulder, I climbed the mountain of steps to the ensemble dressing room. I pushed it open with my foot, immediately gasping once it collided with one of the twins.

"Oh, my God, I'm so sorry," I stifled a laugh, setting the drinks down at Ryan's space.

He shrugged it off, gave me a short hug, and pulled it away. Then he hesitantly pressed his pucker lips onto my cheeks and raced out the door. I shook my head at the teenagers silliness and sat at my chair, right next to Ryan. I pulled my drink from the carrier, turning to Tommy, who was sat next to me.

"Do you know why one of the twins kissed me on the cheek?" I snorted through the gulp of tea I'd taken.

Tommy laughed, and slapped his knee before responding, "Its National Kissing Day."

He leaned forward and kissed the other cheek. I giggled and returned the favor. "That's the weirdest holiday I've heard of."

Ryan plopped into his chair next to me and grabbed his drink. "I don't think it is. I actually think it's pretty hopeful."

"Oh, yeah? Whys that?" I flickered my eyes to Tommy as he walked away before planting my full focus on Ryan.

He fumbled with the lid of his coffee. "Because maybe someone will come up to me and kiss me and I won't be so lonely anymore."

"That was kinda depressing."

"Eh," he shrugged, "Hey, you know what you should do?"

"What?" I inquired.

Ryan smirked and wiggled his eyebrows at me, "You should go give Ben his drink and kiss him."

I tapped my feet against the carpet, the pit of my stomach dropping to the ground. "Shut up, Ryan."

"No, you really should do it. If he doesn't return the favor, just tell him its National Kissing Day. He won't care."

"No, Ryan!" I slapped a hand on his bicep, stood, and left the room.

He followed, the drink carrier in his hands. "Why won't you just do it? You've had a crush on him for forever—"

"Because it feels like much more than a crush, okay? If I do, it'll set off something inside me. And then, if he does reject me, I'll be completely heartbroken. I'm not going to let myself feel that way."

Ryan stopped following me, and grabbed my wrist to prevent me from going down the next flight of stairs. He tugged me into his chest, hugging me the best he could with one arm. "I'm sorry, Kylie, I didn't know."

"Its fine," I let go of him and motioned to the stairs. "You should go give it to him. I'm going to stretch."

I shuffled down the rest of the steps, and into the lobby where Micheal and Brandon were already into splits. I joined them, letting my mind slip of the annoying feelings bubbling in my head and chest.

___

At intermission, Andrew asked me to his dressing room, so I could be in the Saturday Intermission Picture. With my tap boots tied up and my newsies hat in my hand, i trotted up the steps, and into their dressing room. Thank my lucky stars, Ben was getting his second costume on.

Andrew instructed me to sit on the chair in the center of the room. He didn't tell me anything else, just that Ben would be in the picture. My palms grew sweaty at the explanation, and I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. I had no clue what was going to happen, and the unknown terrified me. Especially when the unknown included a guy I had feelings for.

Andrew held up his camera, ready to capture the moment when Ben walked in the room. When he did, I gave him a half-hearted smile and wrung out my newsies hat. Andrew held up a hand with all fingers stretched out. He slowly put each down, counting from five to one. At one, the camera flashed and Ben's lips were on my cheek.

I was bright red when Andrew left the room to upload the picture. Ben pulled away, and I stood quickly. He was grinning, but upon seeing my terrified expression, he frowned.

"Was that not okay?" He bit his lip. "I'm really sorry if it wasn't. I just thought, since its National Kissing Day, and I've liked you for awhile, I'd grow a pair of finally show you I like you."

I sputtered out random words, hoping they'd make a reasonable response. "No, no, no, no. Its really fine. Its more than fine. It was— perfect."

"Really?" Ben took a step closer to me.

"Yea—yeah," I met his flickering eyes. "Perfect."

"So, does that mean you like— like me?"

"Yes, yeah, of course, I really like you. In fact, I've never felt this way about anyone before... and it scares the shit out of me." I admitted nervously, looking away from him.

Ben's fingers grazed my chin, bringing my lips to his. "Happy Kissing Day," he mumbled against my mouth.