Planned (10.)

74 4 1
                                    

[Oak.]

When I got back, the theatre was mostly empty, except for Lin. I met him on stage, sitting on the edge like we used to with Eva.

"I'm sorry, Oak."

"I know. Why did you do it?" We don't look at each other, staring out into the empty house.

"She... she looked like she did when I first fell for her. Her eyes glowed with that fire she has. The passion. But every time, it felt empty, like it was just a front. That's no excuse, though. Here." He hands me a small key. "It's to Eva's door. Darien gave it to me earlier."

"Were you going to hide this too?"

"No. Because I respect you and she's your girl. I have no right to come between you two."

He took time to fill me in on what he knew, and I could feel hatred welling inside me towards Daveed. He abused my precious girl... I'm not going to stand for it.

"We need to clear her system. He's always making her drink from what he gives her. I'm sure if we all band together, we can find a way to get her drinking clean water. Then she can start thinking straight." He says, I nod.

"I'll get upstairs to see what he's got for her in her room." I reply, making my move to stand up. "I'll do that now since they should be out for another hour or so."

"Oak... I really am sorry. If there's anything else I can do..."

"Just text the crew. I'll take care of the rest." I turn and walk away, heading to her door. True to his word, it works, and I'm running up the stairs to her room. She always kept it clean... so seeing her room in disarray was certainly surprising. I can deal with that later. I go right to her fridge, and dig out the dozen water bottles that are there. All the seals are broken already...

I pour every single one down the drain. It smells of alcohol (and bad decisions... sorry). He's really been keeping her drunk all the time. It's amazing how well she's adjusted. No wonder she was so manic at first. I refill all of them with tap water, and replace them in the fridge. That part's at least done. My phone dings.

Group Message from Linnamon Roll:
Hey guys. You all know something's been up with Eva lately, and Oak and I have figured out the first step to getting her back. If you see her drinking something, usually a water bottle, see if you can replace it with a fresh one. Remember to open it first to break the seal. Or bring her something to try, or coffee or tea from down the street. Point is, don't let Daveed keep giving her drinks. We need to get bad stuff out of her system so she can start to think clearly again. On board?

The following messages were all agreements. This could work. Let's find out.

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The team recollects for rehearsal. Almost instantly, I watch Daveed give her a water bottle, probably from his fridge. Hm.

"Hey Eva! Come on, I want to do your makeup before we get busy." Jazzy laughs, taking her hand and tugging her away. I catch her eye, she smiles at me, throwing a wink my way. I follow the pair at a distance, watching them get settled into Schuyler dressing room. "Okay, close your eyes, lemme get what you have off first."

"Okay.." Eva set's the bottle down on the counter, freeing her hands to hold a makeup remover bottle and tissues for Jazz. Ren takes the bottle and replaces it with a fresh on, slipping the bad one into her backpack. Out of sight. I smile... we can do this.

This pattern continues all evening. When she finished a bottle, she'd get another from Daveed's room. After Ren got the first, Anthony got her some tea, smoothly slipping the bottle from her hands. Later on, Javi made cafecito, and her and Ariana spent the rest of the evening giggling between scenes, binging in grape juice.

This is going to work.

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07/18/17

Short, but plot has to happen eventually. Soooo yea.

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