Sophomore Year || Parenthood Series, Book One || WATTYS 2018

Chapter Thirty-One

SOUNDTRACK: "Sunset Lover" - Petit Biscuit

The lights dimmed on stage as Kate allowed herself to be escorted offstage by the other two actors and Olivia sobbed on the stairs as Stella. After a few lines of dialogue from Luke as Stanley, the lights went completely dark and the theater was plunged into shocked silence. As the lights came back on, the audience erupted into applause and cheers and Kate followed the other actors back onstage for the curtain call. As she emerged, she was nearly deafened by the noise.

She could spot Shannon, Connie, and Emma three rows back, cheering wildly. He even let loose a loud whistle, causing Emma to put her hands over her ears and glare at him. Connie had tears in her eyes and Shannon leaned over to give her a hug of reassurance. As each actor stepped forward to take a bow, the crowd cheered. When Kate stepped forward, relief on her face, she could hear Shannon's whoops of joy and appreciation. Briefly, she felt her smile falter when she noticed Jared had indeed, failed to show up.

Part of her had been holding out hope that Jared would show up and sneak in the back to watch. Maybe it was because she still stupidly had the idea that life was like a Disney movie and everything worked out in the end. She knew it was foolish of her to hope and her disappointment was her own fault. When she had bowed for the last time, she went backstage to the girls' dressing room to start taking her costume off and getting her microphone removed.

"Well, you didn't manage to flop," Olivia remarked as she breezed past Kate.

Kate sighed. "Good job to you, too, Olivia."

The other girl scoffed, flipped her hair, and sat down at the vanity table to start removing her makeup. Kate allowed one of the sound technicians to take her microphone off as she changed back into her jeans and sweater. The emotions from the show were still coursing through her as she pulled her jeans on, one leg at a time. She was surprised when she felt a tear slide down her face. Jared's absence was a normal thing for her now. It really was her own fault that she was disappointed.

"Alright. I'll see you tomorrow at eleven," Kate called to Olivia as another actress came in to get changed.

Kate didn't wait for Olivia's response, grabbing her bag and walking down the back hallway to the front of the auditorium. As she got closer to the end, she could see a crowd had filled the lobby area, with people chattering away. The air was filled with excitement and applause broke out again as she pushed her way into the lobby. Shannon moved through the crowd and took her hand, pulling him after her toward the edge of mob. He hugged her tightly when they stopped.

"You were absolutely fucking fantastic!" he exclaimed, keeping an arm around her shoulders as he led her over to where Emma and Connie were standing.

Several flashes nearly blinded Kate as a staff photographer took a few photos for the school newspaper and yearbook. She could smell Connie's perfume as the older woman embraced her tightly.

"You did so well, darling," she said happily. "Jared will be sad he missed this."

"You are definitely his child," Emma smiled.

Kate nodded and gave her a weak smile. She was getting tired of people saying she was Jared's child just because of how she looked or talents she apparently never knew she had. Why couldn't she just be his daughter because it was biological fact? Why did there need to be any more evidence than that?

"Are you all done for the night?" Shannon asked.

"Yeah. I've got everything. If I forgot something, I can just get it tomorrow at eleven," Kate replied.

"Then let's go to dinner to celebrate," he insisted. "My treat."

Shannon kept his arm around Kate's shoulders as they walked out to his SUV. Connie chattered on about how well Kate did and Emma sent Jared a text telling him they were on their way to dinner.