Anthony Ramos - Just Another Chorus Girl

Hello, you

11:30pm

After coming back from a run around Central Park, I hop in the shower and begin to get ready to go to the theatre.

I wash and dry my hair, put on some subtle make up and get changed into and oversized grey jumper and a black leather skirt. (See outfit above) I lightly spritz myself with perfume, and then slip on a pair of black ankle boots, then head out into the warm June New York air.

I jump in a cab, and ask the driver to take me to the Richard Rodgers theatre. I look up at the buildings as we drive through the streets of Manhattan. I can't help but smile when thinking my life could change from this moment onwards.

Once I get to the theatre, I pay and thank the driver then make my way to the cast door that takes you back stage. A member of the crew lets me in and sends me to Lin's dressing room.
I cautiously knock on the door, however Lin's friendly, welcoming nature instantly puts me at ease.

"Isabella!" He exclaims, "so good to see you!" he gets up from his chair and comes to give me a hug "we're all so excited to have some new cast members, it's great to have some new faces join our little family!"

"Thank you so much for letting me be a part of this, I'm so excited to be here!" I respond cheerfully. He is honestly the nicest person I have ever met, how can one person be this wonderful? If I where him I'd be stressing about everything, yet he's so calm and positive to be around. How on earth does he manage it?

Him and I walk down the hallway and bump into someone... Anthony.

Anthony and I make eye contact and I can see his face light up into grin,

"Isabella, this is Anthony, Anthony, Isabella. Isabella here made it through the auditions and is joining the cast!" Lin said, introducing us.

"I know, we met yesterday, she killed it" Anthony replied, he turned his head to me and smiled, "Hello, you" he grinned making me blush a little. My god, how does he have this effect on me?

"Cool." Lin responded, "Ant, do you mind if you give Isabella the tour, seeing as you guys already know one another? I need to go help Tommy with some things- Isabella I hope that's okay?"

"Yeah of course," I answered, "as long and you're okay with that," I said turning to Anthony.

"Of course" he smiled. I'm almost certain I saw him wink when saying that, but I can never be completely sure.

Lin left, and Anthony motioned us to carry of walking,

"Shall we m'lady?" He said in a horrendous English accent, offering his arm for me to take hold of.

"We shall" I mimicked, laughing and resting my hand on his bicep. I could feel them bulging out of his shirt... damn.

We walking around backstage and he introduced me to the other cast members.

They where all so lovely, Daveed, Oak and Johnathan made me laugh to the point where I would be almost in tears, Leslie and Chris made me feel super comfortable and welcome, and Pippa, Renée and Jasmine made my feel as though I'd been a part of this cast since the beginning and I could talk about anything with them.

I was sitting in Pippa's dressing room talking to the 3 girls playing the Schuyler sisters, when Anthony poked his head round the door.

"Come onn, you girls have been talking for ages! I want Isabella back!" Anthony whined.

"Aww does Ramos have a crush?" Jazzy mocked, causing the others to laugh and Anthony and I both to blush.

"Um no, of course not!" Anthony argued, and I must admit, I felt a little disappointed. "I just need to finish the tour!"

"It's okay, I'll chat with you girls later. Bye!" I said getting up and following Anthony.

I followed him down the hall until suddenly he stopped at a door and opened it. The room was small, yet everything was organised correctly so it seemed bigger, the walls where all white and there where dressing mirrors everywhere, along with a big sofa, and a small TV in the corner.

"Here we are!" Anthony said proudly.

"What do you mean?" I asked frowning slightly.

"Your dressing room of course!" He said, motioning for me to come in "plus, it's right next to mine and Daveed's dressing room so if you ever need me, I'm right next door"

"Wow this is perfect!" I said turning to him, "I can't believe this is really happening to me, it doesn't feel real!"

"Well you better believe it!" Anthony responded, sitting on the sofa and I copied "it's real alright, I knew you'd get it, you're an amazing dancer... not to mention your absolutely beautiful" he said resting his hand on my knee.

"Thank you Anthony" I smiled, leaning back and tucking my hair behind my ears with both hands.

"I like it when you do that" Anthony commented.

"Do what?"

"That thing with your hair, when you put behind your ear. It's pretty cute" he smiled, rubbing his thumb gently on my leg.

"Well Ramos," I said looking right at him, " I think you're pretty cute."

"Do you now?" He asked me flirtatiously, leaning in closer.

"Yep," I responded doing the same.

"Well, i could definitely say the same about you, gorgeous..." he said resting his forehead on mine, "Isabella-" Anthony took a deep breath, "would you maybe want to go get dinner or something tonight?"

"Like, as in a date?"

"Yeah" he said nervously.

"Of course, that would be lovely" I smiled and so did he.

"So I'll pick you up at 7?" Anthony asked

"Sounds perfect" I replied, I can't believe I'm going on a date with Anthony Ramos!

We exchanged numbers and I said goodbye and went to find Pippa, Renée and Jazz.

I flopped down onto the sofa in Jasmine's dressing room next to Pippa,

"Sooo how did it go?" Pip asked sitting up and facing me.

"Umm well Anthony asked me on a date tonight" I said, I couldn't help but smile when I said that.

"What!?" Renée said rushing over to take a seat, "you two would be so cute together! I ship it so much!"

"Same here" Jazz added

"He really likes you, Isabella. Yesterday when we watched you dance he wouldn't shut up about you!" Pippa said and I blushed slightly,

"He really is a sweetie," I smile, "I'm excited to see what happens tonight!"

"I can come over and help you get ready if you'd like?" Pippa offered.

"Yeah that would be amazing, thank you" I replied, it was so kind of her to give up her evening to come and help me out.

In this moment, I honestly believe I am the happiest girl in the world.