I've known Josh since the beginning of time. We grew up together as absolute best friends. All our friends from school and all our teachers knew early on that we would be inseparable.
We talked about the future. We planned on moving to New York City together and living together forever. Sure, those were just our crazy ten-year-old dreams.
But I remembered every word we said that day. I vowed to keep my promise, and so did Josh.
Then auditions come up, and Josh got casted in the national tour of Newsies as Darcy/Jojo. He'd leave me all alone and go get to live out his dreams with his new best friends.
That didn't stop me though. The day after graduation, I packed up and moved to New York City. I audition all over the city and eventually get casted in Phantom of the Opera as Christine Daae, my ultimate dream role.
Josh and I lose contact as he spends his time traveling the country without me. I don't blame him, I know he's insanely busy.
I keep up with him on social media though. He posts all these pictures and videos of his friends and himself, and I can't help but notice how happy he is. He's getting to do what he loves, and I can't be any prouder of him.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
But then I see his selfies and my heart flutters.
I'm in love with Joshua Burrage.
I've never told anyone. I keep that to myself. I don't even think Josh loves me back, much less even likes me romantically. I wouldn't expect him too. Anyway, I think he's dating that Kaitlyn Frank girl.
"Look! Look!" My best friend, Erica, comes running into my apartment on day, holding out her turned on phone.
"Calm down, crazy. Hold your damn phone steady." I laugh, grabbing her wrist.
Newsboy Variety Show at 54 Below, tomorrow night only!
"Josh is performing!" Erica exclaims. "You have to go!"
I shrug, folding down the page in my book to save its spot. "No, I don't think I'm gonna go."
"Why not? Josh is your best friend, you've told me all about him! I think he'd really love to see you."
I giggle, sitting up and crossing my legs. "You don't even know Josh. You've never met him."
"I don't have to meet him, girl. Just go, it's on your day off from Phantom! maybe you'll even meet a cute guy there." Erica winks before skipping out of my apartment.
Little does she know that the only cute guy I'll want will be on stage.
Against my better judgement, I get dressed up to go to 54 Below the next night.
