Safer - Ben Cook - Sky Flaherty

Wish that I was different, I'd like to let go

Wish that I was different, I'd like to let go

"Rise and shine sleepy-head." I groan and roll over, only to have the covers yanked off of me.

"Tony." I complain, "How are you so chipper with a hangover at, 7:00 in the morning?"

"Some of us didn't stay up late last night with a newsie!" He teases. "And I've had my fair share of drunken nights so I know how to cure a hangover." He pulls me up by my shoulders. "Now get up, you have an audition in an hour."

"Alright, alright." I stand up and throw my covers on the bed. "Now leave so I can get dressed." I shove Tony out of the room and go over to the wardrobe. I open some of the drawers to see lots of leggings and workout shirts. "Well then." I poke my head out of room, "Tony!" I yell.

"What?" I hear from the direction of the kitchen.

"I need your help!"

"On my way!" Ten seconds later Tony is sliding into my room on his socks. "What can I do to help m'lady?"

"Audition clothes?" I ask and his face lights up.

"I thought you'd never ask!" He runs over to my wardrobe and pushes me out of the way. "Wear this pin-up dress for the singing and acting and wear these leggings and this shirt for dance audition. Character shoes for singing and acting and jazz shoes for dancing. Hair up for both. Light, natural makeup, you don't want to over do it."

"Sounds good." I laugh and take the clothes from him. "I'll be out in 15 minutes."

"I made you breakfast so be quick." He slides out of the room and I hear him turn on the radio and start singing along,

I get dressed, do my hair, and makeup, grab my sheet music, character and dance shoes, slip on my sneakers. Copying Tony's entrance I run down the hallway and slide into the kitchen.

"Mmmmm, toast." I muse and grab a piece of toast of the plate that Tony had made for me.

"Eat it all Sage." He scolds and waves his spatula at me. "I slaved over this breakfast and you need all the energy you can get."

"I'm not hungry."

"You're hungry but you can't tell because you're nervous." He raises an eyebrow at me.

"If I eat I'm going to throw up." I admit my reasoning.

"Sit." He points his spatula at a chair. I sit. "Eat." I pick up a fork and poke it into the eggs. "Eat." He sits down across from me and stares at me. I grudgingly eat a bite of the eggs.

"Happy?"

"More."

"Fine." I quickly shovel the eggs into my mouth. "Now are you happy?" I ask around a mouthful of eggs.

"Lovely." Tony crinkles his nose. "Now brush your teeth and get going! You have an audition to get to."

I do as Tony asks. "Bye!" I yell at him while exiting.

"Break legs!" He yells back just before I close the door. I giggle and run down the steps, bag in hand, and heart on sleeve.

I look up at the theater and smile. After a confusing 45 minutes on the subway I finally found my way to the August Wilson Theatre. I look around and see some other people looking up at the theatre as well. You're finally here Sage. I tell myself. You made it. I walk over towards the doors but before I can open them an arm reaches around and pulls open a door, almost smacking me in the face.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry." I hear a familiar voice say. I turn around to confront the culprit and I'm met with familiar blue eyes. I back up into the theatre to see Ben Cook, blushing and open-mouthed.