If You're Hurt They Bleed

Blame

"Jenna, time to pee on a stick." I walked onstage with a fake box of pregnancy tests, holding them out to Molly.

"I don't wanna know!" She protested. Her accent needs some work yet, but she's got everything else down. 

As we moved around the stage, I caught a glimpse of Grayson backstage. He was sitting in the corner, staring at his hands. When I got a chance to look back again, he wasn't there anymore. Ignoring the mysterious disappearance, I focused on the song. 

The music faded, and I didn't stop myself from racing backstage to find Grayson. I just had a feeling something wasn't right, and after this morning I didn't want to take any chances. 

I didn't find him. That is, until he showed up onstage for his first scene. I breathed a sigh of relief, heading down to the green room. I could hear their voices as It Only Takes a Taste began. I tried my hardest to ignore it, to focus on something else, anything else, but it pulled me in. And I was thinking of Grayson. Grayson singing the song. To me.

 I felt Paige shake me, pulling me up to go onstage once more. I nodded, promising to go up in a minute. 

Getting up, I shook the fuzz out of my mind and walked up the stairs, being unlucky enough to pass Grayson. 

He didn't even look at me. Just kept walking, like we were strangers. I can't tell you how much that hurt, though I knew it was my fault. 

We sang Soft Place To Land, and then Molly and I headed down to the green room. 

"Are you alright?" She placed a hand on my arm. "You seem distracted."

"Fine. I promise." Saying those words made me flinch. 

That wasn't good enough for Molly. "I'm your best friend! I can tell when you're hiding things from me." I just shook my head, suddenly annoyed by her persistence. 

"I said I'm fine, Moll. Please, just drop it." I sighed. 

Of course, Grayson walked past at that moment. 

He didn't say anything, but he frowned at my response. 

I sat down on the couch, pulling out my phone. 

6 missed calls: Momster. 

Seeing this, I did what any sensible teenage girl would do. I threw my phone at the white brick wall across the room. 

"Geez! What was that-" Molly picked up my phone, which was unscathed, though it's case cracked, and suddenly understood. "Why did your mother call you 6 times?" 

I shrugged. "Dunno. I figured I wouldn't have to find out if I broke my phone."

Molly gave me a stern look, tossing my phone back. "I really don't believe you."

"Huh." I glanced up the stairs, where Paige was coming to join us. She'd just sang Never Ever Getting Rid Of Me with Nathan, so she looked a bit flustered. 

"You and Grayson are up," She gestured towards Molly. "Maya, you're on standby." 

I nodded, following Maya back up to the theater. 

Grayson came up to me after rehearsal.

"I'm sorry," He muttered.

"For what?" I asked. I can't imagine what he felt the need to apologize for. 

"Your... your dad. I know he was close to you." My eyes widened. 

"How do you know about that?" I hissed, stepping closer. 

"My mom was his nurse. Linda Barton?"

"Mr. Barton is joining us from Quebec City..."

"I just... Mom said that she put too much saline in the IV, and-" 

It's his mom's fault? 

My dad, the one I can talk to- no, could talk to...

I punched him. At least, I'm pretty sure I punched him. I know he doubled over, and I saw blood on my hand. 

"Say hi to your mom for me."