The Rebound

The Party

"Jessamine, will you please come with me to the party? I don't want to go alone," Tilly whined into the phone. "I know it's just a wrap party, but it'll be fun. Besides, you need to leave your flat for something social. It's been two weeks since you left dickhead Will."

"Tilly, I've told you. I don't want to go the wrap party. I don't want to go to any party. I'm not in the mood right now," Jess groaned. She was laying in bed with her hair a mess. Ever since her breakup, she'd only been leaving her flat for work and for groceries. She was in an extremely low place at the moment.

"And when will you be in the mood? You're not going to feel any better by being alone all the time. You need to get out and have some fun!" Jess knew that Tilly was right. She was only going to feel worse if she never went outside. "We've worked hard to make this show. Please don't miss out on the celebration."

Jess sighed and sat up in bed, looking at the clock. It was only half past five and the party didn't even start until seven o'clock. "If I go, you'll to have to make it worthwhile for me."

"How about I pay for all of your drinks and even your taxi home since I know you're going to get pissed?" Jess sighed again, this time knowing that she had to accept. It was too good of an offer to pass up. "Deal."

"Great! I'll be there to pick you up in an hour!" And with that, Tilly hung up the phone.

Jess sat in bed for a few minutes before she finally got up to take a shower. For as much as she claimed she didn't want to go to the party, she knew deep down inside that she actually wanted to go. She was tired of being alone.

Two weeks before, she had discovered that her boyfriend, Will, had been cheating on her for months. They had been together for years, so it practically killed her to leave him, but a cheater is a cheater. She knew she wouldn't have been able to save their relationship. So now she was alone and left with major trust issues.

After taking a long hot shower, Jess dried and styled her hair, then went into her closet to pick out an outfit for the evening. She decided on a little black dress that showed off her shoulders and curves. If she was finally going out again, she was going to put in some effort.

Jess put the finishing touches on her makeup just as Tilly arrived at her flat. "One second," she yelled before grabbing her clutch and turning out the lights. "There. How do I look?"

"Damn girl, you're fit! Are you looking for some dick tonight or what?!" Tilly exclaimed and reached out to pinch her best friend's bum.

Jess laughed and shook her head whilst slapping Tilly's hand away. "I just thought I'd put in some effort tonight. You're right about us putting a lot of work into the show, and I really don't want to miss the celebration."

Tilly smiled, but her smile quickly turned into a smirk. "I'm always right, and you know it. Just say it."

"I'm not saying anything that isn't true. Now c'mon, we have a wrap party to get to." Jess gripped Tilly's hand and pulled her out the door before she could say anything else.

——— 2 hours later ———

Jess heard Tilly scream and she whipped her head around to see what had happened. Absolutely nothing. Her friend was just having fun and dancing with their fellow crew-members and the cast of the show. She rolled her eyes lightly and turned back to the bar. "Another whiskey please. Make it double."

"Shouldn't you be out dancing with your friend?" A deep voice asked Jessamine. She turned to the person who had just sat down next to her, surprised to see that it was Benedict Cumberbatch, the star of their show. "Hm, probably. I could ask you the same though. Shouldn't the star be partying?"