The Invisible Silver Lining [CURRENTLY BEING EDITED]

Chapter 12

A/N. Dedicated: because she deserves it :3 She has some really good stories, including one Alexander Ludwig one, and one J-Hutch one :D GO CHECK THEM OUT!!!!!

-CFF

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I pick up a box of hats and carefully carry them to one of the storage rooms, under the stage. There are two silver spiraling staircases on both sides of the stage, off-stage. They both spiral upwards, to the lights above the stage, and below the stage, to the restrooms, storage rooms, prop rooms, and rooms for costume changes. Two of the latter are for the girls, two for the guys. I head into the prop room next to the men's restroom, and flip on the light, deep in thought. A clatter of wood lands on the floor in front of my feet. Bethany and a guy named Matthew break away from an intense lip-lock. I glare at them.

"You both get your asses upstairs. You know you shouldn't be doing this here." I don't care how 'teacher' like I sound right now. Bethany folds her arms after straightening her tank-top, making sure its no longer pulled almost off of her tan belly. Matthew's black hair is completely ruffled as he tells me, with a slight whine in his voice, "Come on Emilee! She's my wife, I can kiss her if I want." Matthew is our Lord Capulet. I turn on him, I don't want to deal with this. I've caught Bethany making out with several guys over the past month and she knows Mr. Rain doesn't want us making out while rehearsals are running. He's said it over and over again. She thinks she can get away with it, but I'm not gonna just let it pass. "Its a role Matthew. Only for onstage. That doesn't mean you can kiss her whenever you like. Whether or not you're her new boyfriend-of-the-day. You wanna make out? Then go get a room somewhere else."

I'm pissed right now. Today we started full length dress-rehearsals. And I learned, that for me and Xander, Mr. Rain has decided he actually wants us making out in the play, instead of sticking with his original idea of making it an illusion. I don't want to be kissing him! I don't want to kiss any more guys. But Mr. Rain refuses to go back to the original plan, and that just frustrates me absolutely and completely. And seeing this just made me a hell of a lot more ticked off. Seeing Barbie down here breaking the rules, again. I point to the door as Matthew opens his mouth to argue further. "Matthew." I say in a low voice. "Get out of here before I knee you where it hurts. Cause I really don't want to deal with it right now." He obviously doesn't want to take the chance that I'm kidding cause he leaves as I side-step to make room for him to squeeze past me. I set the box on the counter in front of me, turning to see Bethany trying to sneak out of here as well. "Oh no you don't. I'm not finished with you Barbie." She glares at me. "Quit calling me that. You know I hate that name."

I smirk, "I know. Why the hell do you think I call you that?" She folds her arms again as she continues to death-glare me. I continue, "I swear to God. If I catch you making out with another guy in this theater. EVER. I will go straight to Mr. Rain. And you know he's gonna believe me, specially when he sees the pictures." Her eyes widen as she keeps her mouth shut. "This is your last warning. Now, before I stop fighting the urge to slap you, get out of here." She huffs out a blast of hot air before turning on her heel, her mini-skirt spinning, as she leaves my line of vision. I lean against the wall and take a deep breath. Then I take another one. Its just a role Emilee. He knows this. He's not gonna think you are available just because of this. Actors kiss all the time. Its part of the job. So clear your head. And relax. Its fine, you're fine.

I head into my costume room, and close the door to change. Once that's finished, I look me over. I'm only going to be wearing one costume right now, the other dresses I'm supposed to wear for the show aren't finished yet. This one has sleeves that go down to my wrist and flare out from there, with the extra fabric hanging near the base of the dress. The bodice is a chestnut brown, and sitting above that is a small layer of light fabric, which is the color of a pale lavender. The skirt of the dress is also lavender, with a barely visible floral print, to match the top of the bodice. There is also a chestnut brown ribbon I tie around the top of my head and hide half of it behind my ears.

When I'm completely ready to go onstage, I slip on a small pair of white slippers, and walk up the staircase. I walk onstage to take my place with my fellow dressed actors, standing next to Xander. He's dressed in a brown renaissance-styled outfit that a lord or a prince would wear, with a small renaissance cap to match. The brown really matches his blonde hair. He's pretty handsome in this outfit.. EMILEE. STOP IT! He leans over and whispers, "You look stunning Em." I feel my cheeks start to blush so I look away. "No I don't, but thanks anyways." I tease, "You might want to get your eyes checked." Before he can make a retort, Mr. Rain calls out, telling us to begin.

The first couple of scenes of the play go by easily, until the balcony scene, which is also the first kissing scene. Xander is sitting on the outside banister of the balcony, waiting for me to start the kiss. I lean in and quickly peck his lips before opening my mouth to continue my lines. I begin "And the--" But Mr. Rain's voice, via megaphone, interrupts. "No no no no no no no." he spits the words out like bullets, rapid-fire style. "You two are supposed to be desperately in love. That kiss needs to be much longer, with much more enthusiasm. Try it again." he leans back in the chair. I look up at Xander, who is staring at me. "Don't." I whisper. "What?" He whispers back. "Don't look at me like that." Before he can respond, I slowly lean back into him and touch his lips with mine, counting down until I can pull away again.