Captivated

Guess Who

This was the chapter that caused me to get judged by my mother because after I wrote it, I left the tube map that I used for reference out on my nightstand. Please appreciate ahahah. Anyway, I found some extra time, so I wrote for you all tonight even though I said I wouldn't be able to. I hope you enjoy this update! Love you all; don't forget to comment and vote!
-ab
(ps my girl sofaroffbway inspired me to post a pointe shoe pic because that's how both of us spent our nights :) everyone wish kath luck in her nutcracker production xxx)

————————————————

May 9, 2025

Harper

"Patrick," I whine as I'm preparing to leave for my audition, "I'm scared."

"Why, hon?"

"What if I fail?"

"Baby, this isn't about winning... this is about getting out there, getting your name down for some professional auditions, and knowing that you tried your best- which I know that you already did."

"So you won't be disappointed in me if I don't get the part?"

"Of course not," he tells me. "What did I ever do to make you think that?"

"No... nothing, but I'm just... ugh, I'm so worried about this, and I don't even know why. I wasn't this worried about my Les Mis audition."

"And remember, you booked that part... the first one is usually the hardest, right?"

"Probably," I shrug. "Well, I suppose I should be going."

"You're going to be amazing, hon. Break a leg," he tells me. We part with a kiss, then I head out of his flat and to the tube, which I take to the studio. After getting all signed in for my audition, I wait a little bit, then I'm called in.

"Harper Kennedy?"

"Hi," I smile.

"Hi. I'm Stephanie Klemmons. My job is to teach the show to new cast members. The technical title is 'associate and supervising choreographer,'" she explains in, what I observe to be an American accent. "That's Stephen Whitson, and he's the associate director. And that's Richard Beadle; he's the music director."

"Hi," I smile, giving them all a little wave. "I'm Harper."

"Good to meet you, Harper," Stephen tells me. "You have your music prepared, I presume?"

"Yes."

"Perfect. Go ahead and hand it to Ella; she'll be accompanying you."

"Great," I smile, presenting the older woman sitting at a piano with my binder. "The two songs have tabs on them... 'Safe And Sound,' and 'Wouldn't It Be Loverly.'"

"Perfect," Ella replies, looking over the music quickly before she tells us that she's ready.

"Are you ready, Harper?" Stephanie asks.

I nod.

"Let's start with 'Safe And Sound,'" Richard suggests, so Ella begins to play that introduction.

I sing my way through the song, and when my 32 bar cut is finished, I feel pretty good about it.

I watch as Richard, Stephen, and Stephanie nod and take notes, whispering little things to each other for a few moments. After that, Stephanie asks if we can do 'Wouldn't It Be Loverly.'

After I nod, Ella plays the introduction for that one as well, then I dive into the 32 bar cut. As I put on my best Cockney accent and dive into the song, I also end up feeling pretty good about how that song went.

I know that I probably won't get the part, or even a callback, but I'm satisfied with how I've pulled off this audition. That's what really matters.

I leave the audition with a little skip in my step, and in my happy state, I decide to do something that I've never done before: go surprise Patrick on his lunch break from his internship.

I know the name of the clinic where he's interning, but I've never visited him there. With an easy Google search, though, my phone gives me the route which I'd need to take to get to him. It looks like, barring any difficulties on the tube, I should be able to get there around 12:50, which is right before his lunch break at 13:00.

I catch the proper train, the Circle line from Embankment to Moorgate. From there, I hop on the Northern line until I reach Angel. I'm really not all that far from my home in Hampstead at this point, which is nice. I'll be able to go home for a bit of relaxation between catching Patrick and needing to report to the theatre.

I find his clinic fairly easily, and walk into the waiting room. The receptionist looks at me. "May I help you?"

"I'm here to meet my boyfriend for lunch... he should be getting off at 13:00?"

"Name?"

"Mine or his?"

"His."

"Patrick Alwyn."

She checks her records. "He hasn't checked out on his break yet, so have a seat. He has to come through here when he checks out."

"Thank you," I smile sweetly, to which the lady only grunts and turns back to her computer screen, rapidly typing something in.

I sit and scroll the my phone for a few minutes, and then, I hear footsteps. Looking up, I see my boyfriend scanning his badge to be let out on his break. He hasn't seen me yet.

I tiptoe up to him and throw my hands around his eyes. "Guess who."

"Harper?" he asks.

I giggle. "Yup."

"What are you doing here? How was your audition?"

"It was good, and I just decided to come and surprise you."

"You're so sweet," he tells me. "I don't usually do much fancy for lunch... there's a little Pret A Manger about a mile away that I walk to usually. I know it's not high class, but some of the other restaurants around here are rather expensive."

"Fine by me," I shrug. "Let's go."

The two of us walk out onto the streets of London, hand in hand as he guides me towards the little cafe.

When we get there, I order a ham and cheddar grilled cheese sandwich, and Patrick grabs a chicken, bacon, and ranch wrap out of the refrigerators.

"Don't tell my music director that I'm eating cheese today," I giggle to him. In response, Patrick simply rolls his eyes.

"I'm actually quite glad to see you loosen up a little bit, love. You're too strict on yourself."

"I'm strict about it because I need to put on a good performance."

"Touche," he replies. "I still think you could loosen up a little bit at some times, like you are right now. I'm proud of you."

"If I'm being honest, this is just me rewarding myself for a good audition."

"Whatever it takes," he smiles at me. "You're so cute, oh my goodness."

We share a moment of silence before he speaks again.

"So, I want to hear all about this audition..."