Captivated

Turning Through The Years

If you're anything like me, you read the title to this and you're already sobbing. Haha. 'Turning,' in spite of the sadness, is actually one of my favorite songs in Les Mis, hands down, and 'Barricade/Turning Woman' is one of my proudest roles that I've played ;) (but 'Sailor #1' in 'Lovely Ladies' is close. don't ask ahahah.) anyway, enough about that. This one's pretty emotional, though, in case you couldn't guess. Good luck. Enjoy, I guess? Comment and vote, but don't kill me. I had to do this. Haha I love you all!
-ab

————————————-

June 7, 2025

Harper

As I sit in the dressing room next to Ava, pinning my hair up for the wig, I can't help but feel tears welling up in my eyes. I shouldn't have extended my contract.

Today is the day that everyone in the cast leaves- except for me.

Not entirely everyone, I suppose. Harry is staying on for the next year, and our ensemble members are on a different contract rotation schedule, but all of the other principals are leaving, including Ava.

"I'm going to miss you so much," I tell her, rubbing my eyes.

"Love, don't cry yet. We still have one more show together," Ava tells me.

"That's easy for you to say," I groan. "You aren't the one who is going to have to stay behind. It's always easier to leave than to be left."

"That's true," Ava acknowledges, "but I know that you'll get off just fine with the new Eponine."

"But she won't be you."

"We can still be friends, love. There's no rule saying that we can't keep in touch. You know that I'm going to come and see you at West End Live in a few days. You know that you couldn't keep me away if you tried. Don't worry, Harper. Let's just enjoy the last show together. This is our last time we will ever get ready for a show together like this. We can't have it soiled by tears."

"Okay," I reply, sniffing and rubbing my eyes again.

"How about we turn on some music and get this party going, hm?"

"That sounds good," I giggle, giving a little smile.

After I have all of my hair and makeup done, Ava laces me into my corset, then I get into my first costume, a factory worker in 'At The End Of The Day,' with the prostitute outfit underneath, so that I can do a quick change for 'Lovely Ladies.'

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your places call. Please report to your places for the top of the show," the tannoy crackles.

"I guess this is it," I say, grabbing Ava's hand and giving it a squeeze. "You're going to kill it out there."

"Thanks," she replies. "You are too. No tears until bows."

"Agreed," I smile. We share a hug before parting our ways to make it to our marks.

As the show passes, much too quickly, I find myself having to refrain from becoming emotional. I manage to do so, however, until I grab Ava's hand for a final bow. We make eye contact, and that's when we both lose it.

"I can't believe it's been a year," Ava tells me. "It feels like yesterday, we were doing this for the first time... and now it's the last."

I close my eyes and think about it, letting the moment sink in. It's true: Ava and I really are never going to share this stage again, and she's probably never going to play Eponine again either. In a few months' time, I'll never play Cosette again.

That hits hard.

It's a role that I've been fantasizing about for nearly my whole life, and soon, that fantasy will be gone. I won't be able to dream about it anymore, becuase it will have already come and gone.

As the red, blue, and white lights, shine down on us, signaling that it is time to leave the stage, Ava and I grab hands as we blow kisses and wave at the audience, before scurrying back to our dressing room.

Both of us wipe tears from our eyes as we take off our costumes. "I can't believe that I'll never put this back on," she remarks.

"Stop. Don't."

"It's true," she sighs. "Time to move on."

After I'm done putting my things away, I'm set to help Ava pack up, but first, I check my phone. An email notification intrigues me.

"Oh my god," I whisper under my breath as I read it.

"What's up?"

"I got a callback for Sophie! I auditioned weeks ago, and I thought they had forgotten about me!"

"Oh my god, Harper, that's amazing!" Ava squeals, jumping up and down before wrapping me in a hug. Despite the sad occasion, for the moment, both of us have true smiles on our faces.

I immediately compose a text to Patrick with my happy news before setting my phone back down. "Time to get your things packed."

"It is," Ava sighs, pulling the lid off of the large plastic container that she brought. "Hopefully it'll all fit in here."

"Start with the big things," I suggest, packing her vocal cord steamer away, along with her makeup caddy and a few pictures hanging on the walls.

Soon, we have finished gathering everything. I take a look around the room. "It looks so bare in here."

"The new girl will be moving in tomorrow," Ava reminds me. "No worries. Now, what do you say we head out to the stage for that little goodbye celebration that's going on?"

"I heard there's cake involved, so you know I can't say no to that."

We both laugh as we run out to the stage to celebrate with all of the others who are leaving.

For the next half hour, there are lots of pictures taken, and even more hugs given. I'm going to miss everybody so much, and I know that Harry is, too. At least we will still have each other, come Monday, when everything will have changed.

As I look around at all of the amazing people on the stage, I feel a surge of pride in my heart. I earned my spot in this production with everyone else. Maybe that means that I really am talented. I know that they all are. They're the most talented group of people that I have ever met. If I got cast with them, am I on that level as well?

I like that thought.

Before anyone knows it, it is getting late, so we all exchange final goodbyes, with promises to keep in touch, before everyone disperses.

There is nobody left at the stage door, since none of the fans were willing to wait around for so long, which means that I'm able to head straight to the tube and make it home to Patrick.

Then, that's when it all really hits me.