The semester flew by, and before I knew it, it was performing night. "I think I'm going to throw up," I commented to Ivan and Catrin. They had joined me backstage to wish me luck.
"Impossible, you haven't eaten anything today," Ivan responded to my comment. I shot him a death glare. Was he really commenting on my eating habits today, of all days? All semester he had gotten on my case whenever I missed a meal. I thought we had moved away from the constant scrutiny, but Ivan never held back whenever he noticed that I had a cigarette instead of a meal, or when I used stress or busy-ness as an excuse for my lack of appetite.
"I'll eat after," I waved him off.
Catrin then gave me a big hug, interrupting the squabble between Ivan and I. "You'll be great," she insisted.
"Thanks," I breathed.
"IVY!!" came a familiar shriek that I was not expecting. I turned around to see Mackenzie and Samantha hurtling towards me. They brought me to the ground in fits of laughter and a mess of hugs.
"You made it!" I gasped through the chuckles and struggle to stand back up.
"Of course we made it!" Mackenzie commented. "What kind of best friends do you think we are?" she continued.
"Second rate. I'm the ultimate best friend," Ivan interjected.
"Aw! Is Ivan a little jelly?" Mackenzie teased.
"Kids, play nice, or else," I added to the humor. It was really helping to calm my nerves. "By the way, ladies, this is Catrin," I stated, after noticing Catrin's awkward stare. "Catrin, this lovely lady is Mackenzie," I gestured to Mackenzie. "And this lovely lady is Samantha. These girls and I have been in the trenches together, aka, high school, and have survived. Catrin," I stated, turning my attention to Mackenzie and Samantha, "Has been such a beautiful beacon and a great friend while navigating the shark-infested waters of college."
"You're writing again!" Samantha squealed.
"How do you figure that?" I defended, not aware I had given any indication that I had gotten back into writing.
"You become more descriptive and dramatic when you start writing. I'm so happy you're writing again," she sighed. I knew why she was relieved. I was always my best self when I was writing. I tried to hold back the tears of being so touched. I couldn't get emotional now. I needed to get into character.
"OK everyone, I need to get my head in the game, so I love you all, but please go sit down," I ordered. They all nodded and began to leave the backstage area.
Ivan hung back for a moment. "Break a leg," he stated, giving me his sweet smile and a peck on the forehead. I returned a weak smile and began to feel the nerves resurface. "You've got this," he assured me, no doubt in response to my anxiety-ridden expression. I nodded in response to his comment and watched as he caught up to the others. I found a mirror, touched up my make-up, took a deep breath, and made the grand entrance I had always pictured in my dreams.
* * *
"There's our talented thespian!" Samantha stated after the play had ended. She handed me a bouquet of flowers and gave me a warm hug, as did the others. Even mine and Ivan's family had come to watch. "You were amazing!" she continued gushing.
"Thanks," I breathed out. It was as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. All the rehearsing, the nerves, the memorizing... it had all worked out. But, at the same time, it was as if I was saying goodbye to an old friend. I didn't want to let go, and I was already sad over the performance being over. "I'm going to miss this though," I finally admitted.
YOU ARE READING
Weathered Love
ChickLit"You're not a burden," he said. "OK," I said, again, trying to play it off like I didn't care. I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep up the façade. I could feel the tears banging against the barricade just behind my eyelids, the sobs clawing at...
