Theatre Is A Lie ~ Joshua Burrage

Chapter 25

NO MORE SAD WE NEED THE FLUFFY CHAPTERS BACK AAAAAA also I realised that this went from me actually trying to write a decent story to me just writing fluff so I might have to throw in um ya know a little spicy spicy uh oh times

The week drew on, Ami nearly never letting go of Austin, Beau, or Josh in fear that something could happen to them. Austin was scared to go to school and luckily the school district let children stay home with their families. Josh would often have to comfort Ami after she'd wake up in the middle of the night from nightmares. She had discussed leaving tour and staying with Austin and Beau, making Josh's heart near shatter to pieces. After she had proposed the idea and then saw how devastated Josh was she immediately regretted even having thought of the idea. The week did eventually draw to a close and Josh and Ami had to leave Texas. Beau and Austin waved them off as Josh held Ami's hand tightly in his and led her to security. They got through surprisingly quick and took their seats at their terminal. Ami lifted the little armrest that separated their two seats and hugged Josh, burying her face in his shoulder and peeking at his phone. When she closed her eyes for a brief moment he snapped a picture, smiling to himself. He was glad that Ami had calmed down after the incident with Austin and was glad that Austin was okay.

They sat for a little bit before Ami jumped up, bouncing away like an excited child. Josh watched her turn the corner, thoroughly confused. A few people around him chuckled, probably at her childish antics or his reaction. He eyed the corner she had disappeared around, scared that something might've happened to her. Just as he was about to get up to go look for the girl she came running back with a couple of small bags. When she neared the terminal again he saw various candy bags in her hands, some were his favourite and some were hers. She flopped onto the seat next to him, handing him a ton of candy. Josh merely laughed and pulled her into a hug, not sure how to respond to the sudden act. While both were focused on the moment they could feel a piece of their hearts mending, healing them from the traumatic pain of before.

When their section was called, the couple boarded the plane hand in hand. Both would be back onstage performing together soon enough (though Ami would have to resume convincing a jealous and depressed Joshua that kissing Dan meant nothing to her) and that couldn't make them happier. Ami still wasn't sure how she felt about being back on stage. It felt natural, yes, but she wasn't sure it was for her. She stayed because she truly loved Josh and knew that there was still a spark in her that loved theatre. She plugged her headphones into her phone, giving one to Josh and taking on for herself. She let him choose the music, predicting he probably would choose something out of her old showtunes playlist that she had somehow never deleted, and soon, not really surprising Ami, the opening to Dancing Queen began to play. She smiled slightly to herself, memories flooding back from her 17th birthday. She remembered her great times with all her fellow teen thespians from Clementine and how they used to choreograph dances to different musical songs. She embraced the memories, knowing that, despite her hesitance, without musical theatre there would always be a gaping hole in her heart. And Rachel was right, it wasn't theatre who ruined her life, it was Erric. She shouldn't let him control her life when he wasn't even in her life anymore. Plus, she had Josh (though what harm could he really do) and all her newsie friends to protect her if he were to show up again or if anyone or anything were to harm her. She felt lighter now that she had accepted the reality around her, letting the music consume her thoughts as she rested her head on Josh's shoulder.

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Ami woke up not too long before the plane touched down, unfortunately forcing her to suffer the stomach flipping experience of a plane landing. They were lucky to not have so much turbulence in the air or Ami wouldn't have been able to sleep and poor Joshie would have to deal with a grumpy and tired child. When they exited the airport an over excited Ben and a tired Sky greeted them. Ben hugged both of them, Ami's hug being extra long. Josh snorted at how worn out Sky looked. The couple wasn't surprised considering Ben looked like he'd had 20 cups of coffee. Yet somehow they managed to steer him back into the car. Ben took shotgun while Sky drove, leaving Ami and Josh in the back seat. Sky adjusted his mirror and pointed at the two, "No funny business, love birds, you hear me?" Ami choked on air and Josh turned crimson.

The ride back was mostly silent, Ben having calmed down and everyone else was tired and ready to be back at the hotel. Ami made a call to Beau at one point, telling him her flight was safe and successful. Beau told her that Austin missed her dearly and Ami had to hold back how sad she was that she had to leave him in the first place. After the call, Ami fell back asleep on Josh's shoulder, snoring lightly. Sky glanced back at Josh through the mirror as Ben dozed off. Josh played absentmindedly with Ami's hair, not paying attention until Sky spoke up, "So how're things?" Josh looked up at the boy driving, "What do you mean?"

Sky rolled his eyes, "You know, you and Ami?" Josh stayed quiet for a moment, looking out the window, "It's good. I just... feel like she's hiding something from me." Sky furrowed his brow, "What exactly do you mean...."

My immune system is actually crap. I'm sick again and I was literally sick with really bad strep last MONTH. And it doesn't help I have an exam I missed when I was sick then that I was supposed to retake today. Anywho, here's a chapter. Don't be surprised if I write more today because I'll be procrastinating schoolwork