Cut!

Take 10 - Save You Tonight - Part 1

A/N: Please comment as you read. It'll mean the world to me.

I woke up with a pounding headache and a growling stomach. Everything had happened so fast last night, so I hadn’t actually had any time to eat. In fact, everything had happened too fast for my own mind to store it away. I tried hard to remember what had happened, but I came up blank.

Groaning, I rolled over on my side and noticed a note on my nightstand. Placed beside my now wilted flower, laid a neatly folded piece of paper. I grabbed it, trying to blink away the mucus in my eyes. I read it:

Had to go home to the hotel. Hope you’re okay. XOXO Harry.

The memories of the previous night slowly began to come back. A thunderstorm had hit Chicago, and I hadn’t been prepared. Embarrassed by the memory, I could only imagine what Harry must have thought. I tried my best to remember if he’d said anything—or if I had explained anything. However, if any of my earlier episodes had been any signifier, the fear would have rendered me completely speechless.

A knock on my door shook me out my thoughts.

“Yeah?” I called.

Marcus opened the door gently, sticking his head inside. “How are we feeling, dear?”

“It feels as if there’s a midget standing beside my bed, banging my head with a sledge-hammer.” I groaned and hid my face.

“I’ve made some breakfast,” he said. “I think it would help on your head. Plus we need to talk about yesterday.”

“Coming,” I said into my pillow. With much effort, I managed to roll out the bed. My legs were still a bit wobbly, but after a few steps, I could walk normally. An anxiety attack always took its toll on my body.  

I caught my reflection in the mirror, noticing the gigantic bird’s nest that posed for my hair. I was in dire need of a shower and a ton of conditioner. However, it’d have to wait. My stomach was starting to hurt from a lack of food.

Still in my jammies, I walked out of my room and headed towards the kitchen. It was vital that I didn’t make any noise as just the sound of my breathing felt as if my brain was being stabbed with needles.

Unlucky for me, Marcus dropped a frying pan on the floor right as I entered the kitchen. Shushing, I made my way to the table.

“Sorry about that,” he said. “I’m such a klutz.”

“Can I please have some painkillers and a glass of water?” I asked.

He had it already prepared, and with a relieved sigh, I hurried to get it into my system. Marcus was a brilliant assistant and an even better cook. I almost squealed in joy as he placed a bulging plate of English breakfast in front of me, and I immediately dug in.

Marcus prepared a plate for himself and sat down on the opposite side of the table. We ate in silence until he cleared his throat.

“What’s up?” I asked, already feeling much better.

“How much of last night do you remember?” He looked at me, and I squirmed slightly. Why was he looking at me as if I was an interesting science project?

“I remember practicing lines with Harry, then we talked and he had to go to the bathroom.” I paused. Should I tell Marcus about Harry’s assumption? Deciding it was for the best, I stuffed another round of food into my mouth. “He thought Ludmilla was a boyfriend—that’s why he’s been ignoring me.”

Marcus arched an eyebrow. “Is that so?”

I nodded and took another bite. With my mouth full, I said, “I really don’t know how he came to that conclusion.”