Backstage

Chapter 30

Esme POV
It had been a few days since the funeral. Belle was a wreck but breathing. I hoped that her starting uni will be a new chapter for her. She needs to get away. I think we all do. We always knew we wouldn't stay here forever far from actually. We all have dreams and we must follow them.
But for now I needed a job. Badly. After finishing the course I couldn't just go back to serving customers with a fake smile in Costa. Most of all I wanted experience. So after getting an amazing reference and an overall course mark for Mark (haha mark from Mark) I was going to apply to a few theatres near by. I've always loved theatre and it should be good to work in a different environment.
Putting on my boots and grabbing my keys I head out. I'd spend the last few days between houses. Half the time I was home with belle and Millie trying to make Belle feel less alone but you can only do so much. She's lost her bestfriend and I can't bring him back. Liam always seemed like a good guy. I'd met him a few times through Belle. I hadn't been sure about going to the funeral but everyone had been welcoming and I was happy I didn't miss Belles speech.
The rest of the time I spend mostly with Dan. I knew when I got a job that we'd be seeing less of each other so I wanted to make most of the time. Of course Dan also had work so it would be hard to work around are shifts soon.
I'd been to 2 theatres already who said they'd get back to me soon. I had one more left to go to but I decide to eat first. Greggs was round the corner from theatre royal so I go in to get a sausage roll. It's then I see Tom walking ahead of me.
"Tom" I called his name as I sped up slightly. I haven't seen Tom much since the film showing. I'd seen him briefly at the funeral with Belle but I didn't go over as it looked like they were in a serious conversation.
Tom turned around at his name.
"Oh hey Esme" I gave him a quick hug. "What are you doing out?"
"I don't just live inside Tom. I no I'm socially inept but I can go outside"
He laughed "I mean what are you doing around here. Though you leaving the house can be a hazard to humanity"
"Hey!" I hit him lightly in the arm. "I'm not that bad"
"Whatever helps you sleep at night"
I rolled my eyes. "Anyway what are you actually doing out?"
"Just dropping off some CV's to some theatres. I need a job and I thought I might as well get some experience"
"Yeah sounds like a plan"
"What about you. Doing anything in particular?"
"Not really just walking about... Do you want to go sit somewhere. There's a park a couple of streets away"
"Yeah sure" I smiled. We talked all the way. But it was light and brief. I could tell he was planning to tell me something. We sat down on a bench away from the main area of the park. A few people were around mostly walking dogs. Some had cameras talking pictures of the last autumn leaves. Couples walked hand in hand. I thought of Dan. And then Belle. She needs someone.
"Do you ever wonder what people's lives are like when they walk past? All these people have pasts, secrets, futures and we barely get a glimpse. There are some people that we are fortunate to know but then there's thousands of others we'll never even meet. A friend can hide behind every strangers face. Sometimes I worry that I'm missing the good ones"
"Worrying will only make you miss them more" I'd almost forgotten Tom was here.
"Yeah I no but it's hard to go with the flow sometimes you no?"
"Yeah I no" we sat in silence for a while. Watching people walk past. I wonder what there thinking. If I've learn anything it's that you can't judge a person by their appearance. You never know what skeletons they hide in their closets. Or what emotions they hide behind there smile. Or what thoughts they hide behind their eyes. That's why I hate judgemental people. How we say nobody's perfect but then we blame people for not being perfect. When someone doesn't live up to people's expectations they throw them aside like an old toy. I never want to do that. I've been that old toy.
"I'm moving to London" Tom breaks me from my spiralling thoughts.
"What? When?"
"Couple of days. I've got a job there"
"That's great! What's the job?"
"Acting in a new movie"
"That's amazing"
"Well I have you to thank. They loved the short film"
"Well that's great but don't give me all the credit. Your really talented"
"Thanks. I'm looking forward to it. I'm hoping it's going to be something I can really lift on from"
"You'll do great. Um Tom what were you talking to Belle about at the funeral? You to looked like you were having a deep conversation"
"Oh that it was nothing. We were just talking about Liam" I didn't believe him but let it drop. He must have a reason to not tell me.
After talking for a bit about Tom moving we go are separate ways. I said if Tom needed any help moving for him to call. I also made sure that we agreed not to drift apart. Tom had become a good friend to me and Belle.
After dropping off my last CV I headed to Dans. Dan answered the door in trackies and an oversized jumper.
"Hey" I leaned in to give Dan a quick kiss but it soon turned into a long passionate one.
"Hey you have a good day?" Dan asked as we walked into the living room and sat down.
"Yeah I dropped off my CV's. I also bumped into Tom. He's moving to London in a few days for an acting job!"
"That's sudden"
"I know right. What about you do anything today"
"Nope not really. I literally woke up like this"
"I'd never have guessed. It's so nice that you put so much effort in for me" my words were filled with sarcasm.
"Anything for you" he winked. I rolled my eyes. Idiot.
We spend the night watching TV. tbh most the time we were just making out. I stayed the night at Dans when we realised it was 1 in the morning and I wasn't going to walk home cause I'd be kidnapped and raped.
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Hi guys
Hope you liked the chapter
Later beautiful people
~E x