Protectors

Chapter 6: The Truth

After months of grueling training, the anxiety filled audition process was over as quickly as it had begun. Faith and Christopher each completed a technique class followed by solo auditions and callbacks. It had been a long journey and the anxious day had finally come. The day that the roles for that year's Nutcracker production would be posted. Christopher and Faith were sitting on her bed, waiting in silence for the email that would hopefully hold what they had dreamed about. Finally, the computer dinged, signalling the arrival of the email.

"Oh my goodness it's here! I don't want to look." Faith exclaimed, resting her head on Christopher's shoulder.

"Do you want me to look?" Christopher asked, gently giving her hand a squeeze.

"I can do it, just give me a second." Faith said, taking a deep breath. "I'm just nervous. We spent so much time rehearsing. I'm worried that it'll all be for nothing."

"Hey, even if it doesn't turn out the way we want it to, it doesn't mean it wasn't worth it. There are future productions, you've started ballet training again and we've had some really fun times." Christopher smiled.

"You're right. Might as well just look now, the results won't change if we look now versus later." Faith chuckled lightly. With trembling hands she took a deep breath, opening the email that could determine what the next couple months would look like. "Oh."

"What does it say?" Christopher asked leaning over to get a closer look.

"I didn't get it. You got the nutcracker/cavalier though! I'm so proud of you." Faith smiled, "That's amazing! I'm definitely going to come see you perform."

"Hey it's okay, scroll down a bit. You got the snow queen! That's such an amazing role for your first production!" Christopher smiled, wrapping an arm around her and giving her a hug. "I'm so proud of how hard you worked, thank you for giving it a chance."

"Of course! Maybe in future productions. And that's always been one of my favorite scenes. I'm excited!" Faith smiled, swallowing the bitter pill of disappointment. It might not have been the ideal fantasy but it was still a role she would love to play. Fortunately, the disappointment was short lived, until she saw the name next to Christopher's co-lead; Kendall Holland. 'No. Anyone but her.' She thought, blood boiling with jealousy. She knew exactly what that role entailed and the thought of another girl playing that role filled her heart with a bitter sadness.

"Are you alright?" Christopher asked, pulling her from her thoughts.

"...I'm good, why?" Faith asked, hesitating sightly.

Christopher raised an eyebrow, turning to face her. "Faith, we've practically spent the whole day together every day for the last 3 months. You can tell me the truth."

Faith buried her head in her hands, "It's stupid really, it's not that big a deal. It's just...Kendall is dancing with you and I don't know...I know we're not anything. It's just..." She mumbled, thoughts swirling through her head.

"Faith, she's my ex, nothing more. And I wouldn't say we're nothing. I know we haven't talked about it at all but I don't think I'm the only one who feels something between us?" He asked, hesitantly, watching her face carefully.

"No... But I...I just don't know if I can. There's so many other things going on and well..." She trailed off, remembering Amber's warning: He's your assignment, you put his life in danger if you let your feelings get mixed up in it all.

"What other things?" Christopher asked with concern, looking at the disheartened girl sitting in front of him.

"I...It's..." Faith trailed off, knowing all too well she couldn't tell him about this other world that they belonged in. Not yet. "I've really loved spending time with you but I don't know what it's supposed to mean. If it's supposed to be anything."