STAGE DOOR, j. bassett

.𝟐𝟐 - 𝐢 𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐭

stage door

❝ i hate it ❞

—

SOMETHING was off every singly day. It was like this for three whole months. They both knew, but they didn't know what.

—

JOSH lays on his white hotel bed in his stomach having his elbow supporting anf his hand press against his cheek. "I miss you," That wasn't the entire truth. He missed them. Together. The way they used be.

The girl on the other line sighs. She sits in the same position, but on the other end of the country. "I miss you too." Those words sparked something.

"One more month until I go back to the city," His pointer finger lifts as he stars at it like some kindergartener.

"Three weeks." It felt so far to them. Like that feeling when you wait for the microwave for only 30 seconds but it feelings like a lifetime.

"You are not going to believe the song Liv and I wrote the last weeks. It's amazing."

She wasn't jealous. Just hearing him say his name, just like he says Nini, ignites something inside her. "I bet, oh shit I forgot. Just for a Moment was amazing."

"Thanks it means a lot."

—

"I mean come on, I bet to shit their new song was great as great as everything else they do together," Riley rants as she pours herself a glass of orange juice from the fridge.

"Rils, has he told you himself he likes her or anything like that." Corey lays on the apartment couch rubbing his face with his hands. "It's been three months of this, talk to him about it to shut up!" All of his anger and annoyance from the past months burst out of him. His voice became aggressive and harmful. His voice rings in her ears.

In a snap of a finger, the work became quiet and her vision grew blurry. "I-I'm sorry." She whispers. Corey however grew with guilt. She walks slowly back into her room leaving both the glass still full of juice and the jug.

Corey sits on the with his head following her as she closes the door. A jaw clenched sigh of guilt and regret make its way out of his mouth.

—

"HEY," his voice low and muffled. He stands in front of the wooden door and the side of his fist presses it. It was 6:48 pm the sun already setting. "I'm going to call Andrew... Just letting them know you can't make it tonight."

The blond hurtled up on her bed. Her phone was in the kitchen still. Her pale arms wrap around a pillow squeezing it almost. Tears run down her cheeks as she thinks.

Why are you like this? It was only two words. Shut. Up. Two words you would've cried at in kindergarten. You cry baby. And look at you now. Seventeen. Broadway star. You made your dream a reality. You've got the guy... Sorta. Who cares if someone says two shitty words to you. Just shows how much of a baby you are. No wonder Josh went with Olivia. Because she's not a mess. She doesn't break down over the smallest things.

The voice was familiar. Like the voice you faintly remember, but can't find a face for it.

—

IT WAS 8:47 PM. Corey's feet step into the girls room. Her body thrashes back to face him. "You forgot to lock the door." Her body adjusts to the very left side of the queen bed. Slowly, Corey makes his way to sit down on the right side of the bed. He's stiff, scared.

"Look... I'm sorry." He doesn't get a reply just some accidentally sniffles. "Riley... I've just been trying to tell you this entire time someone I know will work. I guess I'm been nice. Nicer than I would usually be. And everything about it got me so angry and it call came out at once."

The sound of shuffling sheets increases as the girl slowly sits up. She looks miserable with puffy eyes and tear stains on her cheeks. Her arms are lazily around the pillow and her comforter planted on top of her now criss cross legs. Her thumb wipes off the tears from her worm skin. "It's fine. Partially my fault. If I could just talk to him."

He adjust to face her with his criss crossed legs. "Just talk to me."

"Fuck I like her. She doesn't get me sad or depressed or making me think of those things. It's all light and happy. I like that." Her hands helplessly play with the blankets's fur.

"Just because you like it doesn't me you want it or need it. Personally with my relationships I long for deep and meaningful conversations which does mean crying."

"But that's you."

"Rils that's everyone. You and Jill are like... You guys are like those friends in Chemistry. It's all light and happy and it does genuinely make your day, but it's nothing deep. And I know for a fact you don't make cupcakes for her. It's good, but sometimes life makes you sad."

"Olivia—"

A light sigh comes from Corey mouth. Breaking the mood is a light knock on the apartment door. "That's uhh Ben."

"Yeah just because my love life is a wreck doesn't mean yours has to be too."

He stands up collecting himself. Looking back at the girl right has he reaches the door. "Before I go. Ask your self; 'who are you believing, those random fans or Joshua." The way he says Joshua was soft and smooth. "I'll be staying over at Ben's tonight." He closes her room's door behind him.

"I hate it when he's right." She whispers, after her sentence a smile approaches onto her face.