The Make-Up Artist: Part 2

Chapter Six: The Happy Hour

The next week is relatively boring and slow, which is problematic because it gives you more time to think. After your meeting with Taron ended outside the coffee shop and he had awkwardly hugged you goodbye, you were left with a feeling of resigned defeat that has stayed with you almost constantly. You haven't cried or let yourself wallow in depression since that night at your apartment after you found out he has a girlfriend, and that surprises you, to say the least. Maybe it all just happened so quickly that you are still in shock. You keep waiting for the agonizing blow to paralyze you, for the anxiety attack that will most definitely overcome you at some point; but all you feel is raw and desensitized. You've been playing the events over and over again in your mind, trying to figure out if there was anything that could've made the outcome different. Maybe if you'd pushed him when he was trying to tell you about her the first time. Maybe if you had been more willing to listen to him that night at the party. Maybe if you'd had the strength to walk away from him from the beginning. But you always come to the same conclusion and you can't see how it could've played out any differently. You are heartbroken of course, but what's happened has happened, and there's nothing that can change that now. Maybe this is what closure feels like.

The only communication you've had with Taron since the day at the coffee shop was a text from him later that evening that said: Thank you for meeting me. I really do hope we can be friends.

You simply responded with a smiling emoji, not knowing how else to respond.

The time after work is the hardest. Most nights you go home, maybe get in a quick run, eat a sandwich, shower, watch a little tv or read, then it's off to bed. You haven't felt much like socializing and you're already an introvert so you haven't made any close friends at work. And since you and Lisa are still on the outs, the only other people you talk to is your family and Richard occasionally. Really, the only social interaction you've had, other than your back to back nights out with Taron that ended in disaster, have been a few nights out for drinks with co-workers. You know it's probably time to change that. So, when on a Friday night, a week after your coffee with Taron, a few of the cast and crew members decide to go to a nearby Mexican restaurant for happy hour and invite you along, you reluctantly agree to go. You figure you might as well, maybe it'll help you get your mind off everything and help you move past it. As if anything really could.

After wrapping everything up for the day, the six of you file into the the little neighborhood dive that is just down the street from the studio, and are quickly seated at a table. The waiter comes by shortly after to take drink orders and a few appetizers, and then everyone falls into easy conversation with each other. Well, everyone but you as you instead scroll mindlessly through your phone. After your drinks arrive and you are casually sipping on your margarita, the set designer, Ethan, turns to you and decides to strike up a conversation.

"Well hey there little make-up girl. What's new with you?" He says as he cocks one eyebrow at you. The gesture reminds you of Taron and you mentally roll your eyes. At him for the absurd nickname, and at yourself for so easily thinking of Taron.

"Little make-up girl?" You repeat. "Are you serious?" You ask in a half-joking way.

"Sorry, I think I'm buzzed already. I don't drink much. No offense intended, I promise." You just smile politely at him, then look back down at your phone as he continues. "I've seen your work, you're really good. Glad to have you on the team", he says sincerely, and you decide to forgive him for his crude greeting. Slipping your phone into your bag, you decide to take pity on him and give him your full attention. 

"Thank you. The set is coming along nicely. Can't wait to see how it turns out."

"Oh thanks. Yeah it's been interesting trying to pull all the pieces together but I think we'll have something good in the end", he says confidently with a broad smile. A ginormous plate of chicken nachos is then placed in front of him and he gestures down at them. "Whoa, I had no idea the portions were so huge. Help me with them?" He says pushing the plate toward you." It's at this moment you realize that you are in fact starving. You haven't been eating much lately.