Jessie with an i | Billy Andrews

Chapter thirteen

The day of the play was very busy. I got there early so I could get all the costumes in line and ready backstage. I made sure there where no holes, rips and that everything was where it was supposed to be. So far so good. I waited for everyone to come. I had a list of the names with their costumes. A kind of check in system so I knew who got their costume and who didn't. As the cast members roll in, they all get their costumes. Billy walks up and I hand him the costume, I check his name off the list.
"Break a leg" I smile.
"Thanks Jessie" he said before walking off and I get Diana's costume.

Once everyone had their costumes, I walk around backstage. I make sure everyone looks good. I made sure everyone's costume was straight and tidy. They all where. I walk up to Billy and check his feathers.
"You ready big shot?" I ask chuckling
He nodded and watched me as I made sure his ribbons where tight enough to hold his wings to his arms but not too tight to cut off circulation.
"Yeah" he said.
"You know your lines?"
"Of course" he scoffed
"Billy you are on soon!" Someone calls from the wings.
"I got to go now" he said.
I nod and peck his cheek. "For luck" I rush away to see if Anne needed any help with her last minute boy costume.

I walk to the stage left wing to watch the show. As it started I smiled as Billy walks on stage and the lights come up on him. He starts telling the story and hooting like an owl. I can't wipe the smile off my face. He did look very good. Adorable even. He did a great job. I giggle lightly at some lines and I watch as the story unfolds. Everyone did a great job. And their costumes held up. I was so thankful. I don't know what I would do if something happened to my costumes. I guess do what I could to help. My mother did tell me to bring extra sewing stuff for an emergency.
Intermission comes and I go to check on Billy.
"How did I do?" He asked.
"Good! Great even!" I say.
"Thanks. I'm loving using the wings" he said.
I smile. "That's good." I say. "They look fun"

Once second act came, Billy goes onstage for the start of the act. But an accident made the whole thing stop. When he was on stage, a wooden piece shaped like lightning fell on his head. I had to stop myself from rushing out but soon the curtain closed and I rushed to his side.
"Billy!" I knelt down next to him and felt his head. He groaned gently. I was about to do something when I was shoved out of the way by his mother. I get up and watch the chaos from the side. I sigh gently as i watch his mother freak out over it. I wasn't surprised that she was. But I wished I could be by his side. I just stayed out of it. We ended up continuing the show and Anne's uncle Matthew was put on as the owl. The costume did look silly on him but he finished the show. The cast goes on the stage as the audience claps. I watch from the side. After I go to see my family.
"Jessie the costumes where amazing!" My mother said hugging me.
"Thank you mother!" I giggle.
"Is that kid ok?" She pulled away and I nod.
"Yes Billy is fine....I think. His mother whisked him away so fast I couldn't tell"
Samual raised his brows at me slightly smirking. My parents didn't know about my crush on the Andrews' boy. Only my brother and Jane knew. Mainly because I was scared what would happen if anyone else found out. I didn't want Billy to find out.
"Jessie!"
I turn to see Jane. I rush to her. "You did great Jane!" I smile slipping my hands in hers and she held on to mine back smiling.
"Thank you! Your costumes where amazing, of course"
"Thanks" I smile. "Is Billy ok?" I ask eagerly. But also in a hushed tone.
"I think he's ok" she said also in a hushed tone. "mother rushed him away too fast for me to tell"
I nod then smile brightly.
"What?" She asked
"I kissed his cheek!" I say softly but excitedly.
"You did?!"
"Shhhh! But yes I did. I said it was for luck....but I guess it wasn't."I sigh.
"Maybe it was luck for something else" Jane said.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean maybe it was luck that he didn't get hurt too bad. Only a little. Or maybe it was luck so you can go and check on him and nurse him back to health" she smiled.
"Whatever you say" I chuckle.
"Jane!" Mr.Andrews calls out.
"See you later Jessie" she said. We hug and she rushed off.
I walk to my family and we head out to go home. I slip on my coat as we walk out the door. Once again me and Samual stay behind as our parents walk ahead.
"Did you enjoy working on the play?" He asked
I nodded "Yes, I did very much" I smile.
"That's good" he said "I would say you did amazing at the costumes, but I know you've herd that a billion times tonight" he said.
"Yeah. Thanks anyway."
"You're welcome. You were happy about something with Jane earlier" he looks at me. "What was it about"
"Oh nothing" I say dragging out the end of the word 'nothing'
"Jessie" Samual said.
I giggle and dance a little with excitement "I kissed Billy's cheek!" I said
"Really?" He asked
"Yeah. I said it was luck. But I told Jane it must not have worked. Or it must have been for bad luck."
"Yeah guess not" Samual chuckled. "Are you ready for Christmas?" He asked
"Yeah I am." I smile. "I can't wait"
"Me too" he said. "I'm very excited"
"It's my favorite holiday"
"Yeah, I know you are definitely excited"
I nod. We get home and we all get ready for bed. I wash up and climb in. I lay down and instantly my eyes get heavy. All the work, finally payed off with the play being done. But I couldn't help but think of Billy and hope he was ok. I knew I had to go and check on him. I would go tomorrow and bring him some cookies to make him feel better.