A Time to Love

Chapter 7

The freshly risen sunlight penetrated through the glass of Zander's bedroom window. Sarah complained incoherently as it shone onto her eyes and she rolled over to shield herself from the glare, using Zander's naked torso as a shield. It wasn't his skin against her that she felt this time as her arm outstretched to touch him, but a paper like sensation, the crumpling it made as her hand fell against the pillow confirmed that's what it was. Rubbing her eyes as she pulled herself up, Sarah began to read:

"Sarah, last night was amazing. I'm sorry to hear about your dad and I hope he recovers soon. Let yourself out and lock the door when you leave, spare keys are in the kitchen. Post them through the letter box after. Zander x"

Lucy was standing at her usual place outside the college gates and when Sarah arrived, her best friend grabbed her wrist and excitedly guided her towards the main entrance.

'You're not going to believe this.' She almost shouted as she dragged Sarah behind her.

A sea of girls stood in a circle in the main hall, holding up folded sheets of paper and pens in the air. Sarah couldn't see at first until the circle opened and Zander was dragged out by the hand and forced beside one of the girls for a selfie.

'Alright girls, that's enough now. Mr Riley's got work to do and he'll see you all at lunchtime for the auditions.' The voice followed the footsteps down the corridor as it approached Zander, the woman it belonged to grabbed Zander and led him away from the adoring crowd.

'She must be his agent' Lucy whispered as the crowd dispersed, chatting amongst themselves.

Sarah followed the pair with her eyes as she watched Zander be guided into the backstage area of the drama department.

'We've got to get in there' Sarah said, in a lowered tone, although it there was only the two of them present by this point.

There was a moments silence as Sarah thought what to do, she could feel Lucy's stare burning through her in curiosity but ignoring any questions before they could even be asked, Sarah concluded

'Right, I have an idea.'

***

The woman, in her early thirties with black hair tied up tightly against the top of her head, answered the knock on the door. Her brown eyes penetrated through each of girls.'

'Yes?' she asked, holding the door ajar with her body packed tight enough between the gap of the door and its frame so that she was blocking their view of Zander.

'Hi, I'm Sarah and this is my friend Lucy. We were just wondering if you and Za... Mr Riley would like a tea or coffee?'

'Who is it Donna?'

The woman, who Sarah now had confirmation was Zander's agent, Donna Roberts stepped inside to allow them both access. His face turned pale white as he turned to see her there. The girl who had given him pleasure that he had equalled standing before him again. This wasn't how it was supposed to happen.

'Zander, this is Sarah and Lucy. They were wondering if we would like a drink, of the non-alcoholic variety of course.'

'Eh, yeah sure' Zander scratched the back of his head awkwardly

'Why not. I'll have a cappuccino. No sugar'

Sarah could feel his blue eyes burning through her soul just as they done the night before as she gave him her body like she had never given it to any before.

'Sweet enough' she commented as she winked at him.

'Tell you what' Sarah continued, if only just to relieve the awkward tension she had created.

'Why don't I stay here and we can have a look through some of the costumes. Lucy, you get the drinks.'

'I'll give you a hand' Donna decided, turning to Zander before she followed Lucy out the room

'Will you be alright while I'm gone.'

'Course he will' Sarah answered before Zander had the chance to respond but her assurance wasn't enough for Donna to leave and she stayed put until Zander nodded in agreement.

***

'You didn't tell me you were coming back here, to your alma mater' Sarah said when they were finally alone.

'I'm not. I'm only here to help with these auditions for the play. So, this is the college where you study?'

Sarah navigated around the room, casually looking through boxes and hopelessly running her hand over outfits hanging from the rails as she pretended to inspect them for tears or other types of damage.

'Didn't I? We'll now you know. So, what's this play you're helping with?'

Zander fiddled about in his pockets, eventually pulling out a scrunched up piece of paper which he handed to her. Sarah unravelled the paper and smoothed it out with her hand so that she could read:

"St John's college presents ROMEO AND JULIET with special guest, former student and drama graduate, Zander Riley as Romeo. The part of Juliet is TBA"

Below the words was an image of a study book of the classic Shakespearean play with Zander's professional agency photograph beside it.

'That's just a publicity leaflet so we can get people to buy tickets. It'll look more competent when Juliet's been cast'

'It's more than just "helping out with auditions" then? Why didn't you tell me about this last night?'

She went to hand it back to him but the shaking of his hand from side to side was an indication that he wanted her to keep it.

'It wasn't important and besides, you've got enough going on with your dad.'

Sarah lifted one of the boxes out from under the shelves and poured the clothes out over the floor as she prepared to fold them and make any required alterations.

'Don't you have a lesson to get to or something?'

For some reason, he was kneeling on the floor beside her, searching for something, the details of which were unknown to him.

'No' Sarah answered his question simply.

'So, this means we'll get to see more of each other. Not that I didn't see enough last night' she placed her hand over his as he was halfway through doing whatever she was.

Zander pulled away and dramatically jumped to his feet, quickly averting his eyes from her.

'Sorry, I can't do this' he declared, unable to hold it in any longer

'I can't lead you on, I'm sorry. Sarah, last night was great, you're great but I'm not invested in this the same way you are.'

'What are you talking about?' abandoning the costumes where they were, Sarah slowly climbed to her feet, now towering above Zander as he was still kneeling helplessly at her feet.

'I just want to woo a girl, get her into my bed and move on to the next one. I don't want to be tied down in a relationship.'

Sarah could feel the water beginning to leak from her eyes and her lips quiver together as she tried to fight back the tears. Zander stood and tried to pull her against him as he tried to comfort her.

'Don't!' she barked.

'Just stay away from me.' She turned on her heels and with her hand covering her mouth, ran towards the door.

Sarah squeezed herself out between Donna and Lucy as they returned from the student common room with their hands packed full of biscuits and hot drinks.

'Wait Sarah, don't be like that. I'm sorry' Zander called after her but she was already gone.

'What have you done now?' she heard Donna ask him as she raced towards the toilets with Lucy quickly following her.