Stage Fright

Chapter 39 ~ New Friends

Heather

It was finally Friday, I don't know what I'm counting down to anymore. The end of a week, the end of the show or Christmas vacation. I was really enjoying the show, it was exhausting and the thought that we'd be performing it in just short of a month was terrifying. But I was trying to keep my head up and my mind as clear as possible.

I felt well-rested after staying with Josh last night, I really slept well at his house. Probably because his whole room reminded me of him. It was smaller than mine and so was his bed, it was easy to fall asleep with a smile. 

I wasn't sure at first what was going on with Josh, I didn't know that this was how I was supposed to feel with someone else. But he was everything I always dreamed of in a guy, he wasn't a hobby, he was perfect for me. He was sweet, kind, he wasn't afraid to cry, he wanted to protect me but not in some barbaric way. Josh was what I always wanted, it just took a while for me to realize it.

Dad had called the other day, telling me he'd be home next week and that he wanted to take me out to dinner. I couldn't make up my mind if I wanted to tell him about Josh or not, I knew my dad liked Josh and I didn't want him to think that he was like all the other boyfriends I'd had. 

I knew I couldn't see Josh tonight, he was always with his buddies on Friday night. I made him give that up once and I wouldn't do it again. I debated going to one of the parties I'd heard about tonight but after the party last week my friends were asking me nonstop about Josh and when we'd get together. I couldn't tell them it was because of some stupid rule that the musical had.

So my new plan for the evening was to do some homework and play the piano. Maybe I'd watch some TV for a while or cook dinner. 

But first I had to get through this practice. We were supposed to be running through the first act today so I headed right for the back dressing rooms where we were keeping our costumes but as I get close to the door I stop, somebody sniffled. It's followed by some heavy breathing and I feel my heart shatter. This was the female leads room, who was crying?

I poke my head into the room and I'm shocked at what I see. Mandy's standing in front of her bags looking through them and sorting them out. Part of my brain froze, my first reaction was to try and talk to her and figure out why she was so upset. But this was Mandy and I knew how much she hated my guts.

I debate walking away but I know my conscience would nag me about it. I take a deep breath and knock on the door quietly. She turns instantly and winces slightly, all things considered, I was most likely not who she wanted to see and I was the last person she wanted to watch her cry. 

"What?" She mumbles and I press my lips together.

"Is everything alright?" I ask and she lets out a frustrated laugh. 

"No." She says. 

"Is there anything I can do?" I ask and she sighs.

"You can leave." She tells me. "Don't pretend to be nice to me."

"I-I'm not." I tell her and she rolls her eyes, zipping up her bags and shaking her head. "I know we've had ups and downs but I wouldn't want anyone to be upset-"

"Just leave me alone." She insists. "I hope you're happy." She tells me bitterly and I furrow my eyebrows.

"Why should I be?" I ask, truly confused. 

"Because Miss Young suspended me from the show. She's going to decide if I'm in or out over the weekend. I'm just here to get everything sorted before I have to go." She mumbles and my eyes widen. As much as it killed me to say it, we really needed Mandy, she was so talented and she was good at what she did.