Chapter 37 #2
“She said he’s out of surgery, but everything is still up in the air. She can’t say much about what happened though.” I received a few update texts throughout the day. I can’t help but worry. It sounds serious, whatever is going on.
“How’s that going to affect your play?” Mom sits back and studies me. This is the side of my mom Damon’s never seen. The part that’s willing to be my support when something fails.
“My assistant director and I talked it over, and I’ll step into the part.
If for some reason she can’t come back in time, I can perform for the showcase.
But we’re weeks into rehearsal, and bringing someone else in would make everything more complicated.
Especially if Mia returns and that person doesn’t have a part anymore. ”
“I think that’s an amazing decision.” Mom lets the server place her plate in front of her and then leans back in. “You’ll be amazing. I haven’t seen you perform in years.”
“You don’t act?” Adam asks as he cuts his food.
“I do, but for Anteros as you get higher in the program the tracks split. I chose the director path.” I take a bite of my food.
For a second, I savor the rich sauce on the vegetables.
How I got by on frozen pizza and grilled cheeses eludes me.
I don’t know that I can go back to frozen mac and cheese.
The staff have definitely spoiled me.
“So what do you want to go to college for?” Adam asks. He’s being careful not to talk about Damon’s and my relationship, which I appreciate, but it feels like the elephant in the room we’re all pretending doesn’t exist.
“Film mainly, but I’d love to be able to direct and act.” I take a drink. “There are programs that allow you to do both, and some that it’s almost impossible to do both at the same time.”
Damon slides his hand against my thigh. I nearly jump out of my skin as my attention shifts to him. My eyes widen, and I’m not sure if our parents know he’s touching me. Or if they didn’t and my reaction told them.
“I talked to a guy on the team who’s in the drama program at Crowne Mawr,” he says.
“Yeah?” I ask, unable to hide my excitement.
“He gave me his number so you could call him and ask him your questions. He’s a junior.” Damon searches my eyes. I want to lean in and kiss him again. He smirks knowingly.
“Fantastic.” I drop my gaze before lifting it to our parents.
Mom’s smile is soft. Adam looks utterly amazed.
I clear my throat. “Anyway, so I’m going to be extra busy for the next few weeks. Normally, production picks up a couple weeks before the first performance anyway, but I’ve made sure to stay ahead in all my classes. So I should be fine.”
“As long as you remember to eat,” Damon says pointedly and nods to my plate.
I take a bite and drink some water. After chewing and swallowing, I give him a look like see.
“It’s going to be intense, but it was always going to get more intense from here on out.
This is when my actors need reassurances, when the crew needs to figure out the exact timing of scene changes, when I need to stop making changes and make sure what we have works. ”
Adam looks impressed, but I’m used to that from adults. Damon hasn’t removed his hand from my thigh and his thumb rubs slow circles. I’d tell him to stop, but I doubt he would, and it would only draw attention to what he’s doing.
“I was a little worried about giving scene notes, but Damon mentioned taking video and reviewing it to give feedback.” I smile at Damon and he squeezes my thigh.
“Has there been any new texts or anything unusual?” Adam asks.
I shake my head and glance at Damon. Will he tell them about Mia being a potential suspect? I don’t want my mom to think she’s bad news if it’s not true. Trusting Jackson is telling the truth might be as bad as trusting Mia at this point.
But will things stop now that Mia is preoccupied? I guess this is the litmus test to find out. I doubt Jackson knows Mia is out. So if the threats continue, then can we assume it isn’t Mia?
“What do we need to do to help protect you?” Mom asks.
Adam clears his throat. “It might make sense to hire someone to make sure she’s secure.”
“No, thank you. I don’t want someone following me around all day.” I can’t even think about some hired man hanging around me. It would be intrusive on a level I’m just not willing to accept. “The rose was the only time someone’s actually hurt me. It was barely anything.”
My hand tingles where the wounds are still healing.
“We plan on being there for her.” Damon squeezes my thigh. “Between the three of us, we’ll keep her protected.”
Adam looks between the two of us and releases his breath. “This is going to take getting used to.”
Mom takes Adam’s hand on the table. “But we will. And it would be nice if you had your boyfriends over for dinner some night. I know it might be a while since the play will keep you busy, but I’d like to get to know them better.”
“Okay.” I don’t know what to say to that, but I’m appreciative she’s being supportive.
“What do you need from us to help?” Mr. Watson sits across his desk from me. He wanted to make sure everything was under control after I emailed him on Sunday.
It’s Monday morning before classes.
“Besides the camera set up for rehearsals, I think I’m good. I figured I’d bring in my own equipment, if that’s okay.” I sit with my hands in my lap and my legs crossed.
“That’ll work. You’re welcome to any equipment in the AV department as well.” Mr. Watson rubs his chin. “What about costuming? Are you going to have two sets of clothes made for Desdemona?”
“It wouldn’t hurt, and it would still be within my budget for costumes.” I look at the list in front of me. “Mia might not be gone that long, but it’s always good to have a backup in case she gets hurt and can’t do the production.”
“Unfortunately, with two productions, we can’t cast understudies for all the parts.” Mr. Watson leans on his desk. “If you need anything additional to support your production, let us know. We really want you to be successful.”
“I appreciate that.” I tuck my hair behind my ear. “Damon and Cam will be coming to rehearsals until the production. With the rose prank, they want to make sure nothing else happens during rehearsals.”
“It’s your rehearsal, EvanAnn. If you don’t want someone there, you can kick them out. But if you want someone there, you’re welcome to have anyone there. If you need any help, I can also resume coming to observe.”
“I don’t think that will be necessary.” I gather my things and stand. “I do think Mia will be back and everything will go smoothly, but I want to be prepared for any contingency.”
“That’s understandable. And the sign of a good director. You can’t always plan for everything though. So if something comes up you can’t handle, let me know.”
Cam
Monday night rehearsal is mine. I walk in during their break after I get out of hockey. Evan sits at her desk watching her laptop with headphones on. She’s focused, so I drop off a red paper flower on her desk and head to my seat in the audience.
Tonight I’m working on my college applications. Evan agreed to look at my essays for me before all this stuff with Mia happened. I’m tempted to just ask Hawk and not even tell her about them.
She’s going to have every minute of her day filled at this point. Even at lunch she sat with us and worked. Homework or the play. Pretty sure the only time I’m going to be able to do anything with her is while she sleeps. Maybe I can lure her into a closet for a quickie.
She reaches over and picks up the flower, twirling it in between her fingers a moment before turning and giving me a smile. I love the way her eyes light up. I give her a wink and return to my laptop.
As the cast returns, Keira sits next to Evan and they talk.
I’ve been considering whether the stalker was just trying to throw Evan off her game.
Anyone who knows Evan knows the play comes first, school comes second, and then her social life, which is now us.
Of course, prior to this year, she didn’t really have a social life.
When Evan gets on stage with the cast to fill in for Desdemona, I’m fucking mesmerized. I’ve never seen her act before, but I’ve seen this part a few times now. Mia is good, but Evan is fucking golden.
There’s this subtle way she makes me buy into her being Desdemona. She even mimics some of Mia’s performance, but makes the part even better. I’m in awe. It’s like watching Damon on the ice.
You know you’re seeing something that transcends the ordinary. That this isn’t just someone going through the motions, but someone who is doing exactly what they were meant to do.
If I didn’t know she was already exceptional at directing, I would wonder why anyone wouldn’t have forced her to pursue acting. Of course, I’m not exactly impartial, but I can see how everyone knows she’s the one to watch.
And how that could make some people jealous. Jealousy makes people do crazy shit. Jealousy over her career choices. Jealousy over her having us. Jealousy over the attention she receives. We need a way to make sure she’s safe.
No more reacting to the shit that’s thrown her way. It’s time to draw this motherfucker and his friends out into the open.
Me:
Need to chat tonight
Damon:
Our spot
Hawk:
What about Annie?
Me:
She’ll be working after this
I’ll drop her at home
Adam and Heather are there
I want to talk about the stalker