Ok. So, Mansion dress, Garden Party, Tennis Match. 

Lily picked up her hairdresser’s holster she bought online. It was a staple for her job. Safety pins, extra mic tape, notes, any snacks if she needed a quick boost during the interval, the works. Fiddling with the stiff zipper, she pulled out her set list and unfolded the crumpled paper, scanning over her order for Act 1 Pre-Set.

Lady Patricia (Karen)

Mansion Dress, Tennis Match, Garden Party. 

Damn it! Lily thought, she always got Tennis Match and Garden Party mixed up. Every. Damn. Time.

Knock, knock, knock!

“Hello?” Lily called. Jake poked his head through the black modesty curtain hung up for the ladies’ quick change area.

“Hey,” Jake said quietly, “Can I talk to you for a moment?”

“Is it important?”

“Kind of.”

Lily heaved a disgruntled sigh and waved her hand dismissively. Nervously, Jake made his way in, closing the curtain behind him. At least then they’d have some privacy, at least. Switching round two extravagant looking dresses on a plastic chair too small for them, Lily straightened herself up and put her hands on her hips.

“So, what’s up?” she asked.

“Look, uh…” Jake slowly took a few steps forward, “I wanted to apologise to you for what I said the other day. I was a real twat and I think we both got the wrong impression about each other.”

Lily arched her brow quizzically.

“Have we?”

“Uh…” Jake stumbled. Come on, man, she hasn’t got until Christmas! Out with it! He chastised himself, “Listen, I…I can get a little shy around people I don’t know very well. Sometimes, I just won’t know what to say and before I know it, I clam up, so I don’t say anything at all. I know, it’s no excuse for what I said to you and you have every right to be angry with me, but that’s why. I don’t hate you…and I’m sorry I gave you that impression.”

There, all out in the open. If she still couldn’t stand his guts now, he’d just accept it and move forward, gutting though it may be. Jake’s eyes searched over Lily, watching the cogs go round behind her lovely doe eyes. She nodded and sighed heavily.

“Apology accepted,” she murmured, meeting his gaze, “I’m sorry for what I said too. I was too quick to jump.”

Uneasily, Lily’s mouth twisted nervously as she ran her hand up and down her arm. She couldn’t help but feel tiny in comparison to his imposing stance. Jake gaze softened. She noticed a brightness in his eyes and his lips tugged up at the corners with a breathless laugh. He took a step closer and to Lily’s surprise, held out his hand.

“So…peace offering?” his little laugh made Lily’s knees wobble, “Start a clean sheet and forget we ever locked horns?”

The amused little twinkle in her eyes as she tried not to laugh made Jake’s chest tighten. Sure enough, she couldn’t hold back and a little giggle burst out from her mouth. He smiled widely. Phew, he thought. Lily slid her hand in to his much larger one. Jake’s skin tingled against her as she shook it lightly.

“Very well.” Lily chuckled, “My name’s Lily. I like chocolate ice cream and hate rude people.”

A loud laugh emanated from Jake’s chest. Lily loved how his face lit up with a bright smile and full, deep laugh.

“My name’s Jake,” he replied, “I like cookie dough ice cream…and also hate rude people.”

Their hands stayed in the other for a little moment longer before they parted.

“So…friends?” Jake asked. Lily smiled up at him.

“Friends.” She nodded. Lily stepped forward and raised her arms up. Jake’s belly tensed. Was she going to hug him? Just as he was to reciprocate her offer, the tannoy system sounded.

“Ladies and gentleman of the Garden Party company, this is your five minute call. You have five minutes…”

On the announcer went, announcing names of the cast, along with announcing the backstage crew and wardrobe. Jake straightened himself up awkwardly and Lily nervously lowered her arms.

“I need to go,” Jake murmured sadly, “Got to double check everything.”

“Yeah, me too. Go on, you don’t want to miss beginner’s call.”

“Yeah.”

Before he could convince himself out of it, Jake clasped a hand around her shoulder and met Lily’s eyes.

“I’ll see you in the wings?”

“Yeah, I’ll see you then,” Lily nodded, before playfully pointing a disciplinary finger at him, “Just don’t mess up that change again, ok?”

“My God, woman, you’re never going to let me live that down, are you?” Jake shook his head with a chuckle.

“Nope! Now go! You don’t want to be late!”

“Ok! Ok! I’m going!” Pained to be letting her go, Jake pushed open the modesty curtain before turning his gaze to Lily one last time.

“Think of me!” He called back jokingly. Lily dismissively waved a hand while she laughed. Yet inside? That was exactly what she’d be doing. Jake hoped she would too.

 

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Violet Grey

©2018 – Life of Violet – Violet Grey

All Rights Reserved.

*Picture – Pinterest