Chapter 16: Space and boundaries

My phone vibrated on the table and I checked.

It was Ethan. ‘5:30, my place. Full marathon on algebra’

I choked on my food and let out a cough. His place? That's one hell of a change.

I stylishly slid my phone under the table texting back

‘Libary?’

‘rented out to the debate team for the week’ he shot back almost immediately.

I replied with a thumbs up emoji and slid my phone faced down on the table.

Dad took a break from teasing mom and turned to me.

“Everythng alright princess”

I nodded with a bright smile and dinner went on.somehow I wished it was Klaus’s text I received.

Maybe he wanted to apologise.

Maybe he wanted to tell me he felt the same way I did.

But algebra sounds about right too I guess.

The next day at school I didn't plan on avoiding rehearsals – that would be a cowardly move.

I walked into the auditorium like I owned The place, literally.

The rest of the cast already tagged me as a latecomer since day one and honestly I lived up to the same even if I didn't mean to.

Music was already playing in the background. Dancers were practising their routine and Miss Issa looked like a boiling pumpkin.

“Your legs aren't straight”

“That note is too high, it'll make it difficult for the backup singers”

“Add some more red to the costume”

“No the dress should be cream and not white”

Let's just say she was all over the place. Getting on the stage she sighted me and ran to me immediately.

“Tessa you've been avoiding rehearsals alot, is everything okay” she asked concerned. “And my God with this new body improvement we might have to retake your measurements for your costume”

Before I could reply she clapped her hands twice and summoned her PA. “retake her measurements” was all se said and turned. She stopped “oh and you look great by the way”she added.

My cheeks flushed, if I had been confident before I left home then this was on a whole new level.

I smiled widely as I moved on to the stage. Had to join the rehearsals eventually. I dropped my bag on the floor and looked up. That's when I saw him.

I knew I said I could handle it but seeing him now in reality just made my chest ache. Klaus stood near the stage, sleeves pushed up, jaw set.

Our eyes met and I looked away first.

Yes I was panicking like all but I wasn't going to let anyone notice, especially not him.

Before I could stretch, a blonde lady and a really tall dude both holding a clipboard, pen and earpods strapped to their ears approached me.

“Hi you're hermia right” the girl said chewing a flavourless gum “I'm Claire stage director and this is Daniel my assistant”

“stage Director?”

“Miss issa needed a little help with the play so I was appointed” she paused “you've Missed a lot of rehearsals and I heard from some of the girls that you're not really liked around here”

I scoffed “tell me about it”

“But umm” she leaned in like she was about to tell me a secret “I like you”

I smiled.

Claire tapped her pen against the clipboard. “Sing your main solo for me. Let’s see how well you can do this.”

The room went quieter than usual. Like they all wanted to listen.

I swallowed.

“Okay.” I nodded

The pianist gave me the starting note and I opened my mouth to sing.

A bit of fear creeped in at first but I remembered. Face it head on tessa.

I started and the room fell silent. The note I used to strain didn't seem as hard anymore and I finished it, clean.

Then an actual applause.

Claire scribbled something on her clipboard, then looked up at me with sudden brightness.“That’s great. I’m confident you’ve gotten all the notes. Now you just have to practice it with your lover.”

She froze.Her eyes widened.Her hand flew to her mouth.

“Oh my God — I mean—” she stammered. “The guy playing Lysander. Klaus.”

“Right the role” I said head facing down.

I could tell he heard but who cares. It's just a stupid play.

“Alright everyone gather around” miss issa called from the centre of the stage and everyone made a circle around her “You are all doing so great and honestly I think I've outdone myself with this play” her eyes dimmed “when I tabled the budget for the play on the school board they almost fired me because it's kind of a lot but I was confident we could do this”

A few Murmurs

“I'm proud to announce that the budget has been approved and as an addition, a lot of performing arts school will be here on opening night to pick free scholarship students”

Everyone cheered and jumped.

This shit just got way more serious. Msa could be there. This could be my chance.

“unfortunately” the voices died down and she looked to me “Monroe School of Arts isn't one of them , I tried reaching out but I got turned down with a letter saying we should just send them a list of capable students they would review”

I forced a smile “that's alright” there's still a chance.

“now that'll be all for rehearsals today”

Training felt wrong today

I mean klaus wasn't klaus today.

No unnecessary touches.

No warm breath brushing my ear.

No staring like he was trying to read every thought I refused to say out loud.

The only time he said something aside from correcting my postures or acting skills was when he asked why I missed training and when I told him it was because of tutorials he just nodded.

I felt bad. I didn't mean for him to feel this way.

Isn't this what I wanted? Space and boundaries.