HARLEM
A MONTH LATER
I stare at the paper in my hand, pinpointing the important things in my head. Yes, today is officially the day I'm on Broadway. I'm currently backstage with the others and we're preparing to begin in approximately an hour. I can hear the noise coming from the hall from over here. I looked passed the curtains once and almost doubled over. The place is filled to the brim; I saw the seats I reserved for my brothers still empty but Lexi is here. I also didn't see anyone from the Bar but it's fine, they told me they would come.
I'm currently in my costume which is basically a silver gown with puffy sleeves but with some torn parts. It's perfect for the play. I stare at the paper and realize my mind is no longer there, so I don't force myself. I drop the paper and take deep breaths staring at the mirror in front of me, the makeup artists will be over here again in a few minutes to retouch my makeup. I'm nervous, that part is true but I'm not scared. I was born for this, and I've worked so hard for the past five months to give up now. God, if I survive this, I'm going to get a tongue piercing.
I spot Lucas talking to Zach from the mirror and walk up to them. "Hey, any problems?"
"Nope, none at all. Everything is set. How're you feeling?" Lucas asks looking at me caringly. "Like I might throw up, but I didn't eat anything this morning so I doubt that's possible."
He winces apologetically. "Normal shit. You know what we practiced. If you forget anything, take deep breaths and close your eyes, no one will know it's not acting. Yeah?"
I nod. "Good, I'll see you guys five minutes in, have some other things to sort out." He says leaving me and Zach standing alone. Zach is dressed in his gold cloak with a hint of darkening makeup. He smiles at me "You okay?" I nod.
"Yes, I am. Just queasy but I'll be good once I start." He nods at me and squeezes my hand leaving to attend to something. I look at my watch; 35 minutes.
I turn to walk back to my chair and maybe drink some water when I spot him. He's standing talking to Lucas but his eyes are on me. I pause and stare back because it's been two months since I last saw him but he's here now. I remember our last conversation at the mid get together and how it left me wrecked but nevertheless I blink a few times and keep walking, ignoring his trailing eyes.
When I reach my chair, Simone, Lucas's PA, walks up to me. "Your brothers are here, they wanted to come backstage but I told them it's not allowed, if you want to see them, now will be a good time." I look around us like maybe they're here but don't see them. I thank her and walk toward the backstage entrance. When I come out, I see them. My identical twin brothers talking animatedly about something. Zoran as always, is doing the talking while Zeke is listening. They made it.
I don't even know when my eyes started to water, but I could feel the hot tears rolling down my cheeks. I walked up to them and they looked startled for a moment before I threw myself in their arms. My brothers had always been my protector from a lot of things. Like my heroes.
"Hey sis. We made it. Wait, are you crying birdie?" Zoran asks. I pull away and wipe my tears, the artists are going to be so mad I ruined my makeup. "Yes, it's been 4 years"
Zeke smiles warmly at me. "We missed you too, Birdie." I smile at him and hug them each again. From my peripheral vision I see Violet walking up to us with a flower bouquet in her hands.
"Surprise!" she says smiling at me. I gasp, "Vi?" I run up to her and hug her and she offers me the flowers.
"For me?" I ask smelling them. "Of course, you're the star of the show, when I saw your picture out there on this huge billboard, I felt so proud, my sister-in-law, is a star." I pout. God, she's amazing.
I turn to Zoran. "I can marry her for you if you don't mind Zo." He scoffs and rolls his eyes. I turn back to her and she's suppressing her laughter.
"Thank you so much Vi, I love it its's beautiful. And yes, that billboard almost gave me a hardtack when I saw it, but Christ do I look so good." I state and flip my hair. She laughs "I'll marry you too, babe." She states.
"Okay, that's enough. You have a show to act out, and from what I've heard, you have 25 more minutes to start. Get going Birdie" I roll my eyes at Zoran and Zeke laughs.
"Killjoy" I mutter and run back in because he's right, I need time to get myself before I start. I'm slightly startled a bit and I stop walking when I see Ezra at the entrance leaning on the wall and when he sees me, he straightens and walks up to me.
We don't say anything to each other for a few seconds, he just stares at me, his eyes glancing at the flowers for a few seconds. His jaw flexes and he looks like he has a lot to say but doesn't know where to start but he just says "Goodluck out there" and leaves without waiting for my reply. I stare at his back as he walks away. That's all he has to say to me?
I scoff and walk back, slightly annoyed. Obviously, he had more to say. Why didn't he just say it? I shake my head and try to forget about him. I try.
I place the flowers on my table smiling. I'm going to be the happiest sister-in-law.
I walk over to the curtains again to map the area. Downstairs in the mid-front rows, I see Lexi typing away at her phone. Zeke, Zoran and Violet sitting somewhere close by and finally, I spot Gio, Ted and Karmen. Good, everyone is here. My eyes wander and I catch sight of Ezra listening to a man and woman talk and nodding slowly. I stare at him, my heart fluttering widely in my chest from how handsome he looks in that tux. I also spot Mrs. Marilyn not so far away from him on a call. I remove my eyes before he catches me staring. Christ, I hope Kandra didn't come with him.
I go back inside and drink some warm water with honey for my voice and rehearse my lines. They are basically ingrained in my bloodstream at this point. The makeup artists come and retouch my makeup while I rehearse.
10 minutes to start, Reneé and the others call me over to where the 15 of us stand, everyone in their makeup and costumes. Briannon starts "I know that this is our last day guys so I just want to use the opportunity to say, it was amazing working with all of you. Even though I haven't had any sleep for the last five days, it's been a blast. I'm going to miss you all and may the group chat live on." We all laugh at that. Others say what they want to say as well and I have to force myself not to cry lest I ruin my makeup again.
When no one talks again, I speak up. "I know it doesn't look like it, but I love you guys so much and honestly don't want this to end but Reneé might end up sleep deprived and we wouldn't want that…" They laugh and I spot Lucas from my peripheral vison staring. "But these five months have been the best of my life and I know for a fact we won't have accomplished anything at Nexa stage this year, if even one of you weren't here. In your own ways, you've made a difference, not just here but in all our hearts individually. And I want to urge us, let's not forget this, it's rare; what we have. I certainly won't forget anyone. You are all my 15 persons non-blood related family and I love you all to the moon and back. Let's make a difference out there because the world didn't see us coming." I end and they all go up in applause for me. I smile and barely catch a stray tear before it falls.
"Alright, guess I don't need to say much. Just, please don't break a leg out there, and also… Nexa stage/Briggs Corp will be sponsoring a 2-week vacation for all of you to the Maldives after this play. Don't thank me, thank Mr. Roth. He also said I should let you all know he's impressed and is glad he didn't waste his money. Now, till we see after the play. I wish you all the best and couldn't have asked for a better team" we clap and disperse to our different positions like how we rehearsed.
As we do that with just two minutes left on the clock, I smile standing while my dress is being adjusted and extra powder being pumped on my face. That was… sweet of Ezra to do. Odd. But boy do I need that vacation, so I'll take him up on his offer. But that will have to wait. I have a play to perform.