Falling

Chapter 3

Margaux’s POV

Rehearsal is really kicking my ass. The cast is all over the place. Luke can’t remember his lines, Alexa is constantly on her phone texting, Reggie is cracking jokes and can’t take anything seriously, Lori and Richard are flirting with each other, I’m pretty sure Carter is still wasted and Dean.. Dean is actually doing pretty well..which is surprising me besides the fact that he bangs that big-ass water bottle of his on the table every time he takes a sip. The metal clanking scratches my brain in the most annoying way possible.

These past few days he has actually been quite tolerable. I have to give him credit for being on time and working hard at rehearsals. He has been pulling his weight around here but I guess it’s because his GPA rides on the success of this play.

Dean outside of rehearsals is another story. He is still a pain in my ass. His “banter” is borderline ear bleeding. I think he is so used to smooth talking all his f**k buddies he can’t form a real conversation with a female. He has a kind heart I guess, he’s been driving me around because my bicycle blew a tire although I reckon it’s for extra credit.

Lost on you - LP starts playing as we rehearse the opening scene of the play once again. Noah is strumming away on his guitar and belting his vocals into the microphone. His vocals are so powerful they shoot through my body and my organs get that sunken feeling. He is so talented! His raspy voice makes you feel the emphasis and depth of the emotion the song is written for.

His eyes are closed and slightly scrunched. He has a little strand of dark curly hair dangling on his forehead, he’s so in touch with the emotion of the song, it’s moving, captivating. I am mesmerised, I can sit here all day watching him rehearse.

After rehearsals have finished I decided to stay behind and rehash today’s performance. I am not feeling very hopeful about our current status with the group. It feels messy, rushed and unpolished. I texted Anna and asked her to join me here after her shift. I instructed her to bring pizza and her brain!

Not long after my text to her she struts through the wooden corridors with two large pizza boxes, a paper bag filled with snacks and a bottle of red wine.

“I come bearing gifts!” She says hopeful to lift my spirit.

“Have I told you that I love you!” I say relieved.

“Who doesn’t?” She jokes back.

“So what’s cooking?” She asks as she sits herself down on the navy rug next to me.

“Ugh, everything is a mess. The cast is completely unfazed about the importance of rehearsals. They’re complaining about the lines, characters and the execution of the scenes..I’m just so frustrated with everyone including myself! I can’t seem to figure out why this isn’t working like I thought it would. Not even Noah’s amazing performance could save the chaos unfolding around him” I say throwing my head back in frustration and shrugging my shoulders.

“Wait, what’s that? Or should I ask who is that?” I point to her neck which is displaying a striking purple love bite.

“It’s nothing! Just a conquest.” She downplays with a chuckle.

“A conquest or a person who hasn’t been fed in a century? Whoever he may be he was clearly trying to suck the blood from your veins” I tease.

“Maybe it’s Klaus from Vampire Diaries, wouldn’t you kill to know! Pun intended!” She teases back.

“I will tell you this, he’s a jock!” She squeals with excitement.

“A jock? Really Anna! Wait is it Dean?” I ask with an expression of horror.

“What? No, it’s not Dean! Why would it be Dean? Wait - Why do you care if it’s Dean? Why CANT it be Dean?” She interrogates me.

“Because he is a jock and a jackass. He is also working with me in the play remember! That would be so weird!”

“Right..but he is so easy on the eyes.” She says as she rolls her eyes back and slugs her posture.

“Dean is totally off limits!” I say sternly to Anna.

“I am?” A surprising tone echos through the empty hall.

To my surprise there stands Dean. He is wearing grey sweatpants, a Beaufort University football sweater and carrying a gym bag over his left shoulder. His hair is wet and you can suffocate by the trail of his cologne. He looks the kind of good that makes me question if I needed glasses. He has a gigantic grin on his face and the look of pure enjoyment on his face.

I wish the world could suck me in right about now! What exactly did he hear? How much did he hear? Does he think I like him? f**k!

“That’s not what I meant! And what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at football practice?” I say in an annoyed tone trying so save my ass from pure embarrassment.

“Exactly what you meant, sounds like you made a hands-off-Dean rule!” He says teasingly.

“She sure did!” Anna shoots from the sideline.

“Anna! - No, I didn’t! I simply said to Anna that she..never-mind! What the f**k are you doing here Dean? You should be at practice!”

“Hands off limits and you know my schedule. I must admit I am rather flattered babydoll but it’s a little obsessive! I like my women wild not toxic and If I MUST declare my whereabouts to you, practice finished forty five minutes, I took a shower and was on my way to the Jeep when I noticed the hall’s lights were still on.”

“First off, quit your mocking! I didn’t create a hands-off limit for Dean! Your hands can be wherever they want! Secondly I’m - ”

“Wherever I want?” Dean cuts me off and teases with a wink as his eyes trace me up and down.

“SECONDLY DEAN, I am not stalking you I know your schedule because we had to figure out what rehearsal time would suit you. THIRDLY I do not care to know anything about your whereabouts!” I say firmly being sure to get my point across.

At this point Dean is looking at me like I’m one big joke! His face tells me he is not taking a word that comes out of my mouth seriously. He still has that same smug grin on his face and his eyes tell me that this conversation excites him. My cheeks are burning up out of pure embarrassment. I can feel my face growing warm and my hands clammy. My words were trembling and I barely felt confident in my own ability to speak.

“I should probably head out it’s karaoke night and Leroy and them are waiting on me.” Anna interjects.

“No! You’re going already!” I reply in a disappointed and defeated tone.

“Yeah! I promised Leroy that I will come by on my first night off, and besides I simply can’t keep my talents to myself!” Anna teases.

“Your talents sure do perform when you have had one too many!” I joke back.

“Other talents too!” Anna winks.

“I need to find a volunteer to keep me warm!”

“ANNA!” I shout in disbelief.

Anna gives one big smile and proceeds to gather all the things in her little, grey sequin purse. She gives me a big hug greeting me goodbye and assuring me that she will see me at home. We share a dorm room just a few miles from campus. After Anna leaves it’s just myself and Dean left in the hall. The awkwardness seems to have settled since Anna left.

Dean takes a seat next to me on the rug and proceeds to make himself comfortable by pouring himself a glass of wine and shoving a pizza slice in his mouth.

I stare at him in disbelief because of the lack of manners he has but before I can say anything to him he shoots back with

“You said my hands can be anywhere they want..would you prefer them to be on you rather?” There he goes, making me relive my most embarrassing moment!

“Can you stop already?” I snap at Dean.

Dean’s grin finally disappears and his face turns to a concerned expression.

He studies my face trying to comprehend the emotions I am feeling.

“Woah, hey, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.” He replies apologetically.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you, I just feel a lot of pressure from this play, it’s exhausting and I barely slept all week, every time I close my eyes, I replay rehearsals in my head.” I explain to him.

“You’re carrying a lot on your shoulders, Margaux. No wonder you are so stressed, you are basically carrying the entire play. Explain to me what’s not working and then I’ll help you work towards a solution. Hell, I’ll even help you score a date with lover boy Noah if that helps!”

Despite myself, a chuckle slips out of my mouth. Of course it could only be Dean that could slip a joke into a serious moment. I must admit that he is the first person to offer me help instead of putting pressure on me to find a solution, it’s refreshing.

Dean’s expression softens as he hears the chuckle slip out. Dean takes another bite of pizza, but his eyes stay fixed on me as if waiting for my answer.