Dream Chaser (34 page)

“The big party is right afterwards, and please don’t wear sandals. It’s supposed to be dressy. And don’t let Breezy wear a cape or vampire teeth.”

Dad grinned. “Don’t worry, we’ll show up in proper form.”

I reached for the door handle. Dad touched my arm. “Willow, I am so proud of you.”

“You’re not going to cry or anything are you?”

“No, but remember, whatever happens tonight, have fun.”

I leaned over and gave him a big hug. “Thanks Dad.”

As I checked in, a definite buzz lit the air. My body revved into high idle. I walked through the energy filled theatre. People milled around everywhere, going from make up to wardrobe, talking in small groups.

I needed to be close to the action and get the feel of everything. I wanted to make sure I’d done everything humanly possible to be ready. A couple
stage hands
mopped the stage with a bucket of cola so it would dry and be tacky in time for the show.

I went to Eli’s dressing room to make sure he and I were okay. He wasn’t there, but his wardrobe rack stood ready, loaded with his various costumes from tuxedo to jeans to his all-white costume for the finale. I smoothed my hand along the clothes and could almost feel his presence. In a couple hours, we’d be under the lights and hopefully delivering Tyson his dream show on a silver platter.

Checking the time, I realized I better get to hair and make up, and I still needed to find Tyson to see if he wanted to run the fall scene before we opened. A little shiver threatened, but I stomped it down. No doubts this time. Just action.

I dug in my bag but couldn’t find a pen to write a note. But I found an eyebrow pencil, so I fished it out. Make-up pencil poised, I hesitated. I wanted to apologize and tell Eli how much I loved him and that I wouldn’t run away from him ever again. But that was too long and probably too much to fit on his dressing room mirror.

So instead, I wrote:

And for good measure I kissed the mirror next to my W, which left a rather nice watermelon glossed lip print.

As I crossed the stage to my dressing room, I saw
Sophie

“
Sophie
! How are you?” I rushed over and hugged her, relieved to see her out of the hospital.

“I’m fine. I have mild epilepsy, and it flares up sometimes. I just can’t believe it happened in front of everyone,” she said, dipping her head.

“Don’t even worry about it. I’m so glad you’re okay. Can you do the show tonight?”

“Yeah, my doctor said I should be fine with my new medicine, and Tyson said that if I feel up to doing the show, he’s good with it.”

“I’m so glad you’re back! Last night we totally bombed. With you back we’ll be on track again.”

McKenna and Chelsea spotted
Sophie
. “
Sophie
!” They hurried to join us. “Are you okay?”

Sophie
glanced at me and smiled. “Yeah.”

“I’ve
gotta
get to my make up call, but I’m so glad you’re okay.” I hugged her again and left her to talk with the others.

I swung by my dressing room to drop off my bag and my breath caught as I discovered a big bouquet of pink roses on my dressing room table. I reached through the baby’s breath for the card and pulled it out.

I held the card to my heart.

“I take it the flowers are from Eli.” Samantha smiled from the doorway dressed in designer jeans and a cute navy bazaar. “All is good between you two?”

“Yeah!” I grinned

“You made up.” She entered with a dress bag over her shoulder.

“I haven’t seen him yet, but, yeah, I think so.”

“I’m glad. Now are you ready for tonight?” She raised an eyebrow. “Tyson showed me the video you sent him last night. I must say I think you’re pretty amazing. I’m so proud of you.”

“Thanks. I knew I had to figure something out and it was the only thing I could come up with.

“You must be exhausted,” she said and hung up her bag.

“No, my mom let me skip school, so I slept in really late. I think adrenaline will keep me going now.” An image of me singing center stage shot a fresh jolt through me.

“Good. Now you better get down to make up before Mary comes looking for you. And be sure not to skimp on your warm up. Take your time. The last thing you need is an injury.”

“I will. Thanks.”

I didn’t see Eli in the make up room, but finally found him warming up on stage with Alex and Damian. He jumped up as soon as he saw me, took my hand and pulled me backstage behind the third wing curtains.

“I’m so sorry I was a jerk.” His concerned eyes gazed into mine, and I’d never felt so lucky in my life.

“You were fine. It was my fault. I’m sorry I made such a mess of everything.”

“Are you okay?” He squeezed my hands.

“Yes, I’m fine. I’m just so sorry. I can’t believe you put up with me. But don’t
worry,
Jilly helped me work it out last night. I can do the jump. I promise!”

“
Shhh
.” He pressed his finger to my lips. “I know. I saw your video. I’m so glad you figured it out, but even if you didn’t, we’d make it okay. I don’t ever want to let something dumb like a stupid fall come between us again. ”

“I love you.” I moved into his arms. He held me close and looked down.

“I love you too.” He lowered his mouth to mine and gave me the sweetest, hottest kiss.

“Hey, save it for the show!” Tyson interrupted.

He wore a sharp black suit with a dark grey shirt open at the neck revealing a peak of chest hair.

“Sorry.” Eli pulled away, but kept his arm tucked around me.

“Are you two ready?” Tyson asked.

“Oh yeah,” Eli said. “I’ve been waiting all my life for this night.” He pulled me close.

“And Willow, are you still up for the fall? I wanted to run it before the show to make sure you have your bearings, but the trap operator is late, and we won’t have time before curtain.”

“It’s okay. I’ll be fine,” I said with confidence and mostly believed it. I knew I could do it. I refused to believe otherwise, but butterflies had taken over my stomach as the time grew closer to curtain. I figured it was normal pre-show jitters.

“We can always re-enact last night’s fake stabbing,” Eli teased.

“No!” Tyson and I blurted at the same time.

“Just kidding!” Eli said, and we all laughed.

“You two go warm up. Vocals are in twenty minutes,” Tyson directed.

Dressed in our thirties era nightclub attire, the cast assembled in places behind the main curtain as the overture played. Another minute and the curtain would rise on the premiere of Tyson Scott’s Dream Chaser.

The churning of my stomach helped distract me from the fact I really needed to pee. At the other side of the stage Eli, looking hot in his vintage tuxedo, bounced on his toes and shook out his hands to stay loose.

Our eyes met. Eli checked out my elegant form-fitting gown, raised his eyebrows suggestively and winked. Another few seconds and the show would open with a dream sequence set during the big band era, and our characters would meet.

Somewhere out in the audience sat my family, Jilly, and Miss Ginny, all waiting to see if I could pull this off. Tyson would likely be chewing his nails. I could barely handle my own jitters; I don’t know how Tyson managed with so much pressure. Eli seemed to feed off the adrenaline.

The orchestra hit its crescendo. The lighting created a dreamlike mood. Energy crackled in the air, and the illuminated stage looked glorious with our period costumes and set. We all hit our marks, and the curtain rose.

The number went off perfectly without a missed step by anyone. The moment Eli smiled and took my hand for our elegant ballroom number, the last of my butterflies disappeared. We floated across the stage as the outside world fell away and we became Lauren and Zach.

After the opening, each scene went better than the last. Yesterday’s mishaps became a distant memory. Samantha helped me through each of my costume changes. As soon as intermission began, Tyson joined us backstage.

“What did I tell you? Bad dress rehearsal, great show! I’m so proud of every one of you. Now don’t let your energy drop. Keep the momentum flowing in the second act through to the end of the Mega Mix.”

A buzz of relief went through the cast. Sophie was doing great, and Jason had nailed every line. Tyson came over to Eli and me.

“Great job. How are you guys holding up?”

Perspiration covered me and glued my costume to my sweaty back. “I’m good.”

Lines of sweat ran down Eli’s neck, but he looked great. “I can’t wait for Act Two.”

“Get down to make up for touchups and be sure to hydrate. If there’s time, I’d like you to run the lifts from the fight scene too. Let’s keep this show rolling smoothly.”

“Willow, are you ready to do the fall?”

I knew he wanted to have faith in me, but needed to ask anyway. Eli waited for my answer but didn’t say a word.

“Yes, I’m solid. I’m ready. I wish I could make it so you guys didn’t have to worry, but I can’t. You’ll just have to trust me.”

“And I do,” Tyson said. “I’ve just
gotta
keep tabs on you. If anything changes, you let me know.”

“I will.” His confidence and support boggled my mind. After all the drama I’d put Tyson through, he treated me like a professional. I didn’t deserve it.

“Now go get ready for the second act.”

“On our way.” Eli took my hand and pulled me away. He kissed my temple as we walked. Did life get any better?

The second act flew. The audience reaction and roar of applause blew me away. They loved the show, the orchestra was phenomenal, and we nailed every scene. During my solos I owned the stage. I belted out my songs and bared my soul. It never even occurred to me to be nervous. I don’t know if it was because of Eli’s constant focus, the voice lessons, or the thrill of the show, but somewhere along the way everything fit into place.

Suddenly the show was almost over and it was time for the death scene.
 

This was it.

I waited backstage for my cue, Jason at my side. I made the mistake of thinking about how horrible last night’s show went and how petrified I felt when looking over the side of the elevated set. It must have shown on my face.

“Are you okay?” Jason whispered with more than worry in his eyes.

“Oh, yeah. I’m fine.” I shook off the feeling of terror. I knew the entire cast was waiting to see what I’d do. Would I blow it again? I pictured Tyson holding his breath until the scene ended. Eli
doubt
me too? I’d let him down so many times before, and I didn’t want to do it again. I prayed that my long night of work with Jilly would pay off. Hopefully my body would remember and not let my head take over.

The stage darkened and Jason and I took our places. During that three-second pause I saw Eli off stage right. With his raised eyebrows, he asked the question everyone wanted to know. Would I take the fall? In that quick instant I crossed my fingers for good luck, shrugged my shoulders and nodded.

The scene began and I put it on autopilot. I focused on Eli and Jason. I refused to go to my scary place. That is, until I stepped onto the rooftop set. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the giant sunroof trap slide open like a gaping abyss.

Don’t look. Don’t think.
I chanted to myself.

I knew the audience couldn’t see the opening or the approaching no-turning back moment.

The scene moved on. Victor punched Zach, knocking him to the floor of the rooftop set.

I was next. Victor lunged, and I evaded him, moving closer to the edge. The audience gasped.

Zach yelled to warn Lauren.

I focused on the image of Jilly encouraging me to fall from the tall ladder at the gym last night.

It was time. Fall or fail.

I made a split second choice and gave a slight nod to Jason that only he and Eli could see.

Jason rushed toward me. I took a step to the edge and planted my foot. My arms flailed like any sane person would do who didn’t want to fall.

But this was a show, and a mat waited below to cushion me. The audience gasped again.

I leaned forward just enough to let gravity pull me over into a free fall.

My scream could be heard in Canada, but luckily that part was in the script. As a former expert at free falling, I turned during the fall and safely landed on the mat with a huge whoosh. I wanted to get up and cheer!