#Chapter 25 Proper Skillset
…For some reason, the comparison between the two kinda hurts.
But he’s not wrong. Just like in acting, the roles work best if the actors mesh well with each other, pick up on each other’s cues, and remember their lines. We stumbled a lot in the beginning, but…
We’ve gotten so good at it at this point, even I’m sometimes forgetting it’s just a role I’m playing.
Just like with actors, specifically ones that practice method acting, we can get lost in our emotions. Or rather, the emotions we feel appear strongly. As real as breathing, as solid as steel.
Meshing with Alex like this has become easy… And though I think about the crowd, like the bullies or the girls vying for his attention, it’s somehow less important than the play itself.
Right…
Because what I’ve always loved about theater are the stories. Whether they have lessons in them or simply tell the lives of non–fiction or fictional characters, I’ve always enjoyed them.
I enjoyed playing in them because it was just fun. Being with Alex, however fake, has been fun.
Being in plays has always been fun.
“So, look. This is still a team sport. I’m here with ya. And if you need me to fuck up some lines to make you stand out in a good way, I don’t mind it. What’s most important is that
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#Chapter 25 Proper Skillset
we have fun during this thing, yeah?”
“…Yeah.”
His grin turns into a genuine smile.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. Deer legs.”
“Whippet.”
“Fuck you.”
He laughs when I punch his shoulder.
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“Put just a little blush. Not too much. Nurses don’t really wear a lot of makeup. They go to work a corpse and comes back even more dead.”
The cosmetics crew chats as they put some powder on my face. I’m not accustomed to wearing any, but we already tested for allergic reactions, so there were no worries about
that.
They’re also messing around with my hair, though I can’t see what they’re doing with my eyes closed. Instead, I just focus on keeping still.
The play starts in just a few minutes now. If you listen closely, you can hear people beyond the stage curtain, murmuring as they settle.
There’s more people than usual this time. It’s very likely because of Alex rather than anything else.
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“Aaaand…headband…” Something slides into my hair, holding my bangs back. “Done. You
can open your eyes now.”
When I do, I see myself in the mirror first.
I don’t think I look particularly special or different. But seeing my face without my bangs curtaining my eyes in some place outside my home is an unfamiliar experience.
“Ugh, pleaaase let me give her some blue eyeshadow!” Sophia begs. “She’ll look so cute with it! No one but us will notice!”
“So, why do it?”
“I mean, just look at her! She’s like a doll.” She turns to me. “I didn’t know you were so
cute!”
“Uhm. Thanks.”
“Are you guys ready yet?” Jonathan calls out.
The makeup crew starts scurrying around more. I’m ushered out of my seat.
Usually, I’d be among them, making sure all the props are in place and everything’s ready.
But this time…
I blink when I hear the music start up. It’s the beginning scene introducing Lynus, Alex’s character. I come in not too long after, driving to work and swerving to avoid his stumbling
body.
There’s fussing and fighting, the first battle. Then there’s solemn, worried music as Lynus takes stock of his injuries, realizing he’s near death. He’s saying his lines really well so far.
My back prickles with anxiety, rushing over to hold up the prop I’m using to mimic a car.
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It’s about to happen.
I stand on the left side of the stage, looking out. Alex starting to stumble around.
Okay.
Acid is about to scald my throat, but I can do this.
Just remember. This is fun.
…Okay.
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With a huff, I walk out with the car wheel prop, acting like I’m rushing to get to work. My eyes glance up at an imaginary in–car mirror to do my eyeliner. And, right as Alex steps out
in front of me, as planned, I scream and swerve.
I try to ignore the feeling of wanting to curl into myself, miming the act of opening a car
door.
“What the hell! Get out of the rrr–road!”
…Hah… Great start.
But, as we continue, I find that the lines come easily to me.
I may stutter through them, but I know what to say and when to say it. Moreover, when I channel my irritation, my sadness, my surprise…it all feels like I’m actually there. Like I’m able to actually feel what Claire, my character, would feel.
‘Werewolves…it’s so weird! How could they exist?‘ she’d think.
‘What am I doing, dragging this bloodied body into my car?! I’m going to be so late for work…‘ she’d grumble.
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“That guy stalling me…what am I supposed to do?‘ she’d worry.
We go through each act, Alex growling so authentically, I’d almost think he was a dog. But he really channels the frustration and anger Lynus feels. Separated from his pack, feeling betrayed and lost, finally feeling affection and not knowing what to do.
“That’sss the way I see it, Lynus,”
My throat feels thick, but this time, not with panic. I feel fear, pain, like Claire.
“If you don’t go back to yourrr pack now when they need you most, then…what can they do? Who can they rrr–rely on?”
I gaze at Lynus, my heart thrumming in my chest. He’ll come at me, yelling, saying that I need him more than the wolves that abandoned him.
But that’s not what he says.
In fact, he doesn’t say anything.
I watch as a slight tinge of panic seeps into Lynus‘…no, Alex’s expression.
His mouth clenches, and he starts looking up. He does that all the time when he’s trying to think. His eyebrows start twitching, glancing toward the crowd.
ΔΙ
He’s forgotten his lines.
…It’s okay.
I know Claire like the back of my hand.
“…You…coward,”
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#Chapter 25 Proper Skillset
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She’d hurt Lynus‘ feelings here. Trigger his emotions, cause him to lash out. He says hurtful things when he doesn’t mean it just because he doesn’t control his anger well.
Berating him will make him leave.
“You’re no wolf! You’rrre just a coward! Sss–some alpha you are! Don’t try to cling to me jussst so you won’t get hurt!”
Alex blinks, surprised. But he catches on quickly. He always does.
Immediately, his expression shifts, his mouth curling into a snarl.
“Who are you to say-”
“I’m just the human you’rrre using to baby yourself, yeah! What a big man you are!”
He growls again, his fists clenching.
“I knew it. You’re just playing with me… Fine. Fine! Be that way!”
“Yeah, I will!”
Alex shakes his fist…then he turns sharply, exiting the stage as the sound monitor plays
audio of a slamming door.
As rehearsed, I bow my head after a few moments, crying into my hands.
“Holy fuck, I felt like I was gonna die,” Alex says after the play, a tad sweaty from the heat of the lights.
He and I sit in one of the back rooms, relaxing and de–stressing after the performance.
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“I see what you mean. Being on stage is scary as hell, Cynthia. But you saved my ass.”
When he looks at me, his eyes glimmer with pride.
“You were so cool.”
“Shut up…” I grumble, shoving him as I keep sipping from my juice box.
“No, seriously! You just came up with lines that fit! I couldn’t have done that, I don’t
think.”
Before I can retort, we hear a knock at the door. An older woman walks in before we can answer. Alex doesn’t know who she is, but I do.
“Mrs. Taylor,” I greet, standing up from my chair.
She smiles as she enters, looking much thinner than she had when she left.
“Hi Cynthia! I was hoping you’d still be here. It was a wonderful performance! I really enjoyed myself.” She gives Alex a thumbs up. “And great on you for participating!”
“Ah, haha, thanks.”
“So, Cynthia.” Her attention switches right back to me, a habit of hers even before she left on maternity leave. “I came to tell you something.”
“Uhm, what isss it?”
“From now on, I’m grouping you with the performers. So, even if you’re not a lead, you’ll have speaking roles.”
…Eh?
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