Page 88 of Rookie Season
Finding a quiet-ish spot in the corner, Cora and I settle in for our wait, sinking to the floor to start stretching and warming our bodies up. A while later, my phone pings, a notification from the 3B group chat.
Noah
We’re here.
Fisher
The first ones here. Literally.
He accompanies his text with a selfie of a completely empty theater, save for my three roommates, their big bodies sprawled on velvet seats.
Penn
Downsby apparently thought we’d miss it if we weren’t ridiculously early.
Fisher
Good thing these seats are comfortable. Any hotties backstage?
Penn
If so, give them my number, notFishy’s.
Ally
I won’t be giving out anybody’s number, just so we’re clear.
Noah
I’ll keep them in line, don’t worry.
Fisher
I take it back, I’m no longer supporting this relationship.
Ally
I just want you to know that you guys are the best, and I’m happy you’re all here.
Over the course of the next hour or so, a runner in a very official-looking headset and a stark white pair of sneakers pops in intermittently to call out the next group of names to make their way to the stage. Cora goes out for her audition and comes back ten minutes later with a huge smile on her face. “Nailed it!” she announces.
“Knew you would,” I reply.
When my name is finally called, Cora squeezes both of my hands. “Break a leg, Allegra.”
I take a huge deep breath. “See you on the other side.”
As I follow the runner down the hallway and out to the wings of the stage, nervous anticipation buzzes through my veins. For a moment, a wave of nausea washes over me as I get my cue to walk out there.
I make my way to center stage, head held high, but inside, I’m a mess. My stomach is swirling, and my palms are sweaty, and as my music starts, I can barely hear it above the nasty little voices in the back of my mind, growing louder and louder as they tell me I can’t, I shouldn’t…
And that’s when I see Noah.
He’s about halfway backin the audience, sandwiched between Penn and Fisher, his eyes trained on me. When we make eye contact, he smiles.
He’s here.
I can do this.
