Page 144 of Intermission
“Noah.” His name is an exhalation, a breath—my breath—held inside far too long.
He’s here.
He’s . . . real.
“Noah.” I open my eyes. “You’re here.” I press my hand to his cheek. “And you’re still a hack. You cheesed up that song fromThoroughly Modern Millie.”
“Busted. I guess I can’t get anything by you.”
Noah’s smile. Noah’s smile is everything. It’severything.
“You’re here. You came.”
“Yeah.” The blue of his eyes is brighter than I remembered. Wetter.
Mom clears her throat. “I’m going to run upstairs and get some bandages. I’ll... be right back.”
I don’t move except to blink. I think I might never move again.
But what did Mom say? Bandages? For what?
“What is she talking about?”
“Do you remember dropping the jar?”
I bite my lower lip. I do vaguely remember the sound of glass shattering. I nod. “I think... I locked my knees.”
“Ah. Well, when you fainted, I...” Noah’s voice is a little strained but so beautiful, “I had to catch you.”
I lift my head. There’s a bright red stain on Noah’s left sock. “You’re bleeding!”
“It’s not that bad. Areyouall right?”
“I’m fine.I’mnot the one bleeding.” I move to sit up.
“Careful now.” Noah’s arms tighten around me. “Broken glass, you know. Give yourself a minute. Get your bearings.”
“Does it hurt? Is it deep?”
“My understudy will probably be disappointed, but I think I’ll live.”
“Good. But still, we should... I’m sorry, but did you sayunderstudy?”
“Yes.” Noah grins. “We’re still in rehearsals, but starting next month, and then for the next eight months, I’ll be playing the part of Jimmy in an off-Broadway revival ofThoroughly Modern Millie. And in case you wondered, I do sing the correct words on stage.”
“You’re inMillie? Wait. You said off-Broadway. You mean... you’re in New York? But you’re supposed to be in London for another year!”
“Remember when I said I would try to switch to the two-year program?”
I nod.
“I finished in April, packed my bags, and headed back to the States. Long story short, I started auditioning and... got this part.”
“That’s . . . wow! Congratulations!”
My cheeks ache with sheer joy. With Noah back in my life, I should probably get used to the feeling.
“I can’t believe you’re really here. You’re in my mom’s house, bleeding on the laundry room floor.”
