xp_logs | Log: Callie and the Townie (Reply)

Callie meets a local as she escapes the diva-licious rehearsal.

Callie hugged herself tightly as she ventured out into the cold. She had hoped that her flannel shirt would be able to keep her somewhat protected, but no such luck. At least it was quiet, which was all that could be hoped for. It was too loud, too hot, too stressful inside the auditorium, and even being caught outside without a coat was preferred to that volcanic atmosphere. 'This shouldn't be that difficult,' she thought as she prodded at a pile of slush with the toe of her boot. She had been singing for what felt like hours, and very little of that time had been spent singing. Most of her rehearsal had been her listening to Essa and Landry squabble over how the other was too loud, too off pitch, or couldn't get the rhythm, it had becoming tiring about five minutes in. And the first chance she had, Callie decided to take a break to clear her head.

She sighed and looked up at the sky, grateful to find solitude, even if she was about to freeze.

"Hey, wait up." The door that had been swinging closed abruptly opened again, admitting a young man of about Callie's height out behind the auditorium as well. He was wearing an uncertain, awkward smile and a Rear Beat hoodie, his hands stuffed deep into the pockets. "Um...hi. I'm Jackson."

Her head whipped around quickly, strands of red hair getting caught on her lipgloss. "Oh sorry," she said, pushing the hair away. "I didn't see anyone coming." Callie flashed him an apologetic smile as she stepped closer. "Yeah, I know. I saw you at the read-through. I'm Callie. Nice to meet you."

The tall boy's smile brightened a little. "Cool! I mean...yeah. Don't worry, I'm not really a douche, I just play one on stage. Egeus."

Callie laughed. "Well I guess I kinda look like a fairy?" Shrug. "I don't know."

"I was going to get you a soda, but I guess you found a better way to cool down." He tightened the neck of his hoodie a bit as the wind picked up. "I think you look fine. Really fine." He seemed to be slowly gaining confidence. "So, after the princesses get themselves calmed down, do you want to go hang out or something?"

"Ummm... sure." There was a tentative glance back at the doors behind them. In her head she could still hear the other two girls bickering. The wind picked up once more, sending a shiver though Callie's spine, and causing her to squeeze her arms tighter to her body. "Are they always like this," she asked, turning back to Jackson.

The boy laughed. "Kinda, yeah. Regular spotlight divas, but they're OK on their own, y'know?. If you put them in the same room, though, they've gotta go at it."

Sigh. She wished someone had warned her about what she was getting into before rehearsals started, at least then she could have brought some homework to do while the other girls tired to out diva each other. But at least this guy seemed nice and friendly, so that was something, right? "No. I hear you." Callie looked at the door once more and sighed. "I suppose I should get back before they send out the search party."

"If they've even noticed." Jackson moved to open the door for her. "So where do you wanna go?"

"I was just going to go back inside?" Callie passed through the doorway back into the warmth. "Thanks. You know, back to rehearsal?"

Jackson's smile faltered, his entire expression dimming. "I thought we were going to hang out later."

"Oh!" Callie's face lit up in understanding; she felt so stupid. "I'm sorry. No. Yeah. Yeah. Sure. Of course. Yeah."

Just like that, he was all smiles again. "Cool." He followed her, letting the door swing shut behind them.