How long have you had a crush on me?
I barge back into my dressing room and slam the door. Heavy and obvious breaths escaping my lungs. I have never been so angry at Matt in my life. How could he be such an imbecile?
Trying to gather myself and my thoughts, I peek in the mirror. A pasty, pale face stares back at me, accompanied by bright orange feisty hair. I idly notice that a few freckles are starting to show through my foundation, but can't be bothered to cover them back up with more make up. It's already 8:30pm, only half an hour to go before I can sleep, thank goodness.
Thinking about the incident that just occurred on set, in-between shots, I flush with embarrassment. Matt had been speaking to me about his ex-girlfriend, Daisy. He was telling me how she was a really lovely girl, but things just hadn't worked out between the two of them. He went on and on about her, telling me about how beautiful and funny she was, and how much he missed her. Matt knows how I feel about him. He must do, I don't do a very good job of hiding the fact that I really, really like him. The way he kept droning on about his ex really got to me, and just emphasized the fact that I'll never get a chance of being with him myself. When Matt paused for breath, I nimbly interrupted and excused myself from the conversation, I couldn't listen to him torment me with his words any longer. I hurried away from the set and now I'm sat here, alone and dwelling on my thoughts.
I am rudely distracted from my train of thought by three abrupt knocks on the oak door.
''Kaz?... Kaz, you in there?''
A familiar voice echoes through one ear and out the other... It's Matt. My instincts to reply are suppressed, whilst I think of how I am going to handle the situation. I have to tell him, I have to make it clear and be sure that he knows. OK, here goes...
''Yes?'' I query, waiting for an answer, I tousle my hair and check it looks okay in the mirror. ''Can I come in?'' A sympathetic voice murmurs from the other side of the door. Before I can say yes, a tall, clumsy, witty man is standing in front of me. His posture is absolutely shocking, as he slumps against the door frame. ''Why did you walk away all of a sudden? We were in the middle of a conversation?'' His question spikes through me, and I don't know how to speak all of a sudden. I'm sure I can feel my skin turning white. ''Matt... I...' I am at a loss for words. He tentatively strides further towards me, closing in on me like a predator onto it's vulnerable prey.
Realising there is really something wrong, Matt's expression alters. He looks at me with huge, sad eyes and utters ''Karen, what's wrong?'' I take a sharp breath in and then his arms are around me, cradling my ribs and back, ever so gentle and reassuring, yet firm and safe at the same time. I could stay in these arms forever, given the chance.
''Is it about Daisy?'' he asks, concerned. His eyes scan my face, seeking some depth or enlightenment. It only takes one second of him looking into my eyes for him to realize, and understand. I nod. ''Kaz, why.. why haven't you ever told me?'' I think, and then tell him... ''I didn't think you felt the same, Matt. You're a very busy person, you know, here one minute, there the next. I can't keep up with you. I was and am still so frightened of ruining what we have, as friends you know?'' He sighs. In what? Annoyance? Dissapointment? Relif?
'''You are so silly, Kaz.'' The corners of his mouth crease up as he says this, and my breath hitches. What is he thinking?