And please, let me be. Let me be your star!
Karen's voice soared over the already cheering crowd, she held her breath as she was applauded and held her pose as the curtains drew to a close, their velvet lining blocking the bright spotlight from her eyes. The brunette relaxed and was enveloped by the entire cast and crew, every single one offering congratulations and praise. Looking around though, Karen couldn't see the one person she had been thinking about all day, the one person who had stuck by her and had faith in her through everything, Derek. When she couldn't find him anywhere near the stage, she was forced back into the spotlight for the final curtain call. Disappointed that she didn't get to see him she faked a grin and bowed for her fans.
"Iowa, you were amazing." Jessica gushed as soon as Karen entered the wings where her friends had been hiding.
"Thanks you guys, I couldn't have done it without all of your support." And Derek's she thought to herself.
"Uhm, have you- have you by any chance seen Derek around?" she whispered coyly.
"OMG I was right, you owe me a twenty." Bobby fawned holding out his hand to Jessica.
Grunting, she placed a twenty dollar bill in his hand and glared daggers at him but Bobby just began laughing, both of them turned their attentions back to a confused Karen who was still wondering where Derek was.
"The Darklord left right after eye-raping you from stage left. He had to do a few things with Eileen but he said he'd be at the after party." Bobby answered her, a smirk playing on his lips.
Karen blushed at the implications that they were both suggesting to her. Honestly, she didn't know what was going on between her and Derek, it was part of the reason why she wanted to find him, but she also knew that she wanted to find him to feel safe again. After the whole situation with Dev, Karen found it hard to trust anyone but Derek made her feel at home, he made her feel safe. His words had been playing in her head non-stop since he had uttered them to her ' I do understand love.' How could four small words have such a big effect on her?
Karen got dressed into her usual tights, loose shirt, leather jacket and boots to go to the bar close to the theatre where everyone was for the official 'Bombshell' after party. She found herself tugging at the end of her leather jacket and tried to stop herself but she was nervous to see Derek again, excited but nervous. What if he didn't like the show? What if her performance wasn't good enough? a million 'what if's' circled around in her head.
"Iowa? Iowa? KAREN!" Sam yelled pulling her out of her thoughts.
"Huh? What?" She whispered, still distracted with thoughts of a certain director.
"Quit thinking about Derek and come on, we're already late and you're the star." he laughed grabbing her arm and running the rest of the way.
Once inside, The overture from the show played and a spotlight once again landed on Karen.
"CONGRATULATIONS!" everyone shouted, the lights were flashing and cameras started to click as Karen laughed and thanked everyone.
When the crowd let her go, she found herself drifting towards the bar and ordering a scotch on the rocks. She was exhausted and needed something to take her mind off of all the questions attacking her brain.
"Bit strong for you, don't you think love?" Karen knew who it was instantly, she could hear the sarcasm and amusement drenching his voice in a way that made her want to just melt into him.
"Derek," she whispered, swivelling her bar chair to face the bemused heartthrob. He smiled at her and hugged her.
"You were a star tonight, darling." he whispered in her ear, making her in return hug him tighter she didn't want to ruin the moment but she desperately needed answers, she needed to know where they stood because so far it had been a very confusing saga of events that summed up to no solid conclusion.
"Derek we have to talk.." she said, giving him a smile to make sure he knew it wasn't about anything terribly serious.
"I know, love. Coffee back in the hotel?" he asked extending his arm like the british gentleman that he was.