She was "Maria" to him for a week. The Lima community theater was putting on a production of West Side Story. As he worked on fixing the spot light from high above the audience in the lighting box, he watched her. She was Maria. She was perfect. Her voice was mature, beautiful, powerful. She had such a presence on stage... he couldn't focus properly as she moved about.
There were still four more weeks of rehearsal before the show went up. He was needed to check the lights, make sure they worked, that none had burned out. They wouldn't need him again until a week before the show went up, but once he saw her, he couldn't keep away. He was up there, in the lighting box every rehearsal, watching from behind darkened windows.
It was a Thursday night.
Rehearsal ended at nine and the actors were making their way out of the theater. She remained. Maria. She was sitting on the edge of the stage, her legs hanging over. The director, Mariel, an annoying, snippy woman was packing her bag.
"Do you need something, Rachel?"
He heard it clearly this time. Rachel. Her name was Rachel. It was better than Maria.
The brunette shook her head slightly. "Actually, I was wondering if I could stay a half hour sometimes after rehearsal to work on some songs. It's a lot more fun to practice on stage."
Mariel thought it over and then nodded. "Sure. I'll lock up, so just turn off the lights and don't leave anything behind or else you'll have to wait until tomorrow to get it."
"Oh, thank you." She slid from the stage and hugged Mariel, who laughed and patted her back.
Growling slightly, he paced in the lighting box. Mariel was a peach to her. To his Maria. He stopped pacing and moved back toward the window. Mariel was making her way out of the theater. She didn't know he was up here. She wouldn't leave Rachel alone if she knew.
Clapping in excitement, Rachel moved back onto the stage. She moved to center stage and looked out over the audience. He stepped back, not wanting to be seen. A figure could be noticeable in the box, though with the lights on, maybe she wouldn't see him.
After drawing in a deep breath, she began to sing. He didn't know the song, but her voice was just as sweet and lovely as always. She was singing something about meeting a wizard, he didn't know what that meant, but his eyes never left her.
When she finished her song he clapped once before stopping instantly. The sound echoed. Immediately he realized his mistake as her expression changed to something of fear. She looked around, then out over the audience, shielding her eyes from the lights. He stepped away from the windows.
He might have ruined everything.
The theater was quiet. When he chanced a look out the window, she was grabbing her things. He stepped back again as she gave another sweeping look to the theater. The lights went out soon after. He heard the door close.
He would be more careful next time. He would not scare her off. He had an idea... a plan. For next time...