"Robbie!"

"Robbie!"

"Can you help me with—?"

"Hold on man, I can only do 50 things at once." I said, bypassing him and moving to one of the quieter people, someone who never talked unless it was absolutely necessary.

"What's up man?" I said confidently.

"I…This isn't working right. This hasn't ever happened before." He said.

The ropes to the curtains are all tangled.

"Now that would be a problem…Sikowitz!" I yelled over my shoulder.

"I didn't mess up did I? It was like this when I got here." He said rapidly.

"Don't worry man. This won't be a problem." I reassured him as footsteps came closer.

"Yeah Robbie?" Sikowitz asked.

"Ropes?" I called back.

"What do you—Ooh! I'll grab a ladder. Don't worry Rob, I got this." He said.

"Thanks." I said, moving on to the next person, who was in makeup.

Cat's her current customer.

"Yeah? What's up Singe?" I joked.

Her name is Cindy, but she accidentally burnt her hair and had to hack it off right below her ear. So she got the nickname Singe. Like singed.

"Do you know if Cat can get curls tonight? I was told a few days ago she was supposed to be straight haired."

Cat made a whimpering noise and looked up to me.

"Curls are fine. And you look nice Cat." I said before turning to glance at the rest of hair and makeup.

I barely caught her half smile.

On to the next issue.

"How are you?"

Are you kidding me?

"I'm fine. You're fine right?" I snap at him.

He nodded. I walked away swiftly and waited for someone else to flag me down.

But I got all the way to my seat. I even got so bored I pulled out my phone and checked the slap.

Tori Vega: New show tonight! Friday night fun at HA!

Not for my parents, who almost assuredly aren't here. They talked about other plans over dinner, completely oblivious to my presence.

This week has flat out sucked. I haven't talked to anybody basically due to my extended lunch.

And collectively they apparently blew a gasket at Sikowitz's solution/response to their collective absence.

Tori wanted to blame me according to Andre, saying I still am holding a grudge about stuff. She didn't even elaborate apparently.

Beck and Jade have said they are on my side, and that Tori's just mad about the grade. Part of me wants to think that, but wouldn't they be mad too then? Why is Tori the only mad one?

Sorry if this seems random. But this week has worn me down. I can only handle so much stress and people being stupid.

Speaking of stress…Cat.

Let's just say she's not helping. In her defense, she didn't know I would be out on Wednesday night. It wasn't her fault I almost, I mean almost walked in on her and her boyfriend, whose name I now know to be Ryan.

I know I sound like a broken record, and I know I shouldn't care…but it still gets under my skin.

I need to stop caring.

"Robbie!" Tori said, walking quickly over to me.

"Hey Tor. How's it?" I said cordially.

"Good, sorry about the other day."

"It's fine." I lied.

"Nah, I was PMS-ing and—"

"Say no more seniorita. Say no more." I said, cringing.

"But—" She began.

"Don't worry about it. Now did you just come to apologize?"

"No…I was just gonna say it looks like your crew has everything taken care of. Ni—."

"TORI! Get over here!" Sikowitz snapped, and she jumped away from me and our nice little conversation.

Oh well.

She is right, it looks like everyone is on a roll.

After taking a moment or two to relish the moment, I strolled over to the switchboard and sat back as Tori, Beck, Cat, Jade and Andre simply dominated. Everything was flawless, even down to the timing of the curtains and everyone taking a step back to let it fall right in front of them.

Then raucous celebration ensued.

"Yeah!"

"Woo Hoo!"

Andre, Beck and a few other people busted into a impromptu dance session. Everybody else on the talent side and a few crew members watched and crowded around before Sikowitz brought the sanity and calm back.

Never thought I'd say that about him.

I motioned for everyone under my direction to come to me. Otherwise known as "On Me."

Smiles were everywhere as they gathered around.

"Great job everybody. Amazing. I can't be more proud of you."

Smiles just got wider.

"I mean it when I say that I've never seen a play go so smoothly. You all outdid yourselves tonight. Now clean up and you're done."

A cheer rang out and they scattered to their positions and started clean up.

I fell back into my routine of plugging in my pearPod but helped out hair and makeup with disassembly before falling back to my switchboard.

Tap Tap.

I turn around to briefly see that almost everyone is gone except—

Amber?

I calmly pull my headphones out and turn to see her fully.

Jesus she's still hot.

"Hey!" She piped up with a smile.

"Hey Amber, what brings you here?" I politely asked.

How'd she get back here?

"I wanted to see your play of course! That was awesome!" She said bubbily.

"I'm glad you liked it." I smiled.

She smiled before clearing her throat and saying "So, I talked to Andre I think was his name, but anyway, he said that you had a whole bunch of freshman as your tech crew?"

I nodded, not thinking of anything else to say.

"Oh wow! He said that you did a herculean task getting them into fighting form. Congratulations!"

"Thanks Amber. It wasn't bad, they just were inexperienced." I shrug.

"It still sounds awful. I can't bear to even talk to freshman, but you had to make a entire play's mechanics work with them!"

I shrug again.

I've never been good with over the top compliments.

"Anyway, I was thinking…after you get done here, you wanna go to BlueBerry?" She asked with a smile.

"Sure…I have to shut this switchboard down and cut the lights, but then sure." I smiled back.

She took a few steps back and took the seat usually occupied by the Amber that just waved and walked out the door.

Amber and Amber.

I leaned down and unplugged the big surge protector.

"Bzzzzt."

"What was that?" Amber asked as I came out from underneath it.

"The surge protector. We're good." I said, standing and grabbing my backpack.

"That's it?"

"Yep." I replied.

"That's impressive that you run all of that Robbie. Looks difficult."

I shrugged. "I don't use all the switches and stuff."

"I know, but still." She said.

We lapsed into a comfortable silence as I held the door for her, then led the way to BlueBerry.

I've been meaning to come. They have the best FroYo in the Valley.

"What are you thinking of?" I asked quietly, causing her to slightly jump.

"Cherry Vanilla with a whole bunch of stuff on top." She replied, then walked over to the dispensers.

I stood there for a moment, eventually settling on cookies and cream. After getting it weighed and paying, I watched as Amber dumped nuts, sprinkles, gummy bears, caramel and fudge on top, then walked away like it was nothing.

I simply got sprinkles.

I always was the boring one.

"So, how's your full course meal over there?" I joked as I sat opposite her.

She laughed. "It's good, how about yours?"

"It's fine. Nothing special. Just a treat."

"You deserve it after all that work you did tonight." She said, sounding serious.

I swallowed my bite. "Thanks. So how have things been for you?"

"Things have been good. Busy working and stuff." She said like it was nothing.

"You still with you're boyfriend?"

I briefly see her react before saying gently, "Yeah, we're great."

"Good, I'm glad." I say sincerely.

"Thanks. How about you? Found a new girl?" She turned it around on me, looking at me with a blank expression on her face.

"Nah." I replied simply.

"Oh. Are you still mad at me?"

"No. You wouldn't be here if I was still mad at you." I said succinctly.

"How about Cat?" She pushed.

"Cat's Cat. You know what an enigma she is."

"Which means you still like her." She theorized.

"She has a new boyfriend." I answer back.

"Doesn't mean you don't still like her dude. Your heart doesn't care about other people or goalies. They pick who you want and you're stuck with it."

"It's not that simple Amber." I reply.

"Why not?

"I can't like a girl that has a boyfriend. It's just not right."

"So you do like her."

"Amber! It doesn't matter! She. Has. A. Boyfriend!"

"You don't like him because he's not you."

I rolled my eyes and sat back.

"You know it's true." She smirked.

"No! I don't know ok? I just know I can't like her, and that she doesn't care."

"Oh, why doesn't she care?"

"Because she knew I needed her and she met this guy, then started dating him without allowing me to get ready for my heart to get blown up!" I attempt to explain.

"Because you like her."

"NO! Because we got close again after I briefly left home!"

"Dude, I'm telling you—Wait. Did you say you left home?" She asked, sounding surprised.

"Yeah I did. Why does it matter?"

"Why'd you leave?'

"Because I basically walked in on my parents." I answered.

"They're back together?"

I nodded.

"You're kidding. You have to be kidding."

I shook my head. "Nope."

She took the last bite of her FroYo and sat back. "Well…no wonder you're so mad."

"Huh?" I ask.

"Are you happy?"

"Not really." I answered.

"Well, that's because your life is so chaotic. You don't know what or who to blame. So it's getting put on Cat."

"No it's not—."

"Then why aren't you happy?"

That's a good question.

I shrugged. "I have no clue."

"See? I'm right! You need to see a therapist."

"I don't need to see a therapist! I've seen enough to last me a lifetime."

"Then how do you expect to feel better?"

"I don't know? Time maybe?" I shot back at her.

Thank goodness nobody's outside with us. This is kind of heated.

"So you'll sacrifice a unknown amount of time, in the hope that time heals your heart? That's your plan?"

"Well, what do you have to say Amber? Let's hear your plan!"

"You wanna know my plan? How about you man the fuck up, go to a therapist to get your damn head on straight, then grow some balls and get Cat back."

"She has a boyfriend!" I retort angrily.

"SO? You guys are tailor made for one another. You will always want her, why not go get her? Be a man! Take what you want!"

I look back to my half finished cup of FroYo.

I don't want that.

I just want to leave.

"Like you're a love expert. I'm leaving. Thanks for ruining the night." I say darkly, scooping up my cup and throwing it away.

"You know I'm just trying to help!" She called out, standing up as I walked to my car.

"Well, you aren't very good at that!" I reply, then climb into my car and shut the door.

I see her mouth a few words, then extend her arms.

I shift into reverse and back out.

I don't look back until I'm at the light parallel to the little shop.

All I see is a woman with her head in her hands.

The silent drive home is nice and welcome.

"Hey! How'd it go?" Mom chimed as I walked inside.

She's watching TV. Dad's laptop is next to her, along with a beer.

Dad's here somewhere.

"Bad. I'm going to bed." I say, not breaking stride.

"Robbie!"

"Baby, come back! Talk to me!"

I march all the way to my room and shut it with a bang.

Voices float upstairs for a few minutes, then they started knocking on my door.

"Son, what happened?"

"C'mon Robbie. You can't do this to us." Mom said, sounding on the edge of crying.

I just lie there.

"Unlock the door please."

I'm afraid what they'll do to me next time I trust them.

I don't move until I finally fall asleep, their gentle knocks fading to silence.