Chapter 6: Microwaves and Madness
"Sarah's got a little surprise for you, Mr. Whiteside. She's just taking it out of the microwave," Louis said to Harry who was sitting downstage in a wheelchair.
"Thank you, John," said Harry in a tired, sarcastic tone. He rolled his eyes.
"Cut!" Mr. McDonald shouted. Pressing a finger to his temple, he sighed, "Whiteside, could you please deliver that line as if you like John? You two actually like and respect each other in this show."
"Of course," replied Harry with a sugary sweet smile. "We are acting, after all."
"I don't care what you're doing. Just change the delivery. And action!" their director shouted. After a long day of school and what was beginning to look like a long rehearsal, the drama teacher was already at his wits end.
"Sarah's got a little surprise for you, Mr. Whiteside," Louis said again, patience beginning to wane. "She's just taking it out of the microwave –"
"First of all, the line is not microwave. It's 'oven,'" Harry interrupted, breaking character. "How am I supposed to deliver the next line correctly if my cue line is wrong? Your ignorance could mess up the entire show."
"Deepest apologies," Louis drawled.
Harry threw his arms up in frustration. "Are you not taking this seriously?"
"No, I am taking it seriously, but you're making a big deal out of nothing," Louis snapped. "I'll change the line. There's no need to be drama queen about it."
"You undermine the importance of this line," Harry explained in that old I'm-Harry Styles-and-I-know-everything voice. "What if microwaves weren't invented? The Cappies will mark us off. And what if I miss my line because of that little mistake?"
"Then you won't thank me, and we can move on."
"Mr. McDonald, Tomlinson isn't taking this seriously –" Harry tattled, but he was cut off by the sound of the director slamming his head into his clipboard. "Mr. McDonald?" Harry prompted. "Mr. McDonald, tell him –"
"Harry, give it a rest," called Kendall Knight, who played the second largest male role. "You're kind of making a big deal out of nothing. He'll fix the line, okay?"
A scary look crossed Harry's face. It distorted his fine features and made him look downright murderous. Luckily, his back was facing the offstage area where Kendall stood so only Louis saw. But just as quick as the nasty look appeared, Harry's face returned to normal, and he continued as if nothing happened.
The moment Louis finished his lines and made his exit, he sighed heavily and leaned against the backstage wall. Working with Harry was exhausting, and having to hold his tongue every minute of rehearsal was taking every ounce of self-control.
"Rough scene?" a familiar voice questioned.
Louis stood up straight and saw Grace sitting on the couch behind him. Her legs were crossed elegantly, and it looked like she'd been reading over the script.
"Sort of," he replied with a small smile.
"It happens," she said with a shrug. "Come relax while you can."
How could this sweet girl be dating such a jerk? He glanced onstage and saw Harry shooting daggers at him from his wheelchair. Fearlessly, Louis flashed the lead actor a large grin and sat down next to Grace. He swallowed the bad feeling that he might be trying to steal his rival's girlfriend.
The remainder of rehearsal was choppy with stop-and-go scenes, and everyone was tired... except Grace and Louis who sat backstage chatting. The minute they finished their run-through, Mr. McDonald called everyone to the stage.
"Remember that one week from today is opening night!" Mr. McDonald stared at his cast with wild eyes and let fear settle. "You are dismissed."
On the way out of practice, Louis caught Grace's eye and smiled to which she waved and called, "See you Monday, Louis!"
In response, Harry moved next to her, placed a protective hand at her waist, and planted a large kiss on her lips. Grace just looked seriously annoyed with this PDA, and the couple began a quieter, serious conversation.
Production week was taxing, but the rush he felt on opening night was worth it all. The adrenaline that coursed through Louis's body at his audition was nothing compared to performing for a live, laughing audience. After the show, Louis (still in his butler tuxedo) joined Carlos (still in his crazy scientist make-up) and James in the lobby where they both congratulated him.
"You got all your cues perfectly tonight!" Carlos said.
"Yeah, man, you were the best. Can you butler at my house?" joked James.
"Thanks, Carlos, you had the crowd in stitches," he said graciously. "And James, we both really appreciate you coming tonight. You're a good friend."
James gave him a suspicious look. "Why are you being so nice all of a sudden?"
"Yeah…" Carlos's voice trailed off. "You thanked me. That never happens."
"What are you talking about?" asked Louis. "I've thanked you before – "
"It's because you've been hanging out with that Grace Pearson girl!" Carlos pointed a finger at his chest triumphantly. "I knew it! I knew that you liked her."
Louis gawked at him. "You guys are being ridiculous! She's dating Harry!"
Carlos and James exchanged a look and smiled smugly.
"Which is exactly why you want her," said James.
"Besides the fact she's downright beautiful inside and out," Carlos added. "But not as gorgeous as Sam," he corrected himself.
"Guys, don't be ridiculous," Louis tried again, but he felt the conversation slipping. If he kept denying, they'd pester him more. He changed his shocked expression to a bored one. He said to James, "You asked me a question earlier. Well, the answer is no. I will never butler at your house, you idiot."
"Now that's the Louis Tomlinson I know!" James said.
"Oh, Lou, you going to IHOP with the cast?" Carlos asked. "I can give you a ride."
"Thanks, Carlos, but I'm beat. I'm going to change and get home to be fresh for Niall's party tomorrow night."
Louis headed down the hall and overheard James say, "He thanked you twice! It's a record!" Maybe Grace was changing his behavior. He tried not to think about how much he wanted her and Harry to break up as he closed the dressing room door.
Speak of the devil, as he changed out of his tux, Louis heard voices in the hall. One of them was Kendall. "You heading to IHOP?"
"Absolutely!" came Grace's reply. "Are you?"
"You bet," Kendall said. "Can I offer you a ride?"
Louis recognized Harry's sharp voice immediately. "No, you cannot. Ever."
"Sheesh, man, no need to be defensive," Kendall said slowly. "See you there, Grace." Louis heard the back door open as Kendall slipped out to the parking lot.
"What was that about?" Grace demanded once Kendall was gone. "You're so overprotective and angry, I hardly know you anymore! What's gotten into you?"
"What's gotten into me? What's gotten into you?! You're suddenly flirting with every guy you come across. Did you notice that?"
"There's a difference between being nice and flirting," Grace said coolly.
"Oh really, well you haven't been doing either to me. I expect different treatment than Kendall or Tomlinson or whoever. In case you've forgotten, I'm your boyfriend."
"I'm not disloyal, Harry. I still like you a lot, but I'm sick of all this fighting. No, I haven't forgotten you're my boyfriend since you like reminding me so often. But if you can't trust me, then I won't need your reminders because they won't be true anymore."
Louis could sense the intensity of the silence that followed. He finished gathering his belongings, ready to leave the minute he could.
"A-Are you threatening to break-up with me?" Harry actually sounded heartbroken. "Grace…"
"I'll see you at IHOP, Harry," she said sadly.
"Let me give you a ride."
"I'd rather my mom drive me, if you don't mind."
Louis heard her leave through the back door, and he quickly grabbed his backpack and left the dressing room. When he stepped into the hall, he saw Harry standing stoically alone. Then all of a sudden, he swung open the door and chased his girlfriend into the parking lot, yelling apologies and compliments at the top of his lungs.
If you were Grace, would you stay with Harry? Let me know in a review!
Sneak Peak: What happens when you put all of The Right Direction characters at Niall's seasonal party? The next chapter!